429 research outputs found

    Behavior quantification as the missing link between fields: Tools for digital psychiatry and their role in the future of neurobiology

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    The great behavioral heterogeneity observed between individuals with the same psychiatric disorder and even within one individual over time complicates both clinical practice and biomedical research. However, modern technologies are an exciting opportunity to improve behavioral characterization. Existing psychiatry methods that are qualitative or unscalable, such as patient surveys or clinical interviews, can now be collected at a greater capacity and analyzed to produce new quantitative measures. Furthermore, recent capabilities for continuous collection of passive sensor streams, such as phone GPS or smartwatch accelerometer, open avenues of novel questioning that were previously entirely unrealistic. Their temporally dense nature enables a cohesive study of real-time neural and behavioral signals. To develop comprehensive neurobiological models of psychiatric disease, it will be critical to first develop strong methods for behavioral quantification. There is huge potential in what can theoretically be captured by current technologies, but this in itself presents a large computational challenge -- one that will necessitate new data processing tools, new machine learning techniques, and ultimately a shift in how interdisciplinary work is conducted. In my thesis, I detail research projects that take different perspectives on digital psychiatry, subsequently tying ideas together with a concluding discussion on the future of the field. I also provide software infrastructure where relevant, with extensive documentation. Major contributions include scientific arguments and proof of concept results for daily free-form audio journals as an underappreciated psychiatry research datatype, as well as novel stability theorems and pilot empirical success for a proposed multi-area recurrent neural network architecture.Comment: PhD thesis cop

    Impact of Childhood Trauma on Levels of Depressive Symptoms, Pain, Functionality, and Cognitive Conflicts in Fibromyalgia

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    [eng] In recent years, much scientific evidence has shown the role of child maltreatment in human development, which impacts all aspects of growth, physical, behavioral, emotional, and cognitive. Depending on the extent of the maltreatment, it may lead to childhood trauma and generate a vulnerability to mental and physical health. The extent of the maltreatment encompasses its frequency and duration, the age in which it occurred, and the type of maltreatment, whether one isolated type or several types of maltreatment. When more than one type of maltreatment is present, it produces a cumulative effect that can be potentially more damaging than a single type of maltreatment. Although little is known to date, many studies focus on uncovering the role and influence of childhood trauma in chronic pain. Moreover, even less is known about the role of specific types of maltreatment experienced in childhood or the cumulative effect of multiple maltreatment types on the treatment outcome of patients with chronic pain. This research investigated the impact of single types of childhood trauma and the cumulative effect of more than one type of maltreatment on reported levels of depressive symptoms, pain, functionality, and indexes of cognitive conflict before and after psychological treatment for participants with Fibromyalgia (FM) and depressive symptoms. The research was divided into two studies, Study 1 was a cross-sectional analysis, and Study 2 included pre and posttreatment data analysis. For these two studies, 104 women with FM and depressive symptoms responded to the childhood trauma questionnaire at baseline assessment. In Study 1, our sample was assessed for single and cumulative types of maltreatment using a cutoff indicative of traumatic levels and compared with similar samples from other studies. In addition, childhood trauma scores were compared with scores of depressive symptoms, pain, functionality, and cognitive conflicts at pretreatment (baseline). Results revealed that our sample had considerably higher percentages of participants with childhood trauma in at least four maltreatment dimensions than community samples of other studies. Regarding the hypotheses predicting possible correlations between depressive symptoms, pain, functionality, and cognitive conflicts with rates of childhood trauma, for both single and cumulative maltreatment types, there was only one small-sized correlation indicating a tendency of those women with FM to display low levels of functionality in the presence of a history of childhood emotional abuse. In Study 2, participants were treated with either cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or personal construct therapy (PCT). There was minimal difference between the treatment outcomes of those two therapies, and for this reason, this investigation considered the two groups as one sample. The change index of depressive symptoms, pain levels, functionality, and cognitive conflicts at posttreatment scores was calculated and compared to childhood trauma scores at baseline. In addition, childhood trauma scores and dropouts were analyzed to identify a potential correlation between these two variables. Results of Study 2 showed that participants with a history of sexual or emotional abuse had an improvement in pain levels at discharge, based on a small size correlation between the change index of pain levels and sexual abuse, and a medium size correlation between the same change index and emotional abuse, suggesting that such a history of CT may impact pain levels in FM. One medium and one small size correlation showed less change in the discrepancy of selfconstructions related, respectively, to the items “self” and “ideal self” when participants had a history of emotional abuse and “ideal self” and “others” when they had a history of emotional neglect. These negative correlations may indicate a tendency that a history of emotional abuse and neglect might be a handicap to accessing positive therapy outcomes in terms of a positive view of oneself and perceived similarity to others. There was one significant positive correlation between the change index of the number of IDs and physical neglect, and one medium size correlation between that same index and emotional neglect. These results might indicate that the impact of childhood neglect lost its strength following therapy, perhaps because of an acceptance of new possibilities for understanding conflicts. Lastly, the change index of the discrepancy between the “ideal self” and “others” showed a significant negative correlation with five and three types of cumulative maltreatment, suggesting that a cumulative history of CT may affect access to positive therapy outcomes regarding a critical view of others. In addition, one type and absence of maltreatment also showed a medium size negative correlation for this same change index. No other correlations were found for the indexes of change. Furthermore, there was no correlation between single or cumulative childhood trauma and dropouts. By exploring the possible impact of childhood trauma on depressive symptoms, pain, functionality, and cognitive conflicts in FM with depressive symptoms, this study intended to generate knowledge to inform psychological treatments and strategies to enhance treatment outcomes.[cat] En los últimos años, mucha evidencia científica ha demostrado el papel del maltrato infantil en el desarrollo humano, que afecta todos los aspectos del crecimiento, físico, conductual, emocional y cognitivo. Dependiendo de la extensión del maltrato, puede conducir a un trauma infantil y generar una vulnerabilidad a la salud mental y física. El alcance del maltrato abarca su frecuencia y duración, la edad en que ocurrió y el tipo de maltrato, ya sea un tipo aislado o varios tipos de maltrato. Cuando está presente más de un tipo de maltrato, produce un efecto acumulativo que puede ser potencialmente más dañino que un solo tipo de maltrato. Aunque hasta la fecha se sabe poco, muchos estudios se centran en descubrir el papel y la influencia del trauma infantil en el dolor crónico. Además, se sabe aún menos sobre el papel de tipos específicos de maltrato experimentados en la infancia o el efecto acumulativo de múltiples tipos de maltrato en el resultado del tratamiento de pacientes con dolor crónico. Esta investigación examinó el impacto de tipos únicos de trauma infantil y el efecto acumulativo de más de un tipo de maltrato en los niveles informados de síntomas depresivos, dolor, funcionalidad e índices de conflicto cognitivo antes y después del tratamiento psicológico para participantes con Fibromialgia (FM). y síntomas depresivos. La investigación se dividió en dos estudios, el Estudio 1 fue un análisis transversal y el Estudio 2 incluyó análisis de datos previos y posteriores al tratamiento. Para estos dos estudios, 104 mujeres con FM y síntomas depresivos respondieron al cuestionario de trauma infantil en la evaluación inicial. En el Estudio 1, nuestra muestra se evaluó en cuanto a tipos de maltrato único y acumulativo utilizando un punto de corte indicativo de niveles traumáticos y se comparó con muestras similares de otros estudios. Además, las puntuaciones de trauma infantil se compararon con puntuaciones de síntomas depresivos, dolor, funcionalidad y conflictos cognitivos antes del tratamiento (línea de base). Los resultados revelaron que nuestra muestra tenía porcentajes considerablemente más altos de participantes con trauma infantil en al menos cuatro dimensiones de maltrato que las muestras comunitarias de otros estudios. En cuanto a las hipótesis sobre las posibles correlaciones entre los síntomas depresivos, el dolor, la funcionalidad y los conflictos cognitivos con las tasas de trauma infantil, tanto para el tipo de maltrato único como acumulativo, solo hubo una correlación de tamaño pequeño que indica una tendencia de aquellas mujeres con FM a mostrar niveles bajos. de funcionalidad en presencia de antecedentes de abuso emocional infantil. En el Estudio 2, los participantes fueron tratados con terapia cognitivo-conductual (CBT) o terapia de construcción personal (PCT). Hubo una diferencia mínima entre los resultados del tratamiento de esas dos terapias y, por este motivo, esta investigación consideró a los dos grupos como una sola muestra. Se calculó el índice de cambio de los síntomas depresivos, los niveles de dolor, la funcionalidad y los conflictos cognitivos en las puntuaciones posteriores al tratamiento y se comparó con las puntuaciones de trauma infantil al inicio del estudio. Además, se analizaron las puntuaciones de trauma infantil y los abandonos para identificar una posible correlación entre estas dos variables. Los resultados del Estudio 2 mostraron que los participantes con antecedentes de abuso sexual o emocional tuvieron una mejora en los niveles de dolor al momento del alta, según una correlación de tamaño pequeño entre el índice de cambio de los niveles de dolor y el abuso sexual, y una correlación de tamaño medio entre el mismo cambio índice y abuso emocional, lo que sugiere que tal historial de trauma infantil puede afectar los niveles de dolor en la FM. Otras correlaciones de mediano y pequeño tamaño que muestran menos cambio en la discrepancia de las autoconstrucciones se relacionaron, respectivamente, con los ítems “yo” y “yo ideal” cuando los participantes tenían antecedentes de abuso emocional y “yo ideal” y “otros” cuando tenía un historial de negligencia emocional. Estas correlaciones negativas pueden indicar una tendencia a que un historial de abuso y negligencia emocional pueda ser una desventaja para acceder a resultados positivos de la terapia en términos de una visión positiva de uno mismo y la similitud percibida con los demás. Hubo una correlación significativa positiva entre el índice de cambio del número de dilemas implicativos y la negligencia física, y una correlación de tamaño medio entre ese mismo índice y el negligencia emocional. Estos resultados podrían indicar que el impacto del trauma infantil perdió fuerza después de la terapia, quizás debido a la aceptación de nuevas posibilidades para comprender los conflictos. Por último, el índice de cambio de la discrepancia del “yo ideal” y los “otros” mostró una correlación negativa significativa con cinco y tres tipos de maltrato acumulativo, lo que sugiere que un historial acumulativo de trauma infantil puede afectar el acceso a resultados de terapia positivos con respecto a una visión crítica de los demás. Además, un tipo y la ausencia de maltrato también mostraron una correlación negativa de tamaño medio para este mismo índice de cambio. Al explorar el posible impacto del trauma infantil en los síntomas depresivos, el dolor, la funcionalidad y los conflictos cognitivos en FM con síntomas depresivos, este estudio pretendía generar conocimiento para informar los tratamientos psicológicos y las estrategias para mejorar los resultados del tratamiento

    Technological Fair Play: An Ethical Framework for Olympic Sports

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    This research strived to address age-old concerns clouding the governance of sport technologies, specifically in sports under the Olympic umbrella. Anti-doping has long been a mandatory clause in the Olympic Charter. Yet, other forms of technological incursions have long been left unaddressed or prohibited via premature reactive judgments. Utilizing a multidimensional philosophical lens encompassing scholarship in the fields of philosophy of sport, applied ethics and the philosophy of technology - this thesis is aimed at creating an accessible, structured, and principled ethical framework to guide the integration of emerging technologies within Olympic sports. Taking an analytical look into WADA’s underlying guiding principles for its anti-doping policy, several discrepancies have been unearthed; these gaps reside generally within the \u27spirit of sport\u27 interpretive weaknesses, as well as problems rooted in naturalistic misconceptions. Through reflective consideration of sporting ideals and principles inherent in leading conceptions of Fair Play and the Fundamental Principles of Olympism, this research distills these philosophies into a benchmark - ‘the conditions for the ideal Olympic Contest’. The evaluation process, throughout this study, leans on this benchmark for guidance. A rich understanding of sports\u27 technological biases was brought to life by Feenberg\u27s critical theory of technology. The subsequent stage developed an analytical structure discerning six primary technological orientations: Technology intended to facilitate constitutive elements; Technology intended to restore performance; Technology intended to improve performance; Technology intended to promote safety; Technology intended to monitor officiating and integrity; and Technology intended to enhance consumption and participation. These technologies are assessed using the Doctrine of Double Effect (DDE), aiding judgment about \u27good effects\u27 lining up with prescribed conditions for the ‘Ideal Olympic Contest’ balanced against foreseeable \u27bad effects\u27. To demonstrate practical utility two hypothetical cases were explored: HOTA - an AI assistant coach, and mRNA protein therapy intended for performance enhancement. This study delivers a pragmatic toolkit for academics and professionals alike - a \u27fair play\u27 counterbalance to the ever-growing risks posed by emerging technologies in Olympic sports

    Human Connection as a Treatment for Addiction

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    Research supports that social connection is important in both humans and animals. In humans, having a cohesive support/social network system and healthy attachments in childhood predict low risk of later addiction (i.e. substance use disorder), as does perceived support from a religious or other cohesive community. Moreover, personal characteristics such as identifying as religious or spiritual can predict low risk for addiction, but little is known about the intersection of neuroscience and religion/spirituality in this regard. Conversely, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have repeatedly been shown to predict later addiction. However, the role of the body’s neuro-hormonal responses, such as the endogenous opioid and oxytocin systems in this process merits further exploration, such as how the production or deprivation of endogenous opioids impact later substance use patterns. Existing research also provides evidence that individuals decrease pursuit of interpersonal connections and social bonds when they use substances that activate opioid receptors. This has been found with both substances of abuse and medications used to treat addiction (e.g., methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone). Research has also demonstrated that addiction often results in situations of social isolation. However, it remains to be elucidated whether the substances of abuse physiologically meet that need for connection. Importantly, research across numerous fields indicates that intentionally increasing interpersonal connection may be an effective treatment for addiction. However, less is known about how specific characteristics of communities impact the quantity, quality, or effectiveness of care and support for a person with addiction [...]https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu_books/1292/thumbnail.jp

    Manufacturing Business Managers\u27 Strategies to Increase Employee Engagement

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    AbstractEmployee engagement is critical for manufacturing businesses to achieve higher productivity, competitive advantage, and sustainability. Manufacturing business managers who implement effective strategies can potentially enhance employee job satisfaction to increase employee engagement. Grounded in Kahn’s personal engagement theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore strategies manufacturing business managers use to increase employee engagement. The participants were four manufacturing business managers from two manufacturing businesses in the southeastern region of Jamaica who successfully implemented strategies to increase employee engagement. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and company documents. Yin’s five-phase process was used to analyze data. Three themes emerged: use effective communication techniques to increase employee engagement, develop quality training and development programs, and create attractive rewards and recognition programs. A key recommendation is that manufacturing business managers prioritize training and development programs for all employees to increase employee engagement. Doing so may promote a sustainable workforce. The implications for positive social change include the potential for manufacturing business managers to provide employment opportunities and thereby raise the standard of living and social well-being of local community residents

    Improving Residents’ Relationship to Public Urban Green Spaces in Precarious Districts - A Psychosocial Action Research Project

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    This Ph.D. work provides a comprehensive overview of psychosocial action research conducted within a multidisciplinary urban redevelopment project, aimed at improving the quality of life within the economically and socially precarious downtown area of Seraing (Belgium). Public urban green space (UGS) interventions are recognized as cost-effective public health interventions, yet optimal implementation methods to maximize benefits and minimize side effects remain under-researched. Many UGS interventions focus their investments on the structural aspects of these spaces, neglecting to recognize the impact of more psycho-socio-environmental variables. Following the iterative process inherent to action research, this Ph.D. work examines the relationship between residents and UGSs to better understand how to implement effective UGS interventions in this specific area, while aiming to produce an analysis, based on theory and practice that can be applied to other territories experiencing similar urban challenges. Action research remains a rarely used approach in social and environmental psychology (SEP) and is mostly considered as a heterodox idea. Therefore, this Ph.D. work has also to be seen as an attempt to field-test this approach. While it seems challenging to claim both a high degree of scientific validity and significant field impact, including some experimental methods in the process, makes this approach still appropriate in a project being primarily problem-focused. This pilot project highlights the importance of moving beyond day-to-day urban management solutions, to a long-term perspective. This means taking the time to invest in a proper field analysis, where SEP has his place by allowing a better understanding of the issue before committing public funds to potentially ineffective or even counterproductive interventions.Ce travail de doctorat offre un aperçu complet d'une recherche-action psychosociale menée dans le cadre d'un projet multidisciplinaire de réaménagement urbain, visant à améliorer la qualité de vie dans le centre-ville économiquement et socialement précaire de Seraing (Belgique). Les interventions sur les espaces verts urbains (EVU) sont reconnues comme des interventions de santé publique rentables, mais les méthodes optimales de mise en œuvre pour maximiser les avantages et minimiser les effets secondaires demeurent peu étudiées. De nombreuses interventions EVU concentrent leurs investissements sur les aspects structurels de ces espaces, négligeant de reconnaître l’impact de variables plus psycho-socio-environnementales. Suivant le processus itératif inhérent à la recherche-action, ce travail de doctorat étudie la relation entre les résidents et les EVU afin de mieux comprendre comment mettre en œuvre des interventions EVU efficaces dans cette zone spécifique, tout en visant à produire une analyse théorique et pratique, applicable à d'autres territoires confrontés à des défis urbains similaires. La recherche-action demeure une approche peu utilisée en psychologie sociale et environnementale (PSE) et est souvent considérée comme une idée hétérodoxe. Ce travail de doctorat est donc une tentative de tester cette approche sur le terrain. Bien qu'il semble difficile de revendiquer à la fois une grande validité scientifique et un impact significatif sur le terrain, l'inclusion de certaines méthodes expérimentales rend cette approche cependant pertinente pour un projet principalement axé sur l’impact de terrain. Ce projet pilote souligne l'importance de dépasser les solutions de gestion urbaine au jour le jour pour adopter une perspective à long terme. Cela implique d'investir du temps dans une analyse approfondie du terrain, où la PSE a sa place, permettant une meilleure compréhension des problèmes avant d'engager des fonds publics dans des interventions potentiellement inefficaces ou même contre-productives.Diese Doktorarbeit bietet einen umfassenden Überblick über eine psychosoziale Aktionsforschung, die im Rahmen eines multidisziplinären Stadterneuerungs-projekts durchgeführt wurde. Das Ziel war die Verbesserung der Lebensqualität im wirtschaftlich und sozial prekären Stadtzentrum von Seraing (Belgien). Interventionen in städtischen Grünflächen (SG) werden als kosteneffiziente öffentliche Gesundheitsmaßnahmen anerkannt. Dennoch sind optimale Umsetzungsmethoden, die den Nutzen maximieren und Nebenwirkungen minimieren, noch wenig erforscht Viele SG-Interventionen konzentrieren ihre Investitionen auf die strukturellen Aspekte dieser Gebiete und vernachlässigen die Auswirkungen der eher psychosozialen und umweltbezogenen Variablen. Gemäß dem iterativen Prozess der Aktionsforschung, untersucht diese Doktorarbeit das Verhältnis zwischen Bewohnern und SG, um zu verstehen, wie wirksame SG-Interventionen in diesem speziellen Areal umgesetzt werden können. Dabei zielt sie darauf ab, eine Analyse auf Grundlage von Theorie und Praxis zu erstellen, die auf andere städtische Flächen mit ähnlichen urbanen Herausforderungen angewendet werden kann. Die Aktionsforschung in der Sozial- und Umwelt Psychologie (SUP) bleibt ein selten genutzter Ansatz und wird meist als heterodoxe Idee betrachtet. Diese Doktorarbeit ist daher auch ein Versuch, diesen Ansatz in der Praxis zu testen. Obwohl es herausfordernd erscheint, sowohl eine hohe wissenschaftliche Validität als auch eine signifikante Feldwirkung zu beanspruchen, macht die Einbeziehung einiger experimenteller Methoden diesen Ansatz in einem primär problemorientierten Projekt dennoch relevant. Dieses Pilotprojekt betont die Wichtigkeit, über tägliche städtische Managementlösungen hinauszugehen und eine langfristige Perspektive einzunehmen. Dies bedeutet, Zeit in eine gründliche Feldanalyse zu investieren, in der die SUP ihren Platz hat und ein besseres Verständnis der Probleme ermöglicht, bevor öffentliche Gelder in potenziell ineffiziente oder sogar kontraproduktive Maßnahmen investiert werden.A Place to Be-Come11. Sustainable cities and communities1. No poverty3. Good health and well-bein

    From Dissonance to Competence: Confronting Teachers' Cultural Disequilibrium

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    Increasing diversity among the student population in U.S. schools has caused a widening demographic divide between teachers and students. As a result teachers’ evident lack of cultural competence, the ability recognize, appreciate, and adapt to cultural differences, has posed concerns about apparent inequitable teaching and disciplinary practices in schools. The demographic and cultural disparities between predominately White, middle class educators and students from diverse backgrounds have prompted school leaders to seek out solutions to ameliorate cultural conflict. This explanatory sequential mixed methods study used cultural historical activity theory (CHAT) to examine factors that impact urban students’ and teachers’ experiences of cultural disequilibrium as well as transformative professional learning efforts to increase teachers’ culturally responsive behavior management through restorative practices training. The findings of this project suggest that improving restorative practices professional learning by incorporating transformative learning opportunities may provide readily available tools to assist educators in navigating experiences of cultural disequilibrium

    Manufacturing Business Managers\u27 Strategies to Increase Employee Engagement

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    AbstractEmployee engagement is critical for manufacturing businesses to achieve higher productivity, competitive advantage, and sustainability. Manufacturing business managers who implement effective strategies can potentially enhance employee job satisfaction to increase employee engagement. Grounded in Kahn’s personal engagement theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore strategies manufacturing business managers use to increase employee engagement. The participants were four manufacturing business managers from two manufacturing businesses in the southeastern region of Jamaica who successfully implemented strategies to increase employee engagement. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and company documents. Yin’s five-phase process was used to analyze data. Three themes emerged: use effective communication techniques to increase employee engagement, develop quality training and development programs, and create attractive rewards and recognition programs. A key recommendation is that manufacturing business managers prioritize training and development programs for all employees to increase employee engagement. Doing so may promote a sustainable workforce. The implications for positive social change include the potential for manufacturing business managers to provide employment opportunities and thereby raise the standard of living and social well-being of local community residents

    Social convergence in times of spatial distancing: The rRole of music during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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