The Mediating Role of Metacognition in the Relationship between Internet Addiction and General Health

Background: Internet addiction is one of the harmful effects of the Internet. The findings of several studies have indicated a relationship between general health and Internet addiction. Metacognition, which includes the knowledge, processes, and strategies to evaluate, and monitor or control the cognition, can play a significant role in this regard. The present research aimed to assess the mediating role of metacognitive variables in the relationship between Internet addiction and general health. Methods: This correlational study included 94 male and female users with different nationalities at Internet cafés in Abu Dhabi (the United Arab Emirates). All subjects aged at least 18 years and were proficient in English. The research tools included the General Health Questionnaire (with a reliability of 0.89), Metacognition Questionnaire (with a reliability of 0.82), and Kimberly Young's Internet Addiction Test (with a reliability of 0.88). The hypothesis was tested applying SPSS18 and Amos18. Findings: The results indicated a significant positive relationship between all aspects of metacognition and Internet addiction (r = 0.30; P < 0.01). A significant positive relationship was also observed between Internet addiction and general health (r = 0.47; P < 0.01). Path analysis revealed the mediating role of metacognition in the relationship between low general health and Internet addiction. Among the metacognitive variables, the mind control had the highest correlation coefficient (r = 0.80). Conclusion: The Internet and digital technologies have caused unwanted and negative effects which are classified as emerging damages. The relationship between Internet addiction and general health has been confirmed in this research. In addition, metacognitive processes can have a positive and mediating role on this relationship.   Keywords: Internet, Internet addiction, General health, Metacognitio

Administration of N-acetylcysteine for contrast-induced acute kidney injury; an updated mini-review

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is a potential complication of medical imaging procedures that use contrast media. It is important to identify and manage risk factors for contrast-induced nephropathy and to monitor patients for signs of renal damage after contrast administration. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can prevent CI-AKI through multiple mechanisms of action, including reducing oxidative stress, improving renal hemodynamics, reducing inflammation, reducing apoptosis and fibrosis, reducing oxidative stress-induced DNA damage, reducing tubular cell injury, and reducing renal tubular cell apoptosis. However, the exact mechanisms of action may vary based on the specific study or context. Further research is needed to fully elucidate the molecular mechanisms of NAC in preventing CI-AKI

Volume 10, Issue 27 (3-2018) J Med Educ Dev 2018, 10(27): 141-154 | Back to browse issues page

Background & Objective: The present study aimed to identify the barriers in the current system of organizational performance measurement and determine the educational challenges within the framework of Stufflebeam and Coryn (2014) meta-evaluation model in 14 educational offices in Zanjan province, Iran. Materials and Methods: This exploratory study was performed using a qualitative approach and conventional content analysis. Interviews were based on the Stufflebeam and Coryn (2014) meta-evaluation model. In total, 154 codes were verified by 10 participators. Results: Among 154 acquired codes, the most important themes were deduced through the assessment of organizational performance measurement in the educational system. These themes included the ‘mutual incompetency between the individual and organization’, ‘individual factors affecting the assessment’, ‘organizational factors affecting the assessment’, ‘imaginary-cognitive factors’, and ‘results and consequences of establishing a system for organizational performance evaluation’. In addition, four themes emerged regarding the problems associated with the measurement of organizational performance, including the ‘individual and structural problems of the organization’, ‘problems associated with the organizational culture and climate’, ‘ conceptual (perceptional) challenges’, and ‘functional problems’. Some research suggestions have also been provided. Conclusion: According to the results, the efficiency of the organizational performance measurement system reduces due to barriers such as the low professional competency of the staff, poor technical skills in quantitative analysis, and inattention to the methodology of organizational performance evaluation within the context of organizing and coordinating the weaknesses of an organization without using the necessary tools to address the lack of priority in performance evaluation and poor organizational accountability

The Mediating Role of Metacognition in the Relationship between Internet Addiction and General Health

Abstract Background: Internet addiction is one of the harmful effects of the Internet. The findings of several studies have indicated a relationship between general health and Internet addiction. Metacognition, which includes the knowledge, processes, and strategies to evaluate, and monitor or control the cognition, can play a significant role in this regard. The present research aimed to assess the mediating role of metacognitive variables in the relationship between Internet addiction and general health. Methods: This correlational study included 94 male and female users with different nationalities at Internet cafés in Abu Dhabi (the United Arab Emirates). All subjects aged at least 18 years and were proficient in English. The research tools included the General Health Questionnaire (with a reliability of 0.89), Metacognition Questionnaire (with a reliability of 0.82), and Kimberly Young's Internet Addiction Test (with a reliability of 0.88). The hypothesis was tested applying SPSS18 and Amos18. Findings: The results indicated a significant positive relationship between all aspects of metacognition and Internet addiction (r = 0.30; P < 0.01). A significant positive relationship was also observed between Internet addiction and general health (r = 0.47; P < 0.01). Path analysis revealed the mediating role of metacognition in the relationship between low general health and Internet addiction. Among the metacognitive variables, the mind control had the highest correlation coefficient (r = 0.80). Conclusion: The internet and digital technologies have caused unwanted and negative effects which are classified as emerging damages. The relationship between Internet addiction and general health has been confirmed in this research. In addition, metacognitive processes can have a positive and mediating role on this relationship

Application of systemic inflammation score for the assessment of contrast-induced acute kidney injury; a review

Contrast-related acute renal failure is a multifactorial condition that involves oxidative stress, inflammation, and direct tubular toxicity. Risk factors for contrast-induced nephropathy comprise pre-existing kidney dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, advanced age, congestive heart failure, hypotension, anemia, and volume depletion. Preventive measures include identifying high-risk patients and implementing preventive measures such as adequate hydration, minimizing contrast use, and avoiding using contrast media in patients with pre-existing renal dysfunction. The systemic inflammation score is a promising tool for predicting contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) in patients undergoing contrast-enhanced imaging procedures. Further studies are needed to validate the use of SIS in clinical practice and to better understand the underlying mechanisms of inflammation in (CA-AKI)