Identifying the Public’s Psychological Concerns in Response to COVID-19 Risk Messages in Singapore

Understanding the social-psychological processes that characterize communities’ reactions to a pandemic is the first step toward formulating risk communications that can lead to better health outcomes. This study examines comments on Facebook pages of five Singapore media outlets to understand what topics are being discussed by the public in reaction to the implemented precautionary measures in Singapore so as to infer their psychological concerns. Using Anchored Correlation Explanation as a topic modelling technique, this study examines around 10,000 comments and identifies 21 topics that are discussed. The 21 topics were categorized and organized into seven broad themes of psychological concerns. Implications for theory and practice are then discussed

House dust mite sensitization, eczema, and wheeze increase risk of shellfish sensitization

Non peer reviewe

Allergic sensitization trajectories to age 8 years in the Singapore GUSTO cohort

Background: Allergic sensitization is linked to allergy development, with early sensitization often associated with worse outcomes. We aimed to identify if distinct allergic sensitization trajectories existed within a diverse and multi-ethnic Asian cohort.Methods: We administered modified ISAAC questionnaires in the first 8 years and conducted skin prick testing at ages 18 months, 3, 5 and 8 years in the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) cohort. We used latent class analysis to derive allergic sensitization trajectories, and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) to evaluate predictive risk factors and associations with allergic comorbidities.Results: Among 997 children, three trajectories were identified: early food and mite sensitization (16.2%), late mite sensitization (24.2%) and no/low sensitization (59.6%). Early food and mite sensitization was associated with early eczema by 6 months [AOR (95%CI) 4.67 (1.78-12.28)], increased risk of wheeze by 3-8 years (ARR 1.72-1.99) and eczema in the first 8 years of life (ARR 1.87-2.41). Late mite sensitization was associated with female sex [AOR 0.58 (0.35-0.96)], cesar-ean section [AOR 0.54 (0.30-0.98)], early eczema by 6 months [AOR 3.40 (1.38-8.42)], and increased risk of eczema by 18 months [ARR 1.47 (1.03-2.08)] and 8 years [ARR 1.35 (1.05-1.73)].Conclusion: Early onset of eczema and early allergic sensitization were strongly associated. Early sensitization, especially to house dust mites, was associated with increased risks of developing wheeze and eczema, pointing to the importance of developing preventive perinatal interventions and effective therapeutics for sensitized toddlers.Peer reviewe

Associations Between Maternal Distress During Early Life Periods and Offspring Respiratory Infections and Allergic Outcomes

DOI does not function. It has been reported to the journal 28.12.2022BackgroundIncreasing evidence suggests that maternal distress is a risk factor for development of respiratory infections and allergic diseases in the offspring. We aim to evaluate the link between maternal distress during critical periods in early life, namely the preconception, pregnancy and postnatal periods, and development of respiratory infections and allergic diseases in the offspring from the Singapore PREconception Study of long Term maternal and child Outcomes (S-PRESTO) cohort. MethodsMaternal perceived distress was evaluated using validated questionnaires including Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) administered during three time periods: preconception (three months apart at four timepoints), pregnancy (during each trimester) and postnatal (3 and 6 months post-delivery). Child eczema, rhinitis and wheeze outcomes were evaluated using a modified ISAAC questionnaire at ages 3, 6, 12, and 18 months. Child allergic sensitization was determined by skin prick testing at 18 months. ResultsAmong 332 mother-child pairs studied, higher maternal distress during preconception and pregnancy increased the risks of wheeze development in the first 18 months; for example, preconception and pregnancy BDI-II scores >= 20 were associated with increased risks of wheeze by 18 months [adjusted risk ratios 3.2 (95%CI 1.1-9.4) and 2.5 (1.0-5.9), respectively]. Emotional and practical support from family during preconception decreased the risks of offspring wheeze. No associations were observed between maternal distress and offspring eczema, rhinitis and allergic sensitization. ConclusionMaternal distress during critical early life periods was associated with offspring wheeze in the first 18 months of life. Supporting maternal mental health even before pregnancy could reduce the risk of offspring wheeze.Peer reviewe

Associations Between Eczema and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Children

Background: Epidemiological studies suggest a link between eczema and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but underlying mechanisms have not been examined.Objective: We aim to investigate the association between eczema and subsequent ADHD symptoms in the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes cohort and explore the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines and gut microbiome.Methods: The modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire and Computerized Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children Version IV were administered to assess reported eczema within the first 18 months and presence of ADHD symptoms at 54 months, respectively. Skin prick testing at 18 months, cytokines in maternal blood during pregnancy and cord blood and the mediating role of the gut microbiome at 24 months were assessed.Results: After adjusting for confounders, eczema with or without a positive skin prick test was associated with doubling the risk of ADHD symptoms. No differences in maternal and cord blood cytokines were observed in children with and without eczema, or children with and without ADHD. Gut microbiome dysbiosis was observed in children with eczema and children with ADHD. Children with eczema also had lower gut bacterial Shannon diversity. However, the relationship between eczema and ADHD was not mediated by gut microbiome.Conclusion: Early life eczema diagnosis is associated with a higher risk of subsequent ADHD symptoms in children. We found no evidence for underlying inflammatory mechanism or mediation by gut microbiome dysbiosis. Further research should evaluate other mechanisms underlying the link between eczema and ADHD.Peer reviewe

Singapore’s Total Defence : Overcoming Complacency

The absence of terror attacks in Singapore has led many Singaporeans to become complacent about the threat landscape. This could in turn, undermine national crisis preparedness. How can Singaporeans avoid this complacency mindset

The Influence of COVID-19 on Women’s Perceptions of Work-Family Conflict in Singapore

The COVID-19 pandemic has facilitated a shift in working arrangements. Work from home may blur work and family boundaries, with potential deleterious influence on Work-Family conflict levels. This is especially so for women, who have traditionally been associated with a greater share of homecare and family duties. Using a sample of 754 married, working mothers in Singapore, this study seeks to examine the conflicting roles of women in Singapore during COVID-19 and their consequences on Work-Family conflict. Results show that the negative impacts of COVID-19 increased Work-Family conflict levels. Additionally, factors such as work occupational commitment, work role overload, parental demands, and family support are found to be key predictors for Work-Family conflict during COVID-19. Implications are then discussed, and the findings can inform companies and governmental institutions on strategies to reduce Work-Family conflict levels

Detecting markers of radicalisation in social media posts : the role of person-centric and psychosocial risk factors, and protective factors

The ubiquity of online radicalisation warrants the need for law enforcement to learn how to harness open-source intelligence to assess the threat posed and identify potential terrorists in advance. Although much is known about the online radicalisation process, there is a lack of risk assessment instruments developed specifically for online radicalisation, as well as little empirical research in this field. To address these research gaps, this thesis aims to articulate a set of person-centric and psychosocial risk factors and protective factors for identifying radicalisation in social media posts. Five studies were conducted. The first study (chapter 3) involved the use of a modified Delphi technique and literature review to derive a list of 12 factors and 42 indicators. The second study (chapter 4) served as a pilot to map the said factors and indicators to two groups of supporters of terrorists who have been influenced by radical online propaganda. These two groups comprise individuals who travelled to join the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria [ISIS] (i.e., foreign fighters), and individuals who did not travel to join ISIS (i.e., sympathisers). Next, the third study (chapter 5) built upon study 2 and incorporated changes to the research design (e.g., use of multidimensional scaling, logistic regression) to map the factors and indicators to a larger sample of ISIS foreign fighters and sympathisers. The fourth study (chapter 6) was designed to replicate the research methodology of study 3 using a different sample (i.e., Kurdish fighters) to compare against ISIS fighters. Finally, the fifth study (chapter 7) detailed a survey conducted with members of the community (NTU undergraduates and MTurk workers) on their perceptions towards the indicators and their general understanding of online radicalisation and terrorism. The practical, methodological, and theoretical implications of this research as well as suggestions for future studies are discussed in chapter 8.Doctor of Philosoph

Lessons From Sri Lanka : Psychological Bandage in Times of Crisis

In times of crisis, the right kind of support can help to reclaim our emotional footing and increase our psychological resilience as a nation. How can Singaporeans prepare themselves for crisis

The Influence of COVID-19 on Women’s Perceptions of Work-Family Conflict in Singapore

The COVID-19 pandemic has facilitated a shift in working arrangements. Work from home may blur work and family boundaries, with potential deleterious influence on Work-Family conflict levels. This is especially so for women, who have traditionally been associated with a greater share of homecare and family duties. Using a sample of 754 married, working mothers in Singapore, this study seeks to examine the conflicting roles of women in Singapore during COVID-19 and their consequences on Work-Family conflict. Results show that the negative impacts of COVID-19 increased Work-Family conflict levels. Additionally, factors such as work occupational commitment, work role overload, parental demands, and family support are found to be key predictors for Work-Family conflict during COVID-19. Implications are then discussed, and the findings can inform companies and governmental institutions on strategies to reduce Work-Family conflict levels