Traditional learning approach versus gamification: an example from psychology

[EN] Teaching research methods and statistics in Psychology is a known pedagogic challenge due to students’ varied mathematical aptitude, prior knowledge and attitudes towards modules. The aim of this investigation was to study student perspectives of an interactive learning approach for the first year practical class of a “Research Methods and Statistics” psychology module based on problems and games. The approach was developed by integrating problem-based learning and games supported by Kahoot and PollEverWhere (Web 2.0 applications). Two groups of first year psychology students (20 persons per group) attended practical classes based on an interactive and a traditional approach but following a different attending order (1. interactive and 2. traditional approach or vice versa) and completed two online surveys. Overall, the interactive approach was perceived to significantly improve student learning experience by promoting active and collaborative learning though the use of real research study applications and formative feedback.http://ocs.editorial.upv.es/index.php/HEAD/HEAD18Limniou, M.; Mansfield, R. (2018). Traditional learning approach versus gamification: an example from psychology. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 133-141. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAD18.2018.7912OCS13314

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescent mental health

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescent mental health is a widespread concern. However, to date, there is limited empirical evidence which can causally attribute changes to the pandemic. With the aim of overcoming some of the existing methodological limitations, the current study utilised a naturally occurring experiment within two ongoing school-based trials. Depressive symptoms, externalising difficulties (e.g., behaviour problems such as losing your temper or hitting out), and life satisfaction were assessed at baseline and 1-year follow-up across two groups. One group entered the study in phase 1 (2018; pre-COVID-19 group; N = 6,419) and were controls as they did not experience the COVID-19 pandemic between baseline and follow-up. The second group entered the study in phase 2 (2019; COVID-19 group; N = 5,031) and were exposed to the pandemic between baseline and follow-up, therefore providing a natural experiment. Key Findings • The COVID-19 pandemic led to increased adolescent depressive symptoms and decreased life satisfaction • If the COVID-19 pandemic had not occurred, estimates suggest that we would observe 6% fewer adolescents with high depressive symptoms which is a difference of 1.6% in prevalence (27.1% to 25.4%) • There was no overall effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescent externalising difficulties • Girls’ mental health may have been more negatively impacted by the COVID 19 pandemic than boy

‘Shall We Send a Panda?’ A Practical Guide to Engaging Schools in Research: Learning from Large-Scale Mental Health Intervention Trials

The substantial time that children and young people spend in schools makes them important sites to trial and embed prevention and early intervention programmes. However, schools are complex settings, and it can be difficult to maintain school engagement in research trials; many projects experience high levels of attrition. This commentary presents learning from two large-scale, mixed-methods mental health intervention trials in English schools. The paper explores the barriers and challenges to engaging schools in promotion or early intervention research and offers detailed recommendations for other researchers

Perceived neighbourhood affluence, mental health and wellbeing influence judgements of threat and trust on our streets: An urban walking study

This study aimed to understand how people respond to different urban neighbourhoods. We explored whether participants’ mental health and wellbeing, judgements of resident wealth, family SES and sentiments reflected in descriptions of place features predicted in situ sense of threat and trust. Forty-six student participants walked in groups through 2 urban neighbourhoods, separated by a park, in the North West of England, noting responses at pre-determined stops. Significant differences existed in participants’ sense of trust and threat between the 2 neighbourhoods along with differences in perceived resident wealth and sentiments expressed. Participants’ levels of persecutory ideas and their sense of residents’ wealth predicted in situ trust in both neighbourhoods while level of personal resilience predicted the extent of threat felt in the more deprived neighbourhood. Demonstrating the value of the method, these findings have implications for the governance of urban neighbourhoods whereby obvious cues signalling a harsh environment need to be minimised to create more positive psychological responses to places

Examining the inter-relationships between social isolation and loneliness and their correlates among older British adults before and during the COVID-19 lockdown: Evidence from four British longitudinal studies

Abstract Background and Objectives Unprecedented social restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic have provided a new lens for considering the inter-relationship between social isolation and loneliness in later life. We present these inter-relationships before and during the COVID-19 restrictions and investigate to what extent demographic, socio-economic, and health factors associated with such experiences differed during the pandemic. Research Design and Method We used data from four British longitudinal population-based studies (1946 NSHD, 1958 NCDS, 1970 BCS, and ELSA, N=12,129). Rates, co-occurrences, and correlates of social isolation and loneliness are presented prior to and during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic and the inter-relationships between these experiences are elucidated in both periods. Results Across the four studies, pre-pandemic proportions reporting social isolation ranged from 15 to 54%, with higher rates in older ages (e.g. 32% of 70-79 and 54% of those over 80). During the pandemic, the percentage of older people reporting both social isolation and loneliness and isolation only slightly increased. The inter-relationship between social isolation and loneliness did not change. Associations between socio-demographic and health characteristics and social isolation and loneliness also remained consistent, with greater burden among those with higher economic precarity (females, non-homeowners, unemployed, illness and greater financial stress). Discussion and Implications There were already large inequalities in experiences of social isolation and loneliness and the pandemic had a small impact on worsening extent and inequalities in these. The concepts of loneliness and social isolation are not interchangeable, and clarity is needed in how they are conceptualised, operationalised, and interpreted. Given many older adults experience high levels of social isolation, there should be greater emphasis on reducing social isolation and the inequalities observed in who experiences greater isolation and loneliness.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Examining the inter-relationships between social isolation and loneliness and their correlates among older British adults before and during the COVID-19 lockdown: Evidence from four British longitudinal studies

Background and Objectives: Unprecedented social restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic have provided a new lens for considering the inter-relationship between social isolation and loneliness in later life. We present these inter-relationships before and during the COVID-19 restrictions and investigate to what extent demographic, socio-economic, and health factors associated with such experiences differed during the pandemic. // Research Design and Method: We used data from four British longitudinal population-based studies (1946 NSHD, 1958 NCDS, 1970 BCS, and ELSA, N=12,129). Rates, co-occurrences, and correlates of social isolation and loneliness are presented prior to and during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic and the inter-relationships between these experiences are elucidated in both periods. // Results: Across the four studies, pre-pandemic proportions reporting social isolation ranged from 15 to 54%, with higher rates in older ages (e.g., 32% of 70-79 and 54% of those over 80). During the pandemic, the percentage of older people reporting both social isolation and loneliness and isolation only slightly increased. The inter-relationship between social isolation and loneliness did not change. Associations between socio-demographic and health characteristics and social isolation and loneliness also remained consistent, with greater burden among those with higher economic precarity (females, non-homeowners, unemployed, illness and greater financial stress). // Discussion and Implications: There were already large inequalities in experiences of social isolation and loneliness and the pandemic had a small impact on worsening extent and inequalities in these. The concepts of loneliness and social isolation are not interchangeable, and clarity is needed in how they are conceptualised, operationalised, and interpreted. Given many older adults experience high levels of social isolation, there should be greater emphasis on reducing social isolation and the inequalities observed in who experiences greater isolation and loneliness