Subjective perceptions of cognitive changes in people with long covid

Okužba s covidom se je pri nekaterih posameznikih podaljšala v sindrom dolgotrajnega covida z raznoliko simptomatiko, med drugim tudi s kognitivnimi spremembami. Zaznavanje teh sem v magistrski nalogi proučevala s kvalitativno metodo - z intervjujem, oblikovanim na podlagi RDoC sheme (angl. Research Domain Criteria). Vprašanja so se nanašala na področja zaznavanja, pozornosti, deklarativnega spomina, jezika in govora, delovnega spomina ter kognitivnega nadzora. Namen raziskave je bil opisati, na katerih področjih kognicije so zaznani primanjkljaji, kako se primanjkljaji kažejo in kako jih prebolevniki doživljajo. Iz poglobljenih in natančnih opisov zaznav kognitivnih težav udeležencev zaključujem, da so po okužbi spremembe zaznane na vseh omenjenih področjih kognicije. Vsi udeleženci (f = 15) so poročali o zaznavanju primanjkljajev na področju pozornosti, spomina in ciljno usmerjenega vedenja ter skoraj vsi (f = 14) na področju jezika. Zaznani primanjkljaji v kogniciji so pri udeležencih povzročali hudo stisko in težave z duševnim zdravjem, tudi slabše nadzorovanje čustev. Doživljanje simptomov, še posebej kognitivnih, je zaznano zmanjševalo funkcionalnost prebolevnikov in negativno vplivalo na njihovo samopodobo in psihično blagostanje. Rezultati orišejo zaznan poseg covida v kognitivne sposobnosti posameznikov in lahko prispevajo k boljši prepoznavi kognitivnih težav po covidu ter so lahko osnova za oblikovanje smernic obravnave posameznikov z dolgotrajnim covidom, pri kateri se kaže potreba po vključevanju psihologov.A growing number of individuals have symptoms persisting beyond acute Covid-19 infection. This is known as the long Covid syndrome characterized by cognitive changes among other symptoms. In my master thesis I have investigated participants\u27 perceived cognitive changes, with the aim to describe the cognitive changes perceived following Covid-19 infection, and how these changes are exhibited and experienced by participants. The study used qualitative methodology that involved interviews based on Research Domain Criteria (RDoC). The interview included questions on several cognitive processes, including perception, attention, declarative memory, language, cognitive control and working memory. From elaborate descriptions of perceived symptoms, the results showed that cognitive impairment was perceived in every cognitive process that was probed. All participants (f = 15) perceived attention, memory and goal directed behaviour deficits, and nearly everyone (f = 14) perceived impairments in language abilities. Perceived deficits were a major cause of distress, decreased functionality and declining mental health in participants. Decreased ability of emotion control and changes in perception of self were also prominent experiences that have negatively affected participants’ wellbeing. The results indicate the debilitating effect participants perceived after Covid-19 on their cognitive abilities. The results present a starting point for developing screening procedures, interventions and treatments for individuals, in facilitation of which psychologists with expert knowledge of cognition and mental health should have a crucial role

Poor but not by choice(s): The persistence of cognitive biases across economic groups

While economic inequality continues to rise within countries, efforts to address it have been largely ineffective, particularly those involving behavioral approaches. It is often implied but not tested that patterns among low-income individuals may be a factor impeding behavioral interventions aimed at improving upward economic mobility. To test this, we assessed rates of ten cognitive biases across nearly 5,000 participants from 27 countries, comparing between low-income adults and individuals that had overcome financial disadvantages as children, known as positive deviants. Using discrete and complex models, we find robust evidence of no differences within or between groups or countries. We therefore conclude without reservation that choices impeded by cognitive biases alone cannot explain why some individuals do not experience upward economic mobility. Policies must combine both behavioral and structural interventions to improve financial well-being across populations

The persistence of cognitive biases in financial decisions across economic groups.

Acknowledgements: We thank the Junior Researcher Programme, Global Behavioral Science (GLOBES), Department of Psychology, Columbia University; the Centre for Business Research, Judge Business School, University of Cambridge; Corpus Christi College, Cambridge; and Dr Ceren Sönmez, Michal Goldstein, Abby Yucht, and Anastasia Gracheva. This research was supported in part by the National Science Foundation (#2218595) and by Undergraduate Global Engagement at Columbia University. Additional support was provided to individual researchers from the Columbia University Office of the Provost, Masaryk University Centre for International Cooperation, and the Benjamin A. Gilman International Fund from the United States Department of State. This research was funded in part, by the UKRI [MR/N013468/1]. For the purpose of Open Access, the author has applied a CC BY public copyright licence to any Author Accepted Manuscript version arising from this submission.While economic inequality continues to rise within countries, efforts to address it have been largely ineffective, particularly those involving behavioral approaches. It is often implied but not tested that choice patterns among low-income individuals may be a factor impeding behavioral interventions aimed at improving upward economic mobility. To test this, we assessed rates of ten cognitive biases across nearly 5000 participants from 27 countries. Our analyses were primarily focused on 1458 individuals that were either low-income adults or individuals who grew up in disadvantaged households but had above-average financial well-being as adults, known as positive deviants. Using discrete and complex models, we find evidence of no differences within or between groups or countries. We therefore conclude that choices impeded by cognitive biases alone cannot explain why some individuals do not experience upward economic mobility. Policies must combine both behavioral and structural interventions to improve financial well-being across populations

The persistence of cognitive biases in financial decisions across economic groups

Abstract While economic inequality continues to rise within countries, efforts to address it have been largely ineffective, particularly those involving behavioral approaches. It is often implied but not tested that choice patterns among low-income individuals may be a factor impeding behavioral interventions aimed at improving upward economic mobility. To test this, we assessed rates of ten cognitive biases across nearly 5000 participants from 27 countries. Our analyses were primarily focused on 1458 individuals that were either low-income adults or individuals who grew up in disadvantaged households but had above-average financial well-being as adults, known as positive deviants. Using discrete and complex models, we find evidence of no differences within or between groups or countries. We therefore conclude that choices impeded by cognitive biases alone cannot explain why some individuals do not experience upward economic mobility. Policies must combine both behavioral and structural interventions to improve financial well-being across populations

The globalizability of temporal discounting

Economic inequality is associated with preferences for smaller, immediate gains over larger, delayed ones. Such temporal discounting may feed into rising global inequality, yet it is unclear whether it is a function of choice preferences or norms, or rather the absence of sufficient resources for immediate needs. It is also not clear whether these reflect true differences in choice patterns between income groups. We tested temporal discounting and five intertemporal choice anomalies using local currencies and value standards in 61 countries (N = 13,629). Across a diverse sample, we found consistent, robust rates of choice anomalies. Lower-income groups were not significantly different, but economic inequality and broader financial circumstances were clearly correlated with population choice patterns

The globalizability of temporal discounting

International audienceAbstract Economic inequality is associated with preferences for smaller, immediate gains over larger, delayed ones. Such temporal discounting may feed into rising global inequality, yet it is unclear whether it is a function of choice preferences or norms, or rather the absence of sufficient resources for immediate needs. It is also not clear whether these reflect true differences in choice patterns between income groups. We tested temporal discounting and five intertemporal choice anomalies using local currencies and value standards in 61 countries ( N = 13,629). Across a diverse sample, we found consistent, robust rates of choice anomalies. Lower-income groups were not significantly different, but economic inequality and broader financial circumstances were clearly correlated with population choice patterns

The globalizability of temporal discounting.

Economic inequality is associated with preferences for smaller, immediate gains over larger, delayed ones. Such temporal discounting may feed into rising global inequality, yet it is unclear whether it is a function of choice preferences or norms, or rather the absence of sufficient resources for immediate needs. It is also not clear whether these reflect true differences in choice patterns between income groups. We tested temporal discounting and five intertemporal choice anomalies using local currencies and value standards in 61 countries (N = 13,629). Across a diverse sample, we found consistent, robust rates of choice anomalies. Lower-income groups were not significantly different, but economic inequality and broader financial circumstances were clearly correlated with population choice patterns

The globalizability of temporal discounting

Acknowledgements: The authors received no specific funding for this work. A small amount of discretionary funding provided by K.R.’s institution paid for the pilot study participants and for honoraria to organizations that assisted with data collection in several locations. These were provided by Columbia University Undergraduate Global Engagement and the Department of Health Policy and Management. Funds to support open-access publication were provided by the MRC-CBU at the University of Cambridge through a UKRI grant (UKRI-MRC grant no. MC_UU_00005/6). None of these funders had any role in or influence over design, data collection, analysis or interpretation. All collaborators contributed in a voluntary capacity. We thank the Columbia University Office for Undergraduate Global Engagement. We also thank X. Li and L. Njozela, as well as the Centre for Business Research in the Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge.Economic inequality is associated with preferences for smaller, immediate gains over larger, delayed ones. Such temporal discounting may feed into rising global inequality, yet it is unclear whether it is a function of choice preferences or norms, or rather the absence of sufficient resources for immediate needs. It is also not clear whether these reflect true differences in choice patterns between income groups. We tested temporal discounting and five intertemporal choice anomalies using local currencies and value standards in 61 countries (N = 13,629). Across a diverse sample, we found consistent, robust rates of choice anomalies. Lower-income groups were not significantly different, but economic inequality and broader financial circumstances were clearly correlated with population choice patterns