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The COVID-19 virus has become a fearful epidemic for people all over the world. In Turkey, long quarantine periods and curfews have increased both physical and psychological problems. Due to the rapid spread and substantial impact of the COVID-19 virus, different psychological effects were observed among different segments of society, such as among young people, elderly people, and active workers. Because of fear caused by the COVID-19 virus, it is thought that depression, stress, and anxiety levels have increased. It is estimated that there are more psychological issues for people with poor health and others whose friends or family became ill or have died because of COVID-19. To explore and test the situation mentioned above, we conducted a cross-sectional study in Turkey with 3287 participants above 16 years old. We measured COVID-19 fear, along with anxiety, stress, and depression levels (DASS21) and demographics. Firstly, we tested whether COVID-19 fear predicts stress, anxiety, and depression. Secondly, we investigated if the effect of COVID-19 fear is stronger for those who have underlying illness and for those whose friends or family became ill or have died because of COVID-19. The results showed that women and 16–25 years old youths have higher COVID-19-related fear, anxiety, depression, and stress. Furthermore, we found a significant relationship between COVID-19 fear and stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as significant moderation effects of having an underlying illness and having friends or family who were infected or have died. These results show the importance of implementing specific implementations, particularly for vulnerable groups, to minimize the psychological problems that may arise with the pandemic.

Careers are a reality of life that need to be considered as multi-dimensional in today’s modern societies. Choosing a career is a complex process that coincides with high school and university ages, creating psycho-social stress. Considering the literature, the effects of different environmental factors have been revealed in separate studies. This study examines both individual and environmental factors together. By adopting a quantitative research method, we collected cross-sectional data through online questionnaires from 1130 university students. The association of family influence and academic satisfaction with happiness through career decision self-efficacy was meaningful using gender, age, income, and parents’ education as control variables. Family influence and academic satisfaction were positively correlated with career decision self-efficacy and happiness. In conclusion, we found that family influence and support, students’ work, and academic satisfaction are positively significant in terms of the career process and happiness. It was understood that the career reality should be considered with a holistic view that includes family, school, and work experience.

We aimed to determine the relationship between gaming disorder, narcissism, and happiness levels of children between the ages of 9 and 15. This study was based on the compensation theory. The sample consists of 461 boys who continue their education in public schools in Istanbul. In the study, a mixed research design, which nests qualitative data into quantitative, was used. In addition to the scales and sociodemographic form, the Draw-a-Person test was also used to better understand children’s inner world. According to the findings, there is a significant relationship between gaming disorder and narcissism and happiness levels in children. Accordingly, as narcissism increases in children, the gaming disorder level increases, and happiness decreases. We also found a mediation effect in the impact of narcissism on happiness through gaming disorder. According to the results, we think that the problem is not caused by the individual but by society. For a solution, we recommend making more macro-level social work interventions within the framework of system theory instead of the current medical model in combating gaming disorder.

With recent improvements in vaccines and treatments against viral hepatitis, an improved understanding of the burden of viral hepatitis is needed to inform global intervention strategies. We used data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study to estimate morbidity and mortality for acute viral hepatitis, and for cirrhosis and liver cancer caused by viral hepatitis, by age, sex, and country from 1990 to 2013. We estimated mortality using natural history models for acute hepatitis infections and GBD's cause-of-death ensemble model for cirrhosis and liver cancer. We used meta-regression to estimate total cirrhosis and total liver cancer prevalence, as well as the proportion of cirrhosis and liver cancer attributable to each cause. We then estimated cause-specific prevalence as the product of the total prevalence and the proportion attributable to a specific cause. Disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) were calculated as the sum of years of life lost (YLLs) and years lived with disability (YLDs). Between 1990 and 2013, global viral hepatitis deaths increased from 0·89 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 0·86–0·94) to 1·45 million (1·38–1·54); YLLs from 31·0 million (29·6–32·6) to 41·6 million (39·1–44·7); YLDs from 0·65 million (0·45–0·89) to 0·87 million (0·61–1·18); and DALYs from 31·7 million (30·2–33·3) to 42·5 million (39·9–45·6). In 2013, viral hepatitis was the seventh (95% UI seventh to eighth) leading cause of death worldwide, compared with tenth (tenth to 12th) in 1990. Viral hepatitis is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Unlike most communicable diseases, the absolute burden and relative rank of viral hepatitis increased between 1990 and 2013. The enormous health loss attributable to viral hepatitis, and the availability of effective vaccines and treatments, suggests an important opportunity to improve public health. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

In conventional e-health initiatives, customers (patients) are mostly perceived as recipients of medical care, where they play little roles in the process of health decision making. Empowerment in e-health enables individuals to access their health data and consult online with medical staff. The proposed concept is intended to improve the existing e-health theory in relation to patient empowerment. The study suggests a model that expands the role of customers (patient) in three dimensions: as an individual health actor, social health agent, and medical partner. This study is theoretically significant because it explores a comprehensive approach of patient empowerment in e-health systems to achieve best practice customer service, establish long-term customer relationships to improve customer satisfaction, and achieve better health literacy of individuals.

This article discusses the productivity of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector using cross-sectional data from 793 service firms in Palestine. The authors have examined the impact of ICT growth on service sector productivity in Palestine using a set of indicators for ICT including internet usage, e-commerce, networks, websites, and use of “smart” phones. They find that using ICT (mainly Internet) in commerce (e-commerce) is one of the most important levers of labor productivity among service firms. Service firms that are less ICT-intensive are less productive than more ICT-intensive firms; moreover, the use of mobile phones for services other than send-and-receive calls, highly improves the labor productivity of service firms. Conversely, using a website and computer network does not positively affect the labor productivity. Regarding geographical differences in labor productivity, the analysis shows that firms in Jerusalem are characterized by higher productivity than firms in the West Bank, while firms in Gaza have a lower productivity compared to firms in the West Bank.

The bidirectional relationship between periodontitis and type 2 diabetes (T2D) underscores the need for adjunctive therapies to enhance nonsurgical periodontal therapy (NSPT). This meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of antioxidants in improving periodontal and glycemic outcomes in T2D patients with periodontitis. A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, covering publications from 2015 to 2025. Antioxidants tested were melatonin, propolis, lycopene, ginger, vitamin C, omega-3 fatty acids (O3FAs), and grape seed extract. Outcomes (clinical attachment level [CAL], probing depth [PD], gingival index [GI], HbA1c) were analyzed using random-effects models (mean differences, 95% CIs). Risk of bias was assessed via the Cochrane criteria. Eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs, n = 315) were identified. Adjunctive antioxidants significantly improved CAL (melatonin: SMD -2.28, 95% CI -3.01 to -1.56; propolis: SMD -3.83, -4.79 to -2.87) and PD (melatonin: SMD -2.40, -3.14 to -1.66; propolis: SMD -1.78, -2.44 to -1.11). Melatonin and propolis also reduced HbA1c (melatonin: SMD -2.28; propolis: SMD -3.83). Lycopene and ginger showed modest effects, while vitamin C and O3FAs had minimal impact. Evidence certainty was moderate for CAL/HbA1c and low for PD/GI. Antioxidants, particularly melatonin and propolis, enhance periodontal and glycemic outcomes in T2D-periodontitis patients. Despite promising results, limitations include small sample sizes and heterogeneity. Larger RCTs are needed to optimize protocols.

The increasing use of social media due to various individual and social reasons may trigger some psycho-social issues. What can be effective in reducing social media addiction, which causes social and economic problems, is an important issue today. This study aimed to investigate the mediation effect of satisfaction with life in the impact of self-esteem and education level on social media addiction in individuals. The study was designed as cross-sectional, and the sample consists of 952 volunteers over the age of 15 using social media in Turkey. A personal information form, the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale were used as data collection tools in the study. The data were analyzed with SPSS 23.0 Program and PROCESS macro plug-in. Demographic questions such as age, gender, and marriage were used as control variables. As a result of the research, it was determined that satisfaction with life had a mediation role in the effect of self-esteem and education level on social media addiction. Self-esteem and education level improved satisfaction with life, and increased satisfaction with life resulted in less social media addiction. These results demonstrate the importance of implementing specific practices based on self-esteem and education, especially for vulnerable groups, to minimize the problems that may arise with the excessive use of digital apps and social media.

Loneliness and cognitive distortions have serious negative effects on life satisfaction and are seen as related to each other. However, what mediates in these relationships has not been adequately analyzed. This study aims to analyze the effect between cognitive distortions and life satisfaction by asserting the mediating role of loneliness. For this purpose, we conducted a cross-sectional study with 978 people over the age of 20 from various parts of Turkey using a general screening model. Firstly, we analyzed the direct effect of interpersonal rejection, interpersonal misperception, and unrealistic relationship expectation, which are sub-dimensions of cognitive distortions, loneliness, and life satisfaction. Secondly, we analyzed the effects of independent, mediation, and interaction (Loneliness X age) variables on satisfaction with life. Thirdly, we applied direct regression analysis between independent, mediating, and dependent variables to conduct the mediation analysis of the study. Also, we examined age as a moderator between loneliness and life satisfaction. The results showed loneliness as an essential determinant between cognitive distortions and life satisfaction. Moreover, in the moderation analysis, we found some age-related differences between loneliness and life satisfaction. According to this, both loneliness and life satisfaction increased with increasing age. However, life satisfaction decreased as loneliness increased in young people. Being able to compensate for loneliness in the aging process is an essential psychological indicator. Although young people have more opportunities than older people, their ability to cope with negative situations such as loneliness is largely undeveloped. These results showed both psychological and sociological problems of loneliness. Therefore, the results can be useful for the prevention of loneliness and the development of intervention programs.

Background/Objectives: Acne vulgaris (AV), a common dermatological condition in adolescence, has been widely recognized not only for its physical impact but also for its significant psychological and social consequences, particularly the internalization of stigma. This study specifically aimed to evaluate the state of internalized stigma in adolescents with AV and its relationship with quality of life and disease severity. Additionally, we sought to identify and assess the factors associated with internalized stigma. Methods: A total of 179 patients with AV were included in this cross-sectional observational study. We employed a convenience sampling strategy. The Internalized Stigma Scale (ISS) was used to assess patients’ stigma. The Acne Quality of Life Scale (AQLS) and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) were used to assess patients’ quality of life. The Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) was used to assess disease severity. Results: Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the ISS was determined to be 0.79. In our study, the mean total ISS scores for patients with AV were notably high. The ISS was significantly positively correlated with the AQLS score (r = 0.653, p < 0.001), DLQI score (r = 0.487, p < 0.001), and GAGS score (r = 0.257, p = 0.006). Linear regression analysis was performed to predict the ISS variable. Accordingly, the AQLS positively and significantly predicts (β = 0.521, p < 0.001). Conclusions: AVs often experience high levels of stigma. Internalized stigma is strongly associated with reduced quality of life and increased disease severity. Moreover, the AQLS significantly affects stigma.