Explore the vast range of titles available.

Background Help-seeking is an adaptive coping process encompassing orientation, intention and actual behaviors. Help-seeking intention which promotes help-seeking behavior is a protective factor for mental health. However, the psychological paths for help-seeking intention in first-year medical students, a population vulnerable to mental health challenges, remain elusive. Thus, we aim to explore the associations between coping resources (i.e., perceived social support (PSS) and self-compassion) and formal/informal help-seeking intention, and to further test the mediating role of coping strategies (i.e., active coping and behavioral disengagement) in these relationships. Methods The sample included 792 Chinese first-year medical students. Validated scale was used to assess PSS. The Self-compassion Scale Short Form (SCS-SF) and the Brief COPE were employed to evaluate self-compassion and coping strategies. Multiple linear regression and structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses were conducted. Results Multiple regression analyses indicated that PSS, self-compassion, active coping, and behavioral disengagement were significantly associated with formal/informal help-seeking intention. SEM further demonstrated that active coping significantly mediated the relationships between PSS and formal/informal help-seeking intention, as well as the relationships between self-compassion and formal/informal help-seeking intention. Moreover, behavioral disengagement was found to significantly mediate the association between self-compassion and formal help-seeking intention. Conclusions The present study identified five significant mediation paths, indicating the intricate relationships between coping resources, coping strategies, and help-seeking intention. These findings offer actionable insights for interventions, suggesting that enhancing PSS and fostering self-compassion can promote active coping, reduce behavioral disengagement, and ultimately increase both formal and informal help-seeking intention among first-year medical students in China.

Consider three electromagnetic scattering models, namely, electromagnetic scattering by an elastic body, by a chiral medium, and by a cylinder at oblique incidence. We are concerned with the corresponding inverse problems of determining the locations and shapes of the scatterers from phaseless far-field patterns. There are certain essential differences from the usual inverse electromagnetic scattering problems, and some fundamental conclusions need to be proved. First, we show that the phaseless far-field data are invariant under the translation of the scatterers and prove the reciprocity relations of the scattering data. Then, we justify the unique determination of the scatterers by utilizing the reference ball approach and the superpositions of a fixed point source and plane waves as the incident fields. The proofs are based on the reciprocity relations, Green’s formulas, and the analyses of the wave fields in the reference ball.

With the global promotion and application of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the identification and management of TCM materials have become critical issues that need to be addressed. Traditional methods for identifying TCM materials rely on manual experience and expert knowledge, leading to low efficiency and a high likelihood of errors. With the development of image processing technology, image-based classification and retrieval of TCM materials have gradually become a research hotspot. However, existing methods often encounter challenges such as insufficient classification accuracy and low retrieval efficiency when faced with the diversity and complexity of TCM material images. Therefore, how to effectively extract image features and improve the accuracy of classification and retrieval has become the central challenge in current research. Traditional image features, such as color, shape, and texture, are commonly used in the classification and retrieval of TCM materials. However, these features are often unable to fully reflect the diversity and detail of the materials, especially when distinguishing between morphologically similar materials. Although deep learning techniques have made breakthroughs in the field of image processing, the application of deep learning in TCM material image classification still faces many challenges due to insufficient data and annotation. A combination of technologies, including superpixel segmentation, feature point extraction, and clustering encoding, provides an effective approach to improving classification and retrieval performance and warrants further research. A kind of feature enhancement-based method for the classification and retrieval of TCM material images was proposed in this study, consisting of four main components. First, fine image segmentation was performed using the Simple Linear Iterative Clustering (SLIC) superpixel segmentation technique to extract features; second, an initial classification method based on feature points was used to perform coarse classification of the TCM material images; third, clustering algorithms were employed to encode features and perform initial sorting; and finally, the image retrieval results were optimized through reordering based on the initial sorting. Experimental results demonstrate that the methods effectively enhance the classification accuracy and retrieval efficiency of TCM material images.

Engagement in cognitively demanding activities is beneficial to preserving cognitive health. Our goal was to demonstrate the utility of frequentist, Bayesian, and fiducial statistical methods for evaluating the robustness of effects in identifying factors that contribute to cognitive engagement for older adults experiencing cognitive decline. We collected a total of 504 observations across two longitudinal waves of data from 28 cognitively impaired older adults. Participants’ systolic blood pressure responsivity, an index of cognitive engagement, was continuously sampled during cognitive testing. Participants reported on physical and mental health challenges and provided hair samples to assess chronic stress at each wave. Using the three statistical paradigms, we compared results from six model testing levels and longitudinal changes in health and stress predicting changes in cognitive engagement. Findings were mostly consistent across the three paradigms, providing additional confidence in determining effects. We extend selective engagement theory to cognitive impairment, noting that health challenges and stress appear to be important moderators. Further, we emphasize the utility of the Bayesian and fiducial paradigms for use with relatively small sample sizes because they are not based on asymptotic distributions. In particular, the fiducial paradigm is a useful tool because it provides more information than p values without the need to specify prior distributions, which may unduly influence the results based on a small sample. We provide the R code used to develop and implement all models.

Abstract We examined daily fluctuations in future time perspective within the daily stress and awareness of aging processes. Awareness of age-related change (AARC) focuses on everyday experiences that highlight changes in behavior and functioning as a result of growing older. We integrated individual differences in control beliefs because those with higher control tend to be more resilient to stressors. We conducted a daily diary study of 112 older adults (aged 60-90) who completed measures of control beliefs at baseline and then daily measures of stressor exposure, appraisal (e.g., threats to future plans), and AARC for eight consecutive days. Increases in threats to future plans were associated with increases in AARC losses, and those with low control were especially vulnerable to increases in threats to future plans. With a constricted future time perspective, any threats to future plans may be especially harmful for older adults who are low in control beliefs.

ABSTRACTObjectivesThis study examined the association between loneliness and risk of incident all-cause dementia and whether the association extends to specific causes of dementia. DesignLongitudinal. SettingCommunity. ParticipantsParticipants were from the UK Biobank ( N = 492,322). InterventionNone. MeasurementsLoneliness was measured with a standard item. The diagnosis of dementia was derived from health and death records, which included all-cause dementia and the specific diagnoses of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), vascular dementia (VD), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), over 15 years of follow-up. ResultsFeeling lonely was associated with a nearly 60% increased risk of all-cause dementia (HR = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.51–1.65; n = 7,475 incident all-cause). In cause-specific analyses, loneliness was a stronger predictor of VD (HR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.62–2.03; n = 1,691 incident VD) than AD (HR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.28–1.53; n = 3135 incident AD) and was, surprisingly, a strong predictor of FTD (HR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.22–2.20; n = 252 incident FTD). The associations were robust to sensitivity analyses and were attenuated but remained significant accounting for clinical (e.g. diabetes) and behavioral (e.g. physical activity) risk factors, depression, social isolation, and genetic risk. The association between loneliness and all-cause and AD risk was moderated by APOE ϵ4 risk status such that the increased risk was apparent in both groups but stronger among non-carriers than carriers of the risk allele. ConclusionLoneliness is associated with increased risk of multiple types of dementia.

Telomere length, a biomarker of human aging, is related to adverse health outcomes. Growing evidence indicates that oxidative stress and inflammation contributes to telomere shortening, whereas social support may protect from telomere shortening. Despite sex differences in telomere length and social support, little is known about whether there are sex differences in the relationship between oxidative stress/inflammation and telomere length, and sex-specific moderating roles of social support in older adults. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2002, this study assessed whether the associations between oxidative stress/inflammation and telomere length vary with sex and explored social support as a moderator in these associations among 2289 older adults. Oxidative stress was measured based on serum Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and inflammation was measured based on C-reactive protein (CRP). After adjusting for the covariates, GGT was significantly associated with telomere length in females only (β =  − 0.037, 95% CI =  − 0.070, − 0.005), while CRP was associated with telomere length in males only (β =  − 0.019, 95% CI =  − 0.035, − 0.002). Moreover, high social support mitigated the negative association between GGT and telomere length, which was more evident in females. Furthermore, social support moderated the association between CRP and telomere length in males aged 70 and above. Our findings indicated that biological mechanisms related to telomere length may vary with sex, while social support plays a sex-specific moderating role.

Abstract Physical activity is an important factor in preventing or slowing cognitive decline. However, the predictors of fluctuations in physical activity in a population that is already experiencing cognitive impairment is not well understood. Subjective age, such as how old one feels, has been tied to many health indicators in cognitively intact populations. Thus, we focused on the within-person associations between subjective age and physical activity as they unfold over time within a sample of cognitively impaired participants. The current study examined 400 reports from measurement burst data consisting of 5 weekly surveys conducted twice across 6 months from 68 cognitively impaired participants (M age = 70.14 (6.63), range = 60-92). Participants completed a battery of cognitive tests at baseline. At each weekly assessment, participants reported on their physical activity (e.g., exercise, outdoor, flexibility, and strength activities; Yes/No) and subjective age with respect to how old they feel overall and how old they feel mentally. There were longitudinal decreases in physical activity across the bursts, but on occasions when participants felt younger overall or younger mentally there were increases in physical activity. In addition, the effects of mental subjective age depended on cognitive ability, with those scoring lower in cognitive ability appearing to benefit the most from decreases (feeling younger) in mental subjective age. These findings suggest that perceptions of aging, especially within the domain of mental age, are tied to physical activity engagement for older adults with cognitive impairment.

Abstract Stressors are associated with higher subjective ages, but the role of forecasting and coping with future stressors is unknown. 223 adults (107 aged 18-36, 116 aged 60-90) reported their subjective age, forecasts of next-day health stressors, and anticipatory coping with next-day health stressors each day for eight consecutive days. There was no main effect of forecasting, but increases in plan rehearsal coping were associated with increases in felt age. In contrast, increases in problem analysis coping were associated with decreases in felt age. Daily forecasting and coping also interacted with each other. On days with low plan rehearsal or low problem analysis, there was no association between forecasting of health stressors and subjective age. However, on days with high plan rehearsal or high problem analysis, increases in forecasting ratings were associated with increases in subjective age. Forecasting and coping with future stressors may play a role in subjective aging.

Elections have been associated with stress responses. Whereas previous research on election distress has focused on reacting to events that already happened, individuals may experience stress due to forecasting future stressors and respond to these forecasts by engaging in anticipatory coping processes. In addition, the levels of stress response associated with elections seem to vary for adults of different ages. The goal of the current study was to examine the within-person associations between daily stressors forecasting and negative affect in the context of an election, the effects of different anticipatory coping strategies, and age differences in these processes. As part of the 2018 U.S. Midterm ESCAPED (Election Stress Coping and Prevention Every Day) study (Smith & Neupert, 2021), 140 adults aged 19-86 (Mean = 35, SD = 11.53) in the U.S. were recruited for a 29-day daily diary study. Sixty-five (46%) of them self-identified as men, 73.7% had received four-year college education or higher; 77% self-identified as White and 16% self-identified as Black; 40% identified with the Democratic Party, 32% identified with the Republican Party, and 28% identified with a third party or did not identify with any political party. The participants provided a total of 1056 daily reports on days spanning October 15th – November 13th, with the midterm election day being November 6th, 2018. Results indicated that daily forecasts of election stressor contributed to daily negative affect experienced throughout the study days controlling for exposure, and that stagnantly dwelling on forecasted election stressors may exacerbate rather than reduce distress. No age differences were found with anticipatory stress response (i.e., forecasts-negative affect association) and the effects of anticipatory coping strategies, although the anticipatory stress response appeared to be more pronounced in individuals with a more conservative political ideology. Whether the null age differences are reflective of meaningful age invariance remains to be examined in future research. However, understanding the experiences of distress due to expecting future stressors and how individuals are responding to this anticipatory stress may have unique implications for managing election stress in adulthood.