The Differential Effects of Social Media on Depressive Symptoms and Suicidal Ideation Among the Younger and Older Adult Population in Hong Kong During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Population-Based Cross-sectional Survey Study

BackgroundSocial media has become a ubiquitous part of daily life during the COVID-19 pandemic isolation. However, the role of social media use in depression and suicidal ideation of the general public remains unclear. Related empirical studies were limited and reported inconsistent findings. Little is known about the potential underlying mechanisms that may illustrate the relationship between social media use and depression and suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic.ObjectiveThis study tested the mediation effects of social loneliness and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms on the relationship between social media use and depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation, as well as the moderation effect of age on the mediation models.MethodsWe administered a population-based random telephone survey in May and June 2020, when infection control measures were being vigorously implemented in Hong Kong. A total of 1070 adults (658 social media users and 412 nonusers) completed the survey. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and multigroup SEM were conducted to test the mediation and moderation effects.ResultsThe weighted prevalence of probable depression was 11.6%; 1.6% had suicidal ideation in the past 2 weeks. Both moderated mediation models of depressive symptoms (χ²₆₂=335.3; P<.05; comparative fit index [CFI]=0.94; nonnormed fit index [NNFI]=0.92; root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA]=0.06) and suicidal ideation (χ²₃₄=50.8; P<.05; CFI=0.99; NNFI=0.99; RMSEA=0.02) showed acceptable model fit. There was a significantly negative direct effect of social media use on depressive symptoms among older people (β=–.07; P=.04) but not among younger people (β=.04; P=.55). The indirect effect via PTSD symptoms was significantly positive among both younger people (β=.09; P=.02) and older people (β=.10; P=.01). The indirect effect via social loneliness was significant among older people (β=–.01; P=.04) but not among younger people (β=.01; P=.31). The direct effect of social media use on suicidal ideation was not statistically significant in either age group (P>.05). The indirect effects via PTSD symptoms were statistically significant among younger people (β=.02; P=.04) and older people (β=.03; P=.01). Social loneliness was not a significant mediator between social media use and suicidal ideation among either age group (P>.05).ConclusionsSocial media may be a “double-edged sword” for psychosocial well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, and its roles vary across age groups. The mediators identified in this study can be addressed by psychological interventions to prevent severe mental health problems during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.     

‘No‐one has listened to anything I’ve got to say before’: Co‐design with people who are sleeping rough

BackgroundDespite policies and programmes aimed at housing people who are homeless, there are still people who live and sleep rough. This project used the skills and knowledge of people in this situation to identify a strategy to mitigate some of the risks.ObjectiveTo describe the development and conduct of a co‐design project involving people who are homeless.Setting/Group MembersA Working Group of 11 was formed following a careful recruitment process from people who had volunteered after consultation by the project team. The co‐design approach was guided by a set of principles.MethodsEight members of the Working Group were interviewed by an external researcher (RM). The approach was primarily deductive, with the principles adopted by the project team used as a framework for data collection and analysis. The co‐design process was captured by the project leaders (BK, PC) supplemented with documentation review and team discussions.ResultsThe group met weekly for 12 weeks, with 8‐10 members present on average. They reviewed information from the survey, contributed ideas for solutions and ultimately decided to provide information via print, a website and an event. Important factors in on‐going involvement were carefully selecting group members and making participation rewarding for them.Discussion/ConclusionsVulnerable people such as those experiencing homelessness can be excluded from decision‐making processes affecting them, as they can be perceived as hard to reach and unable to make a meaningful contribution. This project demonstrated that a carefully managed project, with sufficient resources and commitment, it was possible to involve people who are homeless and maintain involvement over an extended time period.Public ContributionThe Working Group reviewed survey findings and developed an intervention to minimize the health, social and legal harms of sleeping rough. Several members reviewe this paper.     

湖南省孕产妇亲密伴侣暴力发生及影响因素研究

目的 了解孕产妇在孕前和妊娠期亲密伴侣暴力(intimate partner violence,IPV)的发生情况,探索和识别影响亲密伴侣暴力发生的因素。 方法 通过湖南省某妇幼保健院产科门诊招募孕妇进行问卷调查,内容包括一般人口学特征,家庭条件,妊娠经历,社会支持和亲密伴侣暴力经历。 结果 本次回收有效问卷510份,共113例(22.2%)孕产妇有遭受亲密伴侣暴力的经历,其中68例(13.3%)是在孕前发生的亲密伴侣暴力,45例(8.8%)是在妊娠期发生亲密伴侣暴力;就暴力类型而言,精神暴力发生率最高,有97例(19.0%),其次为躯体暴力有21例(4.1%),性暴力最少,有6例(1.2%)。多因素logistic回归分析显示有不良妊娠史是孕前亲密伴侣暴力发生的危险因素(OR=2.941,95%CI:1.574~5.494),而社会支持中主观支持是妊娠期亲密伴侣暴力发生的保护因素(OR=0.803,95%CI:0.722~0.893)。 结论 孕产妇遭遇孕前和妊娠期亲密伴侣暴力将影响孕产妇及婴幼儿身心健康,在母婴保健工作中应增加对妇女精神暴力伤害及孕产妇亲密伴侣暴力发生的关注,并及早识别受害者的暴力经历,从而采取早期干预措施。     

大学生男男性行为者社会网络特征与多性伴的相关性研究

目的 了解长沙市大学生男男性行为人群(men who have sex with men, MSM)的社会网络特征与多性伴之间的相关性,为制定更有针对性的艾滋病防治措施提供科学依据。 方法 运用横断面研究设计,于2017年9月—2018年3月,在长沙市通过连续样本抽样及滚雪球抽样法招募大学生MSM,并进行匿名问卷调查。 结果 有效调查214人,共提名800名社交网络成员和430名性网络成员。多性伴MSM占47.6%。社交网络大小、社交网络密度的中位数和四分位数分别为6(3.75, 6)、0.1(0, 0.5)。性网络大小的中位数和四分位数为2(2,3),性网络密度为0。经多因素logistic回归分析发现,做过HIV检测(OR=2.688, 95%CI:1.336~5.407)、有偶然性伴 (OR=2.409, 95%CI=1.619~3.583)、社交网络大于5人(OR=2.163, 95%CI=1.093~4.280)、性网络与社交网络重合程度高者(OR=0.624, 95%CI=0.412~0.945),有2个或以上性伴的可能性大。 结论 大学生MSM多性伴行为普遍,且与部分社会网络特征相关,建议通过同伴进行社会网络干预,预防大学生MSM群体中HIV传播。     

儿童常见发育异常性疾病的情绪行为与社交功能问题

孤独症谱系障碍(ASD)、注意缺陷多动障碍(ADHD)和语言障碍(LD)等神经发育障碍性疾病是儿童常见的发育异常性疾病,常伴心理行为与社交功能问题,早期识别、诊断和早期针对性的干预措施,对改善其预后具有重要意义。本文就儿童常见发育异常性疾病的心理行为与社交功能进行介绍,供相关专业人员参考。     

Social tariffs and democratic choice—Do population‐based health state values reflect the will of the people?

In economic evaluations of health technologies, health outcomes are commonly measured in terms of quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs). QALYs are the product of time and health‐related quality of life. Health‐related quality of life, in turn, is determined by a social tariff, which is supposed to reflect the public's preference over health states. This study argues that, because of the tariff's role in the societal decision‐making process, it should not be understood as merely an operational (statistical) definition of health, but as a major instrument of democratic participation. I outline what implications this might have for both the method used to aggregate individual preferences, and the set of individuals whose preferences should count. Alternative tariff specifications and decision rules are explored, and future research directions are proposed.     

Investigating the relationship between social care supply and healthcare utilization by older people in England

Since 2010, adult social care spending in England has fallen significantly in real terms whilst demand has risen. Reductions in social care supply may also have impacted demand for NHS services, particularly for those whose care is provided at the interface of the health and care systems. We analyzed a panel dataset of 150 local authorities (councils) to test potential impacts on hospital utilization by people aged 65 and over: emergency admission rates for falls and hip fractures (“front‐door” measures); and extended stays of 7 days or longer; and 21 days or longer (“back‐door” measures). Changes in social care supply were assessed in two ways: gross current expenditure (per capita 65 and over) adjusted by local labor costs and social care workforce (per capita 18 and over). We ran negative binomial models, controlling for deprivation, ethnicity, age, unpaid care, council class, and year effects. To account for potential endogeneity, we ran instrumental variable regressions and dynamic panel models. Sensitivity analysis explored potential effects of funding for integrated care (the Better Care Fund). There was no consistent evidence that councils with higher per capita spend or higher social care staffing rates had lower hospital admission rates or shorter hospital stays.     

医学是什么？—对现代医学归属的思考

什么是医学,从人的属性的多元化,医学的整体化、综合化发展趋势,以及现代医学与人文社会医学和艺术的密切关系,认为现代医学不应该属于自然科学;从医学的本质和人文社会医学的局限性来看,现代医学也不可能属于人文社会科学。提出：为了使生物医学和人文社会医学更好地交叉、融合,协调发展,从而达到医学的目的,完成医学所面临的任务,现代医学应该属于与自然科学和人文社会科学平行的,能独立发展又能相互渗透的科学领域。     

Left atrial appendage perforation with Watchman device implantation: Strategies for surgical repair

Percutaneous occlusion of the left atrial appendage is increasingly being used as an alternative for stroke prevention in patients with non‐valvular atrial fibrillation at high risk of complications from long term anticoagulation. We describe a case of left atrial appendage perforation during Watchman device implantation requiring emergency repair of the left atrium using sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass. Technical considerations for surgical decision making are discussed; in hemodynamically unstable patients as well as those at high risk for embolization.