A global experiment on motivating social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Significance Communicating in ways that motivate engagement in social distancing remains a critical global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study tested motivational qualities of messages about social distancing (those that promoted choice and agency vs. those that were forceful and shaming) in 25,718 people in 89 countries. The autonomy-supportive message decreased feelings of defying social distancing recommendations relative to the controlling message, and the controlling message increased controlled motivation, a less effective form of motivation, relative to no message. Message type did not impact intentions to socially distance, but people’s existing motivations were related to intentions. Findings were generalizable across a geographically diverse sample and may inform public health communication strategies in this and future global health emergencies. Abstract Finding communication strategies that effectively motivate social distancing continues to be a global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-country, preregistered experiment (n = 25,718 from 89 countries) tested hypotheses concerning generalizable positive and negative outcomes of social distancing messages that promoted personal agency and reflective choices (i.e., an autonomy-supportive message) or were restrictive and shaming (i.e., a controlling message) compared with no message at all. Results partially supported experimental hypotheses in that the controlling message increased controlled motivation (a poorly internalized form of motivation relying on shame, guilt, and fear of social consequences) relative to no message. On the other hand, the autonomy-supportive message lowered feelings of defiance compared with the controlling message, but the controlling message did not differ from receiving no message at all. Unexpectedly, messages did not influence autonomous motivation (a highly internalized form of motivation relying on one’s core values) or behavioral intentions. Results supported hypothesized associations between people’s existing autonomous and controlled motivations and self-reported behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing. Controlled motivation was associated with more defiance and less long-term behavioral intention to engage in social distancing, whereas autonomous motivation was associated with less defiance and more short- and long-term intentions to social distance. Overall, this work highlights the potential harm of using shaming and pressuring language in public health communication, with implications for the current and future global health challenges

Association between Quality of Life and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Tijuana, Mexico

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the main urological pathologies that affects men in adulthood. The high frequency of the symptoms of this pathology is correlated with a perception of worsening of the quality of life, and can lead to deterioration in the activity and work productivity of the patient, leading to stress, depression and social isolation. Objective: To know the association between quality of life and prostate symptoms in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia in the family medicine unit #27 of Tijuana, Mexico. Methods: Participants answered IPSS questionnaire to determine the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms and quality of life. Descriptive statistics were used, the qualitative variables were expressed in frequencies and percentages, and the quantitative variables in measures of central tendency and dispersion. The assumption of normality was made by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The Chi-squared test was used to analyze differences in categorical variables, and the Odds ratio was used to calculate risk. The information obtained was analyzed in the statistical program SPSS version 25. Results: A total of 356 patients were included in the study. In the evaluation of the severity of prostate symptoms, 59.27% presented mild symptoms (n=211). Regarding quality of life results, 76.69% (n=273) considered as good quality of life, finding an association between both variables (P &lt;0.001). Conclusions: We can conclude that there is an association between the severity of prostate symptoms and quality of life. It is important to constantly evaluate the presence of symptoms, in order to carry out preventive actions to avoid the effect on the quality of life of these patients.</jats:p

Family Functionality and Its Relationship with Depression and Anxiety in Recovered COVID-19 Patients in a Primary Care Center of Tijuana, Mexico

Background: In the coronavirus infection, it is important to consider the neuropsychiatric implications; preliminary studies of this new pandemic suggest that patients with COVID-19 may experience depression and anxiety. In that way, family functionality is a determining factor in health preservation of patients with mental disorders and COVID-19. Objective: To determine the family functionality and its relationship with depression and anxiety in recovered COVID-19 patients in a primary care center of Tijuana, Mexico. Methods: A review of clinical records of patients with COVID-19 was carried out at the Family Medicine Unit #27 in Tijuana, Mexico, from July to December 2020. A descriptive cross-sectional study was implemented to know the frequency of depression, anxiety and family functionality in recovered COVID-19 patients. Symptoms of depression were assessed with the Trait Depression Inventory – IDERE. Anxiety was measurement with Spielberger's Trait Anxiety Inventory. Family functionality was determined with family APGAR. Quantitative variables were described as median and interquartile range (IQR), and qualitative variables were expressed as frequency and percentage. The assumption of normality was made by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The Chisquared test was used to analyze differences in categorical variables, and the Odds ratio was used to calculate risk. Results: 560 patients were studied, of which 179 met the selection criteria and 151 entered the study. 54.31% of patients have moderate to severe symptoms of depression, 80.13% moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety and 18.54% alteration in family functionality. Conclusions: COVID-19 is a public health problem that affects multiple dimensions with significant repercussions. It is necessary to apply an early biopsychosocial approach to treat these alterations and avoid their chronicity in order to improve quality life of these patients.</jats:p

Association between Emotional Intelligence and Family Functionality in Residents of Family Medicine in Tijuana, Mexico

Background: The family medicine resident stays in permanent contact with the primary care centers where acquire the knowledge of primary, integral and continuous care for the individual and their family. These future family doctors will be the head of the preventive and curative care and will frequently serve as counselors to family members. Objective: To determine the relationship between emotional intelligence and family functionality in Family Medicine Resident Physicians in the family medicine unit #27 of Tijuana, Mexico. Methods: Comparative cross-sectional study in family medicine resident physicians at FMU 27. Participants answered the family APGAR and TMMS- 24 scale to determine the family functionality and emotional intelligence. Descriptive statistics were used, the qualitative variables were expressed in frequencies and percentages, and the quantitative variables in measures of central tendency and dispersion. The assumption of normality was made by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The Chi-squared test was used to analyze differences in categorical variables, and the Odds ratio was used to calculate risk. The information obtained was analyzed in the statistical program SPSS version 25. Results: 58 participants were included. 46 (79.3%) residents have a functional family, of which 14 (24.1%) pay little attention to their emotions and 4 (6.9%) pays too much attention. Of the total of residents, 35 (60.3%) present adequate attention. Conclusions: Although most studies affirm that there is a relationship in family functionality and emotional intelligence, a significant relationship was not confirmed.</jats:p