Introduction In the context of collective efforts taken in Japan to control the spread of COVID-19, the state of emergency and social distancing have caused a negative impact on the mental health of all residents, including foreign communities in Japan. This study aimed to evaluate the level of anxiety and its associated factors among non-Japanese residents residing in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A web-based survey in 13 languages was conducted among non-Japanese residents living in Japan during the COVID-19 situation. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory assessed the level of anxiety–State (STAI-S) scores prorated from its six-item version. The multivariable logistic regression using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) method was performed to identify the associated factors of anxiety among participants. Results From January to March 2021, we collected 392 responses. A total of 357 valid responses were analyzed. 54.6% of participants suffered from clinically significant anxiety (CSA). In multivariable logistic model analysis, the CSA status or the high level of anxiety was associated with three factors, including having troubles/difficulties in learning or working, decreased sleep duration, and decreased overall physical health (p<0.05). Conclusion Our study suggests several possible risk factors of anxiety among non-Japanese residents living in Japan undergoing the COVID-19 pandemic, including the troubles or difficulties in learning or working, the decrease in sleep duration, and the decrease in overall physical health.
This study explored the effects of reading fiction in e-books or paper books on social cognition. Using SPSS 25.0, empathy and pro-social behavior of the paper book novel preference group (n=43), e-book novel preference group (n=46), and novel non-preference group (n=46) were measured, and analysis of covariance was conducted to examine group differences. First, there was no significant difference in empathy and pro-social behavior between the paper book novel preference group and the e-book novel preference group. This means that types of reading media do not cause differences in reading effects. Second, regardless of the type of reading media, groups who read novels showed a higher level of empathy and pro-social behavior than those who did not read novels. This means that reading novels can improve the audience’s empathy and pro-social behavior.
Purpose: This study aimed to identify the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among a group of community-dwellingelderlyandto determine if thereweredifferences ingeneralcharacteristics, activitiesof daily living (ADL), perceived health status (PHS) between the MCI group and group of elderly with normal cognitive function. Methods:Thisstudyutilizeda descriptive survey design. Sixhundredand fivesubjects over the age65 were recruited from an S public health center, Seoul. Data were gathered through a variety of instruments: MoCA-K, K-MMSE, K-MBI, S-IADL, and PHS scale. Data were analyzed by SPSS/WIN 18.0 using descriptive statistics, Chi-Squaretest and t-test. Results:TheprevalenceofMCI among thesubjectswas 46.0%.Differences in IADL, PHS, age, education, sex, and residing with aspouse were statistically significant betweengroups. The MCI group hadlower IADL, lower PHS, were older, and had lower educational levelsthan the groupwithnormal cognitive function. Further, the MCI group was less likely to live with a spouse. Conclusion:It is suggested that MCIgroupshouldbetargetedindevelopingandimplementingnursingstrategies toprevent dementiaandimprove the elderly cognitive function.