Social technology can improve the quality of social lives of older adults (OAs) and mitigate negative mental and physical health outcomes. When people engage with technology, they can do so to stimulate social interaction (stimulation hypothesis) or disengage from their real world (disengagement hypothesis), according to Nowland et al.\'s model of the relationship between social Internet use and loneliness. External events, such as large periods of social isolation like during the COVID-19 pandemic, can also affect whether people use technology in line with the stimulation or disengagement hypothesis. We examined how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the social challenges OAs faced and their expectations for robot technology to solve their challenges. We conducted two participatory design (PD) workshops with OAs during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, OAs\' primary concern was distanced communication with family members, with a prevalent desire to assist them through technology. They also wanted to share experiences socially, as such OA\'s attitude toward technology could be explained mostly by the stimulation hypothesis. However, after COVID-19 the pandemic, their focus shifted towards their own wellbeing. Social isolation and loneliness were already significant issues for OAs, and these were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, such OAs\' attitudes toward technology after the pandemic could be explained mostly by the disengagement hypothesis. This clearly reflect the OA\'s current situation that they have been getting further digitally excluded due to rapid technological development during the pandemic. Both during and after the pandemic, OAs found it important to have technologies that were easy to use, which would reduce their digital exclusion. After the pandemic, we found this especially in relation to newly developed technologies meant to help people keep at a distance. To effectively integrate these technologies and avoid excluding large parts of the population, society must address the social challenges faced by OAs.

UNASSIGNED: Youth with neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) demonstrate high rates of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which often have overlapping behaviors. Diagnostic clarity is important to guide services. This study evaluated ASD classification in NF1 using various methods and whether those with ADHD suspicion have more social challenges associated with ASD.
UNASSIGNED: 34 youth with NF1 (Mage = 10.5 ± 1.6 years), completed ASD assessments that combined direct observation and informant ratings to yield a Clinician Best Estimate (CBE) classification. Caregivers rated ASD-related social challenges using the Social Responsiveness Scale- 2nd Edition (SRS-2).
UNASSIGNED: ASD classification varied depending on the method, ranging from 32% using low-threshold SRS-2 cut-scores (T ≥ 60) to under 6% when combining cut scores for diagnostic observational tools and stringent SRS-2 cut-scores (T ≥ 70). 14.7% had a CBE ASD classification. 44% were judged to have autism traits associated with a non-ASD diagnosis. The 52.9% with a suspicion of ADHD had higher SRS-2 scores than those without ADHD, F (7, 26) = 3.45, p < .05, Wilk\'s lambda = 0.518, partial eta squared = 0.482.
UNASSIGNED: Findings highlight the importance of rigorous diagnostic methodology when evaluating ASD in NF1 to inform the selection of targeted interventions for socialization challenges in NF1.

The purpose of the study is to analyze changes occurred, against the background of social challenges, in functioning of the Chair of Social Hygiene since its establishment in 1922 at the Faculty of Medicine of the I Moscow State University to the present time at the N. A. Semashko Chair of Public Health and Health Care at the Sechenov University. The historical method was applied to analyze the documents from the Moscow Central State Archive, the N. A. Semashko Chair of Public Health and Health Care and published materials from eLibrary.ru and the Central Scientific Medical Library for 100-year period.

UNASSIGNED: Racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States are disproportionately affected by chronic kidney disease and progressive kidney failure and face significantly more socioeconomic and psychosocial challenges. However, how such patients\' social environment and stigmatization shape their illness experiences and abilities to cope before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has not been well documented, even as social scientific research predicts these groups\' exponential vulnerability.
UNASSIGNED: Qualitative study using semistructured interviews to elicit individual patient narratives about their personal illness experiences before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, any challenges they faced, and their sources of support.
UNASSIGNED: Using purposive sampling, we recruited 20 adult patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis from centers affiliated with a safety-net hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.
UNASSIGNED: Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic content analysis to identify patients\' challenges and supports before and during the pandemic.
UNASSIGNED: Of the 20 patients in the study, 9 were women, and 18 self-identified as Black or African American. Three main themes emerged, whereby most patients described: (1) stigma and stigmatization as a central element of their life experience; (2) the pandemic as a difficult experience but not a complete rupture from their prepandemic life; and (3) social networks, particularly family, friends, and religious communities, as sources of support crucial to coping with their debilitating illness.
UNASSIGNED: Whether the findings apply to other settings is unknown, as participants were recruited from centers in a single safety-net urban hospital setting.
UNASSIGNED: Psychosocial and environmental factors, including institutional racism and stigmatization, play significant roles in amplifying the burdens shouldered by racial and ethnic minority individuals with kidney disease who now also face the COVID-19 pandemic that has since turned endemic. The results of this study can inform the development of policy interventions aimed at alleviating tensions and structural conditions that impinge on kidney disease patients\' wellbeing and health outcomes.
UNASSIGNED: Members of racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States experience the highest rates of progressive kidney failure and face significantly more socioeconomic and psychosocial challenges. We interviewed 20 patients who receive maintenance hemodialysis treatment from centers affiliated with a safety-net hospital. Patients described stigmatization as a central element of their life experience and the pandemic as a difficult challenge (but not a complete rupture) that added to their struggles with illness-related, race-related, and class-related stigmas. Social networks, particularly family, friends, and religious communities, are key sources of support crucial to coping with illness. Findings from this study can inform health care providers and community workers and guide the development of policy interventions to provide better support for these patients.

Obesity in humans represents a cumulative retention of a tiny fraction of total energy intake as fat, which is accompanied by growth of the metabolically active, energy-demanding, lean body mass. Since the energy balance regulation operates irrespective of the excess fat storage, availability of the required energy supplies is a permissive condition for obesity development. It occurs predominantly among people genetically predisposed and/or living with social or mental challenges. I propose a theory in which the body responds to social disruptions as threats of a future lack of food by an adiposity force building a reserve of energy independent of the regulation of the energy balance. It is based on the assumption that our evolutionary development required collaboration in gathering and sharing of food, combined with precautionary measures against anticipated failing food supplies. Social challenges are perceived as such threats, which activate the adiposity force through the brain to instigate the growth of fat and lean mass by neuro-hormonal signalling. If both perceived social threats and food abundance continue, the adiposity force pushes the fat accretion process to continue without inhibition by feedback signals from the fat mass, eventually leading to more obesity, and more so among the genetically predisposed. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue \'Causes of obesity: theories, conjectures and evidence (Part I)\'.

UNASSIGNED: Hepatitis B has a wide range of effects on patients\' lives due to its chronic nature. Living with Hepatitis B has been associated with various social challenges such as stigma, disclosure, and discrimination.
UNASSIGNED: To assess the social challenges experienced by Hepatitis B-positive patients seeking treatment at a super specialty liver hospital of the country.
UNASSIGNED: A mixed-method research design was used to explore various social challenges experienced by Hepatitis B-positive patients. Descriptive research design was used in the first phase and thematic analysis was done in the second phase of the study. Data were collected using a modified Hepatitis B stigma assessment tool and semi-structured interview guide. Total 180 Hepatitis B-positive patients were recruited for the first phase. Face to face interviews were recorded for the 9 patients facing high stigma in the second phase of the study. Mean age of the patients was 45 ± 13.1 years and 80% of the patients were male. Mean overall stigma score was found to be 74.34 ± 10.13. Of all, 5.1% patients experienced high stigma, 2.1% moderate stigma, and 92% patients experienced low stigma. Thematic analysis method uncovered various attributing factors to social challenges broadly classified into reaction on getting diagnosed with Hepatitis B, psychological issues, stigmatization in families, stigmatization at workplace, and stigmatization in healthcare settings.
UNASSIGNED: Patients with Hepatitis B experience social challenges in aspect of lack of awareness, psychological issues, and stigmatization by healthcare providers, family members, and by the colleagues at their workplace. A better understanding and awareness regarding Hepatitis B is needed to eliminate stigma and discrimination among these patients. Hence, a holistic approach is must to treat patients with Hepatitis B.

The complicated grief experienced by suicide loss survivors leads to feelings of abandonment, rejection, intense self-blame, and depression. Stigma surrounding suicide further burdens survivors who can experience rejection by their community and social networks. Research in the field of psychology has delved into the grieving process of suicide loss survivors, however the effects of suicide require more sociological study to fully understand and support the impact of the suicidal bereavement process on the social interactions and relationships of those left behind after death. This study aims to contribute to the body of research exploring the social challenges faced after the suicide of a loved one. Based on the analysis of powerful personal narratives through qualitative interviews shared by 14 suicide loss survivors this study explores the social construction of the grieving and healing process for suicide loss survivors. Recognizing that the most reliable relief is in commiseration with like experienced people, this research points to the support group as a builder of social solidarity. The alienation caused by the shame and stigma of suicide loss can be reversed by the feelings of attachment to the group that listens, understands and accepts. Groups created by and for suicide loss survivors should be considered a necessary tool to be used toward healing those who suffer from loss by suicide.

Social challenges represent a significantly under-researched area when it comes to the poor employment outcomes in autism. In this exploratory study employees on the autism spectrum (N = 29) and supervisors (N = 15), representing seven continents, provided 128 written examples of workplace-based social challenges, their interpretation, consequences and resolution. Content analysis revealed that types of social challenges were individually oriented or associated with the work-environment. Social challenges were frequently attributed to internal or personal factors with direct consequences for the employee. Resolutions were more frequently targeted toward the individual than the workplace, and hindered employees\' experience of work. This international study represents a first look at the types of social challenges that impact equitable work participation of autistic people.

OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of this study was to explore the reasons behind the late presentation of female patients with leishmaniasis to the clinic.
METHODS: A descriptive study design and qualitative method were used in this study.
METHODS: For information generation, two focus group discussions and three in-depth interviews were conducted with healthcare providers.
RESULTS: Many factors, including socio-economic status, lack of knowledge about the disease (i.e. signs and symptoms, transmission, prevention and treatment), the use of traditional or local treatment methods and lack of female healthcare providers, contribute to the late presentation of patients with leishmaniasis to the clinic. This late presentation of patients with leishmaniasis, especially in women, can result in damage to the body tissue, resulting in life-long scars that carry social stigmas.
CONCLUSIONS: Leishmaniasis can result in life-long scars if it is not timely diagnosed and treated. As a result of the scars being highly stigmatised, the social life of patients with leishmaniasis can be impacted, especially for female patients.

BACKGROUND: This study is coming against the background of people with epilepsy who are abandoning anti-epilepsy medication in developing countries, such as Zimbabwe.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article was therefore to review the general side effects and challenges associated with these anti-epilepsy medications.
METHODS: The researchers reviewed literature related to the general side effects, psychological, social and economic challenges associated with anti- epilepsy medication.
METHODS: To answer the research questions, the researchers used a narrative approach.
RESULTS: Findings of the study reflected that the general side effects associated with anti- epilepsy medication include feelings of tiredness, stomach upset, dizziness or blurred vision, which usually happen during the first weeks of taking medicines. Psychologically, an individual with epilepsy may suffer cognitive problems that are associated with thinking, remembering, paying attention or concentrating and finding the right words to use. Socially, people with epilepsy experience social isolation, dependent behaviour, low rates of marriages, unemployment and reduced quality of life. Using anti-epilepsy medication is also associated with economic challenges.
CONCLUSIONS: The researchers concluded that some people with epilepsy have discontinued using anti-epilepsy medications because of these side effects and challenges.