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This study aims to identify comfort food (CF) consumption and its associated factors during the pandemic period. The study also involves an online survey conducted five months after the quarantine started in Brazil.

Data on lifestyle, eating habits and anthropometric data were collected before and during the pandemic, and the differences in these habits were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were performed to identify predictors of CF consumption by gender.

A total of 1,363 individuals were included in the sample, with a median age of 31 years old, of whom 80.3% were women. Since individuals were free to respond about the food consumed without predetermined categories, it was possible to carry out a faithful assessment of the occurrence of this behavior. At the same time, allowing the subjectivity and symbolism inherent to the concept of CF to be embraced. CF consumption was present for 54%, with “sweets” being the most mentioned group by both genders. The factors associated with CF consumption in women during the pandemic were increased snacking, increased bread, candies and alcoholic beverage intake, increased time spent at work, worsened sleep quality, reduced meals, perceived stress (PS), emotional eating (EE), age and increased frequency of meat intake. In men, the predictors for CF consumption were remote full-time work/study, PS, EE and early waking time. For both genders, CF consumption during the pandemic period was associated with PS and EE.

This study provides an important overview of the possible contributions of the pandemic on behaviors and food choices related to the consumption of CF in Brazilians. This information is valuable to support further studies to investigate and treat the impacts of the pandemic on lifestyle, eating habits and behavior, mental health and other factors in the postpandemic period.

This study aims to examine the status of personality dysfunction and its sociodemographic and psychological correlates among university students in Jordan.

This study used a cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational design. It was conducted in Jordan targeting 440 university students using a structured format of online survey during the period January to February 2024. Academic anxiety, loneliness, personality dysfunctions and self-esteem were the used measures in this study.

Students had moderate levels of global personality dysfunction, low to moderate levels of perception of self-esteem toward themselves, moderate to high levels of academic stress and moderate levels of loneliness. The analysis showed a significant and positive association between academic year and personality dysfunction (p = 0.004). On the contrary, no significant relationship was detected between GPA and personality dysfunction (p = 0.073). Using regression analysis, the model that included all the variables was significant (F _6,439 = 8.67, p < 0.001). In this model, the analysis showed that loneliness in the relationship with family (B = 2.08, p < 0.001) and loneliness due to friendship (B = 1.20, p = 0.035) are significant risk factors for developing personality dysfunctions.

One limitation of this study is related to the sample and the setting. The use of an online survey and convenience sampling techniques resulted in underrepresentation of the entire types of universities.

The research provides empirical insights into the association between personality dysfunction among university students and feelings of loneliness, which vary depending on students academic level. Additionally, academic anxiety and self-esteem were found to be associated with or predictive of personality dysfunctions among students.

The current research enhances our understanding of the factors contributing to personality dysfunctions among university students. Connectedness to family and strong robust binding to friends served as protective against personality dysfunctions.

This study emphasizes the role of social relationships and psychosocial well-being in enhancing the mental well-being of university students.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of Corona virus disease on the perceived values of urban green landscapes in a developing country setting. To achieve this objective, the author investigated changes in the preferences for urban green space services among city residents who use nature areas for recreation.

This study applied the best–worst scaling technique to elicit changes in the preferences for ecosystem services from urban recreational sites in Malawi. The study also used a fractional logit model to examine factors that motivate visitors’ willingness to donate/contribute to improve the quality of nature’s recreational services.

This study finds that the COVID-19 pandemic changed visitors’ perceptions of urban woodlands, but leisure/recreation remained the most important service with or without the Corona virus outbreak. However, the perceived value of air pollution control and cultural/religious functions gained more prominence (+3%), whereas biodiversity conservation became less prominent (−2%) during the pandemic period. The mean willingness to pay (WTP) was estimated to be US$28.73, and WTP is positively influenced by education, income status and the user’s satisfaction with the recreation site.

The study substantiated the impact of Corona virus disease on the perceived values of urban green landscapes, using Malawi as a case study. This was demonstrated through the changes in preferences for urban green space services among city residents who use nature areas for recreation.