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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2026

Navigating Social Media: Balancing Connectivity With Media Literacy to Combat Misinformation and Protect Mental Well-Being.

BACKGROUND: The pervasive use of social media has created a complex digital ecosystem where high connectivity coexists with significant challenges, including the rapid spread of misinformation, particularly regarding mental health, and documented negative impacts on psychological well-being. Platform architectures designed for engagement maximization have been identified as central factors in both issues. OBJECTIVE: This paper critically analyzes the interconnected relationships between social media use, misinformation dissemination, and mental health impacts, with particular attention to psychiatric misinformation across diagnostic categories (e.g., depression, anxiety, ADHD). A primary objective is to evaluate the potential of advanced critical digital literacy frameworks to serve as protective mechanisms against these dual threats. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines across APA PsycInfo, PubMed, JSTOR, and Google Scholar for literature published between January 2018 and March 2026 (updated from the original 2023 search). The search yielded 2672 records. After removing 624 duplicates, 2048 records underwent title and abstract screening, with 1802 excluded. The remaining 246 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility, resulting in 86 studies included in the final qualitative synthesis. Inter-rater reliability was established (Cohen's κ = 0.82). Quality assessment was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist, AXIS, and CASP tools, with findings weighted by methodological quality. A thematic analysis was undertaken to synthesize findings. RESULTS: The analysis reveals that core architectural features of social media platforms, algorithmic curation and engagement-based metrics, simultaneously foster environments ripe for misinformation spread and contribute to psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, and harmful social comparison. Psychiatric misinformation specifically (e.g., inaccurate claims about treatment effectiveness, diagnostic criteria, and medication side effects) represents a growing concern, particularly on image- and video-based platforms. The findings indicate that conventional media literacy approaches focused solely on fact-checking are insufficient. Instead, a critical digital literacy framework encompassing algorithmic awareness, data literacy, and emotional awareness is essential for building user resilience, with evidence from high-quality systematic reviews supporting this approach. CONCLUSIONS: Navigating the complexities of modern social media requires an integrated approach combining "pedagogies of play" for experiential skill development with advocacy for structural change (e.g., algorithmic transparency, well being by design principles). This dual strategy empowers individual users to critically engage with digital content while advocating for ethical platform design, thereby safeguarding both mental well-being and democratic discourse. Implications for educators, mental health professionals (including competencies for addressing patient encounters with psychiatric misinformation), policymakers, and platform designers are discussed.

Humans↗
PubMed1977

Misinformation from sputum cultures without microscopic examination.

Only 13 of 38 hospital laboratories surveyed include a Gram stain routinely in microbiological sputum examination. In a prospective three-hospital study, 60% of over 1,200 "sputum" specimens consisted predominantly of saliva, as judged by cell composition. Compared with the results of cultures in which microorganisms presumptively identified on sputum smears were specifically sought ("directed cultures"), cultures of the same specimens processed in the routine manner missed pneumococci 61%, haemophili 23%, and yeasts 44% of the time. The findings were similar in all three hospitals despite differences in administration, staffing, primary culture media, and workload. Unless microscopic examination is routinely included, half of all microbiological information rendered on sputum specimens is meaningless and subject to dangerous misapplication. Furthermore, culture must be guided by microscopic findings, or respiratory pathogens will frequently be missed. Finally, when routine culture and smear disagree, the culture cannot be assumed to be correct. Microscopic examination should be mandatory in sputum microbiology, both for specimen evaluation and as a guide to what to look for in culture.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1992

Information and misinformation regarding ischemia of heart muscle tissue. The cause of cell death during blood reperfusion and reactivation of heart muscle tissue after prolonged ischemia.

An electron microscopic study of heart muscle tissue exposed to six hours ischemia and prepared according to the low denaturation embedding technique revealed a structural modification confined to the mitochondrial cristae. The modification consisted of a removal of Krebs cycle enzymes from the cristae. Reperfusion of the ischemic tissue after four hours ischemia led to extensive breakdown of the mitochondrial structure and contractility could not be restored. However, when after six hours ischemia the ischemic tissue was reperfused with blood, the composition of which had been modified to stimulate mitochondrial function, no additional structural changes were observed and contractility was restored. The structural damage caused by reperfusion with non modified blood is explained by a loss of control of plasma membrane permeability caused by impaired ATP production which makes the ionic composition of the cytosol approach that of blood plasma, stopping oxidative phosphorylation. A treatment to restore heart muscle function after long periods of ischemia and after heart transplantation is proposed. The structural damage revealed that the Krebs cycle and the respiratory chain enzymes are associated according to a regular periodic pattern and that the enzyme molecules are closely aggregated three-dimensionally. Earlier electron microscopic studies revealing massive structural deterioration of heart muscle cells already after 45 to 60 minutes ischemia leading to the conclusion that the cells are irreversibly damaged, is based on fixation artifacts caused by osmium fixation. This study has been carried out in collaboration with the research team of Gerald D. Buckberg at the Thoracic Surgery Division at University of California at Los Angeles.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Guessing and misinformation about pregnancy risk among urban mothers.

Only one-third of urban mothers interviewed twice, a year apart, answered correctly both times about when during the menstrual cycle a woman is most likely to become pregnant. Classroom discussions about contraception, attendance at family planning clinics, and discussions with one's mother about contraception are not positively associated with knowledge about pregnancy risk. Those using methods other than the pill or IUD are more knowledgeable about pregnancy risk--perhaps because they have a greater need to know.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2026

Navigating acceptance: challenges and barriers to Nipah virus vaccine uptake in Malaysia's muslim-majority context.

INTRODUCTION: The development of Nipah virus (NiV) vaccine offers a vital opportunity for pandemic preparedness in Southeast Asia, especially in Malaysia, where the first outbreak occurred. However, vaccine acceptance must be understood within diverse cultural, religious, and social contexts. AREAS COVERED: This review explores key challenges and barriers to NiV vaccine uptake among Malaysia's Muslim-majority population, drawing insights from past rollouts such as COVID-19 and HPV vaccines. Key issues include religious concerns, misinformation, historical hesitancy, lack of trust in health authorities, and gaps in knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions, which collectively hinder vaccine acceptance and uptake. The paper also highlights enablers namely religious endorsements, transparent communication, and culturally sensitive engagement with trusted healthcare and community leaders. Evidence-based strategies, like motivational interviewing, narrative communication, and tailored outreach, are discussed. Finally, the 7C model is introduced as a structured framework to address behavioral and psychological barriers to vaccination. EXPERT OPINION: Research gaps remain in understanding local psychological drivers, religious governance dynamics, and misinformation patterns. Future efforts should prioritize nationwide KAP studies, validation of behavioral frameworks such as the 7C model, and interventional research on culturally tailored communication. Integrating early halal certification and coordinated religious engagement will be essential for effective and equitable uptake.

Humans↗
PubMed1978

Limited patient knowledge as a reproductive risk factor.

A study was designed to obtain information on the concerns, attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge that women have about reproduction in order to determine how these factors affect their ability to plan pregnancies. A clinical population was studied and in general found to be uninformed and misinformed about basic physiological facts relating to reproduction. Their lack of information or their misinformation about the menstrual cycle, safe time for intercourse, and contraception contributed to unwated pregnancies. They did not know enough to prevent pregnancy. The patients were aware of some deficits in their knowledge about reproduction and expressed a desire to learn more. This study suggests that individualized education may be necessary to break the pattern of unwanted pregnancies and the feelings of apathy and fatalism so common among low-income patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Knowledge about AIDS among rural workers].

The objective of the present study was to identify the knowledge rural workers have about AIDS in order to develop a specific educational projects. It was observed that part of the population which spontaneously participated in the study presented characteristics of misinformation and alienation about AIDS, as well as about situations that may pose risks to workers. On the basis of the responses obtained, an educational project about AIDS was elaborated to reach 1300 workers employed at a Sugar and Alcohol Mill.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1979

Alcohol: a description and comparison of recent scientific vs. public knowledge.

Sought to survey alcohol research since the "rediscovery" of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and to compare recent scientific knowledge with that of the general public. Research was found to concentrate on searching for explanations of alcohol use and/or abuse and on several areas of biological morphogenesis. Significant documentation exists for FAS and validates both physiological and developmental attributes. As an index of public knowledge, an alcohol questionnaire was administered to 190 high-school, college, and graduate students. True-false items represented statements relative to the nature, etiology, effects, variables, and consequences of alcohol use/abuse. The composite mean of less than 60% correct suggested significant misinformation and misconceptions about alcohol. A summary of the most dramatic informational deficits was presented. There was a positive, though minimal, relationship between alcohol knowledge and education, and both sex and race differences were noted.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

[Light- and electron microscopical investigation on the pathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma (author's transl)].

In Kaposi's sarcoma (K.S.) the regular metabolism between endothelial cell, extracellular matrix and fibrocyte is disturbed. Thereby the composition of the extracellular matrix change and via a feed-back to the CNS and hormonal system in return changes of endothelial cells and fibrocytes appear. Processing of misinformation sum up in transformation of fibrocytes to tumor cells and destruction of endothelial cells. Initial a widening of the interendothelial borders of the capillary bed seem to be of great importance for the pathogenesis of K.S., because for long time spaces lymphedemas preceed the tumor. With this immunoreactions occur which probably are accompanied by autoimmuno-processes

Aged↗
PubMed1977

Effects of biofeedback on the discrimination of electrodermal activity.

Twenty-four subjects were tested on their ability to discriminate between the presence and absence of negative skin potential responses before and after training to control skin potential. Training consisted of 52 discrete 30-second trials during which subjects were asked either to increase or to inhibit palmar sweating. Subjects in groups N and P were provided with analogue feedback on their skin potential activity. Group N was correctly informed that increases in sweating were indicated by increases in the negativity of skin potential; group P was misinformed that these were indicated by increases in the positivity of skin potential. Subjects in the control (C) group received no feedback. Reliable evidence of discrimination was obtained only in groups N and P, following training. However, reliable evidence of control was obtained only in group N. Thus, training to control skin potential led to an ability to identify afferentation associated with the more common (i.e., negative) skin potential responses, even though biofeedback training appeared unsuccessful in the case of group P. These findings are discussed in the context of "discrimination" or "awareness" accounts of the process of acquiring control of internal response.

Autonomic Nervous System↗