A growing body of research shows that social networks and identities have a profound impact on mental and physical health. With such mounting evidence of the importance of social relationships in protecting health, the challenge we face is explaining why this should be the case. What is it that social groups offer that appears to be just as beneficial as a daily dose of vitamin C or regular exercise? This edited book brings together the latest research on how group memberships, and the social identities associated with them, determine people’s health and well-being. The volume provides a variety of perspectives from clinical, social, organisational and applied fields that offer theoretical and empirical insights into these processes and their consequences. The contributions present a rich and novel analysis of core theoretical issues relating to the ways in which social identities, and factors associated with them (such as social support and a sense of community), can bolster individuals’ sense of self and contribute to physical and mental health. In this way it is shown how social identities constitute a ‘social cure’, capable of promoting adjustment, coping and well-being for individuals dealing with a range of illnesses, injuries, trauma and stressors. In addition, these theories provide a platform for practical strategies that can maintain and enhance well-being, particularly among vulnerable populations. Contributors to the book are at the forefront of these developments and the book’s strength derives from its analysis of factors that shape the health and well-being of a broad range of groups. It presents powerful insights which have important implications for health, clinical, social and organisational psychology and a range of cognate fields.

An Introduction to Cyberpsychology provides a comprehensive introduction to this rapidly growing discipline. Fully updated in its second edition, the book encourages students to critically evaluate the psychology of online interactions and to develop appropriate research methodologies to complete their own work in this field. The book examines cyberpsychology and online research methodologies, social psychology in an online context, practical applications of cyberpsychology, and the psychological aspects of other technologies. This new edition has been carefully updated to include additional coverage of: Expanded content relating to major developments in the field and new content on gaming and screentime A new chapter examining the relationship between older adults and technology Cyberpsychology in focus feature boxes in each chapter that examine topics in depth Interviews with professionals working in fields relating to cyberpsychology Each chapter includes key terms and a glossary, content summaries, discussion questions, and recommended reading to guide further study. Supported by extensive online resources for students and instructors, this authoritative book is an essential core text for undergraduate modules in cyberpsychology, and an ideal primer for students of postgraduate programs in cyberpsychology. To view the additional student and instructor resources for this book, please visit bpscoretextbooks.routledge.com

Interest in the field of human-animal interactions is burgeoning, and researchers and educators are keen to understand the science undergirding research that helps us understand interactions between people and animals. Recently, exciting and innovative research is focusing on how people’s virtual interactions with animals can enhance their learning, social interactions, and well-being. This research aims to answer questions such as, "What types of interactions do people have with animals in a virtual context? How do people access and experience their virtual interactions with animals? Do virtual interactions with animals hold potential to enhance people’s well-being and learning in the same way that in-person interactions with animals have been documented? What educational strategies could be employed to enhance people’s virtual interactions with animals? How can we respect animals as research participants within a virtual context?" Drawing from seminal and cutting-edge research in the field of human-animal interactions, these questions and others are answered in Virtual Human-Animal Interactions. Research-informed and grounded in critical discussions of theory and practice, this book challenges readers to reconceptualize their understanding of research and practice exploring the complexities inherent in, and arising from, people’s virtual interactions with animals. Further, with an eye to the future, this book illuminates readers’ thinking around the empirical and practical implications of facilitating interactions between people and animals within virtual contexts. Researchers and educators from across disciplines will find Virtual Human-Animal Interactions both scientifically savvy and practical.

In the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic, humanity faced unprecedented challenges that necessitated innovative technological solutions. The Role of AI, IoT, and Blockchain in Mitigating the Impact of COVID-19 explores the transformative influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and Blockchain technologies in combating the pandemic's effects. Key themes: Technological Pandemic Response: This book delves into how technology played a pivotal role in enabling social distancing, remote monitoring, contact minimization, telecommuting, online education, virus analysis, and predictive modeling, effectively aiding the fight against the coronavirus. Data Precision: Accurate and reliable data are essential for tracking virus spread. The book demonstrates how AI, IoT, and Blockchain can establish digital databases that ensure data accuracy, accessibility, and real-time monitoring, addressing the challenges faced by public healthcare systems. Innovative Applications: Chapters in this book cover a wide array of applications, from AI-driven models for COVID-19 analysis and prediction to the use of 3D printing technologies, IoT tools for virus control, and the impact of AI and IoT in healthcare. It also explores the role of social media in promoting social distancing. Advanced AI Techniques: Readers gain insights into cutting-edge AI techniques applied to COVID-19 in areas such as treatment, diagnosis, prognosis, chest X-ray and CT analysis, pandemic prediction, and pharmaceutical research. Industry 4.0: The book discusses Industry 4.0 technologies and their contribution to sustainable manufacturing, efficient management strategies, and their response to the challenges posed by the pandemic. Contributed by a distinguished panel of national and international researchers, with multidisciplinary backgrounds specializing in Artificial Intelligence, biomedical engineering, machine learning, and healthcare technology, public health and industrial automation. Each contribution includes derailed references to encourage scholarly research. This book serves as a valuable resource for academic and professional readers seeking to understand how modern computing technology has been harnessed to address the unique challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. It offers insights into technological innovations and their potential for the betterment of society, especially in times of crisis. Readers will be introduced to computing techniques and methods to measure and monitor the impacts of medical emergencies similar to viral outbreaks and implement the necessary infection control protocols.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the theory and praxis of Big Data Analytics and how these are used to extract cognition-related information from social media and literary texts. It presents analytics that transcends the borders of discipline-specific academic research and focuses on knowledge extraction, prediction, and decision-making in the context of individual, social, and national development. The content is divided into three main sections: the first of which discusses various approaches associated with Big Data Analytics, while the second addresses the security and privacy of big data in social media, and the last focuses on the literary text as the literary data in Big Data Analytics. Sharing valuable insights into the etiology behind human cognition and its reflection in social media and literary texts, the book benefits all those interested in analytics that can be applied to literature, history, philosophy, linguistics, literary theory, media & communication studies and computational/digital humanities.

This book examines modern paradigms of disease control based on social network surveillance applications, including electronic sentinel surveillance and wireless application-based surveillance science. It also highlights topics that integrate statistical and epidemiological sciences with surveillance practice and, in order to reflect the evolution of social networking practices, discusses topics concerning the challenges for surveillance theory and practice. In turn, the book goes a step further by providing insights on how we need to analyse epidemiological trends by following best practices on distinguishing useful information from noise, namely fake news, false reporting of disease incidents and events, etc. At the same time, we need to be able to protect health-focused applications and communication tools via cybersecurity technologies and to ensure that anonymity of reporting and privacy are preserved. In closing, the book discusses the role and impact of social media on disease surveillance, as well as the current role of communities in infectious disease surveillance and control.