Háskólinn á Akureyri
Varanleg URI fyrir þennan undirflokkhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/5666
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Verk Munnleg lokapróf í háskólakennslu : Kostir áskoranir og upplifun nemenda(2025-09-29) Kristjánsdóttir, Vera Kristín Vestmann; ViðskiptadeildMunnleg lokapróf eru sjaldgæf í íslensku háskólakerfi þrátt fyrir aldalanga sögu. Sumar rannsóknir benda til þess að þau bjóði upp á dýpri innsýn í þekkingu og hæfni nemenda og geti þannig endurspeglað námsárangur með öðrum hætti en hefðbundin skrifleg próf. Í þessari grein er fjallað um munnleg próf sem matsaðferð í háskólakennslu, skoðaðir bæði kostir þeirra og áskoranir. Áhersla er lögð á upplifun nemenda, streitu og prófkvíða, auk þess sem borinn er saman árangur nemenda í munnlegum og skriflegum prófum. Rannsóknin byggir á spurningakönnun sem lögð var fyrir nemendur í námskeiði í viðskiptafræði við Háskólann á Akureyri, þar sem munnlegt lokapróf var tekið upp í stað hefðbundins skriflegs prófs. Niðurstöður sýna að þrátt fyrir að margir nemendur upplifi kvíða tengdan munnlegum prófum, meta þeir reynsluna yfirleitt jákvæða eftir á. Upplifun nemenda af að þreyta munnlegt próf reyndist marktækt ólík eftir því hvort þeir upplifðu streitu í prófinu eða ekki. Meirihluti þátttakenda taldi að munnlegt próf krefðist dýpri skilnings og þeir hefðu þar af leiðandi undirbúið sig betur fyrir prófið. Gögnin sýna einnig að meðaleinkunnir voru hærri hjá þeim nemendum sem þreyttu munnlegt próf en hjá fyrri árgöngum sem tóku hefðbundið skriflegt próf. Rannsóknin dregur fram mikilvægi þess að styðja nemendur í gegnum nýjar matsaðferðir og að munnleg próf geti stuðlað að réttlátara námsmati. Niðurstöðurnar styðja við fyrri rannsóknir sem benda til þess að munnleg próf geti verið áhrifaríkari leið til að meta dýpri skilning en skrifleg próf og efli mikilvæga hæfni fyrir atvinnulífið.Verk Evde Sağlık Hizmeti Veren Sağlık Çalışanlarının Tıbbi Atıklara Yönelik Uygulamalarının Değerlendirilmesi(2025-01-15) Ulu, Esma; Harputlu, Deniz; HjúkrunarfræðideildGiriş: Evde uygulanan sağlık hizmeti sonucunda tıbbi atıklar oluşmaktadır. Oluşan tıbbi atıklar, diğer atıklar ile karıştırılmadan toplanmalıdır. Amaç: Bu araştırma, sağlık çalışanlarının evde bakım sırasında oluşan tıbbi atıklara yönelik uygulamalarını değerlendirmek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Yöntem: Tanımlayıcı tipteki bu araştırmanın verileri 14 Eylül 2021-11 Şubat 2022 tarihleri arasında 6 hastanenin evde sağlık hizmeti birimlerinde görev yapan 43 sağlık çalışanının katılımıyla elde edilmiştir. Araştırma verileri, Katılımcı Bilgi Formu ve Evde Sağlık Hizmeti Veren Sağlık Çalışanlarının Tıbbi Atıklara Yönelik Uygulamalarını Değerlendirme Formu kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Araştırma verileri sayı, yüzde, min-maks, ortalama ve standart sapma değerleri ile verilmiştir. Bulgular: Sağlık çalışanlarının %65.1’inin kadın, %41.9’unun hemşire, %90.7’sinin tıbbi atık yönetmeliğini bildiği, %88.4’ünün tıbbi atıklar ve %44.2’sinin evde bakım konusunda eğitim aldığı bulunmuştur. Sağlık çalışanlarının %90.7’sinin evde bakımda oluşan tıbbi atıkları topladığı, %90.7’sinin evde bakımda oluşan tıbbi atıkları ayrıştırdığı bulunmuştur. Tıbbi atıkların doğru toplanma oranının insülin kalem iğnesi (%52.4), kontamine olmuş iğnesiz enjektör (%51.2), ve ilaçlar (%50.0)’da en yüksek olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Sonuç: Bu araştırmada verilen tıbbi atık örneklerinden dördü ile tüm sağlık çalışanlarının karşılaşmasına rağmen kontamine olmuş iğnesiz enjektör hariç diğer atıkların doğru toplanma oranının %50’den az olduğu bulunmuştur. Oluşan tıbbi atıkların kaynağında toplanması ve ayrıştırılması, hasta veya hasta yakınlarına tıbbi atık konusunda eğitim verilmesi önerilmektedir.Verk Birinci Basamak Sağlık Çalışanlarının Kronik Yara Bakımı Bilgi Düzeylerinin Belirlenmesi(2025-04) Sahan, Seda; Harputlu, Deniz; HjúkrunarfræðideildGiriş: Kronik yaralar düzenli bir iyileşme süreci olmayan ve yara iyileşme süresinin beklenenden uzun olduğu yaralardır. Amaç: Bu araştırma, birinci basamak sağlık çalışanlarının kronik yara bakımı bilgi düzeylerini belirlemek amacıyla yapıldı. Yöntem: Bu araştırma tanımlayıcı bir araştırmadır. Araştırma örneklemini Ankara ili Etimesgut ilçesinde bulunan aile sağlığı merkezlerinde çalışan 178 kişi oluşturdu. Veriler, “Birinci Basamak Sağlık Çalışanlarının Kronik Yara Bakımı Bilgi Düzeylerinin Belirlemesi” formu ile toplandı. İstatistiksel analizde veriler gruplar içinde normal dağılmadığı için nonparametrik testlerden Mann Whitney U, Kruskal Wallis H testleri ve Spearman Korelasyon Analizi kullanıldı. Bulgular: Katılımcıları yaş ortalaması 38.2±9.7’dir. Katılımcıların %77’si (n=137) kadın, %47.8’i (n=85) lisans mezunu, %36.5’i (n=65) hemşire oluşturdu. Birinci basamak sağlık çalışanlarının kronik yara bakımına ilişkin toplam doğru cevap sayılarının ortancası 21 (min-mak:0-30) olarak hesaplandı. Katılımcıların eğitim durumları (p=.001), meslekleri (p=.001), yara bakım eğitimi alma (p=.01), yara bakımı yapma durumları (p=.02) ve evde sağlık hizmetlerinde çalışıyor olmalarının (p=.005) kronik yara bakımı bilgi formu toplam doğru cevap sayıları arasında istatiksel olarak fark vardır. Sonuç: Birinci basamak sağlık çalışanlarının eğitim durumları, meslek, yara bakım eğitimi alma, yara bakımı yapma durumları ve evde sağlık hizmetinde çalışıyor olmaları ile kronik yara bakımı formu toplam doğru cevap sayıları arasında istatiksel olarak anlamlı fark vardır. Bu bulgular doğrultusunda, birinci basamak sağlık hizmetlerinde kronik yara bakımı ile ilgili düzenli eğitimlerin verilmesi ve farklı merkezlerde, bölgelerde farklı araştırma yöntemleri ile daha nitelikli araştırmalar yapılması önerilmektedir.Verk Ethical competence in nursing : A theoretical definition(2025-06-09) Halldorsdottir, Sigridur; Bryngeirsdottir, Hulda S.; Faculty of NursingBackground: Ethical competence in nursing is essential. However, a theoretical definition of ethical competence in nursing and the critical components of ethical competence appear to be absent, resulting in a lack of convergence on the core content to be taught on ethical competence in nursing education. Aim and research questions: This study aimed to answer the following questions: What are the essential components of ethical competence in nursing? What is their definition in terms of nursing? What is the theoretical definition of ethical competence in nursing? Method: Walker and Avant’s concept synthesis. Results: Ethical competence in nursing consists of 12 essential components, defined and grouped into three main themes: (1) Ethical knowledge and understanding; having knowledge and understanding of the main theories of theoretical and practical ethics and the principal codes of ethics in nursing; (2) Personal ethical qualities; having ethical awareness and ethical self-awareness, ethical sensitivity, ethical perception, and ethical judgement. (3) Ethical ability and courage to perform; capable of moral reasoning, ethical reflection, and ethical decision-making, having moral courage and demonstrating ethical action and behaviour. The theoretical definition is thus: Nurses considered ethically competent have knowledge and understanding of the main ethical principles in nursing and possess personal ethical qualities, that is, ethical self-awareness, ethical awareness, ethical sensitivity, ethical perception, and ethical judgment as well as having the ethical ability and the courage to perform ethically, that is, capable of moral reasoning, ethical reflection, ethical decision-making, having moral courage, they demonstrate ethical action, and ethically responsible conduct. Conclusions: This study is essential to nursing as a discipline and profession. The findings provide a theoretical definition of ethical competence in nursing and the qualities characterising ethically competent nurses, which can be of great value in clinical practice, nursing education, leadership, and nursing research and theory development.Verk Depressive symptom profiles in Icelandic team sport athletes : Nine quantitative case analyses over a 6-month period(2024) Einarsdóttir, Fríða Rún; Arnardóttir, Nanna Ýr; Kristjánsdóttir, Hafrún; Belz, Johanna; Kenttä, Göran; Taehtinen, Richard Eirikur; Faculty of Nursing; Faculty of PsychologyMost studies to-date have used mean difference analyses to explore group differences in depressive symptoms among athletes. However, these traditional group mean analyses may mask important information concerning symptom profiles such as the severity, type, and number of symptoms. In this study, we examined idiographic depressive symptom profiles in nine Icelandic team sport athletes with recurrent clinically significant depressive symptoms (clinical symptoms at baseline and six-month follow-up) and those with depressive symptoms only at one time point. The aim was to explore depressive symptom patterns in these two groups and their relationship with daily functioning and changes in sport-specific factors. Among those with recurrent clinical symptoms, depressive symptom profiles were stable, both in terms of type and severity of symptoms, while those with clinically significant symptoms observed only at one time point showed generally fewer symptoms, symptom profiles were more variable, and total symptom scores were less severe. Interestingly, no clear associations were observed between sport-specific variables, such as satisfaction with the head coach or subjective evaluation of athletic performance, and depressive symptoms, as several cases reported satisfaction in these areas despite significant depressive symptoms. This idiographic approach highlights the need for targeted and continuous assessment to better understand depressive symptoms in athletes.Verk Self-compassion, depressive symptoms, and well-being: A cross-sectional exploration across athlete status and gender(2025) Einarsdóttir, Fríða Rún; Arnardóttir, Nanna Ýr; Kristjánsdóttir, Hafrún; Belz, Johanna; Kenttä, Göran; Andersson, Mitchell; Taehtinen, Richard Eirikur; Faculty of Nursing; Faculty of PsychologySelf-compassion is associated with positive mental health outcomes and may buffer against negative self-evaluations and emotional difficulties. Nevertheless, studies among athletes often explore self-compassion in specific groups in isolation (e.g., women athletes) (Röthlin et al., 2019). The aims of this study were to 1) explore whether the relationship between gender and composite scores and specific dimensions of self-compassion (e.g., self-judgement) was moderated by athlete status; and 2) to explore the relationship between different dimensions of self-compassion and self-reported depressive symptoms and well-being among team sport athletes (n = 84, Mage = 22.9 ± 5.0; 57.1 %men) and non-athletes (n = 189, Mage = 35.5 ± 5.9; 32.8 %men). For our first aim, the relationship between gender and self-compassion (including specific dimensions) was not moderated by athlete status. However, regardless of gender, athletes reported significantly higher total self-compassion scores and significantly lower scores on specific dimensions of self-compassion, isolation, and over-identification, than non-athletes. For our second aim, self-judgement was positively associated with depressive symptoms in both athletes and non-athletes. Self-judgment was, however, negatively associated with well-being only among athletes, and isolation was negatively correlated with well-being only among non-athletes. Our results suggest that reducing self-judgement may be particularly important for promoting athletes’ mental health.Verk Financial risk-taking behaviour : A comparative study of Iceland and Poland(2025-01-01) Karlsdóttir, Verena; Faculty of Business AdministrationAbstract. This article adds to the limited empirical research integrating socioeconomic and individual perspectives in studying financial risk-taking behaviour. It thereby considers the impact of national and individual characteristics on individuals’ propensity for financial risk-taking. The primary objective was to demonstrate that risk propensity is not a singular construct, highlighting the necessity to account for different individual and socio-economic factors. Further, it emphasizes that financial risk-taking should be distinguished into different subdimensions, such as gambling and investing, concepts reasonably defined consistently in academic literature. For this research, we surveyed Polish and Icelandic business students using the Domain-Specific Risk-Taking (DOSPERT) scale. Results show that gambling decisions are predominantly influenced by individual characteristics such as gender. Investment decisions are affected by individual and external factors like nationality, economic context, and employment status. Nationality significantly impacts investment behaviour, but not gambling, whereas Polish students appear more risk-averse to investing. Further research is needed to explore the nuanced interactions between nations, the socio-financial environment, and individual financial decision-making.Verk Assessing university students’ motivation to choose distance learning and the challenges of distance learning(2024-11-20) Karlsdóttir, Verena; ViðskiptadeildDistance education has gained magnitude post-COVID-19, requiring an understanding of learners’ motivations. This study at the University of Akureyri used a mixed-methods approach to identify three key factors: flexibility, educational growth, efficiency. While gender, age, residence, and education level showed no significant impact, having children and employment influenced perceptions. Thematic analysis revealed insights into student prefe-rences, challenges, and recommendations for improving distance learning.Verk Technical progress, technical efficiency, and environmental change : New insights into Vietnam’s productivity growth(2025-10-27) Nguyen, Thanh Viet; Simioni, Michel; Faculty of Natural Resource SciencesVietnam has experienced remarkable economic growth over last three decades, but the country’s development fundamentals remain fragile. This growth has been primarily driven by an expanding labor force and capital deepening, with less emphasis on productivity growth. In this article, we aim to provide insights into technical progress, environmental change, and technical efficiency at the provincial level in Vietnam from 2010 to 2019 using stochastic production frontier analysis with endogenous inputs and external factors. We analyze differences in productivity and efficiency during the study period to determine the impact of the production environment, technology, and management at the provincial level in Vietnam. Our findings reveal a notable increase in productivity, averaging 3.6 percent per year across all provinces. Assessing technical efficiency, we identify a positive impact of the provincial competitiveness index and a negative influence of foreign direct investment. The implications underscore the need for Vietnam to strengthen provincial institutions and enhance financial, educational, and technological policies to improve productivity. This article offers valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders engaged in sustainable economic development in Vietnam and beyond.Verk Insights into protein and amino acid metabolism of Thermoanaerobacter mathranii(2024-11) Scully, Sean Michael; Abraham, Clay A.; Orlygsson, Johann; Faculty of Natural Resource SciencesFew investigations have been carried out into the members of the genus Thermoanerobacter for protein and amino acid metabolism compared to carbohydrates, mostly due to the intense interest in bioethanol and biohydrogen in recent decades. The present study investigates the biotechnological potential of Thermoanaerobacter mathranii (DSM 11426) in terms of its ability to produce high-energy alcohols from amino and fatty acids. End product formation from glucose (in the presence and absence of butyrate) as well as from selected proteins and amino acids were analyzed. T. mathranii did not degrade any of the proteins tested to a large extent but degraded several amino acids, namely serine and the branched-chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, valine) when cultivated in the presence of thiosulfate. The main end products from the branched-chain amino acids were a mixture of their corresponding branched-chain fatty acids and alcohols, with the strain producing a concentration of the corresponding branched-chain alcohol between 1.0 and 1.7 mM and 8.2–10.9 mM of the corresponding fatty acid. 13C2-labeled leucine revealed that the strains degraded the amino acid in the presence of thiosulfate, producing 3-methyl-1-butyrate, which was then used as an electron acceptor which led to the accumulation of 3-methyl-1-butanol. The strain is highly ethanologenic, producing more than 1.2 mol of ethanol per mol of glucose degraded. The strain was able to reduce volatile fatty acids during glucose fermentation to their corresponding alcohol, further suggesting this strain may be of greater biotechnological value beyond bioethanol production.Verk Draft genome of Thermoanaerobacter thermohydrosulfuricus strain AK152, a novel thermophilic and anaerobic bacterium isolated from a hot spring in Iceland(2024-08) Abraham, Clay A.; Bradley, Kevin M.; Scully, Sean Michael; Orlygsson, Johann; Dube, Derek; Benner, Steven A.; Faculty of Natural Resource SciencesWe present the draft genome of the bacterium Thermoanaerobacter thermohydrosulfuricus strain AK152, a thermophilic, endospore–spore-forming, anaerobe isolated from a hot spring in Grensdalur, in Southwestern Iceland. This assembled genome will lay the foundation for identifying the carboxylic and amino acid fermentation pathways, suggesting biotechnological applications for this strain.Verk Biotechnological prospects of Thermoanerobacter AK15 : End-product formation from carbohydrates, amino acids, and lignocellulosic and macroalgae hydrolysates(2024-03) Orlygsson, Johann; Scully, Sean Michael; Faculty of Natural Resource SciencesThe conversion of lignocellulosic and algal biomass by thermophilic bacteria has been an area of active investigation. Thermoanaerobacter species have proven to be particularly capable in the production of bioethanol and biohydrogen from lignocellulosic biomass, although detailed studies of their abilities to utilize the full gamut of carbohydrate, amino acids, and proteins encountered in biomass hydrolysates are seldom comprehensively examined. Here, we re-evaluate the ability of Thermoanaerobacter strain AK15, a highly ethanologenic strain previously isolated from a hot spring in Iceland. Similar to other Thermoanaerobacter species, the strain degraded a wide range of mono- and di-saccharides and produced a maximum of 1.57 mol ethanol per mol of glucose degraded at high liquid–gas phase ratios. The ability of strain AK15 to utilize amino acids in the presence of thiosulfate is limited to the branched-chain amino acids as well as serine and threonine. Similar to other Thermoanaerobacter species, strain AK15 produces a mixture of branched-chain fatty acids and alcohols, making the strain of interest as a potential source of longer-chain alcohols. Finally, the strain was also shown to use butyrate as an electron sink during glucose degradation resulting in the reduced product butanol, in addition to end-products produced from glucose. Thus, strain AK15 is a promising candidate for ethanol and higher-order alcohols from a range of lignocellulosic and algal biomass.Verk Dataset describing the amino acid catabolism of Thermoanaerobacter pseudethanolicus(2024-02) Orlygsson, Johann; Scully, Sean Michael; Faculty of Natural Resource SciencesThe dataset depicts the catabolism of branched-chain amino acids by Thermoanaerobacter pseudethanolicus in the presence of thiosulfate under different culture conditions. The results reveal that the strain can degrade all three branched-chain amino acids resulting in the production of their corresponding branched-chain fatty acids and branched-chain alcohols with the fatty acids always being the dominant product. The highest amounts of 2-methyl-1-butanol from isoleucine were at pH 6.5, liquid-gas ratio of 0.98, and at 20 mM thiosulfate concentration. A kinetic experiment of the branched-chain amino acids was done in the presence of thiosulfate as are data on selected enzyme activities related to alcohols and aldehydes. Finally, an NMR study using 13C1 methyl-1-butyrate during the degradation of leucine in the presence of thiosulfate was done to prove that the 13C1-methyl-1-butanol was indeed from its corresponding fatty acid.Verk Dataset describing the influence of culture conditions on the bioreduction of organic acids to alcohols by Thermoanaerobacter pseudethanolicus(2024-02) Orlygsson, Johann; Scully, Sean Michael; Faculty of Natural Resource SciencesThe dataset describes the influence of culture conditions on the bioreduction of organic acids by Thermoanaerobacter pseudethanolicus as reported in [1]. The data shows that during glucose fermentation of Thermoanaerobacter pseudethanolicus the reducing equivalents are not only converted to ethanol and hydrogen but also, in the presence of carboxylic acids (C2–C6), to its corresponding alcohol. To maximize the alcohol production produced from their carboxylic acid, several experiments were performed to investigate the effect of various environmental factors (initial glucose concentration, pH, liquid–gas phase ratio, and inhibitory effects of alcohols) on growth. A kinetic experiment of glucose in the absence and presence of selected fatty acids are also presented as are data on selected enzyme activities related to alcohols and aldehydes and a time course study of the reduction of 13C1 labeled butyrate using glucose as a carbon source.Verk Target reference points and implications for Sardinella maderensis in Liberia's coastal waters(2025-11) Johns, Isaac Patrick; Nguyen, Thanh Viet; Kristó‐fers‐son, Daði Már; Faculty of Natural Resource SciencesSmall-scale fisheries, particularly those targeting small pelagic fish, are a vital sector in Liberia, providing essential food for the local population and generating income for livelihoods. Sardinella maderensis, predominantly caught by motorized canoes using gill nets and seine nets, is the primary species in these fisheries. To establish management target reference points for the S. maderensis fishery, this study applied the Schaefer production model to aggregated and disaggregated catch and effort data collected by Liberia's National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) from 2018 to 2022. The findings indicate that, in both the aggregated and disaggregated models, the current (2022) fishing effort exceeds the MEY level, leading to diminishing economic returns and approaching economic overfishing thresholds. The economic reference points, MEY and EMEY, were estimated to be 3% and 19% lower in the aggregated model, and 30% and 44% lower in the disaggregated model, compared to the current (2022) catch and relative fishing effort. This situation arises when the cost of fishing exceeds the price of fish, driven by inefficient and ineffective fishing boats, which leads to high unit costs of effort compared to unit revenue. To fully realize the potential of the S. maderensis fishery, this study recommends a combination of input and output control management strategies, the adoption of more efficient fishing technologies, and the provision of alternative livelihoods for coastal communities.Verk Draft genome and alcohol dehydrogenase dataset of thermoanaerobacter uzonensis bacterium strain AK85(2025-10-27) Ingvadóttir, Eva María; Scully, Sean Michael; Örlygsson, Jóhann; Abraham, Clay A.; Bradley, Kevin M.; Dube, Derek; Benner, Steven; Faculty of Natural Resource SciencesThermoanaerobacter uzonensis strain AK85 belongs to the Thermoanaerobacter genus, which comprises rod-shaped, Gram-positive, thermophilic, obligate anaerobic bacteria. Members of this genus exhibit unique fermentation qualities, such as prolific ethanol production, and can generate longer-chain alcohols from carbohydrate and amino acid sources. Here we present the draft genome sequence of Thermoanaerobacter uzonensis strain AK85, which was previously isolated from a hot spring in Grensdalur in Southwestern Iceland. The genome was sequenced with a 150 bp paired-end library on a MGISEQ-2000. The assembled genome comprises 2,577,794 bp and a GC ratio of 33.69%. With an ANI of 96.9% strain AK85 was determined to be a strain of Thermoanaerobacter uzonensis. Annotation was conducted with Prokka which revealed 41 enzymes related to carbohydrate, amino acid, and carboxylic acid metabolism. The genomic dataset establishes the biotechnological capacity and potential of strain AK85 for the production of alcohols and other bio-manufactured products. Further, the genomic dataset is coupled with a cofactor and substrate analysis of the three detected alcohol dehydrogenases. These enzymes were assessed via a lysate based colorimetric assay with NAD+ and NADP+. Under these conditions the native alcohol dehydrogenases are able to oxidize long chain primary alcohols such as 1-octanol and benzyl alcohol. The reads and assembled draft genome of AK85 were deposited into SRA and NCBI under Bioproject PRJNA1108289, Genbank JBDHNK000000000, and Biosample SAMN41233939.Verk Beyond animal charisma : A sociological approach to charismatic species(2024-01-01) Fordahl, Clayton; Faculty of Social SciencesSociologists have been debating the nature of charisma since the discipline’s inception. Recent debates in the sociology of charisma concern the role of social interaction and the place of organisations in the generation of charisma. As these debates have developed, the interdisciplinary field of conservation has begun to debate the concept of charismatic species. To date, literature from the conservation sciences has identified those species most likely to be identified as charismatic and those variables most frequently associated with charismatic species. However, little theorising has been done on the causes of charisma in charismatic species. This article uses the case of charismatic species to outline sociological arguments about charisma more generally. This theoretical exercise advances the literature in both sociology and conservation in several ways. For sociologists, the case of charismatic species shows that seemingly competitive models of charisma are in fact complementary. For those interested in the uses of charismatic species for conservation, this article demystifies charismatic species, demonstrating the ways in which they are historically and socially constructed.Verk Pain and health-related quality of life among women of childbearing age in Iceland : ICEPAIN, a nationwide survey(2025-01-01) Karlsdottir, Sigfridur Inga; Halapi, Eva; Oskarsson, Gudmundur Kristjan; Skuladottir, Hafdis; Jonsdottir, Thorbjorg; Faculty of Nursing; Faculty of Business AdministrationObjectives ‒ The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence of both non-chronic and chronic pain among women of childbearing age and describe the impact that pain has on their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods ‒ This is a cross-sectional cohort study, and the data were collected as part of the ICEPAIN nationwide study. Participants were recruited from a randomised sample, stratified by age and residence to secure a proportional sample, by email invitation. Women between 18 and 45 years of age participated, and data were collected through a web-based platform with questionnaires that measured sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, sleep quality, pain severity, characteristics of pain, pain interference (Brief Pain Inventory), and HRQoL (SF-12-v2). Spearman correlation was used when assessing relationships between demographic and lifestyle factors, and HRQoL and pain. Chi-square, Mann–Whitney U, ANOVA, and multivariate general linear model were used to assess group differences. Results ‒ In total, 969 women of childbearing age (18–45 years) participated in the study, and the response rate was 34.8%. The average age was 36.1 ± 6.3 years, and the majority (82.5%) were married, cohabiting, or in a steady relationship. Altogether, 45.9% of the sample reported having pain during the past week (n = 445); the vast majority, 80.4% (n = 366), had chronic pain. The majority of the participants, 57.3%, had moderate or severe pain. Chronic pain was significantly correlated with higher age, higher BMI, experiencing pain during the period, and poorer sleep quality. In contrast, no significant correlation was found between chronic pain and parity, residence, education, physical exercise, smoking, or alcohol drinking. Both non-chronic and chronic pain interfered with mood, sleep, general activities, and other aspects of daily life, and the effect of pain was significantly greater among women with chronic pain. Among these, pain severity was strongly correlated with the level of pain interference (0.79). A negative correlation between pain interference and HRQoL (physical component score, −0.64, and mental component score, −0.34) was observed among women with chronic pain. Conclusions ‒ Both non-chronic and chronic pain are common among women of childbearing age in Iceland. It interferes with daily life and affects their HRQoL.Verk Chronic pain and quality of life among people with whiplash injury in Iceland(2025-09-04) Skúladóttir, Hafdís; Óskarsson, Gudmundur Kristjan; Jónsdóttir, Thorbjorg; Karlsdóttir, Sigfridur Inga; Halapi, Eva; Faculty of Nursing; Faculty of Business AdministrationThe purpose was to examine the participants' pain severity, pain interference, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), needs, access and use of healthcare services, and the difference between those reporting whiplash injury ( >12 months) with and without chronic pain and those without whiplash injury but with chronic pain. This is a cross-sectional cohort study. The survey was sent by email to a sample of 12,400 individuals, aged 18-78 years. The response rate was 45% ( n = 5,557), of whom 929 (16.7%) experienced whiplash injury after an accident. Participants with whiplash injury (59%) were more likely to report chronic pain (≥3 months) than those without whiplash injury (36.3%) ( p > 0.001). The participants with whiplash injury and chronic pain ( n = 543, 59%) were significantly more likely to have more severe pain, lower HRQoL, be disabled, and live outside the capital area compared to those with whiplash injury but without chronic pain ( n = 386, 41%). Whiplash injury was more common among younger individuals and women. Participants with whiplash injury had higher pain severity, pain interference and lower HRQoL compared to those without whiplash injury. Participants with whiplash injury were more likely to have chronic pain and most of them had constant pain.Verk Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the binge eating scale(2025-01-01) Tosyali, Furkan; Harma, Mehmet; Faculty of PsychologyStudying binge eating is profoundly important for understanding its underlying mechanisms and developing effective interventions. Its measurement for non-clinical samples holds a pivotal role. The current study aims to examine the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Binge Eating Scale (BES) for the first time. The study included a non-clinical sample (N = 323) consisting of participants from 18 to 61 years old. Internal consistency, construct validity, and BES association with other measures were examined. We found a high internal consistency for the single-factor structure of the BES (α = .84). The internal consistency was weaker for the two-factor model, including cognitive/emotional and behavioral sub-dimensions (α = .75 and .67, respectively). Confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) were conducted separately to test single-factor and two-factor structures of the BES. A single-factor structure measuring binge eating (BE) severity was accepted as the final version of the scale. BE was significantly related to body mass index (BMI), self-control, and body dissatisfaction in the expected directions. The current findings supported the single-factor structure. As a result, it has been shown that the Turkish version of the BES is a valid and reliable measurement tool.