This study aimed to investigate the relationship between somatic symptom disorder (SSD) and sleep disorders, following three research questions: (1) How are these disorders correlated? (2) What are the comorbidities reported in these patients? and (3) What are the most effective pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for both conditions? PubMed, Scopus, OVID, Medline, and ProQuest databases were searched for relevant articles published between 1957–2020. Search terms included “somatic symptoms disorder”, “sleep disorders”, “insomnia”, “somatoform”, “somatization”, “therapeutic”, “psychotherapy”, and alternative, formerly used terms for SSD. Forty papers were finally included in the study. Prevalence of insomnia in SSD patients ranged between 20.4–48%, with this being strongly correlated to somatic symptoms and psychosocial disability. The most relevant comorbidities were generalized anxiety disorder, depression, fatigue, negative mood, substance use, orthorexia, alexithymia, anorexia, weight loss, poor eating habits, and acute stress disorder. Patients receiving antidepressant therapy reported significant improvements in insomnia and somatic symptoms. In terms of non-pharmacological interventions, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) showed improvements in sleep outcomes, while the Specialized Treatment for Severe Bodily Distress Syndromes (STreSS) may represent an additional promising option. Future research could include other medical and psychosocial variables to complete the picture of the relationship between sleep disorders and somatic symptoms.

The use of TikTok is more widespread now than ever, and it has a big impact on users’ daily lives, with self-perceived identity and personal values being topics of interest in light of the algorithmically curated content. This mini-review summarizes current findings related to the TikTok algorithm, and the impact it has on self-perceived identity, personal values, or related concepts of the Self. We pass through the contents of algorithmic literacy and emphasize its importance along with users’ attitudes toward algorithms. In the first part of our results, we show conceptual models of algorithms like the crystal framework, platform spirit, and collective imaginaries. In the second part, we talk about the degree of impact a social media algorithm may exert over an individual’s sense of self, understanding how the algorithmized self and domesticated algorithm are trying to sum up the dual development of this relationship. In the end, with the concept of Personal Engagement and the role of cognitive biases, we summarize the current findings and discuss the questions that still need to be addressed. Performing research on the topic of social media, especially TikTok, poses ethical, cultural, and regulatory challenges for researchers. That is why we will discuss the main theoretical frameworks that were published with their attached current studies and their impact on the current theoretical models as well as the limitations within these studies. Finally, we discuss further topics of interest related to the subject and possible perspectives, as well as recommendations regarding future research in areas like impact on personal values and identity, cognitive biases, and algorithmic literacy.

Quality of life (QOL) is an important indicator of human satisfaction and well-being. QOL is significantly and persistently affected for patients after a cancer diagnosis. Despite some evidence suggesting that psycho-oncologic interventions can provide lasting benefits, the inclusion of such interventions in cancer therapy is not universal. This article provides an overview of the known approaches to the evaluation of QOL in cancer patients and various interventions for improving patients’ outcomes, with a focus on the eastern European regional and specific Romanian context. With a mortality rate above and cancer care performance below the EU average and unequally distributed, Romania urgently needs a national coordination program, which is discussed in our review, highlighting the main psychological tools needed for the assessment and the challenges involved in implementing the program. In the end, we suggest some directions for the future development of the psycho-oncologic approach in the context of social considerations, policy, and the unexpected financial challenges the nation provides.

This study assessed the learning perception of undergraduate medical students on three types of teaching (classical/online/hybrid), in relation to coping strategies, stress, and social support, in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Additionally, we explored gender differences and the perceived usefulness of teaching. 201 students (48 men, 153 women; mean age = 22.900, SD = 2.830) participated in the study. They answered a Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, a Brief Cope Scale, a Student-life Stress Inventory, a visual analog scale for usefulness, and a survey collecting their perceptions about learning across teaching types. Results point out a preference for classical teaching, followed by the hybrid and online formats. Online teaching was identified as more advantageous in terms of time management and seeking information. Denial and substance use were statistically associated with poor communication, bad time using, and impaired learning. Both stress and social support had ambivalent associations with learning perceptions. Gender differences were limited to behavioral disengagement and higher social support perceived by women. Although classical teaching was globally perceived as the most useful, online teaching was considered desirable by male urban respondents. These data may contribute to the strategic growth and refinement of web-based teaching methods in medical universities.

The objective of this study was to investigate online learning satisfaction in a sample of university students and its relationship with depression, anxiety, insomnia, and the average number of hours spent online. A total of 463 medical students were recruited for an online survey conducted from February to March 2022 with the main objective of estimating online learning satisfaction, while secondary outcomes involved assessing the relationship between online learning and depression, anxiety, insomnia, and the average number of hours spent online. A total of 285 participants were female (71.4%) and the mean age was 20.2 years. The results revealed that depression, anxiety, and insomnia are negatively correlated with overall satisfaction with e-learning. The more time students spent online, the greater the overall satisfaction. There are significant differences regarding student perceptions of interactivity in online learning satisfaction outcomes (p < 0.05, η² partial Eta Squared-0.284). The opportunity to learn via chat-box presented differences in overall satisfaction while pleasant aspects of online learning, such as “no travel” and “economy”, were related to satisfaction. The students revealed that the higher the psychopathology scores, the less satisfied they were with online learning, while a higher number of hours spent online contributed positively to satisfaction.