MONICA LICU

Dr. MONICA LICU

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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18 June 2024 in Acta Psychologica
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
ATAdrian Trică
Adrian Trică
FGFlorinda Golu
Florinda Golu
NSNicu Ionel Sava
Nicu Ionel Sava
MLMONICA LICU
MONICA LICU
ȘZȘerban Zanfirescu
Șerban Zanfirescu
IDIoana David
Ioana David
This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates the relationship between successful aging (SA) and resilience in older adults, focusing on individuals aged 60 and above, to address a significant gap in understanding how resilience contributes to SA. Following the Cochrane review guidelines, we conducted searches in databases such as Web of Science, PsycNet, and PubMed up to December 2021 and used PRISMA as a tool for reporting the results. Our inclusion criteria were studies on psychological resilience and SA in older adults aged 60 and above. Exclusion criteria included studies on physical resilience, medical outcomes of SA, other indicators not used in screened studies (e.g., prevalence, means), populations with suicidal ideation or chronic/palliative illnesses, studies considering resilience as an indicator of SA, and qualitative studies on the association between resilience and SA. A total of 21 studies were included and assessed for risk of bias using funnel plot and trim-and-fill methods. The meta-analysis revealed a medium effect size indicating a positive relationship between resilience and SA. However, high heterogeneity warrants a cautious interpretation of these results. No significant differences were found between older adults in the general population and those in retirement communities, nor were geographical variations (Asia, Europe, America) found to moderate this relationship. The findings highlight the intrinsic link between older adults' attitudes towards aging, their subjective evaluations, and their level of psychological resilience. Resilience acts as a protective factor against psychological and physical adversities, underscoring the importance of resilience-enhancing strategies in interventions aimed at promoting SA. The conclusions drawn from this analysis should be approached with caution due to the heterogeneity of the included studies.

21 August 2023 in Social Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
CIClaudiu Gabriel Ionescu
Claudiu Gabriel Ionescu
MLMONICA LICU
MONICA LICU
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.

20 July 2023 in Current Oncology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MLMONICA LICU
MONICA LICU
CIClaudiu Gabriel Ionescu
Claudiu Gabriel Ionescu
SPSorin Paun
Sorin Paun
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.

17 January 2025 in Foods
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
EMElena Moroșan
Elena Moroșan
Violeta PopoviciVioleta Popovici
Violeta Popovici
IPIoana Andreea Popescu
Ioana Andreea Popescu
ADAdriana Daraban
Adriana Daraban
OKOana Karampelas
Oana Karampelas
MARIA NITESCUMARIA NITESCU
MARIA NITESCU
(1) Background: A sustainable healthy diet assures human well-being in all life stages, protects environmental resources, and preserves biodiversity. This work investigates the sociodemographic factors, knowledge, trust, and motivations involved in organic food acquisition behavior. (2) Methods: An online survey via Google Forms platform, with 316 respondents, was conducted from 1 March to 31 May 2024. (3) Results: Our findings show that suitably informed people with high educational levels (academic and post-college) report significant satisfaction with organic food consumption (p < 0.05). There is also a considerable correlation between ages 25–65, moderate to high satisfaction, and “yes” for eco-food recommendations (p < 0.05). The same satisfaction levels are associated with medium confidence in eco-food labels and a moderate to high monthly income (p < 0.05). Our results show that monthly income and residence are not essential factors in higher price perception. Insignificant price variation perception correlated with high confidence and weekly acquisition (p < 0.05). Similar price perception correlates with the highest confidence level and daily acquisition (p < 0.05). Obese respondents exhibited minimal satisfaction and opted for “abstention” from eco-food recommendations (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: The present study extensively analyzed Romanian people’s knowledge, perception, and trust regarding organic foods. It demonstrates that sociodemographic factors differentiate consumers and influence attitudes and motivation for organic food acquisition.
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16 August 2024 in Nutrients
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
EMElena Moroșan
Elena Moroșan
ADAdriana Daraban
Adriana Daraban
Violeta PopoviciVioleta Popovici
Violeta Popovici
ARAndreea Ioana Rusu
Andreea Ioana Rusu
EIElena Iuliana Ioniță
Elena Iuliana Ioniță
IPIoana Andreea Popescu
Ioana Andreea Popescu
(1) Background: Food waste (FW) in Romania is 70 Kg/capita/year, while 70% of food waste comes from public catering, retail services, and households (over 50%–47 million tons). The present study investigates the socio-demographic factors, behaviors, motivations, and attitudes related to food waste management in Romanian households. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using an online questionnaire via the Google Forms platform from 15 April 2023 to 15 May 2023. The questionnaire was designed to assess various aspects, such as some socio-demographic information (age, sex, occupation, area of residence, study level, household members number, children <18 years of age); the personal involvement and frequency of food purchases and homemade food cooking; the main sources that generate food waste; the motivation and frequency with which food waste occurs; the level of awareness regarding the impact of food waste; the respondents’ intentions regarding sustainable behaviors and practices for food management; the level of information and familiarity of the respondents with the notions of validity and how these may influence their food consumption decisions. (3) Results: The results show that FW incidence is occasionally (42%), very rarely (43.33%), frequently (15%), and no food waste was reported by 2.66% of respondents. The 35–44 age category records the highest FW frequency, followed by 18–24. The most wasted are homemade food (29.67%), bread and bakery products (27.00%), and fruits and vegetables (14.33%). High involvement in purchasing and buying food following a previously established list reduces FW frequency. The same is valid for high daily involvement in food and homemade cooking. High interest in the FW problem and its perception as a waste of money leads to diminishing it, while guilty feelings increase the FW level (37.50% to 73.33%). (4) Conclusions: The present study shows that household food waste management is a multifactorial process that involves numerous socio-demographic, behavioral, and emotional aspects. Extensive data analysis supports our results, revealing deep self-reported information details and confirming its complex approach.

5 June 2024 in Nutrients
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Mititelu MagdalenaMititelu Magdalena
Mititelu Magdalena
Gabriela StanciuGabriela Stanciu
Gabriela Stanciu
MLMONICA LICU
MONICA LICU
SNSorinel Marius Neacșu
Sorinel Marius Neacșu
MCMariana Floricica Calin
Mariana Floricica Calin
ELElena Carmen Lupu
Elena Carmen Lupu
Background: The long-term consumption of junk food products can lead to nutritional and metabolic imbalances, especially when it is associated with a lack of physical activity and the consumption of alcohol or other high-calorie products. Methods: The evaluation of junk food consumption among teenagers and young people in Romania was carried out with the help of a cross-sectional study based on a questionnaire. Results: A total number of 1017 respondents participated in this study, comprising 470 males and 547 females aged between 16 and 25 years. Although the majority of young people fell into the normal-weight category (607 of them, p < 0.0001), some aspects can be noted that in the long term can produce a series of nutritional imbalances: an increased tendency toward sedentarism, with 553 (p = 0.613) of the respondents declaring that they performed sports rarely or not at all, and a tendency toward relatively high consumption of foods high in calories (fast food products and especially fried potatoes, hamburgers, shawarma, pastries, and snacks, along with sweetened drinks and even alcoholic beverages). The respondents participating in this study even indicated a perceived addiction to the consumption of certain products: coffee (50.48%), fried potatoes (38.9%), hamburgers (37.05%), shawarma (31.65%), and snacks (30.08%). Many of these products are rich in calories, saturated fat, and even trans fat. Conclusions: This study highlights a series of aspects that can have long-term negative effects related to the excess weight associated with other imbalances: consumption preferences among young people for hypercaloric fast food products, sweetened drinks associated with reduced physical activity, and even the development of some forms of food addictions for a series of hypercaloric foods.