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Scientific evidence regularly guides policy decisions1, with behavioural science increasingly part of this process2. In April 2020, an influential paper3 proposed 19 policy recommendations (claims) detailing how evidence from behavioural science could contribute to efforts to reduce impacts and end the COVID-19 pandemic. Here we assess 747 pandemic-related research articles that empirically investigated those claims. We report the scale of evidence and whether evidence supports them to indicate applicability for policymaking. Two independent teams, involving 72 reviewers, found evidence for 18 of 19 claims, with both teams finding evidence supporting 16 (89%) of those 18 claims. The strongest evidence supported claims that anticipated culture, polarization and misinformation would be associated with policy effectiveness. Claims suggesting trusted leaders and positive social norms increased adherence to behavioural interventions also had strong empirical support, as did appealing to social consensus or bipartisan agreement. Targeted language in messaging yielded mixed effects and there were no effects for highlighting individual benefits or protecting others. No available evidence existed to assess any distinct differences in effects between using the terms physical distancing and social distancing. Analysis of 463 papers containing data showed generally large samples; 418 involved human participants with a mean of 16,848 (median of 1,699). That statistical power underscored improved suitability of behavioural science research for informing policy decisions. Furthermore, by implementing a standardized approach to evidence selection and synthesis, we amplify broader implications for advancing scientific evidence in policy formulation and prioritization.

BackgroundHigher levels of intra-abdominal adipose tissue (IAAT) comprising visceral adipose tissue (VAT), intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT), and liver fat are posited drivers of obesity-related chronic disease risk. Fast food is hypothesized to contribute to IAAT patterns.ObjectivesWe quantified levels of abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), IAAT, and odds of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in middle age according to average fast-food intake over the preceding 25 y.MethodsWe analyzed data from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. Participants underwent 6 clinical exams and measurements over 25 y with computed tomography-measured VAT, SAT, and IMAT (n = 3156), plus MAFLD defined by liver attenuation (≤40 Hounsfield units) and 1 metabolic abnormality at year 25 (2010, n = 3001, n cases = 302). We estimated means of VAT, SAT, IMAT, and liver attenuation at the year 25 exam according to categories of average fast-food intake over the previous 25 y adjusted for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors and logistic regression to estimate the odds ratio of MAFLD at year 25.ResultsWith higher average fast-food intake over 25 y (categorized as follows: never-1×/mo, >1×-3×/mo, 1-

Although research on laughter is becoming increasingly common, there is no consensus on the description of its variations. Investigating all verbal attributes that relate to the term laughter may lead to a broad set of descriptors deemed important by the speakers of a language. Through a linguistic corpus analysis using the German language, formal attributes of laughter were identified (original pool: 1148 single-word descriptors and 172 multi-word descriptors). A category system was derived in an iterative process, leading to six higher order classes describing formal characteristics of laughter: Basic parameters, intensity, visible aspects, sound, uniqueness, and regulation. Furthermore, 15 raters judged the words for several criteria (appropriateness, positive and negative valence, active and passive use). From these ratings and the prior assignment, a list of attributes suitable for the characterization of laughter in its formal characteristics was derived. By comparing the proposed classification of formal characteristics of laughter with the scientific literature, potential gaps in the current research agenda are pointed out in the final section., Author(s): Willibald Ruch [sup.1] , Lisa Wagner [sup.1] , Jennifer Hofmann [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.7400.3, 0000 0004 1937 0650, Department of Psychology, Personality and Assessment, University of Zurich, , [...]

In this study, we sought to locate the three traits known as the temperamental basis of humor (cheerfulness, seriousness, and bad mood) in the personality space defined by the five-factor model in adolescents. The study also investigated the relative contribution of these narrower traits - in comparison to broad personality traits - to explaining variance in relevant outcomes: the frequency of humor behaviors and well-being. A sample of N = 379 adolescents aged 10 to 17 years (mean age = 15.52, 28.5% male) completed questionnaires on the traits of cheerfulness, seriousness, and bad mood (STCI-youth), the personality traits of the five-factor model (IPIP-junior), the frequency with which they typically displayed 13 different humor behaviors (HUMOR), and well-being (PWI-SC). The results reveal that all three traits assessed by the STCI-youth predicted unique variance in both the frequency of humor behaviors and well-being - beyond demographic variables, the personality traits of the five-factor model, and each other. Using dominance analysis, we demonstrate that the variables assessed by the STCI-youth - in particular, cheerfulness and seriousness for humor behaviors and cheerfulness and bad mood for well-being - outperform broad personality traits in accounting for the variance in humor behaviors. In conclusion, the present study shows that cheerfulness, seriousness, and bad mood overlap with broad personality traits, while being unique predictors of everyday humor behaviors and well-being. Thus, they are well-suited for investigating individual differences in the domain of humor among adolescents., Author(s): Lisa Wagner [sup.1] , Willibald Ruch [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.7400.3, 0000 0004 1937 0650, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, , Binzmühlestrasse 14 Box 7, 8050, Zurich, Switzerland [...]

ObjectiveTo validate the upper limb assessments tool, Shriners Hospital Upper Extremity Evaluation (SHUEE), for individuals with hemiplegic cerebral palsy in the Brazilian population.MethodsValidation study to translate and culturally adapt the Manual and the instrument. The psychometric properties evaluated were reliability and convergent validity. Reliability was determined by internal consistency (Cronbach's α coefficient), ceiling and floor effect, sensitivity to changes, and intra- and interobserver agreement. Convergent validity was performed using the Pediatric Motor Activity Log, the self-care scale of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory, and the Manual Ability Classification System.ResultsWe evaluated 21 individuals with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, with a mean age of 8.7±4.0 years. After the instrument was translated, there was no need for cultural adaptation. The total Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.887 (95% confidence interval [95%CI] 0.745-0.970). We calculated sensitivity to changes in five subjects who underwent treatment with Botulinum Toxin Type A and physical therapy, with a significant difference between pre- and post-treatment evaluations in the Spontaneous Functional Analysis and Dynamic Positional Analysis. Convergent validity showed a significant correlation of the Spontaneous Functional Analysis and Dynamic Positional Analysis with the scales evaluated. All items of SHUEE presented high intra- and interobserver agreement.ConclusionsThe results revealed that the Brazilian version of the SHUEE demonstrated good reliability and convergent validity, suggesting that it is an adequate and reliable tool for individuals with hemiplegic cerebral palsy in the Brazilian population.

The authors elaborate on the role of playfulness as a preferred characteristic in potential long-term partners recently espoused by Garry Chick and others. They aim to replicate the findings of such research by studying a different culture (that of German-speaking countries) and to develop them further by taking into account the participants' relationship status and individual differences in their playfulness. A sample of 327 students completed a rating scale for desired characteristics in potential partners and a questionnaire for playfulness as a personality trait. Their findings do indeed lend support to the notion that being playful is a desirable trait of potential long-term mates.

This study investigates the role of character strengths in peer relationships among early adolescents. A sample of students (N = 339; [X bar] age = 12.84 years, 53.1% female) nominated friends in the classroom and completed assessments of character strengths, the desirability and importance of character strengths in a friend, and friendship quality. Results indicate that the character strengths of honesty, humor, kindness, and fairness were most desirable and important in a friend. Perspective, love, kindness, social intelligence, teamwork, leadership, and humor were associated with higher peer acceptance. Dyadic analyses of mutual best friends suggested that a number of character strengths were also positively related to friend-rated friendship quality. Overall, the results demonstrate the relevance of character strengths for positive peer relationships in adolescents.

Most people want to change some of their personality traits, typically those they and others perceive as lacking. However, past research focused on student samples and higher-order traits and has not fully explored the attributes of traits that predict change goals. As a replication and extension of previous findings, two studies examined (1) whether people want to change their character strengths and how character strengths change goals relate to (2) character strength levels, (3) age, and (4) well-being. Further, we examined which (5) attributes of character strengths, such as their association with morality or well-being, predict change goals. Participants (Study 1: N = 2,792 German-speaking adults, 79.2% women, median = 46 years; Study 2: N = 6,787 English-speaking adults, 67.0% women, median = 32 years) completed measures of character strengths, character strengths change goals, and well-being. A subsample (n = 1,739) provided informant ratings. Results showed that participants wanted to increase all 24 character strengths. Most change goals showed negligible associations with participants' well-being and age. Except for spirituality, participants—especially the less happy—wanted to change those character strengths they lacked. The character strengths' relationship with well-being, but not their moral value, predicted the goals to change them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]