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Andries M, Robert AJA, Lyons AL, Rawliuk TRD, Li J, Greening SG. Attention control mediates the relationship between mental imagery vividness and emotion regulation. Conscious Cogn 2024; 125:103766. [PMID: 39383563 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2024.103766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2024] [Revised: 10/01/2024] [Accepted: 10/02/2024] [Indexed: 10/11/2024]
Abstract
Contradictory findings suggest mental imagery may both exacerbate and protect against negative affect. We aimed to reconcile these contradictory findings by considering individual differences (N=989) in imagery vividness, attention control, resilience, emotion regulation strategy, and negative affect (depressive, anxious, and posttraumatic stress symptomology). We hypothesized that attention control would mediate relationships between imagery vividness and emotion regulation strategy use, and psychopathology symptomology. Results revealed that imagery vividness, as mediated by attention control, predicted greater levels of healthy reappraisal and deleterious rumination. Attention control also mediated negative relationships between imagery vividness and catastrophizing, self-blame, and psychopathology symptomology. An exploratory latent structural equation model revealed that imagery vividness and attention control aggregated positively with reappraisal and resilience scores. The present investigation suggests an adaptive function of imagery vividness via the indirect effects of attention control, facilitating adaptive emotion regulation and limiting maladaptive strategy use, thereby protecting against negative affect.
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Affiliation(s)
- McKenzie Andries
- Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Dept. of Psychology, University of Manitoba, 190 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Aurora J A Robert
- Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Dept. of Psychology, University of Manitoba, 190 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Andrew L Lyons
- Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Dept. of Psychology, University of Manitoba, 190 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Thomas R D Rawliuk
- Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Dept. of Psychology, University of Manitoba, 190 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Johnson Li
- Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Dept. of Psychology, University of Manitoba, 190 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Steven G Greening
- Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Dept. of Psychology, University of Manitoba, 190 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada; Centre on Aging, University of Manitoba, Canada.
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Fernández-Peña C, Pace RL, Fernando LM, Pittman BG, Schwarz LA. Adrenergic C1 neurons enhance anxiety via projections to PAG. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.09.11.612440. [PMID: 39314285 PMCID: PMC11419123 DOI: 10.1101/2024.09.11.612440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
Anxiety is an emotional state precipitated by the anticipation of real or potential threats. Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent psychiatric illnesses globally and increase the risk of developing comorbid conditions that negatively impact the brain and body. The etiology of anxiety disorders remains unresolved, limiting improvement of therapeutic strategies to alleviate anxiety-related symptoms with increased specificity and efficacy. Here, we applied novel intersectional tools to identify a discrete population of brainstem adrenergic neurons, named C1 cells, that promote aversion and anxiety-related behaviors via projections to the periaqueductal gray matter (PAG). While C1 cells have traditionally been implicated in modulation of autonomic processes, rabies tracing revealed that they receive input from brain areas with diverse functions. Calcium-based in vivo imaging showed that activation of C1 cells enhances excitatory responses in vlPAG, activity that is exacerbated in times of heightened stress. Furthermore, inhibition of C1 cells impedes the development of anxiety-like behaviors in response to stressful situations. Overall, these findings suggest that C1 neurons are positioned to integrate complex information from the brain and periphery for the promotion of anxiety-like behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Fernández-Peña
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105
| | - Rachel L Pace
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105
| | - Lourds M Fernando
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105
| | - Brittany G Pittman
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105
| | - Lindsay A Schwarz
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105
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3
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Park H, Kuplicki R, Paulus MP, Guinjoan SM. Rumination and Overrecruitment of Cognitive Control Circuits in Depression. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2024; 9:800-808. [PMID: 38703822 PMCID: PMC11305927 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2024.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rumination is associated with greater cognitive dysfunction and treatment resistance in major depressive disorder (MDD), but its underlying neural mechanisms are not well understood. Because rumination is characterized by difficulty in controlling negative thoughts, the current study investigated whether rumination was associated with aberrant cognitive control in the absence of negative emotional information. METHODS Individuals with MDD (n = 176) and healthy control individuals (n = 52) completed the stop signal task with varied stop signal difficulty during functional magnetic resonance imaging. In the task, a longer stop signal asynchrony made stopping difficult (hard stop), whereas a shorter stop signal asynchrony allowed more time for stopping (easy stop). RESULTS In participants with MDD, higher rumination intensity was associated with greater neural activity in response to difficult inhibitory control in the frontoparietal regions. Greater activation for difficult inhibitory control associated with rumination was also positively related to state fear. The imaging results provide compelling evidence for the neural basis of inhibitory control difficulties in individuals with MDD with high rumination. CONCLUSIONS The association between higher rumination intensity and greater neural activity in regions involved in difficult inhibitory control tasks may provide treatment targets for interventions aimed at improving inhibitory control and reducing rumination in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heekyeong Park
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, Oklahoma; Department of Psychology, University of North Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas.
| | | | - Martin P Paulus
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, Oklahoma; Oxley College of Health Science, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma
| | - Salvador M Guinjoan
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, Oklahoma; Department of Psychiatry, Oklahoma State University Health Sciences Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma
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Park SE, Chung J, Lee J, Kim MJB, Kim J, Jeon HJ, Kim H, Woo C, Kim H, Lee SA. Digital assessment of cognitive-affective biases related to mental health. PLOS DIGITAL HEALTH 2024; 3:e0000595. [PMID: 39208388 PMCID: PMC11361731 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
With an increasing societal need for digital therapy solutions for poor mental health, we face a corresponding rise in demand for scientifically validated digital contents. In this study we aimed to lay a sound scientific foundation for the development of brain-based digital therapeutics to assess and monitor cognitive effects of social and emotional bias across diverse populations and age-ranges. First, we developed three computerized cognitive tasks using animated graphics: 1) an emotional flanker task designed to test attentional bias, 2) an emotional go-no-go task to measure bias in memory and executive function, and 3) an emotional social evaluation task to measure sensitivity to social judgments. Then, we confirmed the generalizability of our results in a wide range of samples (children (N = 50), young adults (N = 172), older adults (N = 39), online young adults (N=93), and depression patients (N = 41)) using touchscreen and online computer-based tasks, and devised a spontaneous thought generation task that was strongly associated with, and therefore could potentially serve as an alternative to, self-report scales. Using PCA, we extracted five components that represented different aspects of cognitive-affective function (emotional bias, emotional sensitivity, general accuracy, and general/social attention). Next, a gamified version of the above tasks was developed to test the feasibility of digital cognitive training over a 2-week period. A pilot training study utilizing this application showed decreases in emotional bias in the training group (that were not observed in the control group), which was correlated with a reduction in anxiety symptoms. Using a 2-channel wearable EEG system, we found that frontal alpha and gamma power were associated with both emotional bias and its reduction across the 2-week training period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Eon Park
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jisu Chung
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeonghyun Lee
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Minwoo JB Kim
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinhee Kim
- School of Psychology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Jin Jeon
- Department of Psychiatry, Depression Center, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyungsook Kim
- Hanyang Digital Healthcare Center, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Choongwan Woo
- Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Suwon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Intelligent Precision Healthcare Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hackjin Kim
- School of Psychology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Ah Lee
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Liu C, Elhai JD, Montag C, Yang H. Social anxiety and attentional bias to negative emotional information: the relationship and intervention. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:508. [PMID: 39020338 PMCID: PMC11256405 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05938-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND According to the cognitive behavioral model of social anxiety, attentional bias to negative emotional information causes and maintains anxiety. The goal of attentional bias modification (ABM) is to reduce anxiety by reducing attention bias to negative emotional information. METHOD We used questionnaires and experiments to explore the improvement effect of ABM training on social anxiety in college students. In Study 1, we used dot-probe tasks to investigate the attentional bias to negative emotional information and the relationship with social anxiety severity in college students. In Study 2, college students with high social anxiety were divided into two groups: attentional bias modification training task group (ABM) and attention control condition task group (ACC). The ABM group received a continuous intervention for 10 days to observe changes in social anxiety levels and attentional bias scores in the pretest and posttest stages. RESULTS The results showed that the correlation of attentional bias to negative emotional information and social anxiety severity was significant. Meanwhile, the high social anxiety participants responded more quickly to negative emotional information. After the intervention, social anxiety levels and attentional bias scores of the training group were significantly reduced. CONCLUSIONS The results showed that attentional bias modification training can reduce attentional bias to negative emotional information in college students with social anxiety and effectively improve their social anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Liu
- Academy of Psychology and Behavior, Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Xiqing District, No. 393 Binshuixi Road, Tianjin, 300387, China
- Academy of Mechnanical Engineering, Tianjin Sino-German University of Applied Sciences, No. 2 Yashen Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Jon D Elhai
- Department of Psychology, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, 43606, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, 43614, USA
| | - Christian Montag
- Department of Molecular Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Haibo Yang
- Academy of Psychology and Behavior, Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Xiqing District, No. 393 Binshuixi Road, Tianjin, 300387, China.
- Tianjin Social Science Laboratory of Students' Mental Development and Learning, Tianjin, 300387, China.
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Gwon SH, Cho Y, Kim Y, Paek S, Lee HJ. Differences in Attentional Bias Toward e-Cigarette Cues Between e-Cigarette Users and Nonusers. J Addict Nurs 2024; 35:156-165. [PMID: 39356588 DOI: 10.1097/jan.0000000000000590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) has increased rapidly in recent years, particularly among young adults. There is a dearth of research on the cognitive factors that contribute to ENDS use. One of the possible cognitive mechanisms involved with addictive behavior is attentional bias (AB). AB can manifest as either facilitated attention engagement toward or delayed attention disengagement from a relevant stimulus. The purpose of this study was to examine the difference in AB toward ENDS-related cues between ENDS users and non-ENDS users. ENDS users (n = 29) and nonusers (n = 24) between the ages of 18 and 29 years participated in the dot-probe and eye-tracking picture-viewing tasks. The results showed that there was a significant difference in the variance of AB between the two groups. In the eye-tracking task, ENDS users displayed significantly greater net dwell time and fixation time at time frames of 6-9, 9-12, and 12-15 seconds, compared to nonusers. It is noteworthy that ENDS users exhibited attentional fluctuation toward ENDS cues as well as difficulties disengaging attention from ENDS cues. The current findings offer insight into the nature of attentional processes associated with ENDS cues and provide useful data to guide the development of a nurse-led cognitive intervention focusing on biased attentional processing related to ENDS cues.
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Hou X, Liu R, Zhou Y, Guan L, Zhou J, Liu J, Liu M, Yuan X, Feng Y, Chen X, Yu A. Shared and unique alterations of large-scale network connectivity in drug-free adolescent-onset and adult-onset major depressive disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:255. [PMID: 38866779 PMCID: PMC11169372 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02974-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Differences in clinical manifestations and biological underpinnings between Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) onset during adolescence and adulthood have been posited in previous studies, implying an influential role of age of onset (AOO) in the clinical subtyping and therapeutic approaches to MDD. However, direct comparisons between the two cohorts and their age-matched controls have been lacking in extant investigations. In this investigation, 156 volunteers participated, comprising 46 adolescents with MDD (adolescent-onset group), 35 adults with MDD (adult-onset group), 19 healthy adolescents, and 56 healthy adults. Resting-state functional MRI scans were undergone by all participants. Large-scale network analyses were applied. Subsequently, a 2 × 2 ANOVA was employed to analyze the main effects of diagnosis, age, and their interaction effect on functional connectivity (FC). Furthermore, regression analysis was employed to scrutinize the association between anomalous FC and HAMD sub-scores. Increased FC in visual network (VN), limbic network (LN), VN-dorsal attention network (DAN), VN-LN, and LN-Default Mode (DMN) was found in both adolescent-onset and adult-onset MDD; however, the increased FC in DAN and LN were only found in adult-onset MDD and the decreased FC in DAN was only found in adolescent-onset MDD. Additionally, the relationship between HAMD factor 1 anxiety somatization and altered FC of DAN, VN, and VN-DAN was moderated by AOO. In conclusion, shared and distinctive large-scale network alterations in adolescent-onset and adult-onset MDD patients were suggested by our findings, providing valuable contributions towards refining clinical subtyping and treatment approaches for MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximan Hou
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & National Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & National Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & National Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Guan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & National Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jingjing Zhou
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & National Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & National Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Mengqi Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & National Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaofei Yuan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & National Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Feng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & National Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & National Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Aihong Yu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & National Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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Maetzler W, Geritz J, Stagneth L, Emmert K. [Interpretation of a concept for functional movement disorders from the perspective of older patients]. DER NERVENARZT 2024; 95:516-524. [PMID: 38361113 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-024-01614-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
A recently published concept considers a significant proportion of the occurrence and persistence of functional movement disorders (FMD) to be explained by increased/incorrect weighting of the expected movement (feedforward signal) in the presence of decreased/altered actual feedback of the movement. In the context of aging and age-associated diseases, there is an increased likelihood that these prerequisites will occur, also in combination. For example, the feedforward signal can be enhanced by accumulation of a wealth of experience but can for example become prone to error due to changes in attention and (fear of) falling. Conversely, the actual feedback is subject to age-related changes, such as reduction of sensory functions. This could explain why FMDs also occur in old age and offer treatment approaches for this so far poorly studied disorder. It follows that a specific focus on (the correction of) feedforward signals and strengthening as well as training of the actual feedback are potentially promising therapeutic approaches for older people with FMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Maetzler
- Klinik für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, 24105, Kiel, Deutschland.
| | - Johanna Geritz
- Klinik für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, 24105, Kiel, Deutschland
| | - Lina Stagneth
- Klinik für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, 24105, Kiel, Deutschland
| | - Kirsten Emmert
- Klinik für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, 24105, Kiel, Deutschland
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Godara M, Hecht M, Singer T. Training-related improvements in mental well-being through reduction in negative interpretation bias: A randomized trial of online socio-emotional dyadic and mindfulness interventions. J Affect Disord 2024; 354:662-672. [PMID: 38484880 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.03.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Effects of online contemplative practices, especially partner-based practices, on psychological well-being remain mixed, with sparse understanding of potential affective-cognitive mechanisms. The study aimed to assess the efficacy of two online contemplative interventions in improving depression, anxiety, emotion regulation (ER), and resilience, and to evaluate the mechanistic role of negative attention and interpretation biases. METHODS Employing a randomized controlled design (n = 285), we compared the efficacy of 10-week online mindfulness-based and partner-based socio-emotional dyadic interventions, both supported by weekly coaching sessions. Mental health aspects were assessed using validated self-report measures and negative biases using the mouse-contingent Scrambled Sentences Task. RESULTS Both interventions, compared to waitlist control, led to reductions in depression and ER difficulties, while trait anxiety decreased only after mindfulness training. Increases in multidimensional resilience were observed only after socio-emotional training and in stress recovery only after mindfulness-based training, both compared to waitlist control. Socio-emotional training led to significant reductions in negative interpretation bias and this mediated reductions in depression and trait anxiety. Neither training led to reductions in state anxiety or negative attention bias. LIMITATIONS The subclinical nature and overrepresentation of females in the sample limits generalizability. CONCLUSIONS Findings indicate that online mindfulness-based and socio-emotional partner-based interventions, supported by online coaching sessions, can reduce depression and ER difficulties. Though mindfulness practice reduced trait anxiety and enhanced stress recovery, socio-emotional training increased multidimensional resilience. Socio-emotional training reduced negative interpretation bias, which emerged as an intervention-specific mechanism. These findings highlight the potential benefits of online contemplative intervention approaches for psychological well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malvika Godara
- Social Neuroscience Lab, Max Planck Society, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Martin Hecht
- Department of Psychology, Helmut Schmidt University, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tania Singer
- Social Neuroscience Lab, Max Planck Society, Berlin, Germany
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10
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Snippe L, Boffo M, Galvin H, Willemen R, Pronk T, Dom G, Wiers RW. How We Lost 90% of Participants on a Bad Bet: Results from a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial on Cognitive Bias Modification in Problem Gamblers. J Gambl Stud 2024; 40:521-554. [PMID: 38006537 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-023-10263-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
Whilst opportunities to participate in gambling have increased, access to support for problem gamblers is lacking behind. This lack of balance calls for improved and accessible intervention methods. The present double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) explored the effectiveness of two interventions targeting automatic cognitive processes, known as Attentional Bias Modification (AtBM) and Approach Bias Modification (ApBM). It was hypothesized these interventions would reduce gambling behavior and reduce or reverse targeted biases. Participants (N = 331) were community-recruited Flemish (35%) and Dutch (65%) adult problem gamblers motivated to reduce or stop their gambling who received either six sessions of active training (AtBM or ApBM) or of the corresponding sham-training (sham-AtBM or sham-ApBM). Due to high attrition rates (90.1% up to the intervention phase) the study was terminated before completion, since it would greatly limit the validity of any results. A post hoc qualitative study was performed on a subset of participants to gain insight into contributing factors for the high attrition rate. Issues negatively impacting participants' motivation to complete the program were identified, as well as elements of the program that received approval. The results from this study provide a first insight into the potential of the use of online cognitive bias modification (CBM) interventions in problem gambling (PG). Suggestions and directions for future studies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leroy Snippe
- Addiction Development and Psychopathology (ADAPT) Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 129, 1018 WS, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute (CAPRI), University of Antwerp (UAntwerp), Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Marilisa Boffo
- Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies (DPECS), Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Harriet Galvin
- Addiction Development and Psychopathology (ADAPT) Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 129, 1018 WS, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies (DPECS), Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Thomas Pronk
- Addiction Development and Psychopathology (ADAPT) Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 129, 1018 WS, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Geert Dom
- Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute (CAPRI), University of Antwerp (UAntwerp), Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Reinout W Wiers
- Addiction Development and Psychopathology (ADAPT) Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 129, 1018 WS, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Centre for Urban Mental Health, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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11
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Lörsch F, Kollei I, Steins-Loeber S. The effects of a retrieval cue on renewal of conditioned responses in human appetitive conditioning. Behav Res Ther 2024; 176:104501. [PMID: 38520963 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2024.104501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Contextual renewal of reward anticipation may be one potential mechanism underlying relapse in eating and substance use disorders. We therefore tested retrieval cues, a method derived from an inhibitory retrieval-based model of extinction learning to attenuate contextual renewal using an appetitive conditioning paradigm. A pilot study was carried out in Experiment 1 to validate a differential chocolate conditioning paradigm, in which a specific tray was set up as a conditioned stimulus (CS) for eating chocolate (unconditioned stimulus, US). Using an ABA renewal design in Experiment 2, half of the participants were presented with a retrieval cue in the acquisition phase (group AC) and the other half in the extinction phase (group EC). Presentation of the retrieval cue in the EC was associated with reduced renewal of US-expectancy, while there was a clear renewal effect for US-expectancy in the AC. One limitation was the difference in cue presentations between both groups due to the number of trials in acquisition and extinction. Experiment 3 therefore aimed at replicating the results of Experiment 2, but with fewer cue presentations for the EC to match the AC. No significant group differences were observed indicating no effect of the retrieval cue. Theoretical and clinical implications in light of the differing results are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Lörsch
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Bamberg, Markusplatz 3, 96047, Bamberg, Germany.
| | - Ines Kollei
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Bamberg, Markusplatz 3, 96047, Bamberg, Germany
| | - Sabine Steins-Loeber
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Bamberg, Markusplatz 3, 96047, Bamberg, Germany
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Zhang Q. Trait anxiety predicting the developmental trajectories of depression symptoms in children: The mediating role of attentional control. Dev Psychopathol 2024:1-12. [PMID: 38439653 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579424000385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Trait anxiety and attentional control are important factors related to depression symptoms. The study investigated how trait anxiety and attentional control predicted the trajectories of depression symptoms during the transition into early adolescence. The mediating effect of attentional control on the relationship of trait anxiety to the trajectories of depression symptoms was also examined. Children of 9 to 10 years were recruited at Time 1. Trait anxiety, attentional control, and depression symptoms were assessed at Time 1. Depression symptoms were measured at three follow-up assessments across 18 months. Latent class growth modeling revealed high (14.4%) and low (85.6%) trajectories of depression symptoms. Higher trait anxiety and lower attentional control predicted a higher likelihood of showing the trajectory of high depressive symptoms. Attentional control mediated the relationship of trait anxiety to the trajectory membership of depression symptoms. The findings had important implications for the association of trait anxiety with the trajectory membership of depression symptoms and highlighted the importance of attentional control in the development of depression symptoms for children with high trait anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaochu Zhang
- Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
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13
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Ranfaing S, De Zorzi L, Ruyffelaere R, Honoré J, Critchley H, Sequeira H. The impact of attention bias modification training on behavioral and physiological responses. Biol Psychol 2024; 186:108753. [PMID: 38244853 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2024.108753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Attention bias modification training aims to alter attentional deployment to symptom-relevant emotionally salient stimuli. Such training has therapeutic applications in the management of disorders including anxiety, depression, addiction and chronic pain. In emotional reactions, attentional biases interact with autonomically-mediated changes in bodily arousal putatively underpinning affective feeling states. Here we examined the impact of attention bias modification training on behavioral and autonomic reactivity. Fifty-eight participants were divided into two groups. A training group (TR) received attention bias modification training to enhance attention to pleasant visual information, while a control group (CT) performed a procedure that did not modify attentional bias. After training, participants performed an evaluation task in which pairs of emotional and neutral images (unpleasant-neutral, pleasant-neutral, neutral-neutral) were presented, while behavioral (eye movements) and autonomic (skin conductance; heart rate) responses were recorded. At the behavioral level, trained participants were faster to orientate attention to pleasant images, and slower to orientate to unpleasant images. At the autonomic level, trained participants showed attenuated skin conductance responses to unpleasant images, while stronger skin conductance responses were generally associated with higher anxiety. These data argue for the use of attentional training to address both the attentional and the physiological sides of emotional responses, appropriate for anxious and depressive symptomatology, characterized by atypical attentional deployment and autonomic reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Ranfaing
- PSyCOS - ETHICS EA 7446, Université Catholique de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France.
| | - Lucas De Zorzi
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 9193 - SCALab - Sciences Cognitives et Sciences Affectives, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Rémi Ruyffelaere
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 9193 - SCALab - Sciences Cognitives et Sciences Affectives, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Jacques Honoré
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 9193 - SCALab - Sciences Cognitives et Sciences Affectives, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Hugo Critchley
- Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Henrique Sequeira
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 9193 - SCALab - Sciences Cognitives et Sciences Affectives, F-59000 Lille, France
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14
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Jhang YT, Liang CW. The effect of uncertainty on attentional bias in subclinical worriers: Evidence from reaction time and eye-tracking. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2023; 81:101842. [PMID: 36827945 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2023.101842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES High-worry individuals have been assumed to show attentional bias towards threat, particularly under high uncertainty. This study experimentally investigated the effect of uncertainty on attentional bias in subclinical worriers. METHODS A visual dot-probe task combined with eye-tracking was used to assess participants' attentional bias towards blurred and unfiltered stimuli. Fifty high-worry and 47 low-worry participants were randomly assigned to either the high- or low-uncertainty threat condition. Aversive noise bursts were delivered either unpredictably (the high-uncertainty threat condition) or predictably (the low-uncertainty threat condition) during the visual dot-probe task. RESULTS In the low-uncertainty threat condition, high-worry participants exhibited enhanced attentional engagement towards blurred pictures compared to low-worry participants. They also had shorter initial fixation latencies on blurred pictures than on unfiltered pictures. In the high-uncertainty threat condition, high-worry participants demonstrated more difficulty in disengaging from threatening pictures compared to low-worry participants. LIMITATION First, this study used a nonclinical sample. Second, the power was limited with regard to the analysis of eye-movement data. Third, anxiety and worry induced by noise bursts were measured using subjective rating scales only. Fourth, some picture characteristics, such as luminosity and complexity, were not controlled. Finally, uncertainty related to delivery of noise bursts and pictures were both manipulated dichotomously. CONCLUSION This study highlights the importance of uncertainty in the maintenance of attentional bias towards threat-related pictures in high-worry individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ting Jhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Taoyuan Psychiatric Center, Ministry of Health and Welfare, No.71, Longshou St., Taoyuan Dist., Taoyuan City, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Chi-Wen Liang
- Department of Psychology, Chung Yuan Christian University, No. 200, Zhongbei Rd., Zhong Li Dist., Taoyuan City, Taiwan, ROC.
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15
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Pandzic I, Notebaert L, Basanovic J, MacLeod C. Examining the role of trait anxiety and attentional bias to negative information in intrusion vulnerability following an emotionally negative event. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2023; 81:101894. [PMID: 37499564 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2023.101894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Research shows that individuals with heightened trait anxiety are more likely to experience intrusions; however, the mechanism that accounts for this relationship is unclear. Two alternative hypotheses were tested to determine the nature of the associations between trait anxiety, attentional bias to negative information, and intrusion vulnerability. METHODS Intrusions were elicited using the trauma film paradigm, and post-event attentional bias to negative information was assessed using the dot-probe task. Participants then completed a week-long intrusions diary. RESULTS Results showed that attentional bias to negative information mediated the effect of heightened trait anxiety on elevated intrusion frequency. It was also revealed that heightened trait anxiety was associated with elevated intrusion-related distress, though attentional bias to negative information did not mediate this relationship. LIMITATIONS Our sample was comprised of undergraduate students who were not selected based on a previous pathology. Replication in clinical samples is warranted. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide new insight regarding individual differences in the experience of intrusions and suggest that both the frequency and distress associated with intrusions could represent clinical targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Pandzic
- Centre for the Advancement of Reseach on Emotion, School of Psychological Science, University of Western Australia, M304, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia.
| | - Lies Notebaert
- Centre for the Advancement of Reseach on Emotion, School of Psychological Science, University of Western Australia, M304, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Julian Basanovic
- Centre for the Advancement of Reseach on Emotion, School of Psychological Science, University of Western Australia, M304, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia; Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Colin MacLeod
- Centre for the Advancement of Reseach on Emotion, School of Psychological Science, University of Western Australia, M304, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
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16
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Qin N, Yao Z, Guo M. The role of bidirectional associations between depression, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion on turnover intention among nurses: a multicenter cross-sectional study in China. BMC Nurs 2023; 22:350. [PMID: 37789287 PMCID: PMC10548568 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-023-01516-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A high turnover rate in nursing has become a global concern. Mental health issues may increase the turnover intention of nurses and lead to turnover behaviors. However, very little is known about the role of bidirectional associations between emotional exhaustion and depression/anxiety on turnover intention. This study aimed to examine the associations among depression, anxiety, emotional exhaustion and turnover intention, and to test the role of bidirectional associations between depression, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion on turnover intention among nurses. METHODS An online multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted in Hunan Province, China, from December 2021 to February 2022. The questionnaire collected data from the Turnover Intention Scale, the Emotional Exhaustion Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire-2, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-2, as well as sociodemographic information. Data analysis was performed by univariate analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, multiple linear regression analysis, and structural equation modeling. RESULTS The average turnover intention score among Chinese nurses was 14.34 ± 3.75. The prevalence of depression and anxiety was 25.9% and 22.3%, respectively. Depression (r = 0.378, P < 0.001), anxiety (r = 0.391, P < 0.001), and emotional exhaustion (r = 0.532, P < 0.001) were positively associated with turnover intention. Emotional exhaustion partially mediated the associations between depression/anxiety and turnover intention, with both mediating effects accounting for 60.7%. The mediating ratios of depression/anxiety on the associations between emotional exhaustion and turnover intentions were 17.6% and 16.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Depression, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion showed significant positive effects on turnover intention among nurses. Emotional exhaustion played a partial mediation role between depression/anxiety and turnover intention, while depression/anxiety played no significant mediation role between emotional exhaustion and turnover intention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Qin
- Nursing Department, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ziqiang Yao
- Xiang Ya Nursing School, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Meiying Guo
- Nursing Department, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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17
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Ney LJ, FitzSimons-Reilly A, Lipp OV. Reaction time as an outcome measure during online fear conditioning: Effects of number of trials, age, and levels of processing. Behav Res Ther 2023; 169:104406. [PMID: 37738844 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2023.104406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that fear conditioning experiments can be successfully conducted online. However, there is limited evidence that measures other than subjective ratings of threat expectancy can be collected, which means that online research may not be able to adequately replace laboratory experiments. In the current study, we conducted an online fear conditioning experiment consisting of habituation, acquisition, extinction and 48 h delayed extinction recall using ratings of threat expectancy and conditional stimulus pleasantness, and probe reaction time as outcome measures. The conditional stimuli were categories of words and a levels of processing manipulation explored whether words that were processed at a deeper level during extinction evoked smaller differential threat responses during extinction recall. Although the levels of processing manipulation did not produce a significant outcome, we found that extinction recall was successfully operationalised in our study. Reaction time indicated differential responding during both acquisition and extinction recall, and age of participants was correlated in one of two experiments with differential threat expectancy and reaction time, such that older participants showed better safety learning. The outcomes of this experiment provide multiple novel tools for researchers to explore fear conditioning, especially in an online environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke J Ney
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Australia.
| | | | - Ottmar V Lipp
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
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18
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K A, Prasad S, Chakrabarty M. Trait anxiety modulates the detection sensitivity of negative affect in speech: an online pilot study. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1240043. [PMID: 37744950 PMCID: PMC10512416 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1240043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Acoustic perception of emotions in speech is relevant for humans to navigate the social environment optimally. While sensory perception is known to be influenced by ambient noise, and bodily internal states (e.g., emotional arousal and anxiety), their relationship to human auditory perception is relatively less understood. In a supervised, online pilot experiment sans the artificially controlled laboratory environment, we asked if the detection sensitivity of emotions conveyed by human speech-in-noise (acoustic signals) varies between individuals with relatively lower and higher levels of subclinical trait-anxiety, respectively. In a task, participants (n = 28) accurately discriminated the target emotion conveyed by the temporally unpredictable acoustic signals (signal to noise ratio = 10 dB), which were manipulated at four levels (Happy, Neutral, Fear, and Disgust). We calculated the empirical area under the curve (a measure of acoustic signal detection sensitivity) based on signal detection theory to answer our questions. A subset of individuals with High trait-anxiety relative to Low in the above sample showed significantly lower detection sensitivities to acoustic signals of negative emotions - Disgust and Fear and significantly lower detection sensitivities to acoustic signals when averaged across all emotions. The results from this pilot study with a small but statistically relevant sample size suggest that trait-anxiety levels influence the overall acoustic detection of speech-in-noise, especially those conveying threatening/negative affect. The findings are relevant for future research on acoustic perception anomalies underlying affective traits and disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Achyuthanand K
- Department of Computational Biology, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Saurabh Prasad
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Mrinmoy Chakrabarty
- Department of Social Sciences and Humanities, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
- Centre for Design and New Media, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
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19
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LeDuke DO, Borio M, Miranda R, Tye KM. Anxiety and depression: A top-down, bottom-up model of circuit function. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2023; 1525:70-87. [PMID: 37129246 PMCID: PMC10695657 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
A functional interplay of bottom-up and top-down processing allows an individual to appropriately respond to the dynamic environment around them. These processing modalities can be represented as attractor states using a dynamical systems model of the brain. The transition probability to move from one attractor state to another is dependent on the stability, depth, neuromodulatory tone, and tonic changes in plasticity. However, how does the relationship between these states change in disease states, such as anxiety or depression? We describe bottom-up and top-down processing from Marr's computational-algorithmic-implementation perspective to understand depressive and anxious disease states. We illustrate examples of bottom-up processing as basolateral amygdala signaling and projections and top-down processing as medial prefrontal cortex internal signaling and projections. Understanding these internal processing dynamics can help us better model the multifaceted elements of anxiety and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deryn O. LeDuke
- Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Matilde Borio
- Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Raymundo Miranda
- Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA
- Neurosciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Kay M. Tye
- Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
- Kavli Institute for the Brain and Mind, La Jolla, California, USA
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20
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Meregalli V, Ambrosini E, Tenconi E, Schroeder PA, Cardi V, Veronese A, Meneguzzo P, Favaro A, Collantoni E. Food induced distractibility in restrictive anorexia nervosa: Different motor patterns for different foods as revealed by a mouse tracker evaluation. Appetite 2023; 188:106639. [PMID: 37356579 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.106639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
An altered automatic processing of food stimuli may contribute to the maintenance of calorie restriction in patients with restrictive Anorexia Nervosa (AN-R). The present study aimed to assess whether task-irrelevant food distractors elicited a different interference effect in the motor actions of patients with AN-R compared to healthy controls (HC). 40 patients with acute AN-R and 40 HC performed an irrelevant distractor task in which they were required to perform a reaching movement from a starting point to a green dot, while an irrelevant distractor (a high-calorie food, low-calorie food, or neutral object) was presented in the middle of the screen. Mouse trajectories and response times (RT) were recorded. The analyses conducted on the kinematic variables revealed that while the trajectories of HC veered similarly toward the three categories of stimuli, AN-R patients showed an increased deviation toward low-calorie foods and a reduced deviation toward high-calorie foods compared to neutral objects. No significant results emerged as regards RT. The pattern of responses observed in patients with AN-R (deviation increased toward low-calorie and reduced toward high-calorie) is consistent with their eating habits and may thus represent an implicit mechanism sustaining calorie restriction in patients with AN-R.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Meregalli
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padova, Italy; Padua Neuroscience Center, University of Padua, Padova, Italy.
| | - Ettore Ambrosini
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padova, Italy; Padua Neuroscience Center, University of Padua, Padova, Italy; Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Elena Tenconi
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padova, Italy; Padua Neuroscience Center, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Valentina Cardi
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Angela Veronese
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Paolo Meneguzzo
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padova, Italy; Padua Neuroscience Center, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Angela Favaro
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padova, Italy; Padua Neuroscience Center, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Enrico Collantoni
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padova, Italy; Padua Neuroscience Center, University of Padua, Padova, Italy; Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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21
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Zhang Q. Patterns of attentional biases in children and emotional symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic: a two-wave longitudinal study. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health 2023; 17:61. [PMID: 37198650 DOI: 10.1186/s13034-023-00594-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is unknown how the patterns of negative and positive attentional biases in children predict fear of COVID-19, anxiety symptoms, and depression symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study identified profiles of negative and positive attentional biases in children and examined their association with emotional symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD 264 children (girls: 53.8% and boys: 46.2%) of 9-10 years born in Hong Kong or mainland China from a primary school in Shenzhen, People's Republic of China were involved in a two-wave longitudinal study. Children completed the COVID-19 Fear Scale, the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Attention to Positive and Negative Information Scale to measure fear of COVID-19, anxiety and depression symptoms, and negative and positive attentional biases in classrooms. After six months, they completed the second assessment of fear of COVID-19, anxiety symptoms, and depression symptoms in classrooms. Latent profile analysis was conducted to reveal distinct profiles of attentional biases in children. A series of repeated MANOVA was performed to examine the association of profiles of attentional biases to fear of COVID-19, anxiety symptoms, and depression symptoms across 6 months. RESULTS Three profiles of negative and positive attentional biases were revealed in children. Children with a "moderate positive and high negative attentional biases" profile had significantly higher fear of the COVID-19 pandemic, anxiety symptoms, and depression symptoms than children with a "high positive and moderate negative attentional biases" profile. Children with a "low positive and negative attentional biases" profile were not significantly different in fear of COVID-19, anxiety symptoms, and depression symptoms than those with the other two profiles. CONCLUSIONS Patterns of negative and positive attentional biases were related to emotional symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. It might be important to consider children's overall patterns of negative and positive attentional biases to identify children at risk of higher emotional symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaochu Zhang
- Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Floor 7, AC1Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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22
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Bublatzky F, Allen P, Riemer M. Spatial navigation under threat: aversive apprehensions improve route retracing in higher versus lower trait anxious individuals. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1166594. [PMID: 37251045 PMCID: PMC10213730 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1166594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Spatial navigation is a basic function for survival, and the ability to retrace a route has direct relevance for avoiding dangerous places. This study investigates the effects of aversive apprehensions on spatial navigation in a virtual urban environment. Healthy participants with varying degrees of trait anxiety performed a route-repetition and a route-retracing task under threatening and safe context conditions. Results reveal an interaction between the effect of threatening/safe environments and trait anxiety: while threat impairs route-retracing in lower-anxious individuals, this navigational skill is boosted in higher-anxious individuals. According to attentional control theory, this finding can be explained by an attentional shift toward information relevant for intuitive coping strategies (i.e., running away), which should be more pronounced in higher-anxious individuals. On a broader scale, our results demonstrate an often-neglected advantage of trait anxiety, namely that it promotes the processing of environmental information relevant for coping strategies and thus prepares the organism for adequate flight responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Bublatzky
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Department of Psychology, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | - Peter Allen
- Department of Creative Technology, Bournemouth University, Dorset, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Riemer
- Biological Psychology and Neuroergonomics, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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23
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Yeung MK. Context-specific effects of threatening faces on alerting, orienting, and executive control: A fNIRS study. Heliyon 2023; 9:e15995. [PMID: 37206041 PMCID: PMC10189190 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Real-world threatening faces possess both useful and irrelevant attributes with respect to the current goal. How these attributes interact and affect attention, which comprises at least three processes hypothesized to engage the frontal lobes (alerting, orienting, and executive control), remains poorly understood. Here, the neurocognitive effects of threatening facial expressions on the three processes of attention were examined through the emotional Attention Network Test (ANT) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Forty-seven (20M, 27F) young adults performed a blocked version of the arrow flanker task with neutral and angry facial cues applied in three cue conditions (no, center, and spatial). Hemodynamic changes occurring in participants' frontal cortices during task performance were recorded by multichannel fNIRS. Behavioral results indicated that alerting, orienting, and executive control processes existed in both the neutral and angry conditions. However, depending on the context, angry facial cues affected these processes differently compared with neutral facial cues. Specifically, the angry face disrupted the classical decrease in reaction time from the no-cue to center-cue condition specifically during the congruent condition. Additionally, fNIRS results revealed significant frontal cortical activation during the incongruent vs. congruent task; neither cue nor emotion significantly affected frontal activation. Thus, the findings suggest that the angry face affects all three attentional processes while exerting context-specific effects on attention. They also imply that during the ANT, the frontal cortex is most involved in executive control. The present study offers essential insights into how various attributes of threatening faces interact and alter attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael K. Yeung
- Department of Psychology, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
- University Research Facility in Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
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24
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Yan Y, Li M, Jia H, Fu L, Qiu J, Yang W. Amygdala-based functional connectivity mediates the relationship between thought control ability and trait anxiety. Brain Cogn 2023; 168:105976. [PMID: 37086555 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2023.105976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023]
Abstract
Thought control ability (TCA) refers to the ability to exclude unwanted thoughts. There has been consistent evidence on the protective effect of TCA on anxiety, that higher TCA is associated with lower anxiety. However, the underlying neural mechanism remains unclear. In this study, with a large sample (N = 495), we investigated how seed-based resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) mediates the relationship between TCA and anxiety. Our behaviour results replicated previous findings that TCA is negatively associated with trait anxiety after controlling for gender, age, and depression. More importantly, the RSFC results revealed that TCA is negatively associated with the left amygdala - left frontal pole (LA-LFP), left amygdala - left inferior temporal gyrus (LA-LITG), and left hippocampus - left inferior frontal gyrus (LH-LIFG) connectivity. In addition, a mediation analysis demonstrated that the LA-LFP and LA-LITG connectivity in particular mediated the influence of TCA on trait anxiety. Overall, our study extends previous research by revealing the neural bases underlying the protective effect of TCA on anxiety and pinpointing specific mediating RSFC pathways. Future studies could explore whether targeted TCA training (behavioural or neural) can help alleviate anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchi Yan
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China; Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University (SWU), Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Min Li
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China; Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University (SWU), Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Hui Jia
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China; Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University (SWU), Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Lei Fu
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China; Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University (SWU), Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Jiang Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China; Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University (SWU), Chongqing 400715, China.
| | - Wenjing Yang
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China; Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University (SWU), Chongqing 400715, China.
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Hu C, Song J, Hong Y, Zhou R. Electrophysiological and behavioral evidence for the attention capture and suppression failure of irrelevant singleton in test anxiety. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 161:386-392. [PMID: 37015159 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.03.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
Attention bias (ABs) and inhibition deficits play crucial roles in the development, maintenance, and recurrence of test anxiety. However, whether test-anxious individuals will show ABs and inhibition deficits of general task-irrelevant stimuli in a complex visual display is unclear. Thus, we used the additional singleton task (AST) and recorded event-related potentials (ERPs) indices of attentional selection (the N2 posterior contralateral, N2pc), suppression (distractor positivity, PD), and maintenance of working memory (the sustained posterior contralateral negativity, SPCN) to explore this issue. Twenty-eight participants in the high test-anxious (HTA) group and twenty-eight participants in the low test-anxious (LTA) group attended the experiment and were required to search for a target and synchronously ignore a singleton distractor on some trials. Consequently, HTA and LTA individuals had poorer accuracies and longer response times in the distractor-present condition than in the distractor-absent condition. The HTA group got larger interferences from singleton distractors than the LTA group. Electrophysiological results revealed a distractor N2pc and SPCN in the HTA group. Moreover, target N2pc and SPCN in the HTA group were larger when the singleton distractor and target were on the same side than on the opposite side. These results indicated that HTA individuals were captured attention by singleton distractors and failed to expel them from working memory. Accordingly, the present findings extended previous work by providing direct evidence that test anxiety could increase the effects of stimulus-driven attention systems and impair the function of goal-directed attention systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cenlou Hu
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; Department of Psychology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; School of Education/The Key Laboratory for Juveniles Mental Health and Educational Neuroscience, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science of Ministry of Education, School of Biological Sciences & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jintao Song
- Department of Psychology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Hong
- Department of Psychology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Renlai Zhou
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; Department of Psychology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science of Ministry of Education, School of Biological Sciences & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; State Key Laboratory of Media Convergence Production Technology and Systems, Beijing, China.
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26
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Woronko SE, Jessup SC, Armstrong T, Anwyl-Irvine AL, Dalmaijer ES, Olatunji BO. A novel probe of attentional bias for threat in specific phobia: Application of the "MouseView.js" approach. J Anxiety Disord 2023; 96:102700. [PMID: 36965222 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2023.102700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023]
Abstract
Although attentional bias for threat has been implicated in anxiety disorders, traditional attentional bias measures have been criticized for lack of reliability and validity, and eye tracking technologies can be cost-prohibitive. MouseView.js was recently developed to mimic eye tracking online by using the computer cursor as a proxy for gaze, and although it is equally reliable, MouseView.js' utility for capturing attentional bias for threat in anxiety-related disorders remains unclear. To fill this knowledge gap, snake phobic and non-phobic participants (N = 62) completed a behavioral avoidance task (BAT) and the MouseView.js task which consisted of 10-second exposures to blurred, side-by-side images of either pleasant-neutral or threat-neutral pairings and were instructed to freely move the mouse to reveal the images. Results demonstrated that snake phobic participants had significantly shorter average mouse dwell time on threat images than non-phobic individuals and showed a significant reduction in average dwell time on threat images following the first presentation of the threat-neutral pairing. Additionally, dwell time on threat images significantly mediated the group differences in steps completed on the BAT. Results highlight the utility of MouseView.js in capturing avoidant patterns of attentional bias for threat that may also partially drive avoidance in snake phobia. Implications for capturing attentional bias for threat in anxiety disorders more broadly are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Woronko
- Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Sarah C Jessup
- Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | | | | | - Edwin S Dalmaijer
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Bunmi O Olatunji
- Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
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27
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Zhang Q. The Moderation Effect of Cognitive Tendencies on the Relationship Between Fear of COVID-19 and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Chinese Children. JOURNAL OF CHILD & ADOLESCENT TRAUMA 2023; 16:1-9. [PMID: 36785698 PMCID: PMC9909653 DOI: 10.1007/s40653-023-00518-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic is a public health emergency with potential traumatizing effects on children. However, not many studies have been devoted to investigating the association between fear of COVID-19 and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in children during the pandemic. Also, if the association is modulated by cognitive tendencies to focus on negative and positive information in children is unknown. The study recruited 122 native Chinese children from a primary school in mainland China. Self-reported psychological inventories were used to assess the above variables. The prevalence rate of PTSS in Chinese children was approximately 15.1%. Girls had higher post-traumatic stress levels than boys. Fear of COVID-19 was associated with higher level of post-traumatic stress in children. Only cognitive tendency to focus on negative information was significantly associated with the level of post-traumatic stress in children. Moreover, cognitive tendency to focus on negative information was a significant moderator of the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and PTSS. Generalization of the results to adults should be cautious. It was concluded that stronger fear of COVID-19 was related to more PTSS in children. The association of fear of COVID-19 with PTSS was significant only for children with strong tendency to focus on negative information. Cognitive interventions for PTSS may need to be delivered to children who have both strong fear of COVID-19 and strong tendency to focus on negative information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaochu Zhang
- Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Floor 7, AC1, Tat Chee Avenue Kowloon, Hong Kong
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Non-conscious processing of fear faces: a function of the implicit self-concept of anxiety. BMC Neurosci 2023; 24:12. [PMID: 36740677 PMCID: PMC9901098 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-023-00781-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trait anxiety refers to a stable tendency to experience fears and worries across many situations. High trait anxiety is a vulnerability factor for the development of psychopathologies. Self-reported trait anxiety appears to be associated with an automatic processing advantage for threat-related information. Self-report measures assess aspects of the explicit self-concept of anxiety. Indirect measures can tap into the implicit self-concept of anxiety. METHODS We examined automatic brain responsiveness to non-conscious threat as a function of trait anxiety using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Besides a self-report instrument, we administered the Implicit Association Test (IAT) to assess anxiety. We used a gender-decision paradigm presenting brief (17 ms) and backward-masked facial expressions depicting disgust and fear. RESULTS Explicit trait anxiety was not associated with brain responsiveness to non-conscious threat. However, a relation of the implicit self-concept of anxiety with masked fear processing in the thalamus, precentral gyrus, and lateral prefrontal cortex was observed. CONCLUSIONS We provide evidence that a measure of the implicit self-concept of anxiety is a valuable predictor of automatic neural responses to threat in cortical and subcortical areas. Hence, implicit anxiety measures could be a useful addition to explicit instruments. Our data support the notion that the thalamus may constitute an important neural substrate in biased non-conscious processing in anxiety.
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Zainal NH, Hellberg SN, Kabel KE, Hotchkin CM, Baker AW. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) plus attention bias modification (ABM) reduces anxiety sensitivity and depressive symptoms in panic disorder: A pilot randomized trial. Scand J Psychol 2023. [PMID: 36707979 DOI: 10.1111/sjop.12902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive bias theories propose that reducing threat hypervigilance in mental disorders can augment cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) outcomes. However, no studies have tested whether adding attention bias modification (ABM) can effectively enhance CBT's effects on anxiety sensitivity (AS), electromyography (EMG), and skin conductance (SC) for panic disorder (PD). This pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) thus aimed to evaluate the efficacy of CBT + ABM (vs. CBT plus attention training placebo; PBO) on those outcomes. METHOD This study is a secondary analysis (Baker et al., 2020). Adults with PD were randomized to receive CBT + ABM (n = 11) or CBT + PBO (n = 12). Before each of the first five CBT sessions, CBT + ABM and CBT + PBO participants completed a 15-min ABM task or attention training PBO, respectively. AS and depression severity as well as SC and EMG during habituation to a loud-tone startle paradigm were assessed. Hierarchical Bayesian analyses were conducted. RESULTS During pre-post-treatment and pre-follow-up, CBM + ABM (vs. CBT + PBO) led to a notably greater reduction in ASI-Physical (between-group d = -1.26 to -1.25), ASI-Cognitive (d = -1.16 to -1.10), and depression severity (d = -1.23 to -0.99). However, no between-group difference was observed for ASI-Social, EMG, or SC indices. DISCUSSION Adding a brief computerized ABM intervention to CBT for PD protocols may enhance therapeutic change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur Hani Zainal
- Department of Healthcare Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Samantha N Hellberg
- Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Katherine E Kabel
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Claire M Hotchkin
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amanda W Baker
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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30
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Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy combined with attentional bias modification training in generalized anxiety disorder: a randomized, controlled multi-session experiment. Behav Cogn Psychother 2023; 51:32-45. [PMID: 36278480 DOI: 10.1017/s1352465822000480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although attentional bias modification training (ABM) and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) are two effective methods to decrease the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorders (GAD), to date, no randomized controlled trials have yet evaluated the effectiveness of an intervention combining internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) and ABM for adults with GAD. AIMS This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of an intervention combining ICBT and ABM for adults with GAD. METHOD Sixty-three participants diagnosed with GAD were randomly assigned to the treatment group (ICBT with ABM; 31 participants) or the control group (ICBT with ABM placebo; 32 participants), and received 8 weeks of treatment and three evaluations. The CBT, ABM and ABM-placebo training were conducted via the internet. The evaluations were conducted at baseline, 8 weeks later, and 1 month later, respectively. RESULTS Both the treatment and control groups reported significantly reduced anxiety symptoms and attentional bias, with no clear superiority of either intervention. However, the treatment group showed a greater reduction in negative automatic thoughts than the control group after treatment and at 1-month follow-up (η2 = 0.123). CONCLUSION The results suggest that although not differing in therapeutic efficacy, the intervention combining ICBT and ABM is superior to the intervention combining ICBT and ABM-placebo in the reduction of negative automatic thoughts. ABM may be a useful augmentation of ICBT on reducing anxiety symptoms.
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31
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Jin L, Han W, Zheng Z. Attentional vigilance of food information in disordered eating behaviors. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1108995. [PMID: 36873197 PMCID: PMC9974645 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1108995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Disordered eating behaviors (DEBs) are very common among female college students, which seriously endanger their health and well-being. Therefore, the study of the mechanism of DEBs can provide effective evidence for early detection and intervention. METHODS In total of 54 female college students were recruited and assigned to DEB group (n = 29) and healthy control (HC) group (n = 25) according to their scores in the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26). Then, the Exogenous Cueing Task (ECT) was used to evaluate their reaction time (RT) to the location of a target dot preceded by a food or neutral cue. RESULTS The study found that compared with HC group, DEB group showed more attentional engagement to food stimuli, indicating that attentional vigilance to food information could be considered as a specific attentional bias of DEBs. DISCUSSION Our findings not only provide evidence of the potential mechanism of DEBs from the perspective of attentional bias, but also can be considered as an effective and objective indicator for early screening of subclinical eating disorders (EDs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Luyao Jin
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenyue Han
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Changzhou Vocational Institute of Textile and Garment, Changzhou, China
| | - Zheng Zheng
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Fabbri M, Simione L, Catalano L, Mirolli M, Martoni M. Attentional Bias for Sleep-Related Words as a Function of Severity of Insomnia Symptoms. Brain Sci 2022; 13:brainsci13010050. [PMID: 36672032 PMCID: PMC9856532 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13010050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Attentional bias to sleep-related information is thought to be a core feature for developing and/or maintaining insomnia. This study used a hallmark measure of attentional bias, the dot-probe task, to determine whether this bias toward sleep-related stimuli was a function of the severity of insomnia symptoms. A sample of 231 volunteers (175 females; mean age of 26.91 ± 8.05 years) participated in this online study, filling out the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and performing a visual dot-probe task. After categorizing individuals based on the ISI score into normal, subclinical, and moderate/severe sleep groups, we only found a marginally significant interaction between sleep groups and the type of stimuli on RTs, suggesting that subclinical and moderate/severe sleep groups reported slower RTs for sleep-related words than for neutral words. When we calculated the attentional bias score (ABS), we found that ABS significantly differed from zero in the moderate/severe sleep group only, suggesting a disengagement for sleep-related information as a function of the severity of insomnia symptoms. This finding seems to suggest that insomnia is related to greater difficulties in shifting away from sleep-related stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Fabbri
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Viale Ellittico 31, 81100 Caserta, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0823-275333
| | - Luca Simione
- Institute of Cognitive Science and Technologies, CNR, Via San Martino Della Battaglia 44, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Catalano
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Viale Ellittico 31, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Marco Mirolli
- Institute of Cognitive Science and Technologies, CNR, Via San Martino Della Battaglia 44, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Martoni
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialized Medicine, University of Bologna, 40121 Bologna, Italy
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Xiao W, Zheng X, Luo Y, Peng J. Reducing anxiety and attentional bias with reward association learning and attentional bias modification. Front Psychol 2022; 13:982909. [PMID: 36507005 PMCID: PMC9728586 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.982909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The current study examined the effects of a reward associative learning procedure and the traditional threat-avoidance ABM paradigm on anxiety and attentional bias. In reward training, participants were given high rewards for correct responses to neutral target and low rewards for correct responses to negative target. In reward control training, participants received no cues of rewards after their responses. High trait anxious individuals (N = 76) first completed a session of reward training or reward control training, followed by four sessions of ABM training or ABM control training. Generalized anxiety disorder symptom (GAD-7) and attentional bias in a dot-probe task were assessed during pre-and post-training. Results indicated that the effect of ABM training on reducing anxiety was only obtained in the reward training condition. Participants who received reward training showed significantly less attentional bias compared with those receiving reward control training. There was no significant training effect of ABM on atttentiona bias. Results suggested that reward training reduced general anxiety and attentional bias. Traditional ABM training reduced anxiety only when combined with reward training. Attentional bias in anxiety are modifiable through reward training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Xiao
- Teacher Education School, Shaoguan University, Shaoguan, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoqi Zheng
- Teacher Education School, Shaoguan University, Shaoguan, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuejia Luo
- Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaxin Peng
- Teacher Education School, Shaoguan University, Shaoguan, Guangdong, China,*Correspondence: Jiaxin Peng,
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Valadez EA, Pine DS, Fox NA, Bar-Haim Y. Attentional biases in human anxiety. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 142:104917. [PMID: 36252826 PMCID: PMC9756271 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Across clinical and subclinical samples, anxiety has been associated with increased attentional capture by cues signaling danger. Various cognitive models attribute the onset and maintenance of anxiety symptoms to maladaptive selective information processing. In this brief review, we 1) describe the evidence for the relations between anxiety and attention bias toward threat, 2) discuss the neurobiology of anxiety-related differences in threat bias, 3) summarize work investigating the developmental origins of attention bias toward threat, and 4) examine efforts to translate threat bias research into clinical intervention. Future directions in each area are discussed, including the use of novel analytic approaches improving characterization of threat-processing-related brain networks, clarifying the role of cognitive control in the development of attention bias toward threat, and the need for larger, well-controlled randomized clinical trials examining moderators and mediators of treatment response. Ultimately, this work has important implications for understanding the etiology of and for intervening on anxiety difficulties among children and adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio A Valadez
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
| | - Daniel S Pine
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Nathan A Fox
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Yair Bar-Haim
- School of Psychological Sciences and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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35
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Hu C, Song X, Song J, Hong Y, Zhou R. Neurophysiological Correlates for Dynamic Variability Between Vigilance and Avoidance in Test Anxiety. Biol Psychol 2022; 175:108427. [PMID: 36170941 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2022.108427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Attention bias (ABs) to threat is essential in the etiology and maintenance of test anxiety. However, little is known about the attention pattern of ABs in test anxiety. The stimulus duration affects the attention pattern in anxiety. Thus, the present research combined the dot-probe paradigm and event-related potentials (ERPs) and varied the stimulus duration (100ms or 500ms) to test the ABs in test anxiety. Consequently, both groups showed a threat N2pc in 100ms and 500ms duration, suggesting that both groups allocated attention to the test-related threat. However, in the 100ms duration, the high test-anxious (HTA) group had smaller target-elicited P1 and greater target-elicited N2 in the threat-congruent condition than in the neutral condition. In the 500ms duration, an earlier threat N2pc and a threat PD followed a greater target P1, and smaller target N2 were pronounced in the HTA group. The current results provided electrophysiological evidence that the HTA group kept a dynamic attention pattern that fluctuated shift between vigilance and avoidance in the 100ms and 500ms duration. The HTA group was more vigilant than the LTA group in the 500ms duration when strategic attention was concerned, proposing that the vigilance in test anxiety was not an automatic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cenlou Hu
- Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science of Ministry of Education, School of Biological Sciences & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xueling Song
- National Education Examinations Authority, Beijing, China
| | - Jintao Song
- Department of Psychology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yan Hong
- Department of Psychology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Renlai Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science of Ministry of Education, School of Biological Sciences & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; Department of Psychology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; State Key Laboratory of Media Convergence Production Technology and Systems, Beijing, China.
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36
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The causal relationship of trait anxiety to positive and negative attentional bias in children: the moderation effect of gender. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03646-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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37
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Fiorio M, Braga M, Marotta A, Villa-Sánchez B, Edwards MJ, Tinazzi M, Barbiani D. Functional neurological disorder and placebo and nocebo effects: shared mechanisms. Nat Rev Neurol 2022; 18:624-635. [PMID: 36075980 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-022-00711-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Functional neurological disorder (FND) is characterized by neurological symptoms that cannot be explained by a structural neurological cause. Among the different aetiological models that have been proposed for FND, of note is the Bayesian predictive coding model, which posits that perception relies on top-down cortical predictions (priors) to infer the source of incoming sensory information. This model can also apply to non-pathological experiences, such as placebo and nocebo effects, wherein sensory information is shaped by prior expectations and learning. To date, most studies of the relationship between placebo and nocebo effects and FND have focused on the use of placebos for diagnosis and treatment of FND. Here, we propose that this relationship might go beyond diagnosis and therapy. We develop a framework in which shared cognitive, personality and neuroanatomical factors justify the consideration of a deeper link between FND and placebo and nocebo effects. This new perspective might offer guidance for clarification of the pathogenesis of FND and for the identification of potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirta Fiorio
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
| | - Miriam Braga
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Angela Marotta
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Mark J Edwards
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Sciences, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Michele Tinazzi
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Diletta Barbiani
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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38
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Ramos ML, Bechor M, Casas A, Pettit JW, Silverman WK, Reeb-Sutherland BC. The role of attentional shifting in the relation between error monitoring and anxiety in youth. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2022; 324:111507. [PMID: 35675720 PMCID: PMC9730549 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2022.111507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The error-related negativity (ERN), a well-established neural marker of anxiety, reflects enhanced attention to internal threat signals. While attention to threat plays a crucial role in the development and maintenance of anxiety, it is unclear how attentional control influences the ERN-anxiety association. To address this, 37 youths (Mage = 10.89 years) completed self-report measures of attentional control and anxiety symptoms. To obtain ERN amplitude, youth completed a flanker task while simultaneous EEG was collected. Attentional control, specifically attentional shifting rather than focusing, moderated the relation between ERN amplitude and anxiety. Youth who displayed smaller neural responses to making an error and higher ability to shift attention experienced lower levels of anxiety, relative to those who exhibited larger neural responses to making an error or lower attention-shifting ability. These findings highlight that response magnitude to internal threat and ability to flexibly shift attention may jointly contribute to anxiety in youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle L Ramos
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA.
| | - Michele Bechor
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Alejandro Casas
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Jeremy W Pettit
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
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39
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Draheim C, Pak R, Draheim AA, Engle RW. The role of attention control in complex real-world tasks. Psychon Bull Rev 2022; 29:1143-1197. [PMID: 35167106 PMCID: PMC8853083 DOI: 10.3758/s13423-021-02052-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Working memory capacity is an important psychological construct, and many real-world phenomena are strongly associated with individual differences in working memory functioning. Although working memory and attention are intertwined, several studies have recently shown that individual differences in the general ability to control attention is more strongly predictive of human behavior than working memory capacity. In this review, we argue that researchers would therefore generally be better suited to studying the role of attention control rather than memory-based abilities in explaining real-world behavior and performance in humans. The review begins with a discussion of relevant literature on the nature and measurement of both working memory capacity and attention control, including recent developments in the study of individual differences of attention control. We then selectively review existing literature on the role of both working memory and attention in various applied settings and explain, in each case, why a switch in emphasis to attention control is warranted. Topics covered include psychological testing, cognitive training, education, sports, police decision-making, human factors, and disorders within clinical psychology. The review concludes with general recommendations and best practices for researchers interested in conducting studies of individual differences in attention control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Draheim
- Department of Psychology, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI, USA.
- School of Psychology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Richard Pak
- Department of Psychology, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Amanda A Draheim
- Department of Psychology, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI, USA
| | - Randall W Engle
- School of Psychology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Chelliah A, Robinson O. Efficacy of attention bias modification via smartphones in a large population sample. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:211629. [PMID: 35958083 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5593212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Negative affective biases are a key feature of anxiety and depression that uphold and promote negative mood. Bias modification aims to reduce these biases using computerized training, but shows mixed success and has not been tested at scale. The aim was to determine whether bias modification delivered via smartphones can improve mood in a large sample. In total, 153 385 self-referring participants were randomly assigned to modification or sham bias training on a dot-probe or visual-search task. The primary outcome of interest was balance of mood, assessed on the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. In total, 22 933 participants who provided at least two mood ratings were included in analyses. There was a large amount of participant attrition. In the remaining smaller sample, results supported the prediction that visual-search modification would result in improved mood (95%CI [0.10, 0.82]; p = 0.01, d = 0.05, N = 2588 after two ratings; 95%CI [1.75,6.54]; p = 0.001, d = 0.32, N = 118 after six ratings), which was not seen for the sham version (N = 4818 after two ratings; N = 138 after six ratings). Dot-probe modification was not associated with mood improvements (p = 0.52). Visual-search, but not dot-probe, bias modification slightly but significantly improved mood. Although this effect size is very small and subject to large participant drop-off, it might be worth considering an adjunct to current treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alysha Chelliah
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Group, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, 17-19 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AZ, UK
| | - Oliver Robinson
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Group, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, 17-19 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AZ, UK
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Chelliah A, Robinson O. Efficacy of attention bias modification via smartphones in a large population sample. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:211629. [PMID: 35958083 PMCID: PMC9364001 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.211629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Negative affective biases are a key feature of anxiety and depression that uphold and promote negative mood. Bias modification aims to reduce these biases using computerized training, but shows mixed success and has not been tested at scale. The aim was to determine whether bias modification delivered via smartphones can improve mood in a large sample. In total, 153 385 self-referring participants were randomly assigned to modification or sham bias training on a dot-probe or visual-search task. The primary outcome of interest was balance of mood, assessed on the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. In total, 22 933 participants who provided at least two mood ratings were included in analyses. There was a large amount of participant attrition. In the remaining smaller sample, results supported the prediction that visual-search modification would result in improved mood (95%CI [0.10, 0.82]; p = 0.01, d = 0.05, N = 2588 after two ratings; 95%CI [1.75,6.54]; p = 0.001, d = 0.32, N = 118 after six ratings), which was not seen for the sham version (N = 4818 after two ratings; N = 138 after six ratings). Dot-probe modification was not associated with mood improvements (p = 0.52). Visual-search, but not dot-probe, bias modification slightly but significantly improved mood. Although this effect size is very small and subject to large participant drop-off, it might be worth considering an adjunct to current treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alysha Chelliah
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Group, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, 17-19 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AZ, UK
| | - Oliver Robinson
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Group, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, 17-19 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AZ, UK
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Cognitive bias and fear of missing out (FoMO) among Chinese college students: the mediating effects of attentional control, need to belong and self-construal. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03435-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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43
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Na F, Hui Z, Nan W, Congcong Y, Qianru J. How preschoolers perceive danger – A study of inattentional bias. VISUAL COGNITION 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/13506285.2022.2086332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Feng Na
- Hangzhou College of Preschool Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhang Hui
- Hangzhou College of Preschool Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wang Nan
- Hangzhou College of Preschool Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Congcong
- Hangzhou College of Preschool Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ji Qianru
- Hangzhou College of Preschool Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
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Gupta RS, Kujawa A, Fresco DM, Kang H, Vago DR. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: A Preliminary Examination of the (Event-Related) Potential for Modifying Threat-Related Attentional Bias in Anxiety. Mindfulness (N Y) 2022; 13:1719-1732. [PMID: 35668874 PMCID: PMC9159034 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-022-01910-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Objectives Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) can reduce anxiety and depression symptoms in adults with anxiety disorders, and changes in threat-related attentional bias may be a key mechanism driving the intervention's effects on anxiety symptoms. Event-related potentials (ERPs) can illuminate the physiological mechanism through which MBCT targets threat bias and reduces symptoms of anxiety. This preliminary study examined whether P1 ERP threat-related attentional bias markers in anxious adults change from pre- to post-MBCT delivered in-person or virtually (via Zoom) and investigated the relationship between P1 threat-related attentional bias markers and treatment response. Methods Pre- and post-MBCT, participants with moderate to high levels of anxiety (N = 50) completed a dot-probe task with simultaneous EEG recording. Analyses focused on pre- and post-MBCT P1 amplitudes elicited by angry-neutral and happy-neutral face pair cues, probes, and reaction times in the dot-probe task and anxiety and depression symptoms. Results Pre- to post-MBCT, there was a significant reduction in P1-Probe amplitudes (d = .23), anxiety (d = .41) and depression (d = .80) symptoms, and reaction times (d = .10). Larger P1-Angry Cue amplitudes, indexing hypervigilance to angry faces, were associated with higher levels of anxiety both pre- and post-MBCT (d = .20). Post-MBCT, anxiety symptoms were lower in the in-person versus virtual group (d = .80). Conclusions MBCT may increase processing efficiency and decreases anxiety and depression symptoms in anxious adults. However, changes in threat bias specifically were generally not supported. Replication with a comparison group is needed to clarify whether changes were MBCT-specific. Clinical Trials Registration NCT03571386, June 18, 2018. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12671-022-01910-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Resh S. Gupta
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093-0012 USA
- Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093-0012 USA
| | - Autumn Kujawa
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Peabody College #552, 230 Appleton Place, Nashville, TN 37203-5721 USA
| | - David M. Fresco
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, 2559 Rachel Upjohn Building, 4250 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
| | - Hakmook Kang
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2525 West End Avenue, Suite 1100, Nashville, TN 37203 USA
| | - David R. Vago
- Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, 111 21st Avenue South, 301 Wilson Hall, Nashville, TN 37240 USA
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45
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Teng M. Investigating the efficacy of attentional bias modification on individuals with spider phobia through the emotional attention network test. J Clin Psychol 2022; 78:2595-2608. [DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Min‐Hung Teng
- Department of Psychology National Chung‐Cheng University Chia‐Yi Taiwan
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Carlson JM, Fang L, Koster EH, Andrzejewski JA, Gilbertson H, Elwell KA, Zuidema TR. Neuroplastic changes in anterior cingulate cortex gray matter volume and functional connectivity following attention bias modification in high trait anxious individuals. Biol Psychol 2022; 172:108353. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2022.108353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Oar EL, Johnco CJ, Waters AM, Fardouly J, Forbes MK, Magson NR, Richardson CE, Rapee RM. Eye-tracking to assess anxiety-related attentional biases among a large sample of preadolescent children. Behav Res Ther 2022; 153:104079. [PMID: 35395478 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2022.104079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
A considerable body of research in adults has demonstrated that anxiety disorders are characterised by attentional biases to threat. Findings in children have been inconsistent. The present study examined anxiety-related attention biases using eye tracking methodology in 463 preadolescents between 10 and 12 years of age, of whom 92 met criteria for a DSM-5 anxiety disorder and 371 did not. Preadolescent's gaze was recorded while they viewed adolescent face pairs depicting angry-neutral and happy-neutral expressions with each face pair presented for 5000 ms. No group differences were observed across any eye tracking indices including probability of first fixation direction, latency to first fixation, first fixation duration and dwell time. The sample overall showed faster initial attention towards threat cues, followed by a later broadening of attention away from threat. There is a need to identify the types of threats and the developmental period during which visual attention patterns of anxious and non-anxious youth diverge to inform more developmentally sensitive treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ella L Oar
- Centre for Emotional Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.
| | - Carly J Johnco
- Centre for Emotional Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Allison M Waters
- School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Mount Gravatt Campus, Mount Gravatt, QLD, 4122, Australia
| | - Jasmine Fardouly
- Centre for Emotional Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia; School of Psychology, UNSW Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Miriam K Forbes
- Centre for Emotional Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Natasha R Magson
- Centre for Emotional Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Cele E Richardson
- Centre for Emotional Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia; School of Psychological Science, Centre for Sleep Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Ronald M Rapee
- Centre for Emotional Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
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Shi C, Taylor S, Witthöft M, Du X, Zhang T, Lu S, Ren Z. Attentional bias toward health-threat in health anxiety: a systematic review and three-level meta-analysis. Psychol Med 2022; 52:604-613. [PMID: 35341486 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291721005432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Attentional bias toward health-threat may theoretically contribute to the development and maintenance of health anxiety, but the empirical findings have been controversial. This study aimed to synthesize and explore the heterogeneity in a health-threat related attentional bias of health-anxious individuals, and to determine the theoretical model that better represents the pattern of attentional bias in health anxiety. Four databases (Web of Science, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus) were searched for relevant studies, with 17 articles (N = 1546) included for a qualitative review and 16 articles (18 studies) for a three-level meta-analysis (N = 1490). The meta-analytic results indicated that the health anxiety group, compared to the control group, showed significantly greater attentional bias toward health-threat (g = 0.256). Further analyses revealed that attentional bias type, paradigm, and stimuli type were significant moderators. Additionally, compared to the controls, health-anxious individuals displayed significantly greater attention maintenance (g = 0.327) but nonsignificant attention vigilance to health-threat (g = -0.116). Our results provide evidence for the attention maintenance model in health-anxious individuals. The implications for further research and treatment of elevated health anxiety in the context of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) were also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Congrong Shi
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Cyberpsychology and Behaviour (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Human Development and Mental Health of Hubei Province, School of Psychology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Steven Taylor
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Michael Witthöft
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Xiayu Du
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Cyberpsychology and Behaviour (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Human Development and Mental Health of Hubei Province, School of Psychology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Cyberpsychology and Behaviour (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Human Development and Mental Health of Hubei Province, School of Psychology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shan Lu
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Cyberpsychology and Behaviour (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Human Development and Mental Health of Hubei Province, School of Psychology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhihong Ren
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Cyberpsychology and Behaviour (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Human Development and Mental Health of Hubei Province, School of Psychology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
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Heffer N, Gradidge M, Karl A, Ashwin C, Petrini K. High trait anxiety enhances optimal integration of auditory and visual threat cues. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2022; 74:101693. [PMID: 34563795 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2021.101693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emotion perception is essential to human interaction and relies on effective integration of emotional cues across sensory modalities. Despite initial evidence for anxiety-related biases in multisensory processing of emotional information, there is no research to date that directly addresses whether the mechanism of multisensory integration is altered by anxiety. Here, we compared audiovisual integration of emotional cues between individuals with low vs. high trait anxiety. METHODS Participants were 62 young adults who were assessed on their ability to quickly and accurately identify happy, angry and sad emotions from dynamic visual-only, audio-only and audiovisual face and voice displays. RESULTS The results revealed that individuals in the high anxiety group were more likely to integrate angry faces and voices in a statistically optimal fashion, as predicted by the Maximum Likelihood Estimation model, compared to low anxiety individuals. This means that high anxiety individuals achieved higher precision in correctly recognising anger from angry audiovisual stimuli compared to angry face or voice-only stimuli, and compared to low anxiety individuals. LIMITATIONS We tested a higher proportion of females, and although this does reflect the higher prevalence of clinical anxiety among females in the general population, potential sex differences in multisensory mechanisms due to anxiety should be examined in future studies. CONCLUSIONS Individuals with high trait anxiety have multisensory mechanisms that are especially fine-tuned for processing threat-related emotions. This bias may exhaust capacity for processing of other emotional stimuli and lead to overly negative evaluations of social interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi Heffer
- University of Bath, Department of Psychology, UK.
| | | | - Anke Karl
- University of Exeter, Mood Disorders Centre, UK
| | - Chris Ashwin
- University of Bath, Department of Psychology, UK
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Neophytou K, Panayiotou G. Does attention bias modification reduce anxiety in socially anxious college students? An experimental study of potential moderators and considerations for implementation. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264256. [PMID: 35213594 PMCID: PMC8880821 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
According to cognitive models, preferential attention to social threat contributes to maintenance of social anxiety. Socially anxious individuals are known to show attention biases to threatening stimuli, although there is inconsistency in the literature with regards to the type of attentional biases they present. This study examines the effect of attention bias modification (ABM) for social anxiety in non-treatment-seeking college students meeting social anxiety disorder criteria, taking into consideration previous mixed results regarding its effectiveness. Attention bias levels and types (i.e. vigilance vs avoidance) at baseline were examined and considered as potential moderators of ABM effects. Sixty-eight socially anxious individuals were randomly allocated to ABM vs placebo groups. A structured interview and self-report assessment were completed at pre-treatment and post-treatment. Results showed half of the participants presented few attention biases at baseline, and the rest presented either vigilance or avoidance. Participants with low attention biases scored higher in social anxiety than those showing avoidance and there was no difference between those showing vigilance vs avoidance. No significant effects from pre to post treatment were observed in attention biases, self-report or structured interview of anxiety in the ABM group. Baseline attention biases did not moderate these effects. Results are discussed with regards to implications for future research towards the creation of more effective protocols, based on the needs of heterogeneous social anxiety sub-groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klavdia Neophytou
- Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
- * E-mail:
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