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Aonso-Diego G, Macía L, Montero M, Estévez A. Cluster analysis based on gambling variables and mental health in a clinical population of gamblers. Addict Behav 2024; 157:108092. [PMID: 38905901 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2024.108092] [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: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interest in characterizing individuals involved in addictive behaviors has been growing, which allows tailoring prevention and intervention strategies to the gambler's needs. The study aimed to 1) identify clusters of gamblers according to gambling-related characteristics and mental health; and 2) analyze differences in psychological variables between the clusters. METHODS A total of 83 participants undergoing treatment for gambling disorder (Mage = 45.52, 51.8 % female) completed a set of questionnaires. Hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to classify gambling based on gambling variables (i.e., gambling severity and gambling motives) and mental health (i.e., depression, anxiety, and hostility). Several ANOVAs were conducted to illustrate the distinguishing features of each cluster, encompassing both the variables included in the cluster analysis and other relevant psychological variables. RESULTS Findings suggest that gamblers can be classified into three clusters based on these variables: 1) "high gambling severity and good mental health," 2) "high gambling severity and poor mental health," and 3) "low gambling severity and good mental health." These clusters were differentiated as a function of psychological variables, such as emotional dependence, alexithymia, and stressful life events. CONCLUSIONS Classifying gamblers according to their profile provides a better understanding of their needs and problems, allowing for a more tailored approach in terms of prevention and intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Aonso-Diego
- Departament of Psychology. Faculty of Health Sciences. University of Deusto. Spain.
| | - L Macía
- Departament of Psychology. Faculty of Health Sciences. University of Deusto. Spain.
| | - M Montero
- Departament of Psychology. Faculty of Health Sciences. University of Deusto. Spain
| | - A Estévez
- Departament of Psychology. Faculty of Health Sciences. University of Deusto. Spain.
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2
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Khosravani V, Sharifibastan F, Aghaeimazraji M, Berk M, Samimi Ardestani SM. The contribution of alexithymia, childhood maltreatment, impulsivity, C-reactive protein, lipid profile, and thyroid hormones to aggression and psychological distress (depression and anxiety) in schizophrenia. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 167:107087. [PMID: 38820716 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107087] [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: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
There are individual effects of alexithymia, childhood maltreatment, impulsivity, and some biological markers on aggression and psychological distress in schizophrenia. However, the combined effects of these psychological and biological markers have not yet been fully studied. This study therefore aimed to investigate the influence of these psychological and biological markers on aggression and psychological distress (e.g., depression and anxiety) in inpatients with schizophrenia (n = 355). Participants completed self-report and clinician-rated scales, and blood samples were collected. There were no significant differences between patients with and without alexithymia regarding biological markers. Patients with childhood maltreatment exhibited higher levels of free triiodothyronine (FT3) and C-reactive protein (CRP), as well as lower total cholesterol (TC) levels, compared to non-traumatized individuals. Aggression was positively predicted by psychological distress, alexithymia, childhood maltreatment, impulsivity, CRP, and FT3, and negatively by TC and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Negative symptoms, childhood maltreatment, alexithymia, aggression, and CRP positively, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol negatively emerged as predictors of psychological distress. The study highlights the connections between childhood maltreatment, alexithymia, impulsivity, and potentially related biological dysregulation in explaining aggression and negative mood states as a bio-psychological model of aggression and mood in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Khosravani
- Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Farangis Sharifibastan
- Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Morteza Aghaeimazraji
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran
| | - Michael Berk
- Deakin University, IMPACT - The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Geelong, Victoria, Australia; University of Melbourne, Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; University of Melbourne, Department of Psychiatry, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Orygen, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Seyed Mehdi Samimi Ardestani
- Department of Psychiatry, Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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3
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Yurtdaş Depboylu G, Fındık BE. Relationships among alexithymia, psychological distress, and disordered eating behaviors in adolescents. Appetite 2024; 200:107536. [PMID: 38825016 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2024.107536] [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: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the relations between psychological distress, alexithymia, disordered eating behaviors (DEBs), and body mass index (BMI) and to assess if psychological stress would mediate the influence of alexithymia on DEBs in adolescents. A total of 1609 high school students (58.9% females) aged 14-18 years were included in the study. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. DEBs including emotional eating, cognitive restraint, and uncontrolled eating were assessed with the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire, psychological distress was assessed with the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale and alexithymia was assessed with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale. Anthropometric measurements were performed. Psychological distress was found to be positively associated with alexithymia, emotional eating, uncontrolled eating, and cognitive restraint (p < 0.01). Both direct and indirect effects of alexithymia on emotional eating and uncontrolled eating were significant. Psychological distress partially mediated the relationship between alexithymia and uncontrolled eating (β = 0.05) and emotional eating (β = 0.04), while it fully mediated the relationship between alexithymia and cognitive restraint (β = 0.05). BMI z score was not correlated with alexithymia and psychological distress. Emotional eating (β = 0.16) and cognitive restraint (β = 0.34), but not uncontrolled eating, significantly were associated with BMI z score. This study demonstrated that alexithymia and psychological distress are positively associated with DEBs in adolescents. It also showed that psychological distress plays a mediating role between alexithymia and DEBs. Moreover, it showed that emotional eating and cognitive restraint are positively associated with the BMI z score. These results suggest that interventions aimed at improving adolescents' psychological well-being and their ability to identify and describe their emotions may reduce DEBs in adolescents, thereby preventing obesity in adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gamze Yurtdaş Depboylu
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, İzmir Katip Çelebi University, İzmir, Turkey.
| | - Berfin Esin Fındık
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, İzmir Katip Çelebi University, İzmir, Turkey.
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4
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Rijnders RJP, van Boxtel A, de Wied M, van Honk J, Kempes MM, Bos PA. Revealed masks: Facial mimicry after oxytocin administration in forensic psychopathic patients. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 176:422-429. [PMID: 38959825 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.06.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Facial mimicry serves as an evolutionarily rooted important interpersonal communication process that touches on the concepts of socialization and empathy. Facial electromyography (EMG) of the corrugator muscle and the zygomaticus muscle was recorded while male forensic psychopathic patients and controls watched morphed angry or happy facial expressions. We tested the hypothesis that psychopathic patients would show weaker short latency facial mimicry (that is, within 600 ms after stimulus onset) than controls. Exclusively in the group of 20 psychopathic patients, we tested in a placebo-controlled crossover within-subject design the hypothesis that oxytocin would enhance short-latency facial mimicry. Compared with placebo, we found no oxytocin-related significant short-latency responses of the corrugator and the zygomaticus. However, compared with 19 normal controls, psychopathic patients in the placebo condition showed significantly weaker short-latency zygomaticus responses to happy faces, while there was a trend toward significantly weaker short-latency corrugator responses to angry faces. These results are consistent with a recent study of facial EMG responses in adolescents with psychopathic traits. We therefore posit a lifetime developmental deficit in psychopathy pertaining short-latency mimicry of emotional facial expressions. Ultimately, this deficit in mimicking angry and happy expressions may hinder the elicitation of empathy, which is known to be impaired in psychopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald J P Rijnders
- Netherlands Institute for Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, Forensic Observation Clinic "Pieter Baan Centrum", Carl Barksweg 3, 1336 ZL, Almere, the Netherlands; Utrecht University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Psychology Heidelberglaan 8, 3584 CS, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Anton van Boxtel
- Tilburg University, Department of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Warandelaan 2, 5000 LE, Tilburg, the Netherlands.
| | - Minet de Wied
- Utrecht University, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Department of Youth and Family, Heidelberglaan 1, 3584 CS, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Jack van Honk
- Utrecht University, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Department of Psychology, Heidelberglaan 8, 3584 CS, Utrecht, the Netherlands; University of Cape Town, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, J-Block, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, 7925, Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Town, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, Anzio Rd, Observatory, 7925, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Maaike M Kempes
- Netherlands Institute for Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, Department of Science and Education, Herman Gorterstraat 5, 3511 EW, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Leiden University, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Institute of Education and Child Studies, Wassenaarseweg 52, 2333 AK, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Peter A Bos
- Leiden University, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Institute of Education and Child Studies, Wassenaarseweg 52, 2333 AK, Leiden, the Netherlands.
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Yılmaz Y, Bahadır E. Cognitive disengagement syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: An examination of relationships with alexithymia and emotion regulation difficulties. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. ADULT 2024:1-7. [PMID: 39087375 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2024.2385444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Cognitive disengagement syndrome (CDS) and ADHD are considered distinct but interrelated constructs. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of elevated CDS symptoms and increased ADHD risk in the general population, and their relationships with emotion regulation difficulty (ERD) and alexithymia. Out of 1166 participants, 142 with known psychiatric conditions were excluded, resulting in 1024 participants. Participants completed various scales including Adult ADHD Self-Report Screening Scale for DSM-5 (ASRS-5), Barkley Adult Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (SCT) Scale, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form (DERS-16), and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Four groups were formed based on Barkley and ASRS-5 scores: Group 1) No elevated CDS symptoms and Low risk of ADHD, Group 2) No elevated CDS symptoms and Increased risk of ADHD, Group 3) Elevated CDS symptoms and Low risk of ADHD, Group 4) Elevated CDS symptoms and Increased risk of ADHD. Elevated CDS symptoms was found in 10% of participants, and increased ADHD risk in 9.2%. Among probable ADHD cases, 40% had elevated CDS symptoms, while 60% of elevated CDS symptoms cases had increased ADHD risk. Group 4 (elevated CDS symptoms and increased risk of ADHD) had the highest ERD and alexithymia scores, while Group 1(no elevated CDS symptoms and low risk of ADHD) had the lowest. Regression analyses showed that CDS scores predicted ERD (47%) and alexithymia (32%) better than ADHD scores (ERD: 36%, alexithymia: 23%). CDS and ADHD appear as significant concepts that could be involved in the etiology of ERD and alexithymia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yavuz Yılmaz
- Department of Psychiatry, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Faculty of Medicine, Sivas, Turkey
| | - Erdi Bahadır
- Departmant of Psychiatry, Hackalı Baba State Hospital, Trabzon, Turkey
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Neumann D, Hammond FM, Sander AM, Bogner J, Bushnik T, Finn JA, Chung JS, Klyce DW, Sevigny M, Ketchum JM. Longitudinal Investigation of Alexithymia as a Predictor of Empathy, Emotional Functioning, Resilience, and Life Satisfaction 2 Years After Brain Injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2024; 105:1529-1535. [PMID: 38670209 DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2024.04.008] [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: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the unique contribution of alexithymia at 1 year after traumatic brain injury (TBI) to the prospective prediction of emotional and social health outcomes at 2 years after injury. DESIGN Multicenter, longitudinal cohort study. SETTING Data were collected during year 1 and year 2 postinjury follow-up interviews across 4 TBI Model System centers. PARTICIPANTS Persons with TBI (N=175; 134 men and 41 women) who had English fluency and were capable of providing self-reported data. INTERVENTIONS Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Primary independent variable was the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20. Outcome measures included the Interpersonal Reactivity Index, National Institute of Health Toolbox Emotion Battery Anger, Difficulty with Emotion Regulation Scale, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist - Civilian, Satisfaction with Life Scale, General Anxiety Disorder-7, Patient Health Questionnaire 9, suicidal ideation, and problematic substance use. RESULTS Simple adjusted models demonstrated that after controlling for the specific outcome at year 1, Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 scores significantly predicted year 2 scores for perspective-taking, physical aggression, emotional dysregulation, resilience, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. All of these predictive findings except for physical aggression were maintained in the fully adjusted models that also controlled for age, sex, education level, number of prior TBIs, and motor and cognitive functioning. CONCLUSIONS Compared with those with lower alexithymia scores, persons with TBI who had higher alexithymia scores at 1 year after injury reported poorer emotional health at 2 years after TBI, even after controlling for year 1 outcome scores, sociodemographic characteristics, and injury-related factors. These results support the need to assess for elevated alexithymia and to provide interventions targeting alexithymia early in the TBI recovery process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn Neumann
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN.
| | - Flora M Hammond
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Angelle M Sander
- H. Ben Taub Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Brain Injury Research Center, TIRR Memorial Hermann, Houston, TX
| | - Jennifer Bogner
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Tamara Bushnik
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Rusk Rehabilitation, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY
| | - Jacob A Finn
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation & Extended Care, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN; Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Joyce S Chung
- Rehabilitation Services, Polytrauma System of Care, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Daniel W Klyce
- Mental Health Services Line, Central Virginia VA Health Care System, Richmond, VA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, Richmond, VA; Psychology Service, Sheltering Arms Institute, Richmond, VA
| | - Mitch Sevigny
- Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems National Data and Statistical Center, Craig Hospital, Englewood, CO
| | - Jessica M Ketchum
- Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems National Data and Statistical Center, Craig Hospital, Englewood, CO
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Rijnders RJ, van den Hoogen S, van Honk J, Terburg D, Kempes MM. Would you? Effects of oxytocin on moral choices in forensic psychopathic patients. COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY 2024; 19:100245. [PMID: 39040873 PMCID: PMC11262190 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2024.100245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Psychopaths are suggested to be more likely to favor utilitarian outcomes over non-utilitarian (i.e., deontological) choices. Here we re-test this hypothesis and investigate whether oxytocin, a hormone associated with empathy, can counter this utilitarian effect. Forensic psychopathic patients and non-psychopathic controls participated in a sacrificial moral decision-making paradigm. Psychopathic patients performed the task in a double-blind cross-over placebo-controlled oxytocin administration paradigm. We found no evidence for psychopathic patients to act more utilitarian (or sacrificial) or any effect of oxytocin administration. Psychopathic traits within the control group, particularly traits associated with lack of empathy and failure to consider consequences, were however associated with more utilitarian choices, but only when these actions were low in emotion. In contrast, psychopathy severity in psychopathic patients, particularly impulsivity-related traits, predicts deontological choices, but only in highly emotional actions. Thus, although psychopathic traits do predict utilitarianism when emotional investment is low, this is not the case in full-blown psychopathy. Instead, there is a link between impulsivity and deontological choices in psychopathic patients, but only when emotional investment is high, and self-interest is not at stake. These preliminary results are discussed to whether utilitarian outcomes align with the personal goals of psychopathic individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald J.P. Rijnders
- Netherlands Institute for Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, Forensic Observation Clinic “Pieter Baan Centrum”, Carl Barksweg 3, 1336, ZL, Almere, the Netherlands
- Utrecht University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Psychology, Heidelberglaan 8, 3584, CS, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Sophie van den Hoogen
- Netherlands Institute for Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, Forensic Observation Clinic “Pieter Baan Centrum”, Carl Barksweg 3, 1336, ZL, Almere, the Netherlands
| | - Jack van Honk
- Utrecht University, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Department of Psychology, Heidelberglaan 8, 3584, CS, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- University of Cape Town, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health J-Block, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, 7925, Cape Town, South Africa
- University of Cape Town, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, Anzio Rd, Observatory, 7925, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - David Terburg
- Utrecht University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Psychology, Heidelberglaan 8, 3584, CS, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- University of Cape Town, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, Anzio Rd, Observatory, 7925, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Maaike M. Kempes
- Netherlands Institute for Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, Department of Science and Education, Herman Gorterstraat 5, 3511, EW, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Leiden University, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Institute of Education and Child Studies, Wassenaarseweg 52, 2333, AK, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Fang J, Qiu C, Sun Z, Zhou J, He P, Conti A, Lu Y, Huang X, Xu J, Tang W. A national survey of pandemic fear and cyberchondria after ending zero-COVID policy: The chain mediating role of alexithymia and psychological distress. Compr Psychiatry 2024; 133:152505. [PMID: 38852302 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2024.152505] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND More than half the domestic population in China were infected with COVID-19 in two months after ending "zero-infection policy", which severely overwhelmed frontline healthcare providers with stress and fear. However, there is no study to date investigating the associations between nurses' fear of pandemic and cyberchondria. This study aimed to 1) investigate the correlations between fear pandemic and cyberchondria among frontline nurses, and 2) discover its potential mechanism. METHODS A cross-sectional sample of frontline nurses (N = 8161) was recruited from 98 hospitals across China in February 2023. Participants were invited to complete an online, self-rated standardized questionnaire focused on pandemic fear, alexithymia, psychological distress, and cyberchondria. Environmental, clinical and socioeconomic information were collected for adjustment while conducting chain mediation analysis. RESULTS When other covariates were controlled, it was found that fear of the pandemic significantly contributed to cyberchondria (b = 0.58, 95%CI [0.56, 0.60], p < .001). The chain mediation model suggested that both alexithymia and psychological distress were mediating factors between pandemic fear and cyberchondria. CONCLUSIONS The higher the perceived fear, the greater the cyberchondria, which suggests that reducing fear about the pandemic and providing adequate support could reduce the incidence of cyberchondria. As alexithymia and psychological distress may be transdiagnostic mechanisms between fear and cyberchondria, targeted interventions focused on expression dysregulation and emotional identification could be useful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinbo Fang
- Department of Nursing, West China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Changjian Qiu
- Mental health Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zeyuan Sun
- Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jing Zhou
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Leshan People's Hospital, Leshan, China
| | - Ping He
- Department of Nursing, Jianyang People's Hospital, Jiangyang, China
| | - Aldo Conti
- Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Yi Lu
- School of Disaster Reconstruction and Disaster Management, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; School of Business Administration, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xia Huang
- Mental health Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiuping Xu
- School of Business Administration, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Wanjie Tang
- West China of Public Health School, West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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Elyoseph Z, Geisinger D, Nave-Aival E, Zaltzman R, Gordon CR. "I Do Not Know How You Feel and How I Feel About That": Mentalizing Impairments in Machado-Joseph Disease. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 23:1265-1272. [PMID: 36853486 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-023-01536-2] [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: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Machado Joseph disease (MJD), also known as spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease. Mentalizing is the ability to think and understand the mental state of the other and of the self in terms of thoughts, feelings, and intentions. The aim of this study is to fill the gap in our understanding of mentalizing in MJD since there is currently very little and inconsistent research on MJD and mentalizing. A total of 18 Jews of Yemenite origin with clinically and genetically confirmed MJD, 5 pre-symptomatic MJD with a positive genetic test, and 17 Jews of Yemenite origin healthy controls, underwent a battery of tests consisting of reading the mind in the eyes (RME), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and false belief test (FBt). The MJD group scored lower on the RME and FBt, and higher on TAS-20 test compared to control. A significant negative correlation was found between disease duration and RME score. All the pre-symptomatic participants scored within the normal clinical range in all tests. MJD patients demonstrated a widespread deficiency in the ability to mentalizing on a clinical level with autistic characteristics. These impairments may impact the patient's interpsychic experience and daily life interactions and have important clinical implication. Pre-symptomatic participants demonstrated normal mentalizing in all tests, suggesting that the mentalizing impairments do not precede the symptoms of ataxia and are part of the clinical picture of MJD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohar Elyoseph
- School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- The Center for Psychobiological Research, Department of Educational Psychology and Educational Counseling, Max Stern Yezreel Valley College, Jezreel Valley, Israel
| | | | | | - Roy Zaltzman
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Departmentof Neurology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel
| | - Carlos R Gordon
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Departmentof Neurology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel.
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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10
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Gehdu BK, Press C, Gray KLH, Cook R. Autistic adults have insight into their relative face recognition ability. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17802. [PMID: 39090101 PMCID: PMC11294533 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67649-8] [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: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The PI20 is a self-report questionnaire that assesses the presence of lifelong face recognition difficulties. The items on this scale ask respondents to assess their face recognition ability relative to the rest of the population, either explicitly or implicitly. Recent reports suggest that the PI20 scores of autistic participants exhibit little or no correlation with their performance on the Cambridge Face Memory Test-a key measure of face recognition ability. These reports are suggestive of a meta-cognitive deficit whereby autistic individuals are unable to infer whether their face recognition is impaired relative to the wider population. In the present study, however, we observed significant correlations between the PI20 scores of 77 autistic adults and their performance on two variants of the Cambridge Face Memory Test. These findings indicate that autistic individuals can infer whether their face recognition ability is impaired. Consistent with previous research, we observed a wide spread of face recognition abilities within our autistic sample. While some individuals approached ceiling levels of performance, others met the prevailing diagnostic criteria for developmental prosopagnosia. This variability showed little or no association with non-verbal intelligence, autism severity, or the presence of co-occurring alexithymia or ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bayparvah Kaur Gehdu
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, UK
| | - Clare Press
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University College London, London, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, University College London, London, UK
| | - Katie L H Gray
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - Richard Cook
- School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
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11
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Benoni R, Malesani C, Sartorello A, Cardoso H, Chaguruca I, Alamo C, Putoto G, Brigadoi G, Zin A, Donà D, Giaquinto C, Gatta M. Assessing the impact of a community-based psychodrama intervention on mental health promotion of adolescents and young adults in Mozambique: A mixed-methods study. J Glob Health 2024; 14:04182. [PMID: 39051689 PMCID: PMC11271167 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.14.04182] [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: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background While mental health is an emerging issue in low-income countries, its promotion remains poor, with little context-oriented evidence available. Here we aimed to assess the impact and acceptability/feasibility of a community-based psychodrama intervention involving both adolescents and young adults (AYA) living with HIV (AYALHIV) and without HIV (AYAHIV-). Methods We used a mixed-methods approach, where the quantitative part was based on pre/post questionnaires and the qualitative one on content analysis of semi-structured interviews. Trained community health care workers delivered psychodrama sessions involving AYAs aged 15-24 years once a week between July and August 2023 in Beira, Mozambique. The baseline assessment involved a sociodemographic and three mental health questionnaires: the Mental Health Knowledge Schedule (MAKS), Community Attitudes toward People with Mental Illness (CAMI27), and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS). We repeated all questionnaires after the intervention and conducted semi-structured interviews. Results We enrolled 354 AYAs (50.8% female, 45.5% AYALHIV) at baseline; 315 (89.0%) attended the sessions, with a mean participation rate of 94.4%. Overall, 281 (89.2%) completed the post-intervention assessment. MAKS score improved from 44.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 44.0-45.0) to 47.1 (95% CI = 46.4-47.7, P < 0.001). Total CAMI27 score showed no significant variation (P = 0.855). Total TAS score decreased from 57.3 (95% CI = 56.1-58.5) to 54.3 (95% CI = 53.0-55.6, P < 0.001). We found no statistically significant interactions between time and sex, age, or HIV serostatus in all questionnaires. For the qualitative part of the study, we analysed 37 semi-structured interviews (43.2% with females, 40.5% with AYALHIV). We identified four areas of intervention impact: peer-to-peer support (30.3%), social empowerment (24.7%), resilience (23.0%), and emotional skills (21.9%). Regarding acceptability/feasibility, perceived scalability (37.2%) and affective attitude (34.5%) were the sub-areas most frequently retrieved in the SSIs. Conclusions The community-based psychodrama intervention proved to be an effective tool in AYAs' mental health promotion, increasing knowledge and improving emotional awareness through group experience and interpersonal learning. The intervention also showed good acceptability and feasibility in the context of our study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Benoni
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Doctors with Africa CUAMM, Beira, Mozambique
- Section of Hygiene, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Chiara Malesani
- Doctors with Africa CUAMM, Beira, Mozambique
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Anna Sartorello
- Doctors with Africa CUAMM, Beira, Mozambique
- Section of Hygiene, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Giovanni Putoto
- Section of Operational Research, Doctors with Africa CUAMM, Padova, Italy
| | - Giulia Brigadoi
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Annachiara Zin
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Daniele Donà
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Carlo Giaquinto
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Michela Gatta
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
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12
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Telli B, Bilge AR. Literally or prosodically? Recognising emotional discourse in alexithymia. Cogn Emot 2024:1-15. [PMID: 39039748 DOI: 10.1080/02699931.2024.2380762] [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: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
Alexithymia is characterised by difficulties in identifying, recognising, and describing emotions. We studied alexithymia in the context of speech comprehension, specifically investigating the incongruent condition between prosody and the literal meaning of words in emotion-based discourse. In two experiments, participants were categorised as having high or low alexithymia scores based on the TAS-20 scale and listened to three-sentence narratives where the emotional prosody of a key phrase or a keyword was congruent or incongruent with its literal meaning. The incongruent condition resulted in slower reaction times and lower accuracy in recognition of emotions. This incongruence effect was also evident for individuals with high alexithymia, except for anger. They recognised anger as accurately in both congruent and incongruent conditions. Contrary to our hypothesis, however, individuals with high alexithymia did not show an overall difference in emotion recognition compared to the low alexithymia group. These findings highlight the nuanced relationship between emotional prosody and literal meaning, offering insights into how individuals with varying levels of alexithymia process emotional discourse. Understanding these dynamics has implications for both cognitive research and clinical practice, providing valuable perspectives on speech comprehension, especially in situations involving incongruence between prosody and word meaning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - A Reyyan Bilge
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
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13
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Fede SJ, Kisner MA, Dean SF, Buckler E, Chholak R, Momenan R. Alcohol attention bias modulates neural engagement during moral processing. Soc Neurosci 2024:1-18. [PMID: 39038485 DOI: 10.1080/17470919.2024.2377666] [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: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
The neurobiology of typical moral cognition involves the interaction of frontal, limbic, and temporoparietal networks. There is still much to be understood mechanistically about how moral processing is disrupted; such understanding is key to combating antisociality. Neuroscientific models suggest a key role for attention mechanisms in atypical moral processing. We hypothesized that attention-bias toward alcohol cues in alcohol use disorder (AUD) leads to a failure to properly engage with morally relevant stimuli, reducing moral processing. We recruited patients with AUD (n = 30) and controls (n = 30). During functional magnetic resonance imaging, participants viewed pairs of images consisting of a moral or neutral cue and an alcohol or neutral distractor. When viewing moral cues paired with alcohol distractors, individuals with AUD had lower medial prefrontal cortex engagement; this pattern was also seen for left amygdala in younger iAUDs. Across groups, individuals had less engagement of middle/superior temporal gyri. These findings provide initial support for AUD-related attention bias interference in sociomoral processing. If supported in future longitudinal and causal study designs, this finding carries potential societal and clinical benefits by suggesting a novel, leverageable mechanism and in providing a cognitive explanation that may help combat persistent stigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha J Fede
- Clinical NeuroImaging Research Core, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Mallory A Kisner
- Clinical NeuroImaging Research Core, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sarah F Dean
- Clinical NeuroImaging Research Core, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Emma Buckler
- Clinical NeuroImaging Research Core, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Robin Chholak
- Clinical NeuroImaging Research Core, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Reza Momenan
- Clinical NeuroImaging Research Core, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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14
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Şener Y, Günaydın Y. Attitudes Toward Dating Violence, Social Impact, and Alexithymia in University Students: A Structural Equation Modeling. Psychol Rep 2024:332941241265618. [PMID: 39031048 DOI: 10.1177/00332941241265618] [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: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
This research was conducted to determine the effects of social impact and alexithymia on attitudes toward dating violence. Additionally, the interaction between them was examined. In this context, the effect of social impact on alexithymia was also examined. In addition, this research tried to determine whether alexithymia has a mediating role between social impact and attitudes toward dating violence. The study was descriptive and cross-sectional. There was a total of 582 participants in the study. The study used the Sociodemographic Questionnaire Form, Social Impact Scale (SIS), 20-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and Dating Violence Scale (DVS) for data collection. The study used the descriptive statistics, spearman correlation analysis and structural equation modeling in the evaluation of the data. Participants' SIS scores had a statistically significant and positive correlation with their TAS-20 scores (p < .01), while they had a statistically significant and negative correlation with their DVS scores (p < .01). In addition, a statistically significant and negative correlation was found between TAS-20 scores and DVS scores (p < .01). SIS scores directly affected the TAS-20 (effect value = 0.481; p = .001) and DVS scores (effect value = -0.405; p = .001). Similarly, the TAS-20 scores had a direct effect on the DVS scores (effect value = -0.261; p = .008). In addition to this direct effect of TAS-20 scores, there was a significant mediator effect between the SIS scores and DVS scores (effect value = -0.126; p = .008). In this study, it was established that social impact effects both alexithymia and attitudes toward dating violence, and moreover, alexithymia influences attitudes toward dating violence. Additionally, it was identified that alexithymia serves as a mediator in the relationship between social impact and attitudes toward dating violence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeter Şener
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Yozgat Bozok University, Yozgat, Türkiye
| | - Yurdagül Günaydın
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Yozgat Bozok University, Yozgat, Türkiye
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15
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Vatanparast A, Shakiba S, Momeni F, Kamrani A. The relationship between childhood maltreatment and self-harm: the mediating roles of alexithymia, dissociation, internalizing and posttraumatic symptoms. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2024; 15:2378642. [PMID: 39028641 PMCID: PMC11262236 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2024.2378642] [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: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Although childhood maltreatment is associated with later self-harm, the mechanism through which it might lead to self-harm is not completely understood. The purpose of this study was to examine the roles of alexithymia, dissociation, internalizing and posttraumatic symptoms in the association between exposure to childhood maltreatment and subsequent self-harm.Methods: A total of 360 adolescents were asked to complete the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Dissociative Experience Scale, the Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire-20, the Posttraumatic Stress Checklist for DSM-5, and the Deliberate Self-Harm Inventory.Results: Results of structural equation modelling analysis revealed the significant mediation effects of alexithymia and dissociative symptoms in the relationship between childhood maltreatment and self-harm, while internalizing and posttraumatic symptoms did not significantly mediate.Conclusion: The findings indicate that alexithymia and dissociative symptoms may be proximal mechanisms linking maltreatment exposure and adolescence self-harm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin Vatanparast
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shima Shakiba
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fereshte Momeni
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Kamrani
- Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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16
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Tan Y, An X, Cao M, Van den Bergh O. Somatosensory Amplification Scale-Chinese version: psychometric properties and its mediating role in the relationship between alexithymia and somatization. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1392351. [PMID: 39100552 PMCID: PMC11294251 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1392351] [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: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS) was designed to measure individual's tendency to experience visceral and somatic sensations as unusually intense, disturbing and alarming. In this study, we aimed to investigate the reliability and validity of the SSAS in the Chinese general population, as well as the mediating effect of somatosensory amplification in the relationship between alexithymia and somatization. A total of 386 healthy adults were enrolled in this study. Participants completed the Chinese versions of the Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS-C), the somatization subscale of the Symptom Check List 90 (SCL-90 som), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and the Short form Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI). One hundred and thirty-three participants were randomly selected to complete the SSAS-C again two weeks after the initial assessment. The reliability and validity of the SSAS-C were analyzed. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the one-factor model achieved adequate model fits; one item was deleted due to low factor loading. The revised SSAS-C showed good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. The SSAS-C scores correlated positively with the scores of SCL-90 som, TAS-20 and the SHAI, showing good convergent validity. In addition, somatosensory amplification mediated the association between alexithymia and somatization. The Chinese version of SSAS has acceptable reliability and validity for the general population. In addition, alexithymia may increase somatization through higher somatosensory amplification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yafei Tan
- School of Psychology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Cyberpsychology and Behavior (CCNU), Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Human Development and Mental Health of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoran An
- School of Psychology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Menglu Cao
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Center of Students’ Mental Health, Sichuan Technology and Business University, Chengdu, China
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17
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Fisher-Fox L, Prestigiacomo CJ, Cyders MA. Urgency Theory in the context of broader emotion theories: a conceptual review. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1403639. [PMID: 39035607 PMCID: PMC11257906 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1403639] [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: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Negative and positive urgency are two closely related personality traits that reflect the tendency for an individual to engage in maladaptive risk-taking in response to extreme negative and positive emotions, respectively. However, other prominent emotion theories describe how emotions contribute to adaptive, rather than maladaptive, decision-making. This conceptual review considers how Urgency Theory can be integrated with these broader existing emotion theories. We proceed as follows: a) briefly define what is meant by emotions in science and summarize basic human neuroscience underlying emotions; b) briefly describe select theories and research linking emotions to adaptive decision-making, including brain correlates of this effect; c) review Urgency Theory, including contrasting evidence that emotions lead to maladaptive outcomes and brain correlates of this effect; d) discuss how urgency can be integrated into theories that view emotions as both adaptive and maladaptive for decision-making; and e) propose future directions to advance research in this field. We identified four, not mutually exclusive, viable options to integrate Urgency Theory into existing theories: urgency as model-free emotion regulation, urgency as being driven by incidental emotions, urgency as a reflexive response to emotions, or urgency as an individual difference factor. We conclude that although all four options are viable, individual difference and model-free emotion regulation have the most empirical support to date. Importantly, the other two options are less well-researched. Direct tests comparing these integrations is necessary to determine the most accurate way to integrate urgency with existing emotion theories. We believe that this research can identify mechanisms underlying urgency and help inform future intervention and prevention development to reduce negative effects of urgency across numerous maladaptive behaviors and clinical disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Melissa A. Cyders
- Department of Psychology, Indiana University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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18
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Gunawan T, Luk JW, Schwandt ML, Kwako LE, Vinson T, Horneffer Y, George DT, Koob GF, Ramchandani VA, Diazgranados N, Goldman D. Factors underlying the neurofunctional domains of the Addictions Neuroclinical Assessment assessed by a standardized neurocognitive battery. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:271. [PMID: 38956031 PMCID: PMC11219746 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02987-9] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The Addictions Neuroclinical Assessment (ANA) is a neurobiologically-informed framework designed to understand the etiology and heterogeneity of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Previous studies validated the three neurofunctional domains of ANA: Incentive Salience (IS), Negative Emotionality (NE) and Executive Function (EF) using secondary data. The present cross-sectional observational study assessed these domains in an independent, prospective clinical sample. Adults across the drinking spectrum (N = 300) completed the ANA battery, a standardized collection of behavioral tasks and self-report assessments. Factor analyses were used to identify latent factors underlying each domain. Associations between identified domain factors were evaluated using structural equation models. Receiver operating characteristics analyses were used to determine factors with the strongest ability to classify individuals with problematic drinking and AUD. We found (1) two factors underlie the IS domain: alcohol motivation and alcohol insensitivity. (2) Three factors were identified for the NE domain: internalizing, externalizing, and psychological strength. (3) Five factors were found for the EF domain: inhibitory control, working memory, rumination, interoception, and impulsivity. (4) These ten factors showed varying degrees of cross-correlations, with alcohol motivation, internalizing, and impulsivity exhibiting the strongest correlations. (5) Alcohol motivation, alcohol insensitivity, and impulsivity showed the greatest ability in classifying individuals with problematic drinking and AUD. Thus, the present study identified unique factors underlying each ANA domain assessed using a standardized assessment battery. These results revealed additional dimensionality to the ANA domains, bringing together different constructs from the field into a single cohesive framework and advancing the field of addiction phenotyping. Future work will focus on identifying neurobiological correlates and identifying AUD subtypes based on these factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommy Gunawan
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
- Human Psychopharmacology Laboratory, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Jeremy W Luk
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Melanie L Schwandt
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Laura E Kwako
- Division of Treatment and Recovery, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Tonette Vinson
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yvonne Horneffer
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - David T George
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - George F Koob
- Office of the Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Vijay A Ramchandani
- Human Psychopharmacology Laboratory, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Nancy Diazgranados
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - David Goldman
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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19
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Okui N, Okui MA. The Importance of Psychological Assessment in the Management of Bladder Pain Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis and Vulvodynia: A Case Report. Cureus 2024; 16:e63617. [PMID: 39092346 PMCID: PMC11290954 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.63617] [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] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
This case report emphasizes the crucial role of psychological assessment in the management of patients with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) and vulvodynia. A 48-year-old woman with a five-year history of refractory BPS/IC and vulvodynia presented with frequent urination, pelvic pain, and severe dyspareunia, which led to sexual aversion and divorce from her partner. Previous treatments, including lifestyle modifications, analgesics, anticholinergics, hydrodistension, intravesical dimethyl sulfoxide, and psychiatric interventions, had been ineffective. Psychological assessments using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 revealed severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and alexithymia. Due to the patient's sexual aversion and the absence of a partner, a complete Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) could not be administered. Instead, a partial FSFI and artificial intelligence-translated reference value of the Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised were used to assess aspects relevant to the patient's condition. The patient underwent three monthly sessions of Fotona laser therapy, erbium, and neodymium laser at one-month intervals. Treatment outcomes were evaluated using the Numeric Rating Scale-11, Vulvodynia Total, Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index, and psychological assessment tools. At the six-month follow-up, all physical and psychological symptoms showed significant improvement and complete remission was achieved at 12 months. Despite the overall positive treatment outcomes, the patient's sexual aversion persisted, and accurate measurement was not possible, highlighting the complexity of addressing sexual function in patients with BPS/IC and vulvodynia. This case report underscores the need for a holistic approach to managing these conditions, addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuo Okui
- Dentistry, Kanagawa Dental University, Kanagawa, JPN
- Urology, Yokosuka Urogynecology and Urology Clinic, Kanagawa, JPN
| | - Machiko A Okui
- Urogynecology, Yokosuka Urogynecology and Urology Clinic, Kanagawa, JPN
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20
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Petzke TM, Witthöft M. The Association of Emotion Regulation and Somatic Symptoms. Psychosom Med 2024; 86:561-568. [PMID: 38598412 DOI: 10.1097/psy.0000000000001310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE People with functional somatic symptoms have difficulties in various stages of the emotion regulation (ER) process. As an adaptive and flexible use of ER strategies is a core tenet of emotional health, having difficulties in this area is often assumed to be the key mechanism behind functional somatic symptoms. Following a dimensional population-based sampling approach, we investigated ER abilities across a broad range of people and tested possible associations with somatic symptom reporting, habitual ER use, and various subclinical constructs (such as alexithymia and anxiety). METHODS In a sample of N = 254 persons, somatic symptom distress (Patient Health Questionnaire-15, Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology somatoform spectrum), trait ER facets (Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, Emotion Reactivity Scale), and the ER abilities (suppression and reappraisal) were assessed. Correlations (frequentist and Bayesian), ANOVAs, and structural equation models were used to analyze the data. RESULTS Correlational and structural equation model analyses revealed that general symptom severity (both on the somatoform Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology and Patient Health Questionnaire-15) was not significantly associated with ER effectiveness, general arousal, or general valence. The sensory components of pain symptoms ( r = -0.708, p = .023) and health anxiety ( r = -0.443, p = .028) were significantly negatively associated with effective ER. CONCLUSIONS ER effectiveness seems independent of general somatic symptom distress. We make recommendations for clinical interventions in light of these complex findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara M Petzke
- From the Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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21
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Antezana L, Valdespino A, Wieckowski AT, Coffman MC, Carlton CN, Garcia KM, Gracanin D, White SW, Richey JA. Social Anxiety Symptoms Predict Poorer Facial Emotion Recognition in Autistic Male Adolescents and Young Adults Without Intellectual Disability. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:2454-2470. [PMID: 37120659 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-05998-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
Utilizing a novel computerized task, we aimed to examine whether social anxiety symptoms would be related to individual differences in facial emotion recognition (FER) in a sample of autistic male adolescents and young adults without intellectual disability. Results indicated that social anxiety and IQ predicted poorer FER, irrespective of specific emotion type. When probing specific effects within emotion and condition types, social anxiety impacted surprise and disgust FER during a truncated viewing condition and not full viewing condition. Collectively, results suggest that social anxiety in autism may play a larger role in FER than previously thought. Future work should consider the role of social anxiety within autism as a factor that may meaningfully relate to FER assessment and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ligia Antezana
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, 109 Williams Hall, 890 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Andrew Valdespino
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, 109 Williams Hall, 890 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
- James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Andrea T Wieckowski
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, 109 Williams Hall, 890 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Marika C Coffman
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, 109 Williams Hall, 890 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
- Duke University Center for Autism and Brain Development, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Corinne N Carlton
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, 109 Williams Hall, 890 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Katelyn M Garcia
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, 109 Williams Hall, 890 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Denis Gracanin
- Department of Computer Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Susan W White
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, 109 Williams Hall, 890 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
- Center for Youth Development and Intervention and Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - John A Richey
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, 109 Williams Hall, 890 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
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Yuan Y, Qin J, Ma G, Pei J, Wei X, Yang Y, Feng J, Nan J, Yan B, Han L, Ma Y. The prevalence and characteristics of alexithymia in stroke patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2024; 33:107712. [PMID: 38599473 DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2024.107712] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have indicated the potential occurrence of alexithymia among stroke patients, yet the prevalence of alexithymia in this population remains disparate across different investigations without a synthesized overview. AIM To systematically evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of alexithymia in stroke patients. METHODS A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Database, and Weipu Database (VIP) were searched from inception to December 31,2022, two independent researchers extracted data and evaluated article quality. RESULTS Seventeen studies were included, reporting on the prevalence of alexithymia or Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20) scores among stroke patients. The pooled prevalence was found to be 35.0% (95%CI= 23.0-47.0%; I2 =97.5%), and the total scores (TS) of TAS-20 was 59.90 (95% CI=56.34-63.47; I2 =100.0%). Subgroup analysis revealed significant variation in TAS-20 scores across different geographical regions. Specifically, the total TAS-20 score in Chinese stroke patients (62.95, 95%CI=58.75-67.14; I2=100%) was higher compared to non-Chinese stroke patients (52.58, 95%CI=49.12-56.04; I2 = 99.0%). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of alexithymia is high among stroke patients, with TAS-20 scores surpassing those observed in patients with certain other medical conditions. This underscores the importance of addressing alexithymia in stroke patients promptly through assessment and intervention to mitigate negative emotional consequences and enhance overall quality of life. Future research could explore the influence of demographic factors such as age and sex on alexithymia in stroke patients, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of alexithymia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Yuan
- Evidence-Based Nursing Center, School of Nursing of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jiangxia Qin
- Evidence-Based Nursing Center, School of Nursing of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Guifen Ma
- The Health School of Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gannan Prefecture, Gansu Province, China
| | - Juhong Pei
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730030, Gansu Province, China
| | - Xiaoqin Wei
- Evidence-Based Nursing Center, School of Nursing of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yiyi Yang
- Evidence-Based Nursing Center, School of Nursing of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Juanjuan Feng
- Evidence-Based Nursing Center, School of Nursing of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jinhan Nan
- Evidence-Based Nursing Center, School of Nursing of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Boling Yan
- The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China
| | - Lin Han
- Evidence-Based Nursing Center, School of Nursing of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China; Department of Nursing, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China.
| | - Yuxia Ma
- Evidence-Based Nursing Center, School of Nursing of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China; The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730030, Gansu Province, China.
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23
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Cobbaert L, Hay P, Mitchell PB, Roza SJ, Perkes I. Sensory processing across eating disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis of self-report inventories. Int J Eat Disord 2024; 57:1465-1488. [PMID: 38511825 DOI: 10.1002/eat.24184] [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: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This review investigated the extant literature regarding the relationship between eating disorder diagnoses and sensory processing as measured by validated and reliable self-report inventories. Increasing evidence highlights the role of sensory processing in cognitive functions. Sensory processing is implicated in mental-ill health, including eating disorders (ED) and body image disturbances. However, the pathophysiological underpinnings of sensory processing, encompassing exteroception and interoception, in relation to ED remain underexplored. METHOD We included studies involving participants aged 15 years or older with an eating disorder diagnosis confirmed by semi-structured or structured interviews. We further limited inclusion to articles using validated and reliable self-report instruments to measure sensory processing. Our meta-analysis focused on studies using the interoceptive awareness subscale from the second version of the Eating Disorder Inventory. We used the Critical Appraisal checklist for quasi-experimental studies to assess the quality of included articles. RESULTS There were 19 studies that met our inclusion criteria. Most studies showed moderate-to-high quality. Anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) were associated with heightened exteroception. Moreover, people with AN reported a heightened sense of taste compared to those with BN. Our meta-analysis comprising 10 studies, 19 samples, and 6382 participants revealed that AN (binge-purge subtype) and BN were associated with increased interoceptive difficulties compared to AN (restrictive subtype) or binge-eating disorder. DISCUSSION Overall, this review emphasizes the need for a deeper investigation into sensory processing, spanning both exteroception and interoception, in relation to ED. This may prove important for individualizing person-centered care. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE How people process internal, for example, hunger, and external, for example, taste and sensations is known to influence cognition and mental-ill health, including ED and body image disturbances. However, the ways in which sensory processing may contribute to ED are incompletely understood. We found that individuals with AN or BN experienced heightened exteroception, while people with an eating disorder characterized by purging reported increased interoceptive difficulties. These patterns could inform the development of more personalized treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence Cobbaert
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Phillipa Hay
- School of Medicine, Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia
- Mental Health Services, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Philip B Mitchell
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sabine J Roza
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Iain Perkes
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Stewart JL, Burrows K, May AC, McNaughton BA, Smith R, Kuplicki R, Paulus MP, Figueroa-Hall L. C-reactive protein concentrations diverge as a function of substance use disorder: A pre-registered replication in a clinical sample. Drug Alcohol Depend 2024; 260:111323. [PMID: 38733735 PMCID: PMC11179960 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111323] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inflammatory biomarkers may differentiate clinical disorders, which could lead to more targeted interventions. Analyses within a clinical sample (May et al., 2021) revealed that females with substance use disorders (SUD) exhibited lower C-reactive protein (CRP) and higher interleukin (IL)-8 and -10 concentrations than females without SUD who met criteria for mood/anxiety disorders. We aimed to replicate these findings in a new sample. METHODS Hypotheses and analyses were preregistered. Treatment-seeking individuals with mood/anxiety disorders and/or SUD (N = 184) completed a blood draw, clinical interview, and questionnaires. Participants were categorized as SUD+ (45F, 43M) and SUD- (78F, 18M). Principal component analysis (PCA) of questionnaire data resulted in two factors reflecting appetitive and aversive emotional states. SUD group and nuisance covariates (PCA factors, age, body mass index [BMI], medication, nicotine [and hormones in females]) predicted biomarker concentrations (CRP, IL-8, and IL-10) in regressions. RESULTS In females, the omnibus CRP model [F(8, 114) = 8.02, p <.001, R²-adjusted =.32] indicated that SUD+ exhibited lower CRP concentrations than SUD- (β = -.33, t = -3.09, p =.002, 95% CI [-.54, -.12]) and greater BMI was associated with higher CRP levels (β =.58, t = 7.17, p <.001, 95% CI [.42,.74]). SUD+ exhibited higher IL-8 levels than SUD- in simple but not omnibus regression models. CONCLUSION Findings across two samples bolster confidence that females with SUD show attenuated CRP-indexed inflammation. As SUD+ comorbidity was high, replication is warranted with respect to specific SUD classes (i.e., stimulants versus cannabis).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Stewart
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK, USA; Oxley College of Health Sciences, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, USA.
| | | | - April C May
- School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | | | - Ryan Smith
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK, USA; Oxley College of Health Sciences, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | | | - Martin P Paulus
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK, USA; Oxley College of Health Sciences, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Leandra Figueroa-Hall
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK, USA; Oxley College of Health Sciences, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, USA
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25
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Wang Q. Childhood Trauma and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Among Chinese Adolescents: The Chain-Mediated Role of Alexithymia and Rumination. Psychiatry Investig 2024; 21:726-735. [PMID: 39089698 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2024.0041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the associations between childhood trauma, alexithymia, rumination, and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among adolescents and to provide theoretical and empirical evidence for effective prevention, identification, and intervention of NSSI in the future. METHODS Questionnaires, including the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the twenty-item Toronto Alexithymia scale, the Ruminative Responses Scale, and the Adolescents Self-Harm Scale, were given to 1,270 Chinese teenagers. The mediating role was simulated utilizing Amos 24.0. RESULTS The Pearson's product-difference correlation analyses indicated the two-by-two significant correlations between childhood trauma, alexithymia, rumination, and NSSI. The structural equation modeling suggests that alexithymia and rumination partially mediate between childhood trauma and NSSI in teenagers, respectively. Additionally, it reveals that alexithymia and rumination chain mediate between childhood trauma and NSSI. CONCLUSION The study confirms the impact of childhood trauma on adolescents' NSSI and also highlights the mediating role of alexithymia and rumination between the two. This study enriches the findings of NSSI and provides a theoretical basis for preventing and intervening in dysfunctional behaviors among adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoling Wang
- Education Center for Mental Health, Yantai Vocational College of Culture and Tourism, Shandong, China
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26
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Matthaeus H, Heim C, Voelkle MC, Singer T. Reducing neuroendocrine psychosocial stress response through socio-emotional dyadic but not mindfulness online training. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1277929. [PMID: 38978617 PMCID: PMC11228163 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1277929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Stress-related diseases pose significant health risks and show wide prevalence. Empirical evidence suggests that contemplative practices, such as socio-emotional dyadic mental exercises, hold promise in mitigating the adverse effects of stress and promoting psychosocial well-being. This study aimed to investigate the differential effects of two online contemplative mental training programs on the psychosocial stress response: the first involved classic mindfulness practices, while the second incorporated a socio-emotional dyadic approach known as Affect Dyad. Methods The study was conducted as part of the longitudinal CovSocial project's phase 2 in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. 140 individuals participated in the Trier Social Stress Task (TSST), where the psychosocial stress response was assessed with cortisol saliva samples and subjective stress questionnaires in a cross-sectional design after the active training groups finished their intervention period. Participants were randomly assigned to the socio-emotional training group, mindfulness-based training group, or a control group that did not receive any training. Both training programs consisted of a ten-week intervention period with a daily 12-minute app-based mental training practice and weekly 2-hour online coaching sessions led by mental training teachers. Results Results showed that the socio-emotional Dyad group but not the mindfulness-based group exhibited significantly lower cortisol levels at 10, 20, 30, and 40 minutes after the stressor as well as lower total cortisol output compared to the control group during the TSST, indicating a reduced hormonal stress response to a social stressor. Subjective markers did not show differences between the three groups. Discussion These findings indicate that the daily socio-emotional dyadic practice, which emphasizes non-judgmental and empathic listening as well as the acceptance of challenging emotions in the presence of others within one's daily life context, may serve as a protective factor against the adverse effects of psychosocial stress triggered by the fear of negative social judgments. Given the high prevalence of stress-related diseases, such online mental training programs based on dyadic practices may thus represent an efficient and scalable approach for stress reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Matthaeus
- Social Neuroscience Lab, Max Planck Society, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christine Heim
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Manuel C Voelkle
- Department of Psychology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tania Singer
- Social Neuroscience Lab, Max Planck Society, Berlin, Germany
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Pick S, David AS, Edwards MJ, Goldstein LH, Hodsoll J, Millman LSM, Nicholson TR, Reinders AATS, Stanton B, Winston JS, Mehta MA, Chalder T, Hotopf M. Investigating psychobiological causes and mechanisms in functional seizures and functional motor symptoms: Study protocol. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0305015. [PMID: 38905248 PMCID: PMC11192335 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Advances have been made in understanding the aetiology of functional neurological disorder (FND); however, its pathophysiological mechanisms have not been definitively demonstrated. Evidence suggests interacting roles for altered emotional processing and interoception, elevated autonomic arousal, and dissociation, but there is limited evidence demonstrating their causal influence on specific FND symptoms. Our superordinate aim is to elucidate potentially shared and distinct aetiological factors and mechanisms in two common FND subtypes, functional seizures (FS) and functional motor symptoms (FMS). METHODS This study has a multimodal, mixed between- and within-groups design. The target sample is 50 individuals with FS, 50 with FMS, 50 clinical controls (anxiety/depression), and 50 healthy controls. Potential aetiological factors (e.g., adverse life events, physical/mental health symptoms, dissociative tendencies, interoceptive insight/sensibility) will be assessed with a detailed medical history interview and self-report questionnaires. A laboratory session will include a neurocognitive battery, psychophysiological testing, cardiac interoception and time estimation tasks and an isometric handgrip task. A subsample will undergo magnetic resonance imaging, including structural, resting-state and task-based scans combined with psychophysiological recording. Remote monitoring with ecological momentary assessment and wearables will measure variability in FND symptoms and their potential predictors/correlates for ≥2 weeks in patients' daily lives. Longitudinal follow-ups at 3, 6, and 12-months will monitor longer-term outcomes in the clinical groups. DISCUSSION This study employs multimodal research methods to rigorously examine several putative mechanisms in FND, at subjective/experiential, behavioural, and physiological levels. The study will test causal hypotheses about the role of altered emotional processing, autonomic arousal, dissociation and interoception in the initiation or exacerbation of FND symptoms, directly comparing these processes in FS and FMS to healthy and clinical controls. This is the first study of its kind, with potential to reveal important targets for prevention and treatment of FND in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susannah Pick
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony S. David
- Instutite of Mental Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mark J. Edwards
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Laura H. Goldstein
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - John Hodsoll
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - L. S. Merritt Millman
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy R. Nicholson
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - A. A. T. S. Reinders
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Biba Stanton
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joel S. Winston
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mitul A. Mehta
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Trudie Chalder
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Hotopf
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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Giraud M, Zapparoli L, Basso G, Petilli M, Paulesu E, Nava E. Mapping the emotional homunculus with fMRI. iScience 2024; 27:109985. [PMID: 38868180 PMCID: PMC11167434 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109985] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Emotions are commonly associated with bodily sensations, e.g., boiling with anger when overwhelmed with rage. Studies have shown that emotions are related to specific body parts, suggesting that somatotopically organized cortical regions that commonly respond to somatosensory and motor experiences might be involved in the generation of emotions. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate whether the subjective feelings of emotion are accompanied by the activation of somatotopically defined sensorimotor brain regions, thus aiming to reconstruct an "emotional homunculus." By defining the convergence of the brain activation patterns evoked by self-generated emotions during scanning onto a sensorimotor map created on participants' tactile and motor brain activity, we showed that all the evoked emotions activated parts of this sensorimotor map, yet with considerable overlap among different emotions. Although we could not find a highly specific segmentation of discrete emotions over sensorimotor regions, our results support an embodied experience of emotions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Giraud
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milan, Italy
- Psychology Department and NeuroMi, Milan Centre for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Zapparoli
- Psychology Department and NeuroMi, Milan Centre for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- fMRI Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianpaolo Basso
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Marco Petilli
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Eraldo Paulesu
- Psychology Department and NeuroMi, Milan Centre for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Nava
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milan, Italy
- Psychology Department and NeuroMi, Milan Centre for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
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Almhmoud H, Alatassi L, Baddoura M, Sandouk J, Alkayali MZ, Najjar H, Zaino B. Polycystic ovary syndrome and its multidimensional impacts on women's mental health: A narrative review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e38647. [PMID: 38905372 PMCID: PMC11191963 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000038647] [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: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder that affects approximately 8% to 13% of women of reproductive age worldwide. It is characterized by a range of symptoms, including hirsutism, acne, and menstrual irregularities, and poses a significant psychological burden, including anxiety and depression. The evolving definition of PCOS, from the 1990 NIH conference to the 2003 Rotterdam conference, highlights its multifaceted nature, encompassing metabolic, reproductive, and psychological aspects. This overview aims to elucidate the complex interplay between PCOS's physiological and psychological dimensions. It focuses on understanding the heightened risk of psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety, among women with PCOS and explores the contributing factors, such as obesity, body image issues, and stress. The etiology of PCOS involves a complex mixture of genetic, hormonal, and lifestyle factors that contribute to its pathophysiology and the associated mental health challenges. Stress, in various forms, including metabolic, inflammatory, oxidative, and emotional, is identified as a significant contributor to the pathogenesis of PCOS. Management strategies highlighted include lifestyle modifications, dietary and exercise interventions, and psychological therapies, underscoring the need for comprehensive and integrated care approaches that address the broad spectrum of PCOS effects. A multifaceted treatment approach that goes beyond just the physical symptoms of PCOS to also include its significant psychological effects is emphasized, reinforcing the necessity for a comprehensive, integrated care strategy to manage this complex condition effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haya Almhmoud
- Faculty of Medicine-Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria
| | - Lara Alatassi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Aleppo University Hospital, Aleppo, Syria
| | - Mouna Baddoura
- Faculty of Medicine-Damascus University, Damascus, Syria
| | - Joudy Sandouk
- Faculty of Medicine-Damascus University, Damascus, Syria
| | | | - Hasan Najjar
- Faculty of Medicine-Damascus University, Damascus, Syria
| | - Basem Zaino
- Department of Pathology, Tishreen University Hospital, Lattakia, Syria
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Bodart A, Invernizzi S, De Leener M, Lefebvre L, Rossignol M. The duration discrimination respiratory task: A new test to measure respiratory interoceptive accuracy. Psychophysiology 2024:e14632. [PMID: 38886914 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Interoception, which refers to the perception of body's internal state, is implicated in emotional processes and psychopathological disorders. Over the last decades, different tools have been developed to measure interoceptive accuracy, or the ability to accurately perceive physiological signals. Most of these tools have focused on cardiac interoception, but respiratory interoception has been less investigated due to the more complex and less portable equipment required. In this study, we suggest a new duration discrimination respiratory (DDR) task that does not require complex equipment. Using an adaptive staircase procedure, this task aims to determine an individual's ability to detect exhalation longer than their resting reference duration. One hundred and twenty-three healthy subjects completed the DDR task, an interoceptive task of heart rate discrimination, and filled out questionnaires on interoceptive awareness (Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness), alexithymia (Toronto Alexithymia Scale [TAS]), affects (Positive and Negative Affect Scale [PANAS]), and anamnestic. Results demonstrated a good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .93) of the DDR task. On average, subjects needed 99.22% (SD = 36.38) of their reference exhalation time in addition to reference exhalation to detect a prolonged exhalation. Higher self-reported fitness levels, not counting during the DDR task and lower difficulty in describing feelings (TAS subscale), predicted higher respiratory discrimination duration. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the utility of the DDR task as a valid measure of interoception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Bodart
- Cognitive Psychology and Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Sandra Invernizzi
- Cognitive Psychology and Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Mélanie De Leener
- Cognitive Psychology and Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Laurent Lefebvre
- Cognitive Psychology and Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Mandy Rossignol
- Cognitive Psychology and Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
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Corso CB, Hoppe R, Kliewer W, Wike T, Winter MA. Emotion Regulation in Families: Exploring the Link between Parent-Child Alexithymia and Child Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2024:10.1007/s10578-024-01728-9. [PMID: 38874751 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-024-01728-9] [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] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic comprises a mass trauma for children and families, and children may face particular vulnerability to post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) through processes of parent and child emotional dysregulation, such as alexithymia. With 88 U.S. children (Mage = 9.94 years; 54.5% female; 59.1% White) and their parents/caregivers (68.2% female; 59.1% White), a path model was tested in which child alexithymia symptoms partially mediated the association between parent alexithymia symptoms and child COVID-19-related posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). We also tested an alternative model in which child alexithymia symptoms moderated the association between parent alexithymia symptoms and child PTSS. The hypothesized mediation model was supported (β = 0.15, SE = 0.05, 95% CI: [0.07, 0.25], p < 0.001), whereas the hypothesized moderator model was not (β = 0.06, p = 0.44). Findings highlight the importance of parents' emotional understanding and regulation for child mental health during mass traumas such as pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey B Corso
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 808 West Franklin St, Box 842018, Richmond, VA, 23284-2018, USA
| | - Rebecca Hoppe
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 808 West Franklin St, Box 842018, Richmond, VA, 23284-2018, USA
| | - Wendy Kliewer
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 808 West Franklin St, Box 842018, Richmond, VA, 23284-2018, USA
| | - Traci Wike
- School of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University, Box 842027, Richmond, VA, 23284-2027, USA
| | - Marcia A Winter
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 808 West Franklin St, Box 842018, Richmond, VA, 23284-2018, USA.
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Trobliger R, Myers L, Simpson T, Krámská L. A comparison of patients with epileptic seizures (ES) versus those with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) on measures of alexithymia, mood, and anxiety. Seizure 2024; 120:33-40. [PMID: 38897162 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2024.06.010] [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: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare persons with epilepsy (PWE) to those with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) on measures of depression, anxiety, and alexithymia subscales (i.e., difficulty identifying emotions, difficulty describing emotions, and external-oriented thinking). MATERIAL AND METHODS In this retrospective study, 235 epilepsy patients and 90 patients with PNES were evaluated between 2012 and 2020 at the Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group. These patients had completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), The Center for Epidemiologic Studies - Depression Scale (CES-D) and The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Background information was collected regarding work/student/disability status at the time of the evaluation history of psychiatric diagnosis; psychological trauma; and involvement in psychotherapy either at the time of the evaluation or prior. RESULTS Significant differences between PWEs and those with PNES were found not only in historical data (e.g., Psychiatric History, History of Trauma, and History of Therapy) (p < .001) but also on measures of Depression (p = .002) and Anxiety (p < .001). ANOVA analysis also revealed significant differences in the distribution of the TAS-Total score, TAS-Describing emotions, and TAS-Identifying emotions. Using logistic regression (stepwise model) the optimal set of predictors for a differential diagnosis of epilepsy and PNES was combination of TAS-Identifying emotions score, history of psychological trauma, and history of therapy. The accuracy of the prediction was determined to be 80.2 %. CONCLUSIONS Although higher alexithymia rates are present in PNES and PWEs, clinicians may find a combination of TAS-Identifying Emotion score, history of trauma, and history of psychotherapy useful in supporting a differential diagnosis. Also, a subgroup may exist among those with PNES with high levels of alexithymia, depression, and anxiety that may require a different treatment approach focused on addressing difficulties in identifying and describing their emotions and their other symptomatology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lorna Myers
- Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group, Hackensack, NJ, USA
| | | | - Lenka Krámská
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Epilepsy Center, Na Homolce Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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Saramandi A, Au YK, Koukoutsakis A, Zheng CY, Godwin A, Bianchi-Berthouze N, Jewitt C, Jenkinson PM, Fotopoulou A. Tactile emoticons: Conveying social emotions and intentions with manual and robotic tactile feedback during social media communications. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0304417. [PMID: 38865322 PMCID: PMC11168615 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Touch offers important non-verbal possibilities for socioaffective communication. Yet most digital communications lack capabilities regarding exchanging affective tactile messages (tactile emoticons). Additionally, previous studies on tactile emoticons have not capitalised on knowledge about the affective effects of certain mechanoreceptors in the human skin, e.g., the C-Tactile (CT) system. Here, we examined whether gentle manual stroking delivered in velocities known to optimally activate the CT system (defined as 'tactile emoticons'), during lab-simulated social media communications could convey increased feelings of social support and other prosocial intentions compared to (1) either stroking touch at CT sub-optimal velocities, or (2) standard visual emoticons. Participants (N = 36) felt more social intent with CT-optimal compared to sub-optimal velocities, or visual emoticons. In a second, preregistered study (N = 52), we investigated whether combining visual emoticons with tactile emoticons, this time delivered at CT-optimal velocities by a soft robotic device, could enhance the perception of prosocial intentions and affect participants' physiological measures (e.g., skin conductance rate) in comparison to visual emoticons alone. Visuotactile emoticons conveyed more social intent overall and in anxious participants affected physiological measures more than visual emoticons. The results suggest that emotional social media communications can be meaningfully enhanced by tactile emoticons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alkistis Saramandi
- Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yee Ki Au
- Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Athanasios Koukoutsakis
- Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline Yan Zheng
- Royal College of Art, London, United Kingdom
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | - Carey Jewitt
- UCL Knowledge Lab, Culture Communication and Media, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paul M. Jenkinson
- Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy, The Cairnmillar Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Aikaterini Fotopoulou
- Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Rizzi E, Weijers JG, Kate CT, Selten JP. Mentalization based treatment for a broad range of personality disorders: a naturalistic study. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:429. [PMID: 38849750 PMCID: PMC11157867 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05865-2] [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: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies have observed that mentalization-based treatment (MBT) is an effective treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD), but its effectiveness for other personality disorders (PDs) has hardly been examined. Additionally, the evidence supporting the claim that MBT improves mentalizing capacity is scarce. The present study examined whether (i) patients with a broad range of PDs enrolled in an MBT program would improve on several outcome measures (ii) mentalizing capacity would improve over time; (iii) patients with BPD would improve more than those with non-borderline PDs. METHOD Personality disorders, psychiatric symptoms, social functioning, maladaptive personality functioning and mentalizing capacity were measured in a group of individuals with various PDs (n = 46) that received MBT. Assessments were made at baseline and after 6, 12, and 18 months of treatment. The severity of psychiatric symptoms, measured using the Outcome Questionnaire 45, was the primary outcome variable. RESULTS Overall, enrollment in the MBT program was associated with a decrease in psychiatric symptoms and an improvement of personality functioning, social functioning for a mixed group of PDs (all p's ≤ .01). Bigger effect sizes were observed for BPD patients (n = 25) than for patients with non-BPD (n = 21), but the difference failed to reach statistical significance (p = 0.06). A primary analysis showed that the decrease in psychiatric symptoms was significant in BPD patients (p = 0.01), not in non-BPD (p = 0.19) patients. However, a sufficiently powered secondary analysis with imputed data showed that non-BPD patients reported a significant decrease in psychiatric symptoms too (p = 0.01). Mentalizing capacity of the whole group improved over time (d = .68 on the Toronto Alexithymia Scale and 1.46 on the Social Cognition and Object Relations System). DISCUSSION These results suggest that MBT coincides with symptomatic and functional improvement across a broad range of PDs and shows that MBT is associated with improvements in mentalizing capacity. As the study is not experimental in design, we cannot make causal claims. CONCLUSION Mentalization-based treatment may be an effective treatment for patients with a broad range of PDs. TRIAL REGISTRATION The study design was approved by the Leiden University Ethical Committee.
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Affiliation(s)
- Endang Rizzi
- Rivierduinen Institute for Mental Health Care, Sandifortdreef 19, Leiden, 2333ZZ, the Netherlands.
| | - Jonas Gijs Weijers
- Rivierduinen Institute for Mental Health Care, Sandifortdreef 19, Leiden, 2333ZZ, the Netherlands.
| | - Coriene Ten Kate
- Rivierduinen Institute for Mental Health Care, Sandifortdreef 19, Leiden, 2333ZZ, the Netherlands
| | - Jean-Paul Selten
- Rivierduinen Institute for Mental Health Care, Sandifortdreef 19, Leiden, 2333ZZ, the Netherlands
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, University of Maastricht, Universiteitssingel 40, Maastricht, 6229 ER, The Netherlands
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Zamir O, Oved N, Szepsenwol O, Estlein R, Borelli JL, Granger DA, Shai D. The intersection between alexithymia, testosterone reactivity, and coparenting in fathers predicts child's prosocial behavior. Horm Behav 2024; 164:105565. [PMID: 38851170 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105565] [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: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
The development of prosocial skills in children is a key predictor of long-term social, cognitive, and emotional functioning. However, the role of fathers' psychological characteristics in fostering prosocial development, including during the prenatal period, and the mechanisms underlying their influence, remain relatively unexplored. This study aimed to examine whether a higher tendency of alexithymia, a difficulty to identify and verbalize emotions, in expectant fathers predicts prosocial behavior of two-year-old toddlers through the quality of coparenting and whether greater testosterone increase during a stressful parenting task moderates this indirect effect. A sample of 105 couples and their children was tracked longitudinally starting from the third trimester of pregnancy (T1), at three months (T2), and at two years postnatally (T3). Using self-report questionnaires, fathers reported on alexithymia (T1) and mothers and fathers reported on coparenting quality (T2). Additionally, fathers provided saliva samples before and after engaging in a stressful parenting task (the Inconsolable Doll Task) to measure testosterone reactivity (T1). Children's prosocial behavior was observed during an out-of-reach task (T3). A moderated mediation analysis using structural equation modeling showed that higher levels of alexithymia pre-birth predicted lower coparenting quality three months after birth, which in turn predicted lower prosocial behavior of two-year-old children, but only among fathers with mean or high testosterone increases. This study illuminates a potential mechanism by which fathers' alexithymia and testosterone reactivity forecast their toddlers' prosocial behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osnat Zamir
- The Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare, The Hebrew University, Mt. Scopus, Jerusalem 9190501, Israel.
| | - Noa Oved
- The Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo, Rabenu Yeruham St 2, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
| | | | - Roi Estlein
- School of Social Work, University of Haifa, Abba Khoushy Ave 199, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Jessica L Borelli
- Psychology and Social Behavior, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617, United States.
| | - Douglas A Granger
- Psychology and Social Behavior, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617, United States; Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States.
| | - Dana Shai
- The Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo, Rabenu Yeruham St 2, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
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Gori A, Topino E. Problematic Gambling Behavior in a Sample of Gamblers: The Role of Alexithymia, Dissociation Features, and External Locus of Control. J Gambl Stud 2024:10.1007/s10899-024-10322-6. [PMID: 38831237 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-024-10322-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Gambling disorder is a severe condition that significantly compromises the lives of those affected. In light of this clinical relevance, the literature on the antecedents of this form of addiction is constant and continually evolving. Consistently with this framework, the present research aimed at investigating the role of some risk factors in gambling disorder, with a specific focus on alexithymia, dissociation, and locus of control. The research involved a sample of 290 participants (183 males and 107 females; Mage = 34.43, SD = 14.65) who practice gambling at least occasionally. They completed an online survey including the South Oaks Gambling Screen, Twenty-Items Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Dissociative Experience Scale-II, and Locus of Control of Behavior. ANOVA and a moderated-mediation model were implemented to analyse the collected data. Results showed that 19.0% of the participants were At Risk and Problem Gamblers, while 27.6% fell into the category of Problematic Gamblers. Problematic Gamblers showed significantly higher levels of alexithymia, dissociation, and external locus of control. Moreover, a significant association between alexithymia and the severity of problematic gambling behaviour was found and was significantly mediated by absorption (a dissociation feature). Furthermore, the external locus of control significantly moderated this indirect effect. The role of gender as a covariate was also investigated. Such findings may offer further insights into the field of clinical research on gambling disorder and may provide useful information for effective clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Gori
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Via di San Salvi 12, Pad. 26, Firenze, 50135, Italy.
- Integrated Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Institute (IPPI), Via Ricasoli 32, Florence, 50122, Italy.
| | - Eleonora Topino
- Department of Human Sciences, LUMSA University of Rome, Via della Traspontina 21, Rome, 00193, Italy
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Birch ES, Stark BC, Neumann D. Factors related to social inferencing performance in moderate-severe, chronic TBI. Brain Inj 2024:1-12. [PMID: 38832655 DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2024.2361634] [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: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Following traumatic brain injury (TBI), deficits in social cognition are common. Social inferencing is a crucial component of social cognition that enables an individual to understand the thoughts, feelings, and intentions of a communication partner when this information is not explicitly stated. Existing literature suggests a variety of factors contribute to social inferencing success (e.g. biological sex, executive functioning), yet findings are not conclusive, largely because these factors have been examined in isolation. METHOD In this cross-sectional study, stepwise regression with cross validation was used to examine the extent that several theoretically motivated factors were associated with social inferencing (measured by performance on The Awareness of Social Inference Test [TASIT]) in adult participants with TBI (n = 105). Demographic information, executive functioning, aggression, emotional functioning measures, and participation in society were all examined in relation to social inferencing performance. RESULTS The findings confirm the importance of higher-level cognitive skills (i.e. executive functioning) in social inferencing, and advance the literature by underlining the potential importance of productive participation in social inferencing performance. CONCLUSION This study innovatively highlights factors linked with social inferencing skills and, in doing so, how deficits in social inferencing might manifest in the lives of individuals with TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor S Birch
- Department of Speech, Indiana University Bloomington Language and Hearing Sciences
- Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University Bloomington
| | - Brielle C Stark
- Department of Speech, Indiana University Bloomington Language and Hearing Sciences
- Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University Bloomington
| | - Dawn Neumann
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Indiana University School of Medicine
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Petzke TM, Elspaß L, Köteles F, Van den Bergh O, Witthöft M. "And how did that make you feel?" - Repeated symptom queries enhance symptom reports elicited by negative affect. J Psychosom Res 2024; 181:111634. [PMID: 38453590 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.111634] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Negative affect, alexithymia, and other predisposing traits (such as health anxiety) can influence an individual's symptom perception. In this study, we used the affective picture paradigm (APP, Bogaerts et al., 2010) to induce symptoms using affective picture stimuli. We aimed to cross-sectionally test the effect of high vs low-frequency symptom queries and analyze the time course of the APP, including interactions with health anxiety and somatic symptom distress. METHODS Participants (N = 124) completed a modified APP and filled out various questionnaires. In the APP, participants were randomized to either a highly-frequent-query condition (18 symptom checklists) or a less-frequent-query condition (6 checklists). Data were analyzed using ANOVAs, cross-lagged panel models, moderation models, and multilevel models. RESULTS Both groups had comparable symptom baseline values, but people in the highly frequent as opposed to less frequent condition reported significantly higher symptom levels once the experiment started (F (1,120) = 14.319, p < .001, η2=.107). Symptom levels stayed stable over the course of the experiment and were best predicted by symptom levels at earlier timepoints in the experiment (β = 0.43 and β = 0.68, both p < .001). Health anxiety levels significantly predicted symptom levels (F(1,121) = 10.054, p = .002, η2=.077) and moderated the relation between condition and symptom levels (F(2,121) = 16.253, p < .001, η2=.212). CONCLUSION In terms of the predictive processing model (e.g.,[1]), repeated symptom queries following negative affective cues may activate prior beliefs about symptoms, resulting in elevated levels of symptom reports in interaction with health anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara M Petzke
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, or Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Lina Elspaß
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, or Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Ferenc Köteles
- Department of General Psychology and Methodology, Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary, Budapest, Hungary.
| | | | - Michael Witthöft
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, or Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
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Machado AS, Dias G, P Carvalho I. Disentangling the relationship between sensory processing, alexithymia and broad autism spectrum: A study in parents' of children with autism spectrum disorders and sensory processing disorders. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2024; 149:104742. [PMID: 38678875 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2024.104742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autistic features and sensory processing difficulties and their phenotypic co-expression with alexithymia share a transdiagnostic vulnerability. In this work, we explored whether the current concept of broad autism phenotype rather translates altered sensory processing (non-specific to autism), meaning that the characteristics of altered sensory processing should be overexpressed among individuals with heightened vulnerability to sensory processing atypicalities (parents of children with sensorial processing disorder, or SPD parents) and individuals with heightened vulnerability to autistic traits (parents of children with autism spectrum disorders, or ASD parents). In addition, the association between altered sensory processing and alexithymia was inspected. METHOD The Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile, Autism Spectrum Quotient, and Toronto Alexithymia Scale were completed by 31 parents of children with ASD, 32 parents of children with SPD, and 52 parents of typically developed (TD) children. RESULTS Extreme sensory patterns were overexpressed both in parents of children with SPD and parents of children with ASD when compared to parents of TD children. In addition, extreme sensory patterns were significantly associated with alexithymia scores. Specifically, sensory avoidance, low registration, and sensory sensitivity were positively correlated with alexithymia. No significant differences were found regarding the proportion of autistic traits and alexithymia between ASD and SPD groups of parents. CONCLUSIONS These results challenge the specificity of broad autism phenotype and suggest a neurodevelopmental atypicity with roots in altered sensory and emotional processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Sofia Machado
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal; Psychiatry Service of São João University Hospital Center (CHUSJ), Porto, Portugal.
| | - Goretti Dias
- Child and Adolescence Psychiatry Service, Santo António University Hospital Center (CHUSA), Porto, Portugal
| | - Irene P Carvalho
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal
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Polat H, Karakaş SA, Erçel Ş, Taşci G. Alexithymia and Forgiveness Levels of Forensic Psychiatric Patients. J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv 2024; 62:27-35. [PMID: 37879088 DOI: 10.3928/02793695-20231018-03] [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: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
The current cross-sectional study was performed to examine levels of alexithymia and forgiveness in forensic psychiatric patients. Data were collected between March 2022 and August 2022 at a high-security forensic psychiatric hospital affiliated with a city hospital in Turkey. A personal information form prepared by the researchers, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and the Heartland Forgiveness Scale were used to obtain data. Participants comprised 132 forensic psychiatric patients who agreed to participate in the study. A significant negative correlation was found between alexithymia and forgiveness levels of participants (p < 0.01, r = -0.259). In other words, as alexithymia levels increased, participants were found to be less forgiving. In addition, results suggest that forensic psychiatric patients are susceptible to alexithymia and higher levels of forgiveness. Determining forgiveness and alexithymia levels of forensic psychiatric patients will contribute to the structuring of care to be offered to these patients. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 62(6), 27-35.].
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Le B, Huang Y, Wang L, Hu H, Wang X, Wang Y, Wang Y, Huang J, Lui SSY, Chan RCK. Individuals with high levels of autistic traits exhibit impaired cognitive but not affective theory of mind and empathy. Psych J 2024; 13:486-493. [PMID: 38298152 PMCID: PMC11169754 DOI: 10.1002/pchj.727] [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] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Theory of mind (ToM) and empathy are considered key components of social cognition that are often impaired in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, it remains unclear whether individuals with high levels of autistic traits exhibit similar impairments in these two functions. This study examined the affective and cognitive domains of ToM and empathy in individuals with high levels of autistic traits. We recruited 84 participants with high levels and 78 participants with low levels of autistic traits to complete a set of self-reported checklists and performance-based tasks capturing affective and cognitive components of ToM and empathy. The results showed that participants with high levels of autistic traits exhibited significant impairments in cognitive but not in affective ToM and empathy compared with their counterparts with low levels of autistic traits. We also found that empathy impairments in people with high levels of autistic traits were confounded by alexithymia and depressive traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bei‐lin Le
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of PsychologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yi‐hang Huang
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of PsychologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Ling‐ling Wang
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of PsychologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Hui‐xin Hu
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of PsychologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Xuan Wang
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of PsychologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yi Wang
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of PsychologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Ya Wang
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of PsychologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Jia Huang
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of PsychologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Simon S. Y. Lui
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong Kong Special Administrative RegionChina
| | - Raymond C. K. Chan
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of PsychologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
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Blinka L, Faltýnková A, Rečka K. Alexithymia in gaming addiction and engagement. J Affect Disord 2024; 354:104-109. [PMID: 38479516 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.03.060] [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: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been suggested that alexithymia plays a significant role in substance and behavioral addictions. However, only a handful of studies investigated this construct in relation to gaming addiction, and no study analyzed its differential effect on gaming engagement and addiction. METHODS A total of u adult gamers (Mage = 26.04, SD = 5.78, 94 % male) completed a questionnaire that included the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (and its subscales of difficulty identifying feelings, difficulty describing feelings, and externally oriented thinking), the Addiction-Engagement Questionnaire, and additional questions about gender, age, and time spent gaming. Structural equation modeling was used as the main analytical strategy. RESULTS Difficulty identifying feelings (β = 0.28) and externally oriented thinking (β = 0.19) showed a significant positive effect on gaming addiction. Contrary to addiction, externally oriented thinking showed a significant negative effect (β = -0.21) on gaming engagement. No other alexithymia subscales were significant. The model with alexithymia explained 32.7 % of the variance in gaming addiction while only 10.4 % of gaming engagement. CONCLUSIONS Alexithymia is a strong predictor of gaming addiction. Gaming engagement seems to be a qualitatively different phenomenon that shows an opposite association with alexithymia than gaming addiction. However, both are related to increased time spent gaming. This suggests a need to distinguish between problematic vs. non-problematic excessive gaming as they have different associations with affect dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Blinka
- Psychology Research Institute, Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, Czech Republic.
| | - Anna Faltýnková
- Psychology Research Institute, Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Rečka
- Psychology Research Institute, Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, Czech Republic
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Orsolini L, Corona D, Cervelli AL, Ribuoli E, Longo G, Volpe U. The role of Theory of Mind in the transition towards suicidal attempts in youth NSSI: an exploratory pilot study. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1403038. [PMID: 38873534 PMCID: PMC11170150 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1403038] [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: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) can both precede and co-occur with suicidal attempts (SA). Underlying mechanisms/factors leading to the transition to SA in NSSI youths have been proposed (including the role of social cognition), despite they should be yet confirmed. Therefore, the study aims at exploring the role of the Theory of Mind in the differentiation of a sample of NSSI youngsters (aged 15-24) according to the presence of SA. We divided the sample into 4 groups using the Deliberate Self Harm Inventory (DSHI) and Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS): control group (notNSSInotSA), NSSI without SA (NSSInotSA), NSSI with SA (NSSIplusSA), and SA without NSSI (SAonly). NSSIplusSA patients displayed higher Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET) scores (indicative of ToM abilities) than both the NSSInotSA (p=0.0016) and SAonly groups (p=0.0198), while SAonly patients showed lower RMET scores compared to the control group (p=0.0214). Multiple regression models used to differentiate NSSInotSA and NSSIplusSA found a significant association between RMET and LOSCS-CSC (Level Of Self-Criticism Scale-Comparative Self-Criticism) (pC=0.0802, pD=0.0016, pG=0.0053). Our findings supported the hypothesis that a hypertrophic affective ToM may possibly be associated with the occurrence of SA in youth NSSI. Further larger and longitudinal studies should confirm these preliminary findings, by exploring all social cognition dimensions.
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Joseph AL, Jerram MW, Valera EM. Emotional Clarity and Psychopathology in Women Who Have Experienced Physical Intimate Partner Violence. Violence Against Women 2024:10778012241254852. [PMID: 38784989 DOI: 10.1177/10778012241254852] [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: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a chronic, traumatic stressor related to posttraumatic stress (PTS), depression, and anxiety. As psychological symptoms are exacerbated in those with poor emotional clarity, the present study evaluates the relationship between emotional clarity and PTS, dissociation, depression, and worry in women who experienced at least one instance of physical IPV (n = 88). Hierarchical regression analyses, controlling for childhood trauma, IPV abuse severity, and IPV-related brain injury, found that lack of emotional clarity was significantly related to greater PTS, dissociative experiences, depression, and worry. Results suggest that emotional clarity may be a relevant therapeutic target for individuals with a history of IPV and psychological distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie-Lori Joseph
- Department of Psychology, Suffolk University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Eve M Valera
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Tessier MH, Mazet JP, Gagner E, Marcoux A, Jackson PL. Facial representations of complex affective states combining pain and a negative emotion. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11686. [PMID: 38777852 PMCID: PMC11111784 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62423-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Pain is rarely communicated alone, as it is often accompanied by emotions such as anger or sadness. Communicating these affective states involves shared representations. However, how an individual conceptually represents these combined states must first be tested. The objective of this study was to measure the interaction between pain and negative emotions on two types of facial representations of these states, namely visual (i.e., interactive virtual agents; VAs) and sensorimotor (i.e., one's production of facial configurations). Twenty-eight participants (15 women) read short written scenarios involving only pain or a combined experience of pain and a negative emotion (anger, disgust, fear, or sadness). They produced facial configurations representing these experiences on the faces of the VAs and on their face (own production or imitation of VAs). The results suggest that affective states related to a direct threat to the body (i.e., anger, disgust, and pain) share a similar facial representation, while those that present no immediate danger (i.e., fear and sadness) differ. Although visual and sensorimotor representations of these states provide congruent affective information, they are differently influenced by factors associated with the communication cycle. These findings contribute to our understanding of pain communication in different affective contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Hélène Tessier
- School of Psychology, Université Laval, Québec City, Canada
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration (Cirris), Québec City, Canada
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Québec City, Canada
| | - Jean-Philippe Mazet
- Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering, Université Laval, Québec City, Canada
| | - Elliot Gagner
- School of Psychology, Université Laval, Québec City, Canada
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration (Cirris), Québec City, Canada
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Québec City, Canada
| | - Audrey Marcoux
- School of Psychology, Université Laval, Québec City, Canada
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration (Cirris), Québec City, Canada
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Québec City, Canada
| | - Philip L Jackson
- School of Psychology, Université Laval, Québec City, Canada.
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration (Cirris), Québec City, Canada.
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Québec City, Canada.
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Isoardo G, Adenzato M, Ciullo S, Fontana E, Stura I, Migliaretti G, Titolo P, Matteoni E, Calvo A, Laino F, Palumbo F, Ardito RB. Emotion Processing in Peripheral Neuropathic Pain: An Observational Study. Med Sci (Basel) 2024; 12:27. [PMID: 38804383 PMCID: PMC11130802 DOI: 10.3390/medsci12020027] [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: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In clinical practice, the implementation of tailored treatment is crucial for assessing the patient's emotional processing profile. Here, we investigate all three levels of analysis characterizing emotion processing, i.e., recognition, representation, and regulation, in patients with peripheral neuropathic pain (PNP). METHODS Sixty-two patients and forty-eight healthy controls underwent quantitative sensory testing, i.e., psychophysical tests to assess somatosensory functions such as perception of cold (CDT), heat-induced pain (HPT), and vibration (VDT), as well as three standardized tasks to assess emotional processing: (1) the Ekman 60-Faces Test (EK-60F) to assess recognition of basic facial emotions, (2) the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RME) to assess the ability to represent the feelings of another person by observing their eyes, and (3) the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) to assess emotional dysregulation, i.e., alexithymia. RESULTS General Linear Model analysis revealed a significant relationship between left index finger VDT z-scores in PNP patients with alexithymia. The RME correlated with VDT z-scores of the left little finger and overall score for the EK-60F. CONCLUSIONS In patients with PNP, emotion processing is impaired, which emphasizes the importance of assessing these abilities appropriately in these patients. In this way, clinicians can tailor treatment to the needs of individual patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Isoardo
- Department of Neurosciences & Mental Health, Hospital “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Mauro Adenzato
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy; (M.A.); (S.C.); (E.F.)
| | - Stefano Ciullo
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy; (M.A.); (S.C.); (E.F.)
| | - Elena Fontana
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy; (M.A.); (S.C.); (E.F.)
| | - Ilaria Stura
- Department of Neuroscience “Rita Levi Montalcini”, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (I.S.); (E.M.); (A.C.); (F.P.)
| | - Giuseppe Migliaretti
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Torino, Italy;
| | - Paolo Titolo
- UOD Reconstructive Microsurgery, Department of Orthopedics & Traumatology, Hospital “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Enrico Matteoni
- Department of Neuroscience “Rita Levi Montalcini”, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (I.S.); (E.M.); (A.C.); (F.P.)
| | - Andrea Calvo
- Department of Neuroscience “Rita Levi Montalcini”, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (I.S.); (E.M.); (A.C.); (F.P.)
- 1st Neurology Unit, Department of Neurosciences & Mental Health, Hospital “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Federica Laino
- Unit of Pain Management and Palliative Care, Department of Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Emergency, Hospital “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Francesca Palumbo
- Department of Neuroscience “Rita Levi Montalcini”, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (I.S.); (E.M.); (A.C.); (F.P.)
| | - Rita B. Ardito
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy; (M.A.); (S.C.); (E.F.)
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Burghart M, Sahm AHJ, Schmidt S, Bulla J, Mier D. Understanding empathy deficits and emotion dysregulation in psychopathy: The mediating role of alexithymia. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0301085. [PMID: 38718018 PMCID: PMC11078418 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Psychopathy is a severe personality disorder marked by a wide range of emotional deficits, including a lack of empathy, emotion dysregulation, and alexithymia. Previous research has largely examined these emotional impairments in isolation, ignoring their influence on each other. Thus, we examined the concurrent interrelationship between emotional impairments in psychopathy, with a particular focus on the mediating role of alexithymia. Using path analyses with cross-sectional data from a community sample (N = 315) and a forensic sample (N = 50), our results yielded a statistically significant mediating effect of alexithymia on the relationship between psychopathy and empathy (community and forensic) and between psychopathy and emotion dysregulation (community). Moreover, replacing psychopathy with its three dimensions (i.e., meanness, disinhibition, and boldness) in the community sample revealed that boldness may function as an adaptive trait, with lower levels of alexithymia counteracting deficits in empathy and emotion dysregulation. Overall, our findings indicate that psychopathic individuals' limited understanding of their own emotions contributes to their lack of empathy and emotion dysregulation. This underscores the potential benefits of improving emotional awareness in the treatment of individuals with psychopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Burghart
- Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Alexander H. J. Sahm
- Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Sergej Schmidt
- Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Jan Bulla
- Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Reichenau Psychiatric Center, Reichenau, Germany
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Daniela Mier
- Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
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Li S, Chen X, Liu L, Sun C. The relationship between social withdrawal and problematic social media use in Chinese college students: a chain mediation of alexithymia and negative body image. BMC Psychol 2024; 12:246. [PMID: 38702805 PMCID: PMC11067283 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01755-0] [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: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
This study explores the relationship between social withdrawal and problematic social media use among college students, with a focus on the mediating roles of alexithymia and negative body image. Using the University Student Social Withdrawal Questionnaire, Social Media Addiction Scale, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and Negative Body Image Scale, 2582 college students (33.46% male, average age = 19.46 years, SD = 2.23) were surveyed. Social withdrawal, alexithymia, negative body image, and problematic social media use were significantly correlated with each other. Social withdrawal positively predicted problematic social media use, and both alexithymia and negative body image played a chain mediating role between social withdrawal and problematic social media use. The findings indicate that individual social withdrawal is associated with college students' problematic use of social media. The results suggest that alexithymia and negative body image may mediate this association, highlighting a potential pathway through which social withdrawal influences social media use patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Li
- Jilin Normal University, Siping, China.
- School of Educational Science & Institute of Psychology, Jilin Normal University, Siping, 136000, Jilin Province, China.
| | | | - Lili Liu
- Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, China
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Preece DA, Petrova K, Mehta A, Sikka P, Gross JJ. Alexithymia or general psychological distress? Discriminant validity of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale and the Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire. J Affect Disord 2024; 352:140-145. [PMID: 38320659 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.01.271] [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: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alexithymia is an important transdiagnostic risk factor for emotion-based psychopathologies. However, it remains unclear whether alexithymia questionnaires actually measure alexithymia, or whether they measure emotional distress. Our aim here was to address this discriminant validity concern via exploratory factor analysis (EFA) of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and the Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire (PAQ). METHOD United States general community adults (N = 508) completed the TAS-20, PAQ, and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21). EFA was used to examine the latent dimensions underlying these measures' scores. RESULTS Our EFA extracted two higher-order factors, an "alexithymia" factor and a "general distress" factor (i.e., depression, anxiety, stress). All PAQ scores loaded cleanly on the alexithymia factor, with no cross-loadings on the distress factor. However, for the TAS-20, Difficulty Identifying Feelings (DIF) facet scores cross-loaded highly on the distress factor. LIMITATIONS Our sample consisted of general community adults; future work in clinical settings will be useful. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that the PAQ has good discriminant validity. However, the TAS-20 appears to have significant discriminant validity problems, in that much of the variance in its DIF facet reflects people's current levels of distress, rather than alexithymia. The TAS-20, which has traditionally been the most widely used alexithymia questionnaire, may therefore not be the optimal alexithymia tool. Our findings add to the body of evidence supporting the validity and utility of the PAQ and suggest that, moving forward, it is a superior option to the TAS-20 for alexithymia assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Preece
- Curtin University, Curtin enAble Institute & School of Population Health, Perth, Australia; The University of Western Australia, School of Psychological Science, Perth, Australia.
| | - Kate Petrova
- Stanford University, Department of Psychology, Stanford, United States of America
| | - Ashish Mehta
- Stanford University, Department of Psychology, Stanford, United States of America
| | - Pilleriin Sikka
- Stanford University, Department of Psychology, Stanford, United States of America; University of Turku, Department of Psychology and Speech-Language Pathology, Finland; University of Turku, Turku Brain and Mind Center, Finland; University of Skövde, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience and Philosophy, Sweden
| | - James J Gross
- Stanford University, Department of Psychology, Stanford, United States of America
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50
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Cristofori I, Cohen-Zimerman S, Krueger F, Jabbarinejad R, Delikishkina E, Gordon B, Beuriat PA, Grafman J. Studying the social mind: An updated summary of findings from the Vietnam Head Injury Study. Cortex 2024; 174:164-188. [PMID: 38552358 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2024.03.002] [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: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Lesion mapping studies allow us to evaluate the potential causal contribution of specific brain areas to human cognition and complement other cognitive neuroscience methods, as several authors have recently pointed out. Here, we present an updated summary of the findings from the Vietnam Head Injury Study (VHIS) focusing on the studies conducted over the last decade, that examined the social mind and its intricate neural and cognitive underpinnings. The VHIS is a prospective, long-term follow-up study of Vietnam veterans with penetrating traumatic brain injury (pTBI) and healthy controls (HC). The scope of the work is to present the studies from the latest phases (3 and 4) of the VHIS, 70 studies since 2011, when the Raymont et al. paper was published (Raymont et al., 2011). These studies have contributed to our understanding of human social cognition, including political and religious beliefs, theory of mind, but also executive functions, intelligence, and personality. This work finally discusses the usefulness of lesion mapping as an approach to understanding the functions of the human brain from basic science and clinical perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Cristofori
- Institute of Cognitive Sciences Marc Jeannerod CNRS, UMR 5229, Bron, France; University of Lyon, Villeurbanne, France.
| | - Shira Cohen-Zimerman
- Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Brain Injury Research, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Frank Krueger
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, USA; Department of Psychology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA.
| | - Roxana Jabbarinejad
- Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Brain Injury Research, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Ekaterina Delikishkina
- Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Brain Injury Research, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Barry Gordon
- Cognitive Neurology/Neuropsychology Division, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA.
| | - Pierre-Aurélien Beuriat
- Institute of Cognitive Sciences Marc Jeannerod CNRS, UMR 5229, Bron, France; University of Lyon, Villeurbanne, France; Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, Bron, France.
| | - Jordan Grafman
- Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Brain Injury Research, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry, and Cognitive Neurology & Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
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