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Jagiellowicz J, Acevedo BP, Tillmann T, Aron A, Aron EN. The relationship between sensory processing sensitivity and medication sensitivity: brief report. Front Psychol 2024; 14:1320695. [PMID: 38292521 PMCID: PMC10826854 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1320695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) is a biological/temperament trait that is associated with greater awareness of and reactivity to the environment, which results in amplified responses to various stimuli, and possibly medications. We investigated the relationship between SPS and medication sensitivity in three studies. Participants (ages 18-81) were recruited from university (Study 1: N = 125; Study 2: N = 214) and online (Study 3: N = 351) samples. In each study, participants completed a medication sensitivity scale, the standard highly sensitive person (HSP) scale to assess SPS, and a negative affectivity (NA) scale as a control variable. All three studies found moderate, significant correlations between SPS and medication sensitivity (r = 0.34, p < 0.001: r = 0.21, p = 0.003; r = 0.36, p < 0.001, respectively). Correlations remained significant, and similar, when controlling for NA and gender; and there were no significant interactions with gender. In sum, our results suggest that SPS is associated with medication sensitivity, even when considering NA and gender. Thus, future work might consider SPS when investigating recommended medication, medication dosage, effectiveness, and adverse drug reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jadzia Jagiellowicz
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Bianca P. Acevedo
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Teresa Tillmann
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Chair for School and Teacher Research, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Arthur Aron
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Elaine N. Aron
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
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Köteles F, Nordin S, Claeson AS. Associations between symptoms, modern health worries, and somatosensory amplification in patients with building-related symptoms. J Psychosom Res 2023; 173:111476. [PMID: 37643562 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of the present study was to investigate the associations between somatosensory amplification, modern health worries (MHWs), and symptoms among patients with building-related symptoms (BRS). METHODS Patients with self-reported and medically confirmed BRS (n = 83) were included in this cross-sectional study. The Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS) was used to quantify the tendency to amplify somatic sensations and perceive them as unpleasant and dangerous. Concerns about harmful effects of modern technologies were assessed with the Modern Health Worries Scale (MHWS). Symptoms commonly found in different forms of environmental intolerance were assessed with the Environmental Hypersensitivity Symptom Inventory (EHSI). RESULTS Patients with BRS were characterized by more frequent and more severe environmental hypersensitivity symptoms compared to a reference population. Females and those with co-morbid self-reported chemical intolerance reported even more symptoms. MHWS and SSAS scores showed weak to moderate associations with symptoms, even after adjusting for socio-economic variables. However, neither the mean MHWS score or the SSAS score of our sample differed from normative scores. CONCLUSION Patients with BRS are not characterized by elevated levels of MHWs and somatosensory amplification, thus other, psychosocial and/or environmental, factors may have contributed to the development of the condition. However, the associations between severity of symptoms and MHWs and somatosensory amplification suggest that psychosocial characteristics may substantially influence symptom experience in this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferenc Köteles
- Institute of Health Promotion and Sport Sciences, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary; Institute of Psychology, Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Steven Nordin
- Department of Psychology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
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Köteles F, Szemerszky R, Petrie K, Nordin S. Modern health worries and annoyance from environmental factors are largely unrelated to smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity. J Psychosom Res 2023; 172:111417. [PMID: 37331267 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111417] [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: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Modern health worries, as well as environmental annoyance from chemical agents, noise, and electromagnetic exposure are associated with symptom reporting and marked affective-behavioural changes. As promotion and protection of health is a primary characteristic of these conditions, it can be expected that they will be related to less risk behaviour (smoking and alcohol consumption) and more health behaviour (physical activity), both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. METHODS Hypotheses were tested in a sample of 2336 individuals participating in T1 and T2 data collection (3 years apart) of the Västerbotten Environmental Health Study, Sweden. Health-related behaviours were assessed using single self-report questions. Smoking was measured on a binary (yes-or-no) scale; frequency of alcohol consumption and physical activity was measured on a 5-point and a 4-point scale, respectively. RESULTS Modern health worries showed no cross-sectional association with the three behaviours, whereas annoyance was typically inversely, very weakly, related to smoking and alcohol consumption. Physical activity was significantly positively associated only with chemical annoyance. None of the variables significantly predicted change of behaviours at T2 after controlling for the respective T1 value and demographic variables. CONCLUSIONS Individuals with high levels of modern health worries and annoyance from various environmental agents are not clearly characterized by a healthier lifestyle. Perhaps they focus on the alleviation of their existing symptoms; alternatively, somatic symptom distress decreases their cognitive-affective resources necessary for a long-term life style change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferenc Köteles
- Institute of Psychology, Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary, Hungary.
| | - Renáta Szemerszky
- Institute of Psychology, Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary, Hungary.
| | - Keith Petrie
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Steven Nordin
- Department of Psychology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
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Speck MJ, Witthöft M. Symptoms of Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance associated with chemicals (IEI-C) are positively associated with perceptual anomalies. J Psychosom Res 2022; 157:110808. [PMID: 35421699 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2022.110808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance (IEI; i.e. the experience of somatic symptoms attributed to environmental agents) represents a functional somatic syndrome of unclear aetiology. Based on previous findings that suggest an association between IEI and perceptual anomalies, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between symptoms of IEI associated with chemicals (IEI-C) and facets of the schizotypy spectrum. METHODS A cross-sectional study design was used with N = 410 (78.3% female) persons responding to an online survey in which chemical odor sensitivity (COS) and modern health worries (MHW) that are associated with IEI-C, as well as schizotypal personality traits (SPQ), hallucination proneness (LSHS) and delusional ideation (PDI) as core components of the schizotypy spectrum were assessed. RESULTS Schizotypal traits were found to be significantly positively associated with MHWs (r = 0.20, p = .01), COS (r = 0.23, p = .01), and showed significant positive associations with hallucination proneness. Magical thinking was found to exhibit a significant positive relationship with both MHW (r = 0.17, p = .01) and COS (r = 0.21, p = .01). These small associations between IEI-C and facets of the psychosis spectrum remained significant even after statistically controlling for individual levels of trait anxiety and depression. CONCLUSION Schizotypal personality traits, particularly magical thinking, and hallucination proneness, appear positively related to facets of IEI-C. The findings are of relevance for the advancement of theoretical models of IEI.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Speck
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy and Experimental Psychopathology, University of Mainz, Germany.
| | - M Witthöft
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy and Experimental Psychopathology, University of Mainz, Germany
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Furnham A. Modern Health Worries and the Personality Disorders: Two Studies Using Different Measures. Health (London) 2021. [DOI: 10.4236/health.2021.133019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Bräscher AK, Schulz SM, Van den Bergh O, Witthöft M. Prospective study of nocebo effects related to symptoms of idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF). ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 190:110019. [PMID: 32777274 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The exact causes of Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance Attributed to Electromagnetic Fields (IEI-EMF, i.e., experience of somatic symptoms attributed to low-level electromagnetic fields) are still unknown. Psychological causation such as nocebo effects seem plausible. This study aimed to experimentally induce a nocebo effect for somatic symptom perception and examined whether it was reproducible after one week. We also examined whether these effects were associated with increased sympathetic activity and whether interoceptive accuracy (IAcc) moderated these relationships. Participants were recruited from the general population and instructed that electromagnetic exposure can enhance somatosensory perception. They participated twice in a cued exposure experiment with tactile stimulation and sham WiFi exposure in 50% of trials. The two sessions were scheduled one week apart (session 1: N = 65, session 2: N = 63). Before session 1, participants watched either a 6-min film on adverse health effects of EMF or a neutral film on trade of mobile phones. IAcc was assessed with the heartbeat detection paradigm. Electrodermal activity served as a measure of sympathetic activation. Evidence for a nocebo effect (i.e., increased self-reported intensity and aversiveness and electrodermal activity) during sham WiFi exposure was observed in both sessions. IAcc moderated the nocebo effect, depending on stimulus intensity. Contrary to previous findings, no difference emerged between the health-related EMF and the neutral films. Based on negative instructions, somatic perception and physiological responding can be altered. This is consistent with the assumption that IEI-EMF could be due to nocebo effects, suggesting an important role for psychological interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Kathrin Bräscher
- Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Department for Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Experimental Psychopathology, Germany.
| | - Stefan M Schulz
- Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Department for Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Experimental Psychopathology, Germany
| | | | - Michael Witthöft
- Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Department for Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Experimental Psychopathology, Germany
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Association between somatic symptoms and modern health worries. J Psychosom Res 2020; 135:110163. [PMID: 32559520 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2020.110163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Modern health worries (MHWs) refer to perceived risk to personal health from technological changes and features of modern life, and is associated with health outcomes. The present objective was to test the hypotheses of (i) associations between MHWs and a global measure of typical somatization symptoms, referred to as somatic symptom distress, and (ii) associations between MHWs and a broad range of specific typical somatization symptoms and eye/skin and airway symptoms. METHODS Cross-sectional population-based data were used. Validated instruments were used to assess MHWs (Modern Health Worries Scale), typical somatization symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire 15-item Somatic Symptom Severity Scale, PHQ-15), eye/skin and airway symptoms (Environmental Hypersensitivity Symptom Inventory), depression and anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted with MHWs as dependent variable, symptoms as independent variables, and background variables, anxiety and depression as confounding variables. RESULTS When controlled for background variables, MHWs were statistically significantly, but only very weakly, associated with global PHQ-15 score, most of the specific typical somatization symptoms, and eye/skin and airway symptoms. When controlled also for depression and anxiety, the associations were statistically significant, but even more weakly associated with global PHQ-15 score and most of the specific symptoms. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest a very small increased risk of somatic symptom distress and related specific symptoms in MHW, and that depression and anxiety are confounding variables in these associations.
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Dömötör Z, Nordin S, Witthöft M, Köteles F. Modern health worries: A systematic review. J Psychosom Res 2019; 124:109781. [PMID: 31443819 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2019.109781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Modern health worries (MHWs) refer to people's concerns about possible harmful effects of modern technologies, and are widespread in the developed countries. The aim of the present work was to provide comprehensive, yet integrated understanding for MHWs and associated factors. METHODS Following the PRISMA guideline, a systematic review was conducted based on 48 empirical articles published between 2001 and 2018 (Prospero registration number: CRD42018103756). All empirical studies were included that (1) were published between 2001 and 2018 in peer-reviewed scientific journals in English, German, or Hungarian, (2) used the Modern Health Worries Scale or any of its sub-scales, and (3) assessed associations between MHWs and other constructs and/or compared criterion groups (i.e. purely psychometric studies were excluded). RESULTS The results from the review suggest that female gender, age, somatic symptom distress and idiopathic environmental intolerances, holistic thinking, and paranoid beliefs are positively associated with MHWs, whereas educational qualification and the five major dimensions of personality appear not to be. CONCLUSION Scientific inquiry on the MHWs phenomenon is still in its descriptive-explorative phase; more rigorously designed studies are needed. The presented theoretical framework integrates illness-related and holistic thinking-related aspects of MHWs as a starting point to guide further research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsuzsanna Dömötör
- Institute of Health Promotion and Sport Sciences, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary.
| | | | - Michael Witthöft
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy and Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz, Germany.
| | - Ferenc Köteles
- Institute of Health Promotion and Sport Sciences, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary.
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Baliatsas C, Smit LAM, Dückers MLA, van Dijk CE, Heederik D, Yzermans CJ. Patients with overlapping diagnoses of asthma and COPD: is livestock exposure a risk factor for comorbidity and coexisting symptoms and infections? BMC Pulm Med 2019; 19:105. [PMID: 31182085 PMCID: PMC6558812 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-019-0865-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiological research on health effects of livestock exposure in population subgroups with compromised respiratory health is still limited. The present study explored the association between livestock exposure and comorbid/concurrent conditions in patients with overlapping diagnoses of asthma and COPD. METHODS Electronic health record data from 23 general practices in the Netherlands were collected from 425 patients diagnosed with both asthma and COPD, living in rural areas with high livestock density ("study area"). Data of 341 patients with the same overlapping diagnoses, living in rural areas with lower livestock density ("control areas") were obtained from 19 general practices. First, the prevalence of comorbid disorders and symptoms/infections were compared between the study and control area. Second, the examined health outcomes were analyzed in relation to measures of individual livestock exposure. RESULTS Pneumonia was twice as common among patients living in areas with a high livestock density (OR 2.29, 99% CI 0.96-5.47); however, there were generally no statistically significant differences in the investigated outcomes between the study and control area. Significant associations were observed between presence of goats within 1000 m and allergic rhinitis (OR 5.71, 99% CI 1.11-29.3, p < 0.01), number of co-occurring symptoms (IRR 1.69, 99% CI 1.03-2.77, p < 0.01) and anxiety (OR 8.18, 99% 1.5-44.7, p < 0.01). Presence of cattle within 500 m was associated with pneumonia prevalence (OR 2.48, 99% CI 1.05-5.84, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION Livestock exposure is not associated with comorbid chronic conditions but appears to be a risk factor for symptomatic effects in patients with overlapping diagnoses of asthma and COPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos Baliatsas
- Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), Otterstraat 118-124, 3513 CR Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lidwien A. M. Smit
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Michel L. A. Dückers
- Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), Otterstraat 118-124, 3513 CR Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Christel E. van Dijk
- Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), Otterstraat 118-124, 3513 CR Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dick Heederik
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - C. Joris Yzermans
- Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), Otterstraat 118-124, 3513 CR Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Modern health worries: Deriving two measurement invariant short scales for cross-cultural research with Ant Colony Optimization. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211819. [PMID: 30730928 PMCID: PMC6366774 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Worries about possible harmful effects of new technologies (modern health worries) have intensely been investigated in the last decade. However, the comparability of translated self-report measures across countries is often problematic. This study aimed to overcome this problem by developing psychometrically sound brief versions of the widely used 25-item Modern Health Worries Scale (MHWS) suitable for multi-country use. Based on data of overall 5,176 individuals from four European countries (England, Germany, Hungary, Sweden), Ant Colony Optimization was used to identify the indicators that optimize model fit and measurement invariance across countries. Two scales were developed. A short (12-item) version of the MHWS that represents the four-factor structure of the original version and an ultra-short (4-item) scale that only measures the general construct. Both scales show that overall levels of health worries were highest in England and Hungary, but that the main reason for concern (e.g. electromagnetic radiation or food related fears) differs considerably between these countries. This study also shows that even if measurement invariance of translated self-report instruments across countries is problematic, it can be optimized by using adequate item selection procedures. Differences of modern health worries across countries and recommendations for cross-cultural research are discussed.
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Asthma trigger perceptions are associated with work disability. Respir Med 2018; 139:19-26. [PMID: 29857997 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2018.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2018] [Revised: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the association between perceptions of various triggers of asthma and employment status. METHODS A questionnaire was administered to all those adults living in the city of Tampere, Finland, who were entitled to special reimbursement for asthma medication by the Social Insurance Institution (n = 2613). The response rate was 79%. The study population (n = 1657) consisted of individuals who worked full-time (n = 967), were unemployed (n = 197), had all-cause work disability (n = 334), or were retired due to old age (n = 159). Given a list of potential asthma triggers, the respondents were asked how often (never/sometimes/often) the trigger caused or worsened their asthma symptoms during leisure time. RESULTS After adjusting for background variables (age, sex, smoking, and professional status), frequency of asthma symptoms, and the use of asthma medication during the last year, any individual trigger identified as asthma-relevant was associated with having work disability (vs. working full-time). The highest odds ratio (OR) was found for vehicle exhaust (OR 5.0, CI 2.2-11.4). We found similar but less consistent associations between asthma trigger perceptions and unemployment. No elevated ORs were found regarding asthma trigger perceptions for old-age retirement. CONCLUSIONS Perceptions of asthma triggers are associated with all-cause work disability. Our findings suggest that asthmatics have excess trigger perceptions that are not explained by asthma alone. Asthmatics need to be informed that inaccurate trigger perceptions may develop, and how they are induced, because unnecessary trigger avoidance may interfere with work life.
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Köteles F, Simor P, Czető M, Sárog N, Szemerszky R. Modern health worries - the dark side of spirituality? Scand J Psychol 2016; 57:313-20. [DOI: 10.1111/sjop.12297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ferenc Köteles
- Institute of Health Promotion and Sport Sciences; Eötvös Loránd University; Budapest Hungary
| | - Péter Simor
- Department of Cognitive Sciences; Budapest University of Technology and Economics; Hungary
- Nyírő Gyula Hospital National Institute of Psychiatry and Addictions; Hungary
| | | | - Noémi Sárog
- Institute of Psychology; Eötvös Loránd University; Hungary
| | - Renáta Szemerszky
- Institute of Health Promotion and Sport Sciences; Eötvös Loránd University; Budapest Hungary
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