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Rossi C, Amato A, Alesi M, Alioto A, Schiera G, Drid P, Messina G, Pagliaro A, Di Liegro I, Proia P. Hormonal and psychological influences on performance anxiety in adolescent female volleyball players: a multi-approach study. PeerJ 2024; 12:e16617. [PMID: 38390388 PMCID: PMC10883150 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The neuroendocrine system has important implications for affiliation behavior among humans and can be used to assess the correlation between social relationships, stress, and health. This can be influenced by social closeness; this aspect is the closeness towards another individual or a group of individuals such as a sports team. Sports performance anxiety is considered an unpleasant emotional reaction composed of physiological, cognitive, affective, and behavioral components. This motivates us to learn about the process that can influence the outcome of competition. Hormones and genetics would seem to influence outcome and performance. In this regard, many studies have focused on the exercise response as a function of ovarian hormones and it has been observed that progesterone is a hormone that plays a key role in reducing anxiety, and thus stress, in humans and other animals. On the other hand, high cortisol concentrations are known to contribute to increased anxiety levels. However, the salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) enzyme has been suggested as marker of acute stress than cortisol. Genetics also seem to influence anxiety and stress management as in the case of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and striatal dopamine transporter (DAT). Therefore, the study aims to investigate social closeness, as a measure of sports team cohesion that can influence athletes' performance results, and its ability to influence the secretion of hormones, such as progesterone and cortisol, that affect the management of sports anxiety while also taking into account genetic background during a volleyball match. Methods Twenty-six female volleyball players who volunteered participated in this study (mean ± SD: age, 12.07 ± 0.7 years), and played in the final of the provincial volleyball championship in Palermo. All girls were during the ovarian cycle, in detail between the follicular and early ovulatory phases. Results The results showed a significant decrease in salivary cortisol only in the winning group (p < 0.039). In fact, whilst in the latter the pre-match level was 7.7 ng/ml and then decreased to 4.5 ng/ml after the match, in the losers group change was not statistically significant (7.8 ng/ml vs 6.6 ng/ml pre- and post-match). As to the sAA concentration, the winning team showed a statistically significant variation between pre- and post-match than the losers (166.01 ± 250 U/ml vs 291.59 ± 241 U/ml) (p = 0.01). Conclusion Analyzing the results of the SAS-2 psychological test it is highlighted that, on average, the loser group was more anxious than the winning group, and this contributed to the final result. In conclusion, there is strong evidence supporting the state of the art that many factors can affect performance anxiety and thus the performance itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Rossi
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Research and Innovation, Centro Medico di Fisioterapia “Villa Sarina”, Trapani, Italy
| | - Alessandra Amato
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Anatomy, Histology and Movement Science, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Marianna Alesi
- Department of Psychology, Educational Sciences and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Alioto
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gabriella Schiera
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Patrik Drid
- Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Giulia Messina
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Andrea Pagliaro
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Italia Di Liegro
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Patrizia Proia
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Single A, Alcolado G, Keough MT, Mota N. Cannabis use and social anxiety disorder in emerging adulthood: Results from a nationally representative sample. J Anxiety Disord 2024; 101:102808. [PMID: 38061325 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2023.102808] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Cannabis use and social anxiety disorder (SAD) are prevalent during emerging adulthood. Previous work has demonstrated that SAD is related to cannabis use in adults; however, less is known about what correlates relate to this association in emerging adults. A subsample of individuals ages 18-25 years old from the NESARC-III (N = 5194) was used to (a) evaluate the association between cannabis use and SAD and (b) examine what correlates may be associated with cannabis use and SAD in emerging adulthood. Weighted cross-tabulations assessed sociodemographics and lifetime psychiatric disorder prevalence estimates among the emerging adult sample. Multinomial logistic regressions examined associations between sociodemographics and psychiatric disorders and four groups (i.e., no cannabis use or SAD; cannabis use only; SAD only; cannabis use + SAD). The prevalence of co-occurring cannabis use and SAD was 1.10%. Being White, a part-time student, or not a student were associated with increased odds of having co-occurring cannabis use + SAD (OR range: 2.26-3.09). Significant associations also emerged between major depressive disorder, bipolar I disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobia, agoraphobia, and panic disorder and co-occurring cannabis use + SAD (AOR range: 3.03-19.05). Results of this study may have implications for better identifying and screening emerging adults who are at risk of co-occurring cannabis use and SAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alanna Single
- Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, 190 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada.
| | - Gillian Alcolado
- Department of Clinical Health Psychology, University of Manitoba, 771 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 3N4, Canada
| | - Matthew T Keough
- Department of Psychology, York University, 4700 Keele St., North York, Ontario M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Natalie Mota
- Department of Clinical Health Psychology, University of Manitoba, 771 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 3N4, Canada
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Apostolakis M, Theodorou M, Neophytou K, Panayiotou G. Measuring social phobia symptoms in a community sample of adolescents: An examination of the psychometric properties of the SPAI-23. Front Psychol 2022; 13:1002221. [PMID: 36619081 PMCID: PMC9811410 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1002221] [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: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A number of studies to date examine dimensions of social phobia and anxiety in adolescents. A variety of tools has been developed, along with their abbreviated versions, that are used to assess Social Anxiety (SA) but little research has been devoted to the types of fears they each assess. Due to differences in the content of the multitude of instruments, different aspects of SA are addressed and this leads to confusion when the relationship between SA and other constructs is being investigated. The aim of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of the abbreviated Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory SPAI-23 in Greek-Cypriot community adolescents and describe dimensions of social fears at that age. Seven hundred twenty-one adolescent students from Cyprus, (Mean Age: 15.5, Range: 13-19, SD: 1.12, 64% female) participated in the study. Participants completed, among others, an abbreviated version of the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory (SPAI-23). Exploratory Factor Analysis on the SPAI-23 revealed a quite similar structure to the original questionnaire (SPAI). Three Social Phobia factors, describing distinct socially fearful situations, were identified (Performance, Interaction, and Presence in a social context) and one Agoraphobia factor after the evaluation of alternative solutions. Findings were verified by means of Confirmatory Factor Analysis, testing alternative models. Overall, findings were in line with recent evidence on youth samples, and contribute to significant insights towards more sophisticated and personalized assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markos Apostolakis
- Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus,Center for Applied Neuroscience, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus,*Correspondence: Markos Apostolakis,
| | - Marios Theodorou
- Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus,Center for Applied Neuroscience, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Klavdia Neophytou
- Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus,Center for Applied Neuroscience, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Georgia Panayiotou
- Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus,Center for Applied Neuroscience, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
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Social anxiety in adolescents and young adults from the general population: an epidemiological characterization of fear and avoidance in different social situations. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03755-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
AbstractSocial Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and, more generally, social fears are common in young people. Although avoidance behaviors are known to be an important maintaining factor of social anxiety, little is known about the severity and occurrence of avoidance behaviors in young people from the general population, hampering approaches for early identification and intervention. Symptoms, syndromes, and diagnoses of DSM-5 mental disorders including SAD were assessed in a random population-based sample of 14-21-year-olds (n = 1,180) from Dresden, Germany, in 2015/2016 using a standardized diagnostic interview (DIA-X-5/D-CIDI). An adapted version of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale was used to ascertain the extent of social fears and avoidance. Diagnostic criteria for lifetime SAD were met by n = 82 participants, resulting in a weighted lifetime prevalence of 6.6%. Social anxiety was predominantly reported for test situations and when speaking or performing in front of others. Avoidance was most prevalent in the latter situations. On average, anxiety and avoidance first occurred at ages 11 and 12, respectively, with avoidance occurring in most cases either at about the same age as anxiety or slightly later. In the total sample, lifetime prevalence for most DSM-5 disorders increased with the severity of social anxiety and avoidance. Results underline the need for preventive or early intervention efforts especially regarding test anxiety and fear and avoidance of speaking in front of others. These situations are particularly relevant in youth. Avoidance behaviors may also be discussed as diagnostic marker for early case identification.
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Aune T, Nordahl HM, Beidel DC. Social anxiety disorder in adolescents: Prevalence and subtypes in the Young-HUNT3 study. J Anxiety Disord 2022; 87:102546. [PMID: 35248811 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2022.102546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies have examined the prevalence of social anxiety disorder (SAD) among adolescents and the associated sex-specific fears. No previous studies have reported variance in SAD prevalence among adolescents based on a stepwise diagnostic approach. METHODS Using various diagnostic thresholds from the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule child version, and the diagnostic criteria from both the 4th and 5th editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), we explored the point prevalence of SAD among a population-based sample of 8216 adolescents aged 13-19 years. RESULTS Overall, 2.6% of adolescents met the SAD diagnostic criteria. The prevalence varied from 2.0% to 5.7% depending on the criteria-set. Twice as many females met the overall SAD criteria. The DSM-IV generalized SAD subtype was assigned to 86.5% of the sample, while 3.5% met the DSM-5 performance-only subtype. Compared with males aged 16-19 years, significantly more of those aged 13-15 years met the SAD criteria; no significant age group differences were found among females. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to demonstrate variance in SAD prevalence among adolescents based on the diagnostic threshold method. Depending on the threshold applied, SAD prevalence among adolescents varied from 2.0% to 5.7%. Age and sex differences in social fear experiences highlight the importance of considering developmental heterogeneity in SAD, especially for adapting prevention and treatment interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tore Aune
- Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affaires, Bomvegen 3, 7725 Steinkjer, Norway; Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Nord University, Norway.
| | - Hans M Nordahl
- Department of Mental Health, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway; St. Olavs Hospital, Division of Psychiatry, Nidaros DPS, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Deborah C Beidel
- UCF RESTORES, University of Central Florida, 4111 Pictor Lane, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
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Vogel F, Reichert J, Hartmann D, Schwenck C. Cognitive Variables in Social Anxiety Disorder in Children and Adolescents: A Network Analysis. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2021; 54:625-638. [PMID: 34708304 PMCID: PMC10150579 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-021-01273-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Clark and Wells' prominent model of social anxiety disorder (SAD) assumes that cognitive variables such as negative expectations or dysfunctional cognitions play a central role in the symptomatology of SAD. In contrast to adults, it is less clear how well the cognitive model can be applied to children and adolescents. A network analysis with seven nodes was conducted to explore the importance of cognitive variables and their interaction with symptoms of SAD based on N = 205 children and adolescents (8-18 years, M = 11.54 years). Cognitive variables had a high but differential impact within the positively connected network of SAD. Dysfunctional cognitions were most strongly connected within the network. Dysfunctional cognitions, as predicted by Clark and Wells' model, seem to act as a hub affecting several symptoms. The association between negative expectations and avoidance indicates that negative expectations may particularly contribute to the maintenance of SAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Vogel
- Department of Special Needs Educational and Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Otto-Behaghel-Straße 10 E, 35394, Gießen, Germany.
| | - Julian Reichert
- Medical School Hamburg, University of Applied Science and Medical University, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daniela Hartmann
- Department of Special Needs Educational and Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Otto-Behaghel-Straße 10 E, 35394, Gießen, Germany
| | - Christina Schwenck
- Department of Special Needs Educational and Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Otto-Behaghel-Straße 10 E, 35394, Gießen, Germany
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Zsido AN, Varadi-Borbas B, Arato N. Psychometric properties of the social interaction anxiety scale and the social phobia scale in Hungarian adults and adolescents. BMC Psychiatry 2021; 21:171. [PMID: 33771109 PMCID: PMC7995698 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-021-03174-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although social anxiety disorder is one of the most frequent disorders, it often remained unrecognized. Utilizing brief, yet reliable screening tools, such as the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS-6) and the Social Phobia Scale (SPS-6) are helping to solve this problem in parts of Western Europe and the US. Still some countries, like Hungary, lag behind. For this purpose, previous studies call for further evidence on the applicability of the scales in various populations and cultures, as well as the elaborative validity of the short forms. Here, we aimed to provide a thorough analysis of the scales in five studies. We employed item response theory (IRT) to explore the psychometric properties of the SIAS-6 and the SPS-6 in Hungarian adults (n = 3213, age range:19-80) and adolescents (n = 292, age range:14-18). RESULTS In both samples, IRT analyses demonstrated that the items of SIAS-6 and SPS-6 had high discriminative power and cover a wide range of the latent trait. Using various subsamples, we showed that (1) the scales had excellent convergent and divergent validity in relation to domains of anxiety, depression, and cognitive emotion regulation in both samples. Further, that (2) the scales discriminated those with a history of fainting or avoidance from those without such history. Lastly, (3) the questionnaires can discriminate people diagnosed with social anxiety disorder (n = 30, age range:13-71) and controls. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that the questionnaires are suitable for screening for SAD in adults and adolescents. Although the confirmation of the two-factor structure may be indicative of the validity of the "performance only" specifier of SAD in DSM-V, the high correlation between the factors and the similar patter of convergent validity might indicate that it is not a discrete entity but rather a part of SAD; and that SAD is latently continuous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andras N. Zsido
- Institute of Psychology, University of Pécs, 6, Ifjusag street, Pécs, Baranya H-7624 Hungary
| | - Brigitta Varadi-Borbas
- Doctoral School of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nikolett Arato
- Institute of Psychology, University of Pécs, 6, Ifjusag street, Pécs, Baranya H-7624 Hungary
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Kahlon S, Lindner P, Nordgreen T. Virtual reality exposure therapy for adolescents with fear of public speaking: a non-randomized feasibility and pilot study. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health 2019; 13:47. [PMID: 31890004 PMCID: PMC6933883 DOI: 10.1186/s13034-019-0307-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Public Speaking Anxiety (PSA) is a common anxiety with onset in adolescence and early adulthood. With the advent of consumer virtual reality (VR) technology, VR-delivered exposure therapy is now a scalable and practical treatment option and has previously been shown to be efficacious with adults. In this non-randomized feasibility and pilot trial, we explore the effect of one-session (90 min) VR-delivered exposure therapy for adolescents (aged 13-16) with PSA. METHODS A total of 27 adolescents were recruited from Norwegian high schools and completed self-report measures of PSA twice prior to treatment, 1 week after treatment, and at 1 and 3 month follow-up. Heart rate was recorded during the treatment session. A low-cost head-mounted VR display with a custom-built VR stimuli material depicting a cultural and age appropriate classroom and audience were used when a series of speech (exposure exercises) were performed. RESULTS Linear mixed effects model revealed a significant decrease in PSA symptoms (Cohen's d = 1.53) pre-post treatment, and improvements were maintained at follow-ups. Physiological data revealed a small increase in heart rate during exposure tasks. Based on feedback from the adolescents, the feasibility of the intervention was increased during the trial. CONCLUSIONS The results show that low-cost, consumer VR hardware can be used to deliver efficacious treatment for PSA in adolescents, in a feasible one-session format.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smiti Kahlon
- 0000 0000 9753 1393grid.412008.fDivision of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Haukelandsbakken 15, 5009 Bergen, Norway
| | - Philip Lindner
- 0000 0000 9753 1393grid.412008.fDivision of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Haukelandsbakken 15, 5009 Bergen, Norway ,0000 0004 1936 9377grid.10548.38Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden ,0000 0001 2326 2191grid.425979.4Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tine Nordgreen
- 0000 0000 9753 1393grid.412008.fDivision of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Haukelandsbakken 15, 5009 Bergen, Norway ,0000 0004 1936 7443grid.7914.bDepartment of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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