The Association between General and Pathological Dissociation and Disaster-Related Psychopathology in Directly Exposed Survivors

Coping Motivated Alcohol Use: The Role of Social Anxiety and Dissociation

Background: Social anxiety has been associated with higher rates of negative alcohol use consequences, and this relationship appears to be accounted for by coping drinking motives. Dissociation is commonly present in anxiety disorders, including social anxiety disorder, and may serve to unconsciously reduce negative emotions when more effortful coping strategies are not effective. Objectives: The present study examined whether the relationship between social anxiety, coping motives, and alcohol consequences was moderated by dissociative symptoms. It was hypothesized that coping motives would mediate the relationship between social anxiety and alcohol consequences, and that dissociation would moderate the relationship between social anxiety and coping motives. Undergraduate students who endorsed alcohol use within the past 30 days (n = 320) were recruited from a large public university. Participants completed measures of social anxiety, dissociation, alcohol motives, and alcohol consequences as part of a larger online questionnaire. Results: Coping motives were found to mediate the relationship between social anxiety and alcohol consequences. Dissociation did not moderate the relationship between social anxiety and coping motives. Dissociation was significantly associated with alcohol consequences via coping motives. Conclusions: Future research should include longitudinal research designs or ecological momentary assessment designs and should examine these relationships in clinical and community samples.

Self-perceived general and ear-nose-throat symptoms related to the COVID-19 outbreak: a survey study during quarantine in Italy

OBJECTIVE

To survey perceived general and ear-nose-throat (ENT) symptoms of COVID-19 in relation to psychological impact, mental health, perception of information and demographic characteristics in quarantined subjects during a lockdown period in Italy.

METHODS

Participants were 1380 respondents who completed an online survey. A logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between the independent variables and perceived symptoms.

RESULTS

Participants reported different prevalences of perceived ENT and general symptoms. Coryza, cough, sore throat and tinnitus were the most common symptoms, and there was a low prevalence of anxiety, depression and stress compared with the psychological impact of the symptom. Comparison of the two symptom groups demonstrated a common need for updates, their relationship with the media and correct information about the route of transmission.

CONCLUSIONS

The health information provided during a disease outbreak must be grounded in evidence. This would help to prevent adverse psychological reactions and somatization symptoms that can engulf healthcare systems, especially in clinical areas like ENT, which frequently treat airway problems.