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Sammut-Scerri C, Vetere A. Adult Maltese Women's Understanding of How Childhood Domestic Violence Has Impacted Their Relationships with Their Parents and Siblings: A Grounded Theory Study. Behav Sci (Basel) 2024; 14:333. [PMID: 38667129 PMCID: PMC11047322 DOI: 10.3390/bs14040333] [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: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Most of the literature that has looked at children's relationships with their parents in the domestic violence context has focused solely on the children's relationship with one parent or is studied from the perspective of one parent, usually the mother. Sibling relationships in the same context are also under-studied. This paper explores in more detail the complexity of children's relationships with their mothers, fathers, and siblings over time from the perspective of adult women and survivors of childhood domestic violence. Methods: A grounded theory methodology was used to analyse the interviews with 15 women aged twenty to forty-three years of age living in Malta. Results: the analysis showed that the domestic violence context remains significant in these important relationships for these women. The relationship with the father remains strongly influenced by the dynamics of fear, love, and retaliation, with cycles of cut-off and connection from the adult daughter's end. The relationship with the mother is complicated-feelings of love that are seen as having been limited and complicated by betrayal if there was abuse from the mother. Similarly, for the siblings, the roles of the early family of origin remain persistent and significant. However, in some of these relationships, there has been transformation, reconciliation, and forgiveness. The article offers implications for therapeutic practice for dealing with the complexity of these relationships and ideas for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarissa Sammut-Scerri
- Department of Child and Family Studies, Faculty for Social Wellbeing, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, Malta
| | - Arlene Vetere
- Faculty of Social Studies, Vid Specialised University, P.O. Box 184, Vinderen, 0319 Oslo, Norway;
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2
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Beevor HJ, Ginty AT, Veldhuijzen van Zanten JJCS, Williams SE. Mastery imagery ability moderates the relationship between heart rate reactivity to acute psychological stress and perceptions of stress and physiological arousal. Psychophysiology 2024; 61:e14486. [PMID: 37973366 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14486] [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: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Imagery has been associated with cardiovascular and psychological responses to stress; however, the mechanisms underlying this association are not fully understood. The present study examined if the ability to image mastering challenging or difficult situations moderated the relationship between heart rate reactivity and perceptions of stress and physiological arousal experienced during acute stress. Four hundred and fifty-eight participants completed a standardized laboratory stress protocol with heart rate being measured throughout. After completing an acute psychological stress task, participants rated how stressed and physiologically aroused they felt (i.e., intensity) and whether they perceived the stress and physiological arousal as being helpful/unhelpful to performance (i.e., interpretation). Mastery imagery ability was assessed by questionnaire. Moderation analyses controlling for gender demonstrated that imagery ability moderated the relationship between heart rate reactivity and interpretation of stress (β = 0.015, p = .003) and perceived physiological arousal (β = 0.013, p = .004). Simple slope analysis indicated that in those with higher imagery ability, heart rate reactivity was associated with stress and arousal being perceived as more positive toward performance. Imagery ability did not moderate the relationship between heart rate reactivity and perceived stress intensity or physiological arousal intensity (p's > .05), but imagery ability did predict lower perceived stress intensity (β = -0.217, p < .001) and perceived physiological arousal intensity (β = -0.172, p < .001). Higher mastery imagery ability may possibly help individuals perceive responses to stress as more beneficial for performance and thus be an effective coping technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry J Beevor
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Annie T Ginty
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | | | - Sarah E Williams
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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Ruskin DA, Dentakos S, Craig S, Campbell F, Isaac L, Stinson J, Tyrrell J, Lyon RE, O’Connor K, Brown SC. Don't judge a book by its cover: Exploring low self-reported distress and repressive coping in a pediatric chronic pain population. J Child Health Care 2023; 27:693-706. [PMID: 35499965 PMCID: PMC10676622 DOI: 10.1177/13674935221096925] [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] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Repression has been linked to greater illness, somatic symptoms, and poorer physical health, both in adult and pediatric populations. The current study examined psychological and pain profiles of children with chronic pain who may under-report levels of psychological distress at a first interdisciplinary chronic pain assessment. Children and their caregiver completed measures of psychopathology and pain intensity, while clinicians rated their levels of disability. Based on self-report measures, children were classified as "repressors" (low anxiety/high social desirability) or as "true low anxious" (low anxiety/low social desirability). Groups were then compared on psychological and pain characteristics. Compared to children with true low anxiety, repressors reported lower levels of depressive and somatic symptoms but provided higher ratings on pain intensity, pain-unpleasantness, and self-oriented perfectionism. Caregivers of repressors rated their children as having higher levels of adaptability compared to caregivers of children in the true low anxious group. Groups did not differ on clinician-rated level of disability. Children classified as repressors exhibited different profiles than children classified as having true low anxiety on both psychological outcomes and pain characteristics. Repression may be an important factor to consider for those assessing and treating children with chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle A Ruskin
- Department of Psychology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Stella Dentakos
- Department of Psychology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Stephanie Craig
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Fiona Campbell
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lisa Isaac
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jennifer Stinson
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Mary Jo Haddad Nursing Chair in Child Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jennifer Tyrrell
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rachael E Lyon
- Department of Psychology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kathleen O’Connor
- Department of Psychology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Stephen C Brown
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
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4
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Exner A, Kampa M, Finke JB, Stalder T, Klapperich H, Hassenzahl M, Kleinke K, Klucken T. Repressive and vigilant coping styles in stress and relaxation: evidence for physiological and subjective differences at baseline, but not for differential stress or relaxation responses. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1196481. [PMID: 37720657 PMCID: PMC10502326 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1196481] [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: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Previous research suggested differential stress reactivity depending on individuals' coping style, e.g., as classified by the model of coping modes. Specifically, stronger physiological reactivity and weaker subjective stress ratings were found for repressors than for sensitizers. However, it remains to be investigated (i) whether these findings, which are largely based on social stress induction protocols, also generalize to other stressors, (ii) whether repressors vs. sensitizers also exhibit differential stress recovery following the application of a relaxation method, and (iii) which stress reactivity and recovery patterns are seen for the two remaining coping styles, i.e., fluctuating, and non-defensive copers. The current study thus examines stress reactivity in physiology and subjective ratings to a non-social stressor and the subsequent ability to relax for the four coping groups of repressors, sensitizers, fluctuating, and non-defensive copers. Methods A total of 96 healthy participants took part in a stress induction (Mannheim Multicomponent Stress Test) and a subsequent relaxation intervention. Subjective ratings of stress and relaxation, heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and blood pressure were assessed during the experiment. HR and blood pressure are markers of the sympathetic stress response that can be regulated by relaxation, while HRV should increase with relaxation. To investigate long-term relaxation effects, subjective ratings were also assessed on the evening of testing. Results Despite successful stress induction, no differential responses (baseline to stress, stress to relaxation) were observed between the different coping groups on any of the measures. In contrast, a strong baseline effect was observed that persisted throughout the experiment: In general, fluctuating copers showed lower HR and higher HRV than non-defensive copers, whereas repressors reported lower subjective stress levels and higher levels of relaxation during all study phases. No differences in subjective ratings were observed in the evening of testing. Conclusion Contrary to previous research, no differential stress reactivity pattern was observed between coping groups, which could be due to the non-social type of stressor employed in this study. The novel finding of physiological baseline differences between fluctuating and non-defensive individuals is of interest and should be further investigated in other stressor types in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Exner
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Miriam Kampa
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Johannes B. Finke
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Tobias Stalder
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Holger Klapperich
- Ubiquitous Design/Experience and Interaction, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Marc Hassenzahl
- Ubiquitous Design/Experience and Interaction, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Kristian Kleinke
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Tim Klucken
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
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Gu S, Jiang Y, Liu M, Li Y, Liang Y, Feng R, Xu M, Wang F, Huang JH. Eye movements and ERP biomarkers for face processing problems in avoidant attachment-style individuals. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1135909. [PMID: 37273280 PMCID: PMC10235504 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1135909] [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: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Avoidant attachment poses a serious risk to intimate relationships and offspring. However, there are few studies on the face-processing characteristics and impairments of avoidant individuals based on basic emotion theory. Therefore, this study investigated the issues of emotional processing and deactivation strategies in individuals with avoidant attachment. Methods Avoidant and secure individuals were recruited to participate in an eye-tracking experiment and a two-choice oddball task in which they had to distinguish facial expressions of basic emotions (sadness, anger, fear, disgust, and neutral). Eye fixation durations to various parts of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, were measured, and three event-related potentials (ERP) components (P100, N170, and P300) were monitored. Results Avoidant individuals could not process facial expressions as easily as secure individuals. Avoidant individuals focused less on the eyes of angry faces when compared to secure individuals. They also exhibited a more positive P100 component and a less negative N170 component when processing faces and a larger amplitude of the P300 component than secure individuals when processing emotional expressions. Conclusion Avoidant individuals use deactivating strategies and exhibit specific characteristics at different stages, which are of great significance in social interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simeng Gu
- Department of Psychology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yao Jiang
- Institute of Brain and Psychological Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Mei Liu
- Institute of Brain and Psychological Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yumeng Li
- Department of Psychology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuan Liang
- Institute of Brain and Psychological Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Rou Feng
- Institute of Brain and Psychological Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Minghong Xu
- Department of Neurology, Lianyungang Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Fushun Wang
- Institute of Brain and Psychological Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jason H. Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor Scott & White Health Center, Temple, TX, United States
- Department of Surgery, Texas A&M University, Temple, TX, United States
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Günther V, Strukova M, Pecher J, Webelhorst C, Engelmann S, Kersting A, Hoffmann KT, Egloff B, Okon-Singer H, Lobsien D, Suslow T. Cognitive Avoidance Is Associated with Decreased Brain Responsiveness to Threat Distractors under High Perceptual Load. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13040618. [PMID: 37190583 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13040618] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitive coping strategies to deal with anxiety-provoking events have an impact on mental and physical health. Dispositional vigilance is characterized by an increased analysis of the threatening environment, whereas cognitive avoidance comprises strategies to inhibit threat processing. To date, functional neuroimaging studies on the neural underpinnings of these coping styles are scarce and have revealed discrepant findings. In the present study, we examined automatic brain responsiveness as a function of coping styles using functional magnetic resonance imaging. We administered a perceptual load paradigm with contemptuous and fearful faces as distractor stimuli in a sample of N = 43 healthy participants. The Mainz Coping Inventory was used to assess cognitive avoidance and vigilance. An association of cognitive avoidance with reduced contempt and fear processing under high perceptual load was observed in a widespread network including the amygdala, thalamus, cingulate gyrus, insula, and frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital areas. Our findings indicate that the dispositional tendency to divert one's attention away from distressing stimuli is a valuable predictor of diminished automatic neural responses to threat in several cortical and subcortical areas. A reduced processing in brain regions involved in emotion perception and attention might indicate a potential threat resilience associated with cognitive avoidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivien Günther
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mariia Strukova
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jonas Pecher
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Carolin Webelhorst
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Simone Engelmann
- Department of Neuroradiology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anette Kersting
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Karl-Titus Hoffmann
- Department of Neuroradiology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Boris Egloff
- Department of Psychology, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, 55122 Mainz, Germany
| | - Hadas Okon-Singer
- Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3100000, Israel
| | - Donald Lobsien
- Department of Neuroradiology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thomas Suslow
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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7
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Exner A, Machulska A, Stalder T, Klucken T. Biased information processing and anxiety coping: differences in attentional and approach patterns towards positive cues in repressors. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-04087-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
AbstractIndividual differences in emotional coping styles are likely to affect information processing on different stages. Repressive coping is assumed to be related to an attentional bias away from threatening information. Possible links to biases in later stages of information processing have not been investigated to date. In the current study, 82 participants completed the visual dot-probe task as a measure of attentional bias and the Approach-Avoidance Task (AAT) as a measure of approach/avoidance bias and classified into coping groups via the Mainz Coping Inventory (MCI). Prevalence of attention bias and approach/avoidance bias were compared between groups. Main results revealed a strong approach tendency toward positive stimuli for repressors and a strong avoidance tendency for sensitizers. No group differences were found for approach bias to negative stimuli or for attention bias. The present findings of strong preferential processing of positive stimuli in repressors may be part of broader information processing alterations, which may also be linked to alterations in emotion processing.
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Barranca-Enríquez A, Romo-González T. Your health is in your mouth: A comprehensive view to promote general wellness. FRONTIERS IN ORAL HEALTH 2022; 3:971223. [PMID: 36186536 PMCID: PMC9515542 DOI: 10.3389/froh.2022.971223] [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: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Even though various studies recognize the importance of the oral cavity to have general health, in multidisciplinary professional practice it is almost always excluded and on an individual basis, very commonly neglected. Oral diseases are preventable, still, they are highly prevalent. Although some studies consider oral health within integral health, currently, there is no model in which the mouth is integrated within other levels for the achievement of well-being. The objective of this article was to review the importance of oral health and its connection with well-being and, based on these findings, propose a complex and comprehensive perspective for approach and care. Methods The databases MEDLINE, PubMed, and Google Scholar were revised for randomized controlled trials and reviews that included search terms related to oral health and its relationship with the general health in its different levels (physical, psychological, social and environmental). Results The review shows that oral health is critical, as the teeth and mouth are not only an integral part of the body, but also, they also support and enable essential human functions. That is, oral health has a multidimensional nature, as it includes the physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains that are essential for overall health and well-being. Likewise, the mouth is the psychological seat of the first physiological needs and emotional gratifications, with it we take a taste of the world around us. Thus, the mouth plays an important role in the feeling of unity and in the constitution of the self. Based on these results we propose an integrative model in which the mouth is the first step for well-being and from this integrative model we build a multidisciplinary approach which could be used in the clinical practice for the promotion of oral care and general health. Conclusion The effort on the part of oral health professionals is essential for people's well-being and must be integrated as part of health promotion. Dental treatments alone cannot solve this problem, it requires a comprehensive and approach in which the bio-psychological, behavioral, and socio-environmental determinants are included to face this global oral health challenge. That is, without a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to medical science that includes dental and oral health, our public policies cannot provide the best answers to health promotion, disease prevention, early detection, and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tania Romo-González
- Área de Biología y Salud Integral, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico
- Correspondence: Tania Romo González
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Saeedi Z, Ghorbani N, Shojaeddin A, Sarafraz MR. The experience of pain among patients who suffer from chronic pain: The role of suppression and mindfulness in the pain sensitivity and the autonomic nervous system activity. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-02849-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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10
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Günther V, Jahn S, Webelhorst C, Bodenschatz CM, Bujanow A, Mucha S, Kersting A, Hoffmann KT, Egloff B, Lobsien D, Suslow T. Coping With Anxiety: Brain Structural Correlates of Vigilance and Cognitive Avoidance. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:869367. [PMID: 35463500 PMCID: PMC9021612 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.869367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals differ in their dispositional coping behavior when they are confronted with anxiety-provoking situations. Cognitive avoidance is characterized by a withdrawal from threatening information, whereas vigilance denotes the intensive search for threat-related information. Functional neuroimaging studies indicate alterations in brain responsivity to emotional stimuli as a function of cognitive avoidant and vigilant coping, but findings are partially discrepant. Studies on structural correlates of coping styles are scarce. MATERIALS AND METHODS By using structural magnetic resonance imaging, the present study examined the relationship between brain gray matter volume and coping strategies in 114 healthy individuals. Individual differences in vigilance and cognitive avoidance were measured by the Mainz Coping Inventory. RESULTS Exploratory whole-brain analyses were conducted. Cognitive avoidant coping significantly predicted reduced gray matter volume in the bilateral thalamus, whereas vigilant coping was associated with volumetric increases in the bilateral thalamus. These relationships remained significant when controlling for a potential influence of age, sex, depressive symptoms, and trait anxiety. DISCUSSION Our findings indicate that dispositional strategies to deal with anxiety-provoking situations are related to volumetric alterations in the thalamus, a brain structure that has been implicated in the mediation of attentional processes and alertness, and the anticipation of harm. The dispositional tendency to monitor the environment for potential threats (i.e., vigilance), appears to be associated with volumetric increases in the thalamus, whereas the dispositional inclination to divert one's attention away from distressing stimuli (i.e., cognitive avoidance) seems to go along with reductions in thalamic gray matter density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivien Günther
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Salome Jahn
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Carolin Webelhorst
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Charlott Maria Bodenschatz
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anna Bujanow
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Simone Mucha
- Department of Neuroradiology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anette Kersting
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Karl-Titus Hoffmann
- Department of Neuroradiology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Boris Egloff
- Department of Psychology, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Donald Lobsien
- Department of Neuroradiology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thomas Suslow
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
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11
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Tsur N, Katz C, Talmon A. The shielding effect of not responding: Peritraumatic responses to child abuse and their links to posttraumatic symptomatology. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2021; 121:105224. [PMID: 34392074 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105224] [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: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extensive literature focuses on peritraumatic responses to trauma and their link to subsequent posttraumatic symptomatology. However, although posttraumatic symptomatology following child abuse (CA) has been documented, research on peritraumatic responses to CA is sparse. OBJECTIVE The current study utilizes a new typology of peritraumatic responses to CA and tests whether automatic and behavioral peritraumatic responses to CA differ in their long-term implications for posttraumatic symptomatology, i.e., posttraumatic stress (PTS symptoms), deficiency in self-organization (DSO symptoms; complex posttraumatic symptoms), and dissociation. PARTICIPANTS, SETTINGS AND METHODS One-hundred and eighty adult CA survivors reported on CA, peritraumatic responses, PTS symptoms, DSO symptoms, and dissociation. RESULTS The tendency to freeze and dissociate, and utilize extensive behavioral methods to survive the abuse were implicated in higher posttraumatic symptomatology (F(2,178) > 4.26, p < 0.01). The absence of automatic and behavioral responses were found to be implicated in the lowest levels of posttraumatic symptomatology (p < 0.01) and to buffer the effect of CA severity on PTS and DSO posttraumatic symptoms (0.047 > effect>0.029, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The findings uncovered a novel response pattern, reflected in a tendency to eradicate responses to CA, which was the most protective in regard to its link to later posttraumatic symptomatology. Contrarily, the most scarring peritraumatic responses to CA that arose from the findings were the tendency to freeze and dissociate and utilize various excessive behavioral methods to endure the abuse. These findings imply that CA generates several possible responses, some of which, although allowing for survival in childhood, have adverse effects in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noga Tsur
- Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - Carmit Katz
- Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Anat Talmon
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, CA, United States of America
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12
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Bélanger K, Blanchette I. Stressful Life Events Are Related to More Negative Interpretations, but Not Under Acute Stress. Psychol Rep 2021; 125:1988-2008. [PMID: 33969753 PMCID: PMC9350455 DOI: 10.1177/00332941211014150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Studies have identified deleterious effects of stress on multiple cognitive processes
such as memory and attention. Little is known about the impact of stress on
interpretation. We investigated how an induced acute stress and more long-term stress
related to life events were associated with interpretations of ambiguous stimuli. Fifty
participants answered a questionnaire indexing the number of stressful life events. A
median split was used to compare those reporting few or more events. Half of participants
performed an arithmetic task that induced acute stress; they were compared to a control
group performing a less stressful task. We measured the interpretation of ambiguous visual
stimuli, which participants had to judge as “negative” or “positive”. We found a
significant interaction between the number of stressful life events and the induced acute
stress on the proportion of positive interpretations. In the control group, participants
reporting more stressful events produced less positive interpretations than those
reporting few events. In the induced stress condition, no significant difference was
found. Life events tend to influence interpretation in the absence of an acute stressor,
which seems to be more influent in the short term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathy Bélanger
- Département de Psychologie, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Canada
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13
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Luminet O, Nielson KA, Ridout N. Having no words for feelings: alexithymia as a fundamental personality dimension at the interface of cognition and emotion. Cogn Emot 2021; 35:435-448. [PMID: 33900884 DOI: 10.1080/02699931.2021.1916442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
This special issue brings together two important reviews and seven cutting-edge empirical papers concerning the influence of alexithymia on cognitive and emotional processing. Alexithymia is a multifaceted construct that is characterised by difficulties identifying one's feelings; difficulties describing one's feelings to others; and an externally focused, utilitarian cognitive style. In this paper, we begin by considering how emotion science has evolved in its understanding of personality traits, before highlighting the potential importance of alexithymia research for the field of cognition and emotion. After summarising the historical context of alexithymia research, we consider the contributions of the featured papers to the literature of cognition and emotion. The collected works highlight that alexithymia influences several aspects of how one perceives and responds to neutral and emotional situations, by impacting upon multiple processes (attention, appraisals, memory, language and behaviour), showing the importance of drawing better connections amongst multiple processes, toward disentangling the effects of early processes on later ones. A lack of correspondence between processes, as well as amongst alexithymia facets, is another central finding of the special issue. This pattern is thought to lead to ineffective and inflexible emotion regulation and to pose significant risks for physical and mental illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Luminet
- Research Institute for Psychological Sciences, UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.,Fund for Scientific Research (FRS-FNRS), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kristy A Nielson
- Department of Psychology, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, USA.,Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Nathan Ridout
- Department of Psychology, School of Life & Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
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Weber R, Ehrenthal JC, Brock-Midding E, Halbach S, Würstlein R, Kowalski C, Ernstmann N. Defense Mechanisms and Repressive Coping Among Male Breast Cancer Patients. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:718076. [PMID: 34955906 PMCID: PMC8703166 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.718076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: The concept of defense mechanisms has undergone extensive revision and expansion since Freud first described these processes. Initially formulated as an unconscious repression of unpleasant memories, with further development focusing on the role of defense mechanisms in the regulation of internal conflicts, the concept shifted and evolved to incorporate the adaptation to external demands, including intrapsychic and interpersonal handling of burden of illness. In addition to defense mechanisms, coping provides another perspective on human adjustment to difficult life events. While there is substantial research on both coping and defense mechanisms in various psychiatric and somatic diseases, including cancer, little is known about defensive regulation, coping, and their interaction in male breast cancer patients. Methods: The present study is part of the N-Male project conducted between 2016 and 2018 in Germany (Male breast cancer: patients' needs in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and follow-up care). Semi-standardized interviews with 27 male breast cancer patients were analyzed with regard to defense mechanisms. In addition, fear of progression and repressive coping was assessed by self-report. Results: There was considerable variety in levels of defensive functioning as well as repressive coping in our sample. We found no difference in overall levels of defensive functioning between men with vs. without repressive coping. However, patients with repressive coping demonstrated a decopupled association between fear of progression and defensive functioning as compared to patients without repressive coping. Discussion: The study provides the first evidence of disease processing in male breast cancer patients Knowledge of patients' defense patterns and repressive coping seems promising for better planning targeted intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rainer Weber
- Department of Psychosomatic and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Johannes C Ehrenthal
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Evamarie Brock-Midding
- Center for Health Communication and Health Services Research, Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Center for Integrated Oncology (CIO Bonn), Bonn, Germany
| | - Sarah Halbach
- Center for Health Communication and Health Services Research, Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Center for Integrated Oncology (CIO Bonn), Bonn, Germany
| | - Rachel Würstlein
- Breast Center, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics (Comprehensive Cancer Center Munich), University Hospital of Munich (Ludwig Maximilian University), Munich, Germany
| | | | - Nicole Ernstmann
- Center for Health Communication and Health Services Research, Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Center for Integrated Oncology (CIO Bonn), Bonn, Germany
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Tsur N, Abu-Raiya H. COVID-19-related fear and stress among individuals who experienced child abuse: The mediating effect of complex posttraumatic stress disorder. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2020; 110:104694. [PMID: 32900515 PMCID: PMC7430290 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic exposes individuals not only to health-related risks, but also to psychosocial fear and acute stress. Previous studies reveal that individuals who experienced child abuse (CA), especially those who suffer from complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), are at a higher risk of reacting with fear and stress when faced with stressful life-events. OBJECTIVE To test whether exposure to CA is implicated in a higher risk of COVID-19-related fear and acute stress, and whether CPTSD intervenes in such processes. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTINGS A convenience sample of 837 adults participated in the study during the first peak of COVID-19 in Israel. METHODS Participants completed self-report questionnaires, assessing child physical, sexual and emotional abuse, CPTSD (ITQ), COVID-19-related acute stress disorder (COVID-19 ASD; ASDS) and fear of COVID-19. RESULTS Bivariate analyses showed that participants who experienced CA were higher than participants who did not experience CA in COVID-19 ASD (p = .032), but not in fear of COVID-19 (p = .65). Mediation analyses demonstrated two significant paths: in the first, CA was associated with elevated fear of COVID-19 (effect = .061, .059; p < 0.05) and COVID-19 ASD (effect = .14, .084; p < 0.05) through the mediation of CPTSD; in the second path, when controlling for the mediation of CPTSD, CA was associated with reduced fear of COVID-19 (effect = -.15; p = 0.001), and COVID-19 ASD (effect = -.12; p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS The findings reveal a complex pattern, indicating that CPTSD may be a risk factor for elevated levels of COVID-19 distress among individuals who experienced CA. However, some CA survivors may express reduced COVID-19 distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noga Tsur
- Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - Hisham Abu-Raiya
- Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Shin M, Kemps E. Media multitasking as an avoidance coping strategy against emotionally negative stimuli. ANXIETY STRESS AND COPING 2020; 33:440-451. [PMID: 32192363 DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2020.1745194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Emotion regulation refers to the way individuals manage and regulate their own emotions in response to negative emotional experiences. This study investigated whether media multitasking serves as an avoidance coping strategy for managing emotionally stressful events. Design and Methods: Using a correlational design, 140 participants completed self-report measures of media multitasking and emotion regulation, and cognitive measures assessing attentional bias for emotionally negative stimuli. Results: Media multitasking was associated with difficulties in accepting emotional responses for participants who showed an attentional bias away from anxiety words, and for participants with poorer inhibitory control over such words. Further, there was a strong association between media multitasking and reduced interference from anxiety words for participants with stronger inhibitory control over such words in the emotional Stroop task. Conclusions: Results support the idea that media multitasking is linked to difficulty dealing with emotionally negative stimuli and serves as an avoidance coping strategy where one deliberately directs attention away from negative stimuli to prevent their further processing. The findings have real-life implications for managing anxiety and depression, as media multitasking may be used as a maladaptive coping strategy that further increases these negative moods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myoungju Shin
- School of Psychology, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, Australia
| | - Eva Kemps
- School of Psychology, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
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Clark JR, Nijs J, Yeowell G, Holmes P, Goodwin PC. Trait Sensitivity, Anxiety, and Personality Are Predictive of Central Sensitization Symptoms in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain. Pain Pract 2019; 19:800-810. [PMID: 31215742 DOI: 10.1111/papr.12809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sensitivity-related trait characteristics involving physical and emotional sensitivities and high trait anxiety personality types have been observed in individuals with nonspecific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP). High trait sensitivity to sensory stimulation combined with interpretation biases based on personality type may contribute to the development of central sensitization (CS) symptoms. To date, there is limited research that has considered both sensitivity levels and personality type in NSCLBP with CS. The purpose of this study was to investigate (1) relationships between trait sensory profiles, trait anxiety, and CS symptoms, and (2) the predictive capacity of sensory profiles, trait anxiety, and personality types on CS symptoms in people with NSCLBP. METHODS This was a cross-sectional observational study using 4 self-report measures on adults (N = 165, mean age = 45 ± 12 [standard deviation] years) from physiotherapy clinics in England, Ireland, and New Zealand. Inclusion: NSCLBP > 6 months, age 18 to 64 years, predominant CS pain presentation, no other pathology. Parametric and nonparametric correlation statistics and regression analyses were used. RESULTS Positive correlations were found between central sensitization inventory (CSI) scores and sensory hypersensitivity profiles and trait anxiety. CSI score increases could be predicted by sensory-sensitive, low-registration profiles; trait anxiety scores; and extreme defensive high anxious personality type. CONCLUSIONS Trait sensory hyper- and/or hyposensitivity and high trait anxiety-related personality type characteristics predict the extent of CS symptoms in people with NSCLBP. Further investigation is required to establish causality between these characteristics and CS symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqui R Clark
- Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, U.K.,Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Pain in Motion International Research Group, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jo Nijs
- Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Pain in Motion International Research Group, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gillian Yeowell
- Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, U.K
| | - Paul Holmes
- Musculoskeletal Science and Sports Medicine Research Centre, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, U.K
| | - Peter C Goodwin
- Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, U.K
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Oskis A, Smyth N, Flynn M, Clow A. Repressors exhibit lower cortisol reactivity to group psychosocial stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 103:33-40. [PMID: 30639935 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.12.220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Revised: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Repressors are well-known to monitor potential psychosocial threats to their self-esteem and self-concept. In research, repressors are traditionally categorised as those scoring low on trait anxiety and high on defensiveness (as measured by social desirability scales). Examining repressors' cortisol reactivity to a group socio-evaluative laboratory stressor could be an important way to extend work on the classic 'repressor dissociation', which proposes that this group experience higher levels of physiological stress, but lower levels of subjective affect, during stressful situations. Research however has focused mainly on repressors' higher, more risk-prone levels of autonomic, rather than hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA), reactivity to stressful stimuli. We assessed cortisol reactivity using a group-based acute psychosocial stressor, the Trier Social Stress Test for groups (TSST-G), which required participants to individually perform public speaking and mental arithmetic tasks in front of up to six other group members, as well as an evaluative panel of judges. Seventy-seven healthy young females (mean age ± SD: 20.2 ± 3.2 years) took part, of which 64 met the conventional criterion for a response to the TSST-G (<15.5% increase from baseline sample). The Stress-Arousal Checklist was completed pre- and post-TSST-G. Participants also completed the Perceived Stress Scale, the Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Marlow-Crowne Social Desirability Scale. The latter two measures were used to provide a categorisation of repressive coping style. Participants identified as repressive copers exhibited significantly lower cortisol reactivity during the TSST-G. Repressors also self-reported less subjective stress. These findings provide some evidence against the notion of the repressor dissociation and are discussed in terms of how cortisol hyporeactivity may be a pathway through which repressive coping adversely affects health.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Oskis
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, London, NW4 4BT, UK.
| | - N Smyth
- Psychophysiology and Stress Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, London, W1W 6UW, UK
| | - M Flynn
- Psychophysiology and Stress Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, London, W1W 6UW, UK
| | - A Clow
- Psychophysiology and Stress Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, London, W1W 6UW, UK
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Verbal fluency and emotional expression in young women differing in their styles of coping with threatening stimuli. CURRENT ISSUES IN PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.5114/cipp.2018.80201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundIn our study we decided to examine whether anxiety defined in personality terms and various emotional states, including the state of fear, measured in two ways – by means of subjective rating scales and by means of a more objective method, the Facial Action Coding System (FACS) developed by Ekman, Friesen, and Hager – would affect emotional verbal fluency understood as the number of words generated in answer to a question about the most liked and disliked trait of one’s personality.Participants and procedureThe participants in the screening test were 570 students; in this sample, we selected 90 women and classified each of them into one of three groups – high-anxious individuals (n = 23), low-anxious individuals (n = 41), and repressors (n = 26) – distinguished based on the criteria proposed by Weinberger and colleagues. The research task, whose aim was to induce emotions, consisted in delivering a speech lasting a few minutes in front of an audience and a video camera.ResultsWe obtained evidence of a significant association between emotional states and verbal fluency. Fear recognized by means of the FACS turned out to be the emotion that was the most strongly correlated with overall verbal fluency.
We found no significant differences in fluency between individuals differing in terms of trait anxiety: low-anxious, high-anxious, and repressors.ConclusionsThe structure of results shows that the participants’ loquaciousness in the situation of speaking in front of an audience was more strongly influenced by currently experienced emotions than by the stable personality trait of anxiety.
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20
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Saeedi Z, Ghorbani N, Sarafraz MR, Shoar TK. A bias of self‐reports among repressors: Examining the evidence for the validity of self‐relevant and health‐relevant personal reports. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2018; 55:76-82. [DOI: 10.1002/ijop.12560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zoha Saeedi
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Tehran Tehran Iran
| | - Nima Ghorbani
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Tehran Tehran Iran
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21
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Clark JR, Goodwin PC, Yeowell G. Exploring the pre-morbid contexts in which central sensitisation developed in individuals with non-specific chronic low back pain. A qualitative study. Braz J Phys Ther 2018; 23:516-526. [PMID: 30503352 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjpt.2018.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Central sensitisation pain is a predominant mechanism in a proportion of individuals with non-specific chronic low back pain and is associated with poor outcomes. It is proposed that the pre-morbid experiences and contexts may be related to the development of central sensitisation. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to explore the pre-morbid experiences and personal characteristics of participants with central sensitisation pain from a non-specific chronic low back pain population. METHODS This was a qualitative, exploratory study, using a concurrent nested design within a mixed methods protocol. n=9 participants were recruited purposively based on sensory profiles and trait anxiety-related personality types. Data were collected through semi structured interviews, managed using QSR NVivo 10 software and analysed using theoretical thematic analysis. RESULTS Four themes emerged: developmental learning experiences, personal characteristics, sensitivity and trauma. Reported was lack of confidence, low esteem and a need to please others, physical hyper-sensitivities (smell, light, sound) and emotional sensitivity (anxiety) as well as physical hypo-sensitivity. Participants had also suffered emotional and/or physical trauma. Learning difficulties, sensory sensitivities and trauma are associated with autonomic stress responses, which in turn have been linked to physiological changes seen in central sensitisation pain. CONCLUSION Central sensitisation pain developed in the context of sensory processing differences related to learning difficulties, sensitivities and trauma, and personal characteristics of low confidence and control, in a group of participants with non-specific chronic low back pain. The role of pre-existing sensory processing differences, as a component of altered central nervous system function, in relation to central sensitisation pain warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqui R Clark
- Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, Birley Campus, Manchester, United Kingdom; Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Jette Campus, Brussels, Belgium; Pain in Motion International Research Group, Brussels, Belgium(1).
| | - Peter C Goodwin
- Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, Birley Campus, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Gillian Yeowell
- Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, Birley Campus, Manchester, United Kingdom
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Clark JR, Yeowell G, Goodwin PC. Trait anxiety and sensory processing profile characteristics in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain and central sensitisation - A pilot observational study. J Bodyw Mov Ther 2018; 22:909-916. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2017.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Revised: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Márquez-González M, Cabrera I, Losada A, Knight BG. Attentional avoidant biases as mediators in the association between experiential avoidance and blood pressure in dementia family caregivers. Aging Ment Health 2018; 22:669-677. [PMID: 28282722 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2017.1293003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Experiential avoidance in caregiving (EAC) has been found to be related with dementia family caregivers´ distress and blood pressure (BP). The association between EAC and avoidant attentional biases to emotional stimuli in dementia caregivers, and the potential mediating role of these attentional biases in the association between EAC and increased BP are explored. METHOD Seventy nine dementia family caregivers performed a dot-probe task with emotional pictures (distressing and positive) varying in content (general vs. caregiving-related (CR)) and time of exposure (100 vs. 500 ms). They also completed measures of EAC, anxiety, depression, alexithymia and rumination, and their BP was measured. RESULTS EAC was associated with avoidant attentional biases to CR emotional pictures and negative pictures in general at 100 ms. Experiential Avoidance in Caregiving Questionnaire (EACQ) 'avoidant behaviors' and EACQ 'intolerance of negativity' factors were associated with diastolic and systolic BP, respectively, with attentional avoidance of CR emotional pictures (distressing and positive, respectively) mediating this association. CONCLUSION Attentional avoidance of CR emotional stimuli may be the link between EAC and increased BP, as it prevents emotional processing and facilitates the maintenance of physiological activation. EAC may pose a risk for cardiovascular disease in dementia caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Márquez-González
- a Department of Biological and Health Psychology , Universidad Autónoma de Madrid , Madrid , Spain
| | - Isabel Cabrera
- a Department of Biological and Health Psychology , Universidad Autónoma de Madrid , Madrid , Spain
| | - Andrés Losada
- b Department of Psychology , Universidad Rey Juan Carlos , Madrid , Spain
| | - Bob G Knight
- c School of Psychology and Counselling, University of Southern Queensland , Toowoomba , Australia
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Repressive Coping Does Not Contribute to Anosognosia in First-Diagnosis Patients With Alzheimer Disease. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 2018; 31:249-255. [PMID: 27819840 DOI: 10.1097/wad.0000000000000169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Anosognosia is common in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) even in early stages. Although neural correlates and the impact of cognitive dysfunctions have been described, possible psychodynamic processes such as a repressive coping style as described in other illnesses, have not been examined. Our study aimed to examine possible psychological influence factors on illness perception embracing a repressive coping style and cognitive functions in AD patients in the diagnostic process. Fifty-four subjects with mild AD diagnosed in our memory clinic were enrolled. Anosognosia was evaluated using a patient-caregiver discrepancy rating. All patients underwent comprehensive neuropsychological testing. In addition, characteristics of a repressive coping style were assessed. In total, 79.6% of our patients showed a lack of awareness at least to some degree. 33.3% of the patients were classified as repressors. Repressors and nonrepressors did not differ in cognition, or the unawareness score. Multivariate regression analysis showed that repressive coping style did not significantly contribute to anosognosia, but that verbal memory and naming ability had a strong influence. Although our data indicate that a high proportion of patients with mild AD show characteristics of repressive coping, this possible defense mechanism had no influence on the awareness of illness-related deficits measured by caregiver patient discrepancy.
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Franklin ZC, Fowler NE. Defensive High-Anxious Individuals Demonstrate Difference Responses to Pain Management to Those with Lower Levels of Defensiveness and Anxiety. Pain Pract 2018; 18:214-223. [DOI: 10.1111/papr.12595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2016] [Revised: 03/30/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zoe C. Franklin
- Exercise and Sport Science; Manchester Metropolitan University; Crewe U.K
| | - Neil. E. Fowler
- Exercise and Sport Science; Manchester Metropolitan University; Crewe U.K
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Mohiyeddini C. Repressive coping among British college women: A potential protective factor against body image concerns, drive for thinness, and bulimia symptoms. Body Image 2017; 22:39-47. [PMID: 28601701 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2017.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Revised: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Repressive coping, as a means of preserving a positive self-image, has been widely explored in the context of dealing with self-evaluative cues. The current study extends this research by exploring whether repressive coping is associated with lower levels of body image concerns, drive for thinness, bulimic symptoms, and higher positive rational acceptance. A sample of 229 female college students was recruited in South London. Repressive coping was measured via the interaction between trait anxiety and defensiveness. The results of moderated regression analysis with simple slope analysis show that compared to non-repressors, repressors reported lower levels of body image concerns, drive for thinness, and bulimic symptoms while exhibiting a higher use of positive rational acceptance. These findings, in line with previous evidence, suggest that repressive coping may be adaptive particularly in the context of body image.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changiz Mohiyeddini
- Department of Applied Psychology, Northeastern University, 413 International Village, 360 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Hulbert JC, Hirschstein Z, Brontë CAL, Broughton E. Unintended side effects of a spotless mind: theory and practice. Memory 2017; 26:306-320. [DOI: 10.1080/09658211.2017.1354999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Erskine J, Kvavilashvili L, Myers L, Leggett S, Davies S, Hiskey S, Hogg J, Yeo S, Georgiou G. A longitudinal investigation of repressive coping and ageing. Aging Ment Health 2016; 20:1010-20. [PMID: 26140551 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2015.1060941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Two studies investigated the possibility that repressive coping is more prevalent in older adults and that this represents a developmental progression rather than a cohort effect. Study 1 examined repressive coping and mental health cross-sectionally in young and old adults. Study 2 examined whether there was a developmental progression of repressive coping prevalence rates in a longitudinal sample of older adults. METHOD Study 1 compared younger adults (mean age 27.6 years) with older adults (mean age 74.2 years) on inventories of mental health and well-being and examined the prevalence of repressive coping in both samples. Study 2 re-tested a sample of older adults previously reported following an interval of 7 years. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Study 1 - in line with previous research older adults demonstrated greater psychological well-being and had a higher prevalence of repressive coping than younger adults (at 30% vs. 12% respectively). Study 2 - the data indicated that the prevalence of repressive coping rose from 41% at the first time of testing (2002) to 56.4% at the second testing interval (2009). These results suggest that repressive coping may increase across the lifespan in certain individuals and continue to increase throughout older adulthood. Furthermore, this increase in repressive coping with age appears to result in better well-being in those older adults who become repressive copers.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Erskine
- a Institute of Medical and Biomedical Education, St George's, University of London , London , United Kingdom
| | - Lia Kvavilashvili
- b Psychology Department, University of Hertfordshire , Hatfield , United Kingdom
| | - Lynn Myers
- c Psychology Department , Brunel University , Uxbridge , United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Leggett
- d North Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust , Chelmsford , United Kingdom
| | - Steve Davies
- b Psychology Department, University of Hertfordshire , Hatfield , United Kingdom
| | - Syd Hiskey
- d North Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust , Chelmsford , United Kingdom
| | - Joanna Hogg
- e Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust , Oxford , United Kingdom
| | - Sophia Yeo
- a Institute of Medical and Biomedical Education, St George's, University of London , London , United Kingdom
| | - George Georgiou
- b Psychology Department, University of Hertfordshire , Hatfield , United Kingdom
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Geryk LL, Blalock SJ, DeVellis RF, Jordan JM, Han PKJ, Carpenter DM. Medication-related Self-management Behaviors among Arthritis Patients: Does Attentional Coping Style Matter? Open Rheumatol J 2016; 10:60-70. [PMID: 27843510 PMCID: PMC5080870 DOI: 10.2174/1874312901610010060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2016] [Revised: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the attentional coping styles (monitoring and blunting) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) patients and: (a) receipt of medication information; (b) receipt of conflicting medication information; (c) ambiguity aversion; (d) medication-related discussions with doctors and spouse/partners; and (e) medication adherence. Method: A sample of 328 adults with a self-reported diagnosis of arthritis (RA n=159; OA n=149) completed an Internet-based survey. Coping style was assessed using the validated short version of the Miller Behavioral Style Scale. Measures related to aspects of medication information receipt and discussion and validated measures of ambiguity aversion and medication adherence (Vasculitis Self-Management Survey) were collected. Pearson correlation coefficients, ANOVA, independent samples t-tests and multiple regression models were used to assess associations between coping style and the other variables of interest. Results: Arthritis patients in our sample were more likely to be high monitors (50%) than high blunters (36%). Among RA patients, increased information-receipt was significantly associated with decreased monitoring (b = -1.06, p = .001). Among OA patients, increased information-receipt was significantly associated with increased blunting (b = .60, p = .02). Conclusion: In our sample of patients with arthritis, attentional coping style is not in accordance with the characteristic patterns outlined in the acute and chronic disease coping literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorie L Geryk
- University of North Carolina, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Susan J Blalock
- University of North Carolina, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Robert F DeVellis
- University of North Carolina, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Joanne M Jordan
- Thurston Arthritis Research Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Paul K J Han
- Maine Medical Center, Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Portland, ME, USA
| | - Delesha M Carpenter
- University of North Carolina, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Truong EAK, Olson KL, Emery CF. Repressive coping, stigmatization, psychological distress, and quality of life among behavioral weight management participants. Eat Behav 2016; 22:206-210. [PMID: 27304361 DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2016.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2015] [Revised: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Repressive coping has been associated with elevated risk of disease and negative health outcomes in past studies. Although a prior study of healthy men found that repression was associated with lower body mass index (BMI), no study has examined repressive coping among obese individuals. This study examined the relationship of repressive coping with BMI and obesity-relevant psychosocial factors among 104 overweight and obese participants in a behavioral weight management program. Participants completed questionnaires assessing repressive coping, stigmatization, psychological distress, and quality of life. BMI was objectively measured. Repressors reported lower stigmatization, anxiety, and depression as well as higher emotional and weight-related quality of life. Repressors and non-repressors had equivalent BMI and reported similar impairment in physical quality of life, but stigmatization moderated the relationship between repressive coping and physical quality of life (b=0.31, p=0.039), reflecting better physical quality of life among non-repressors with lower stigmatization. Obese individuals who engage in repressive coping may tend to underreport psychological symptoms, social difficulties, and impairments in quality of life. Higher physical quality of life among non-repressors with lower stigmatization may reflect a combined influence of coping and social processes in physical quality of life among obese individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Charles F Emery
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, USA; Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, The Ohio State University, USA.
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Schwerdtfeger AR, Rathner EM. The ecological validity of the autonomic-subjective response dissociation in repressive coping. ANXIETY STRESS AND COPING 2015; 29:241-258. [DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2015.1048237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Franklin ZC, Smith NC, Fowler NE. Influence of Defensiveness on Disability in a Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Population. Pain Pract 2015; 16:882-9. [DOI: 10.1111/papr.12337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2014] [Accepted: 05/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zoe C. Franklin
- Institute for Performance Research; Manchester Metropolitan University; Crewe U.K
| | - Nickolas C. Smith
- Institute for Performance Research; Manchester Metropolitan University; Crewe U.K
| | - Neil E. Fowler
- Institute for Performance Research; Manchester Metropolitan University; Crewe U.K
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Myers LB, Derakshan N. The relationship between two types of impaired emotion processing: repressive coping and alexithymia. Front Psychol 2015; 6:809. [PMID: 26136706 PMCID: PMC4468358 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The constructs of repressive coping and alexithymia are both related to impaired emotion processing, yet individuals with a repressive coping style (repressors) score lower than controls on standard self-report measures of alexithymia. A large body of evidence indicates that repressors avoid negative affect. Therefore, the current study examined the relationship between repressive coping and alexithymia by using independently-rated interviews with the aim of bypassing repressors’ tendency of avoiding negative affect. Results showed that repressors scored high on alexithymia, similar to anxious individuals on the independently-rated interview, but scored low on alexithymia on a questionnaire measure. Our findings confirm a link between alexithymia and repressive coping and stress the need for non-standard measures in exploring the nature of the relationship between repressive coping and alexithymia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn B Myers
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University , Uxbridge, UK
| | - Nazanin Derakshan
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University , Uxbridge, UK ; Department of Psychology, Birkbeck, University of London , London, UK
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Moss AC, Erskine JAK, Albery IP, Allen JR, Georgiou GJ. To suppress, or not to suppress? That is repression: controlling intrusive thoughts in addictive behaviour. Addict Behav 2015; 44:65-70. [PMID: 25648574 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2015.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2014] [Revised: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Research to understand how individuals cope with intrusive negative or threatening thoughts suggests a variety of different cognitive strategies aimed at thought control. In this review, two of these strategies--thought suppression and repressive coping--are discussed in the context of addictive behaviour. Thought suppression involves conscious, volitional attempts to expel a thought from awareness, whereas repressive coping, which involves the avoidance of thoughts without the corresponding conscious intention, appears to be a far more automated process. Whilst there has been an emerging body of research exploring the role of thought suppression in addictive behaviour, there remains a dearth of research which has considered the role of repressive coping in the development of, and recovery from, addiction. Based on a review of the literature, and a discussion of the supposed mechanisms which underpin these strategies for exercising mental control, a conceptual model is proposed which posits a potential common mechanism. This model makes a number of predictions which require exploration in future research to fully understand the cognitive strategies utilised by individuals to control intrusive thoughts related to their addictive behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antony C Moss
- Department of Psychology, School of Applied Sciences, London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London SE1 0AA, United Kingdom.
| | - James A K Erskine
- Division of Population Health Sciences and Education, St George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - Ian P Albery
- Department of Psychology, School of Applied Sciences, London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London SE1 0AA, United Kingdom
| | - James Richard Allen
- Division of Population Health Sciences and Education, St George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - George J Georgiou
- Department of Psychology, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL10 9AB, United Kingdom
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Mendolia M. Repressors benefit from reappraising a threatening emotional event. ANXIETY STRESS AND COPING 2015; 29:80-99. [DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2015.1015423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Walsh JJ, McNally MA, Skariah A, Butt AA, Eysenck MW. Interpretive bias, repressive coping, and trait anxiety. ANXIETY, STRESS, AND COPING 2015; 28:617-33. [PMID: 25626594 DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2015.1007047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES According to vigilance-avoidance theory, repressors have an avoidant interpretive bias, i.e., they interpret ambiguous self-relevant situations in a nonthreatening fashion. This study sought to demarcate the range of situations associated with avoidant interpretive bias in repressors. DESIGN Four groups of participants, representing the four combinations of low- and high-trait anxiety and defensiveness, were identified. Those low in trait anxiety and high in defensiveness were categorized as repressors. METHODS Participants (N = 163) rated their likelihood of making both threatening and nonthreatening interpretations of 32 ambiguous scenarios over four domains: social, intellectual, physical, and health. Half the scenarios were self-relevant and half were other relevant. Brief measures of state anxiety were taken after each likelihood rating. RESULTS Repressors displayed an avoidant interpretive bias for ambiguous threats in the social and intellectual domains but not the health or physical domains. This was due to repressors' low level of trait anxiety rather than their high defensiveness. CONCLUSIONS Individuals high in trait anxiety are especially sensitive to situations involving social evaluation but not those characterized by danger to their health or physical well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- James J Walsh
- a School of Psychology , University of East London, Water Lane, Stratford , London E15 4LZ , UK
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Schwerdtfeger AR, Scharnagl H, Stojakovic T, Rathner EM. Cognitive Avoidant Coping Is Associated with Higher Carotid Intima Media Thickness Among Middle-Aged Adults. Int J Behav Med 2014; 22:597-604. [PMID: 25471467 DOI: 10.1007/s12529-014-9457-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive avoidant coping (CAV) has been associated with elevated autonomic stress reactivity, thus presumably elevating risk for cardiovascular diseases. However, more direct evidence for this hypothesis is lacking. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to relate carotid intima media thickness (IMT) to CAV in nonclinical participants. METHODS A total of 124 participants (61 women) with a mean age of 37.52 years (SD = 7.93, MIN = 30, MAX = 60) participated in the study. IMT was assessed by ultrasonic imaging and CAV via questionnaire (Mainz Coping Inventory; MCI). RESULTS Regression analysis revealed that although CAV was not significantly associated with IMT, there was a significant interaction of CAV and age. Whereas for younger adults, there was no significant relation for older individuals, CAV and IMT were significantly positively associated. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that CAV could constitute a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases with increasing age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas R Schwerdtfeger
- Department of Psychology, Health Psychology Unit, University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
- Department of Psychology, Karl-Franzens-University Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria.
| | - Hubert Scharnagl
- Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Tatjana Stojakovic
- Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Eva-Maria Rathner
- Department of Psychology, Health Psychology Unit, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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Identifying indicators of defensive activity in narration about important interpersonal relations. CURRENT ISSUES IN PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY 2014. [DOI: 10.5114/cipp.2014.46231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
<b>Background</b><br />
One of the main components of psychological conversation that influence communication is psychological defensiveness.
In the paper I propose processual – situational understanding of defensiveness, and its measurement based on coding system. Preliminary results on link between personality traits and defensiveness in people’s narratives are presented as well.<br />
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<b>Participants and procedure</b><br />
To test proposed coding system, study was conducted with participants presenting different levels of personality organization’s (borderline: n = 35, 20 women, M = 26.09, SD = 4.82, neurotic: n = 29, 24 women, M = 25.90, SD = 5.25, integrated: n = 31, 26 women, M = 21.94, SD = 1.69). Correlation method was applied (Borderline Personality Inventory, Neuroticism Scale, Emotion Control Inventory), as well as narrative’s interviews. Participants’ statements were coded by competent judges (defensiveness and coherence of narratives), and by automatic lexical analyses (descriptive indicators).<br />
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<b>Results</b><br />
Results indicate that proposed defensiveness coding system is a set of heterogeneous indicators, and four groups of indicators could be extracted. Correlations between those indicators and expression control (positive relation), and coherence of narratives (negative relation). Moreover, differences between borderline participants and neurotic ones emerged.<br />
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<b>Conclusions</b><br />
Proposed coding system seems to be a heterogeneous but useful tool for assessing defensiveness during psychological interviews. It could be applied as an element of a procedural control measures, directed to test the reliability of psychological conversation.
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40
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Franklin Z, Smith N, Fowler N. Defensive high-anxious individuals with chronic back pain demonstrate different treatment choices and patient persistence. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2014.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Cohen M. The association of cancer patients' emotional suppression and their self-rating of psychological distress on short screening tools. Behav Med 2013; 39:29-35. [PMID: 23668909 DOI: 10.1080/08964289.2012.731440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Emotional suppression of negative emotions was previously reported to be related to higher psychological distress in cancer patients. The possible effect of elevated levels of emotional suppression on the use of instruments for screening for distress in cancer patients has not been studied. To assess the relation of cancer patients' emotional suppression to their self-rating on the Distress Thermometer (DT) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Two hundred forty one cancer patients, aged 21-87 years, completed the DT, the HADS and the Courtauld Emotional Control scale (CEC). Participants reported moderated levels of psychological distress but high mean levels of emotional suppression. Older age and higher levels of education and income predicted lower score on the DT and the HADS. Higher emotional suppression predicted lower self-reported psychological distress on the DT, the total HADS score and the HADS depression subscale, but not on the anxiety subscale. Emotion-regulation style may affect cancer patients' self-rating on the screening instruments, hence, reduce their accurate identification of distressed patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miri Cohen
- Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 31905, Israel.
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Personality traits, defense mechanisms and hostility features associated with somatic symptom severity in both health and disease. J Psychosom Res 2013; 75:362-9. [PMID: 24119944 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2013.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2013] [Revised: 08/20/2013] [Accepted: 08/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Somatic symptoms are widespread in clinical practice. The association of somatic symptom severity with impaired health status holds both when symptoms are medically unexplained and when they are medically explained. The role of personality dimensions in the formation of somatic symptoms in patients with established, chronic diseases when compared to healthy participants had not been investigated prior to this study. METHODS In samples of 411 healthy subjects and 810 participants with any of 9 established, chronic medical conditions, we measured psychological distress (SCL-90-R), personality traits (Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire), defensive profiles (Defense Style Questionnaire), individual defenses (Life Style Index) and hostility features (Hostility and Direction of Hostility Questionnaire). Hierarchical multivariate models were used to assess the independent associations between personality dimensions and somatic symptom severity in both samples. The SCL-90-R somatization scale served as the outcome variable. RESULTS In both samples, older age, less education, higher neuroticism, adoption of the displacement defense and depressive symptoms were independently and positively associated with somatic symptom severity. Higher somatic symptom severity was also associated with more "introverted" features (i.e., the self-sacrificing defensive style and self-criticism) among participants with established, chronic medical conditions. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that similar personality traits and defense mechanisms are associated with somatic symptom severity in health and disease, indicating that somatic symptoms are not simply consequences of having a medical condition. The specific associations of the self-sacrificing defensive profile and self-criticism with somatic symptom severity in the patient sample may have important clinical implications.
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Denver P, Donnelly M, Murray LJ, Anderson LA. Psychosocial factors and their association with reflux oesophagitis, Barrett’s oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma. World J Gastroenterol 2013; 19:1770-1777. [PMID: 23555165 PMCID: PMC3607753 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i11.1770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2012] [Revised: 10/24/2012] [Accepted: 11/15/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the role of psychological characteristics as risk factors for oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC), as well as the reflux-mediated precursor pathway.
METHODS: An all-Ireland population-based case-control study recruited 230 reflux oesophagitis (RO), 224 Barrett’s oesophagus (BO) and 227 OAC patients and 260 controls. Each case/control group completed measures of stress, depression, self-efficacy, self-esteem, repression and social support. A comparative analysis was undertaken using polytomous logistic regression adjusted for potential confounders.
RESULTS: Compared to controls, OAC patients were almost half as likely to report high stress levels over their lifetime (P = 0.010, OR 0.51; 95%CI: 0.29-0.90) and 36% less likely to report having experienced depression (OR 0.64; 95%CI: 0.42-0.98). RO patients reported significantly higher stress than controls particularly during middle- and senior-years (P for trends < 0.001). RO patients were 37% less likely to report having been highly emotionally repressed (OR 0.63; 95%CI: 0.41-0.95). All case groups (OAC, RO and BO) were more likely than controls to report having had substantial amounts of social support (OR 2.84; 95%CI: 1.63-4.97; OR 1.97; 95%CI: 1.13-3.44 and OR 1.83; 95%CI: 1.03-3.24, respectively).
CONCLUSION: The improved psychological profile of OAC patients may be explained by response shift. The role of psychological factors in the development of OAC requires further investigation.
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Gebhardt C, Rose N, Mitte K. Fact or artefact: an item response theory analysis of median split based repressor classification. Br J Health Psychol 2013; 19:36-51. [PMID: 23379417 DOI: 10.1111/bjhp.12029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2012] [Revised: 01/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Many studies have investigated the phenomenon of repression. Repressors are defined as individuals who deny or avoid the experience of negative affect. A common method for the identification of repressors is a median split approach using questionnaires that measure anxiety and social desirability. The present study aimed to evaluate this most frequently used procedure using a psychometric model. DESIGN We applied item response theory using model assumptions comparable with those of the median split approach to detect repressors and examine the appropriateness of the median split procedure. METHODS A mixed sample of 655 students and members of the general public completed the two scales usually used to identify repressors, namely the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale. RESULTS Employing item response theory mixture-model analyses, we were unable to replicate the median split solution on a latent level. CONCLUSIONS Our results did not support the identification of repressors via dichotomization of the two scales. The median split approach does not appear to detect repressors satisfactorily. The implications of the results for the conceptualization and assessment of repressors are discussed.
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Personality and psychopathology in African unaccompanied refugee minors: repression, resilience and vulnerability. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2013; 44:39-50. [PMID: 22661148 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-012-0308-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Examining personality and psychopathological symptoms among unaccompanied refugee minors (URMs), we measured intra-individual dimensions (repression and correlates thereof) usually associated with resilience. Forty-one URMs completed the Weinberger Adjustment Inventory (WAI), assessing personality, and the Youth Self-Report (YSR), describing current symptoms. URMs endorsed high levels of Repressive Defensiveness, Denial of Distress, and Restraint; unexpectedly, URMs reported high Distress and reduced Happiness (WAI, p's < 0.05). Although YSR symptoms were below clinical cut points, there were notable correlations between Distress and Attention Problems, Self-destructive, and Aggressive Behavior (all on the YSR), correcting for multiple comparisons (p's < 0.004). URMs exposed to non-normative stressors reported non-symptomatic outcomes, and high levels of personality dimensions correlating with resilience. However, URMs also endorsed high Distress and low Happiness, calling their resilience into question. Positive correlations between WAI Distress and YSR symptom subscales suggest that URMs harbor vulnerabilities of clinical and forensic significance.
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Hyphantis T, Papadimitriou I, Petrakis D, Fountzilas G, Repana D, Assimakopoulos K, Carvalho AF, Pavlidis N. Psychiatric manifestations, personality traits and health-related quality of life in cancer of unknown primary site. Psychooncology 2013; 22:2009-15. [PMID: 23359412 DOI: 10.1002/pon.3244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2012] [Revised: 12/15/2012] [Accepted: 12/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Psychiatric manifestations and personality traits are known to influence cancer patients. We aimed to assess psychological distress symptoms, psychosocial factors and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in cancer of unknown primary site (CUP) and to test whether these parameters differ between CUP and Metastatic (MKPC) or Non-Metastatic Known Primary Cancers (N-MKPC) after controlling for demographics and clinical variables. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 50 CUP, 264 N-MKPC and 52 MKPC participants. We assessed depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression [CES-D]), psychological distress symptoms (Symptom Distress Checklist-90 Revised), sense of coherence (SOC), ego defense mechanisms (Life Style Index) and HRQoL (World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument, Short Form). RESULTS The prevalence of clinically significant depressive symptoms (CES-D ≥ 23) was 40.0% in CUP, 28.8% in MKPC and 23.5% N-MKPC (p=0.037). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that N-MKPC patients were 5 times less likely (p=0.028) and MKPC patients 3.3 times less likely (p=0.05) to be assessed with probable depression compared with CUP patients after controlling for the major demographic and clinical variables studied. CUP patients presented also higher levels of somatization, anxiety and depressive symptoms; they also had more impaired Physical (p=0.005), Mental (p=0.041) and Social Relations (p=0.044) HRQoL, along with lower scores on SOC and intellectualization defense and higher scores on repression defense, compared with MKPC and N-MKPC patients. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that psychiatric manifestations are frequent in CUP, and the patients' resources to cope with the burden of their illness are limited. Attention to CUP patients' psychological distress and coping resources and capacities may enable oncologists to identify and manage modifiable aspects of HRQoL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hyphantis
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Greece.
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Tamagawa R, Giese-Davis J, Speca M, Doll R, Stephen J, Carlson LE. Trait mindfulness, repression, suppression, and self-reported mood and stress symptoms among women with breast cancer. J Clin Psychol 2012; 69:264-77. [PMID: 23280695 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.21939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study sought to identify relationships between trait mindfulness, repressive, and suppressive emotional styles, and the relative importance of these traits in their association with self-reported psychological health among women with breast cancer. METHOD Of the 277 women with breast cancer accrued in the study, 227 (81.9%) completed a set of questionnaires assessing personality traits, stress symptoms, and mood. RESULTS High levels of mindfulness were associated with fewer stress-related symptoms and less mood disturbance, while high levels of suppression were associated with poorer self-reported health. CONCLUSION Individuals' dispositional ways to manage negative emotions were associated with the experience of symptoms and aversive moods. Helping patients cultivate mindful insights and reduce deliberate emotional inhibition may be a useful focus for psycho-oncological interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rie Tamagawa
- University of Calgary, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Alberta, Canada.
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48
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Geraerts E, Dritschel B, Kreplin U, Miyagawa L, Waddington J. Reduced specificity of negative autobiographical memories in repressive coping. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2012. [PMID: 23200428 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2011.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The current study examined memory specificity of autobiographical memories in individuals with and without a repressive coping style. It seems conceivable that reduced memory specificity may be a way to reduce accessibility of negative experiences, one of the hallmark features of a repressive coping style. It was therefore hypothesized that repressors would show reduced specificity when retrieving negative memories. In order to study memory specificity, participants (N = 103) performed the autobiographical memory test. Results showed that individuals with a repressive coping style were significantly less specific in retrieving negative experiences, relative to control groups of low anxious, high anxious, and defensive high anxious individuals. This result was restricted to negative memory retrieval, as participants did not differ in memory specificity for positive experiences. These results show that repressors retrieve negative autobiographical memories in an overgeneral way, possibly in order to avoid negative affect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke Geraerts
- Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, 3062 PA Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Aisenberg Romano G, Ravid H, Zaig I, Schreiber S, Azem F, Shachar I, Bloch M. The psychological profile and affective response of women diagnosed with unexplained infertility undergoing in vitro fertilization. Arch Womens Ment Health 2012; 15:403-11. [PMID: 22847827 DOI: 10.1007/s00737-012-0299-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2012] [Accepted: 07/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
It has been hypothesized that unexplained infertility may be related to specific personality and coping styles. We studied two groups of women with explained infertility (EIF, n = 63) and unexplained infertility (UIF, n = 42) undergoing an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. Women completed personality and coping style questionnaires prior to the onset of the cycle, and state depression and anxiety scales before and at two additional time points during the cycle. Almost no in-between group differences were found at any of the measured time points in regards to the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 validity and clinical scales, Illness Cognitions and Life Orientation Test, or for the situational measures. The few differences found suggest a more adaptive, better coping, and functioning defensive system in women with EIF. In conclusion, we did not find any clinically significant personality differences or differences in depression or anxiety levels between women with EIF and UIF during an IVF cycle. Minor differences found are probably a reaction to the ambiguous medical situation with its uncertain prognosis, amplifying certain traits which are not specific to one psychological structure but rather to the common experience shared by the group. The results of this study do not support the possibility that personality traits are involved in the pathophysiology of unexplained infertility.
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Which symptoms matter? Self-report and observer discrepancies in repressors and high-anxious women with metastatic breast cancer. J Behav Med 2012; 37:22-36. [PMID: 23085787 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-012-9461-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2011] [Accepted: 10/05/2012] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Clinicians working with cancer patients listen to them, observe their behavior, and monitor their physiology. How do we proceed when these indicators do not align? Under self-relevant stress, non-cancer repressors respond with high arousal but report low anxiety; the high-anxious report high anxiety but often have lower arousal. This study extends discrepancy research on repressors and the high-anxious to a metastatic breast cancer sample and examines physician rating of coping. Before and during a Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), we assessed affect, autonomic reactivity, and observers coded emotional expression from TSST videotapes. We compared non-extreme (N = 40), low-anxious (N = 16), high-anxious (N = 19), and repressors (N = 19). Despite reported low anxiety, repressors expressed significantly greater Tension or anxiety cues. Despite reported high anxiety, the high-anxious expressed significantly greater Hostile Affect rather than Tension. Physicians rated both groups as coping significantly better than others. Future research might productively study physician-patient interaction in these groups.
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