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Bock JE, Daruwala SE, Tucker RP, Foster SD, Bandel SL, Gunn JF, Anestis MD. Honor Endorsement and Increased Firearm Purchasing Behavior and Intentions During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Psychol Rep 2024:332941241255323. [PMID: 38802302 DOI: 10.1177/00332941241255323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
The surge in firearm sales from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic have been linked to increases in firearm violence, which is of public concern given that having firearms in one's home is associated with increased risk for domestic violence and suicide. Consistent with pre-pandemic trends, individuals tended to purchase firearms for self-protection during COVID-19. Prior work indicates that protective firearm ownership is motivated not only by perceptions that the world (and one's local environment) is dangerous, but also by one's endorsement of masculinity norms found in U.S. cultures of honor (primarily southern and western states). Honor-based masculinity norms emphasis reputation defense, toughness, and an absolute intolerance of disrespect. The present research examined the relative motivating influences of various threat perceptions and masculine honor endorsement in predicting reasons for non-COVID-19 firearm ownership, firearm purchasing during COVID-19, and purchase intentions. Three separate samples (total N = 2483) of mostly White U.S. men completed online surveys during different months of the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants completed measures of their endorsement of masculine honor norms, factors associated with firearm purchasing (e.g., dangerous world beliefs, intolerance of uncertainty), and firearm purchasing behaviors. Results indicated that masculine honor endorsement was higher among (1) protective firearm owners compared to non-owners and non-protective owners, (2) firearm owners who purchased a firearm during COVID-19 compared to non-owners and non-purchasing owners, and (3) firearm owners with intentions to purchase firearms in the next year compared to those without intentions and undecided owners. Relative to other predictors (e.g., COVID-19 concerns, dangerous world beliefs), masculine honor endorsement was consistently the strongest predictor of these outcomes. Findings add to the literature by highlighting the strength of masculine honor endorsement in motivating (protective) firearm ownership. Implications for interpersonal violence and suicide are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarrod E Bock
- Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - Samantha E Daruwala
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Raymond P Tucker
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | | | - Shelby L Bandel
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - John F Gunn
- New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- School of Public Health - Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Michael D Anestis
- New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Department of Urban-Global Public Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
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Foster S, Bock J. Perceived reputation moderates the link between honor concerns and depressive symptoms. THE JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2024:1-10. [PMID: 38530884 DOI: 10.1080/00224545.2024.2334036] [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: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Prior research has shown that U.S. cultures of honor have higher rates of depression and suicide. While links between honor endorsement and suicide have been established in the literature, a direct test of the primary mechanism underlying this association (reputation damage leading to depression) has not yet been tested. The current study sought to address whether shifts in perceived reputation might be associated with higher levels of depression for honor endorsing individuals. An online sample of 305 participants were tracked across two time points, assessing perceived individual reputation and perceived family reputation, as well as depressive symptoms. Analyses revealed that higher levels of honor concern at Time 1 were linked with higher levels of depressive symptoms at Time 2, but only for those with low perceived reputation - these relationships held while controlling for the stability in reputation and depression across time points, as well as controlling for participants' gender. Findings provide the first empirical evidence that reputation damage may contribute to detriments in mental health in honor endorsers.
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Bock JE, Tucker RP, Brown RP, Foster S, Anestis MD. Veteran suicide rates mirror, but do not account for, elevated suicide rates among the general population in US cultures of honor. Suicide Life Threat Behav 2023; 53:692-701. [PMID: 37427839 DOI: 10.1111/sltb.12974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Veteran total and firearm suicide rates are higher compared to the general population. Among the general population, total and firearm suicide rates are higher in US states deemed cultures of honor compared to non-honor states, likely because honor states have higher firearm ownership rates and fewer firearm laws. Considering that veterans tend to live in states with fewer firearm laws and that veteran population rates predict both statewide total and firearm suicide rates, it is possible that the elevated suicide rates seen in honor states in part due to those states having a greater presence of veterans compared to non-honor states. METHOD Publicly available databases were used to obtain total and firearm suicide rates (per 100 k) for veterans and non-veterans, as well as our covariates (e.g., rurality). RESULTS Veteran population proportions were higher in honor states than non-honor states. Veteran and non-veteran total and firearm suicide rates were higher in honor states compared to non-honor states. Statewide differences in all four suicide rates were indirectly explained by honor states having higher firearm ownership than non-honor states. CONCLUSIONS These findings add to a growing body of literature showing that enacting firearm regulations may be a viable public health approach for preventing suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarrod E Bock
- Department of Psychology, Towson University, Towson, Maryland, USA
| | - Raymond P Tucker
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Ryan P Brown
- The Doerr Institute for New Leaders, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Stephen Foster
- Department of Psychology, Penn State York, York, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Michael D Anestis
- New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Urban-Global Public Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
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Lane TJ. Associations Between Firearm and Suicide Rates: A Replication of Kleck (2021). Arch Suicide Res 2022:1-16. [PMID: 35686601 DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2022.2083535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Using data from n = 194 nation-states, Kleck found that firearm availability was only associated with firearm suicide rates, but not total or non-firearm suicides. He thus concluded that while firearm availability influences how people commit suicide, it does not affect total numbers. However, the study contains numerous logical and methodological issues and is at odds with the evidence base. Therefore, I attempt to reproduce the original results. METHOD I reproduce the original study's methods: ordinary least squares regression, weighted by the square root of the population, with log-transformed suicide rates and three separate firearm availability measures: global estimates from the Small Arms Survey, proportion of suicides committed with firearms, and a European Union survey of firearm ownership. I also test several methodological variations and include U.S. suicide data. RESULTS In contrast to Kleck, global analyses with Small Arms Survey data found a significant and positive association between firearm availability and total suicides, as did U.S. analyses. Analyses with other firearm availability measures comported with the original study, finding no association. CONCLUSION The main result in Kleck failed to reproduce, finding instead a significant association between firearm availability and suicide rates, as did U.S. analyses. While reproductions of Kleck's other analyses continued to show no association, they were based on unreliable methods. I therefore reject Kleck's conclusion that that firearm availability does not influence suicide rates. HighlightsUsing data global data, I find firearm availability is positively associated with suicide rates.I identify serious flaws in the logic and methods of Kleck and an earlier review.For transparency, data and code have been archived on a public repository.
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Bock JE, Tucker RP, Brown RP, Harrington EE, Bauer BW, Daruwala SE, Capron DW, Anestis MD. Factors contributing to honor-endorsing men's suicide capability: Firearm ownership, practical capability, and exposure to painful and provocative events. Suicide Life Threat Behav 2021; 51:1247-1258. [PMID: 34608661 DOI: 10.1111/sltb.12807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE White men in U.S. cultures of honor die by suicide at greater rates than other demographic groups. This finding has been attributed to factors such as the prevalence and use of firearms in men's suicide in honor states, as well as motivational risk factors (e.g., thwarted belongingness). Other features of honor cultures (e.g., physical aggression, risk-taking behaviors) suggest that honor-endorsing men may frequently experience painful and provocative events (PPEs), which, in turn, may facilitate practical capability for suicide. The present work tested this hypothesis and honor ideology's relationship to firearm ownership and storage practices. METHOD In two samples of mostly White U.S. men-one undergraduate sample (N = 472, Mage = 19.76) and one middle- to older adult sample (N = 419, Mage = 65.17)-we assessed honor ideology endorsement, PPEs, practical capability for suicide, and firearm-related outcomes. RESULTS Honor endorsement was greater among firearm owners (particularly self-protective owners), but it was unrelated to storage practices. Honor endorsement was positively associated with PPEs and practical capability. Additionally, the relationship between honor ideology and practical capability was indirectly explained by PPE exposure. CONCLUSIONS Results highlight multiple avenues-PPEs, practical capability for suicide, (self-protective) firearm ownership-by which masculine honor norms may place men at risk for suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarrod E Bock
- Department of Psychology, Towson University, Towson, Maryland, USA
| | - Raymond P Tucker
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Ryan P Brown
- The Doerr Institute for New Leaders, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Erin E Harrington
- Department of Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Brian W Bauer
- Department of Psychology, Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
| | - Samantha E Daruwala
- Department of Psychology, Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
| | - Daniel W Capron
- Department of Psychology, Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
| | - Michael D Anestis
- New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA.,Department of Urban-Global Public Health, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
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Abeare K, Razvi P, Sirianni CD, Giromini L, Holcomb M, Cutler L, Kuzmenka P, Erdodi LA. Introducing Alternative Validity Cutoffs to Improve the Detection of Non-credible Symptom Report on the BRIEF. PSYCHOLOGICAL INJURY & LAW 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12207-021-09402-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Foster
- Department of Psychology, Penn State York, York, PA, USA
| | | | - Jongwon Lee
- College of Nursing, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
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Eskin M, Tran US, Carta MG, Poyrazli S, Flood C, Mechri A, Shaheen A, Janghorbani M, Khader Y, Yoshimasu K, Sun JM, Kujan O, Abuidhail J, Aidoudi K, Bakhshi S, Harlak H, Moro MF, Phillips L, Hamdan M, Abuderman A, Tsuno K, Voracek M. Is Individualism Suicidogenic? Findings From a Multinational Study of Young Adults From 12 Countries. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:259. [PMID: 32308634 PMCID: PMC7145967 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The associations of individualistic versus collectivistic value orientations with suicidal ideation and attempts, attitudes towards suicide and towards suicidal individuals, and psychological distress were investigated across 12 nations (N = 5572 university students). We expected differential associations of value orientations with suicidal behavior and moderating effects of the prevailing value orientations in the various countries. Findings showed that intermediate levels of individualism appeared protective against suicide attempts across all investigated nations, but that, otherwise, there seemingly are no universal associations of individualism and collectivism with suicidal behaviors. High collectivism was associated with less suicidal ideation only in individualistic countries. Low individualism appeared to be a risk factor for suicidal ideation specifically in Muslim collectivistic cultures, whereas high individualism in Asian collectivistic cultures. Collectivistic values are uniformly associated with less permissive attitudes to suicide, whereas individualistic values with a more stigmatized view of suicidal behavior. Both individualistic and collectivistic values were associated with socially accepting attitudes to a suicidal peer, helping a suicidal friend, and emotional involvement. The associations of individualistic and collectivistic values with disapproving attitudes to suicidal disclosure were complex. Beliefs in punishment after death for suicide, seeing suicide as mental illness, and emotional involvement with a suicidal friend were lower in high-suicide-rate countries. These evidence patterns are discussed in the light of related research evidence, along with directions for future research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Eskin
- Department of Psychology, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ulrich S Tran
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, School of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Wiener Werkstaette for Suicide Research, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mauro Giovanni Carta
- Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Senel Poyrazli
- School of Behavioral Sciences and Education, Pennsylvania State University-Harrisburg, Middletown, PA, United States
| | - Chris Flood
- School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anwar Mechri
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Amira Shaheen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, West Bank, Palestine
| | - Mohsen Janghorbani
- School of Public Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Yousef Khader
- Department of Community Medicine, Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science & Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Kouichi Yoshimasu
- Department of Hygiene, School of Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Jian-Min Sun
- Department of Management and International Business, Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Omar Kujan
- UWA Dental School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | | | - Khouala Aidoudi
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Seifollah Bakhshi
- School of Public Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hacer Harlak
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey
| | - Maria Francesca Moro
- Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Louise Phillips
- School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Motasem Hamdan
- School of Public Health, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine
| | - Abdulwahab Abuderman
- College of Medicine, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kanami Tsuno
- School of Health Innovation, Kanagawa University of Human Services, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Martin Voracek
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, School of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Wiener Werkstaette for Suicide Research, Vienna, Austria
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Bock JE, Brown RP, Green K. Aging with Honor: Examining Ambivalent Ageism and Interpersonal Risk-Factors for Suicide as Explanations for the Honor-Suicide Link. JOURNAL OF SOCIAL AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1521/jscp.2019.38.9.721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Prior research has demonstrated that rates of suicide are greater in more honor-oriented regions of the U.S. (particularly among White men), and that this difference in suicide rates becomes greater as men enter older adulthood. Research into the honor-suicide link has suggested explanatory factors that coincide with the interpersonal theory of suicide, such as untreated depression, heightened risk-taking, and the use of firearms in suicide. Method: The present study exam-ined ambivalent ageism, permissive attitudes toward suicide, and interpersonal risk factors for suicide as explanations for the honor-suicide link among a sample of 201 American men in midlife and above. Results: After controlling for participant age and religiosity, participants with greater endorsement of honor ideology but lower levels of honor fulfillment expressed heightened levels of thwarted belongingness—an established interpersonal risk factor for suicide. Additionally, lower levels of honor fulfillment predicted greater anxiety about aging, greater perceived burdensomeness, and more positive implicit attitudes toward youth. Conversely, greater levels of honor fulfillment also predicted more positive attitudes toward older adults. Discussion: Our results extend previous research on the honor-suicide relationship by demonstrating the utility of integrating the inter-personal theory of suicide with research on cultures of honor.
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Roberts K, Miller M, Azrael D. Honor-Related Suicide in the United States: A Study of National Violent Death Reporting System Data. Arch Suicide Res 2019; 23:34-46. [PMID: 29281586 DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2017.1411299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Personal honor is associated with culturally defined honor-norms and its loss may predicate suicide. This exploratory study aimed to identify honor-related suicides within a public health dataset and to compare them to other suicides. Honor-related suicides (n = 163) were identified from case narratives within the National Violent Death Reporting System dataset. The distribution of factors associated with honor-related suicide were compared with all other suicides (n = 54,333). Honor-related suicides were more likely associated with leaving a suicide note; discussing suicidal intent; criminal-legal, job and relationship problems; and suffering depression while being less likely to seek help for distress. They were not associated with gender or suicide method. Honor suicides were identified and appear to be most associated with public challenges to personal reputation. Implications for suicide prevention are discussed.
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Crowder MK, Kemmelmeier M. Cultural Differences in Shame and Guilt as Understandable Reasons for Suicide. Psychol Rep 2017; 121:396-429. [DOI: 10.1177/0033294117728288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
According to the World Health Organization, a major barrier to suicide prevention work is the social stigma surrounding suicide. Since clinical research has long shown that shame and guilt are often involved in suicide and suicide ideation, the present two studies explore the extent to which individuals associate shame and guilt with suicide ideation and behavior according to their cultural background. Using a scenario approach, 1,147 Americans in two separate studies read about a traumatic situation in which the target person experienced intense shame or intense guilt. A mini meta-analysis of these studies showed that all participants were more likely to link the experience of shame to suicidality than guilt. Additionally, participants from U.S. dignity states were more likely to report suicide ideation when the target experienced guilt as opposed to shame. Our findings support the notion that the centrality of the emotions of shame and guilt varies relative to the social context, which has implications on how others perceive suicide.
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Yang Q, Liu S, Sullivan D, Pan S. Interpreting suffering from illness: The role of culture and repressive suffering construal. Soc Sci Med 2016; 160:67-74. [PMID: 27209366 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.05.022] [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: 08/08/2015] [Revised: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Mental and physical illnesses are among the most prominent forms of suffering. Cultural worldviews provide tools for making sense of and coping with suffering. In this research, we examine how culture influences both experts' and laypeople's interpretation of suffering from illness. OBJECTIVE We focus on one type of interpretation of suffering- repressive suffering construal-an interpretation that frames suffering both as the result of immorality on the part of the sufferer and as having the function of maintaining social order by curtailing deviance. We sought to test whether this type of suffering interpretation is more common in cultural ecologies (e.g., urban vs. rural; higher vs. lower status) traditionally associated with collectivist values. METHODS Study 1 used data from the General Social Survey to examine variation in suffering interpretation in a representative sample of the U.S. POPULATION Study 2 examined variation in suffering interpretation with a survey completed by a subsample of Chinese health-care professionals. RESULTS Study 1 found that U.S. citizens living in a rural environment are more likely to interpret illnesses as being the fault of the sufferer. Study 2 found that those from a lower-SES background are more likely to interpret illnesses in a repressive fashion. In these studies, family size mediates the effect of ecological conditions on RSC. CONCLUSION Our research highlights how ecological variables associated with collectivism may bias both laypeople and professionals to interpret suffering from illness in a more repressive way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Yang
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, China
| | - Shi Liu
- Columbia Business School, Columbia University, USA
| | - Daniel Sullivan
- Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, 1503 E. University Blvd., P.O. Box 210068, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
| | - Shengdong Pan
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, China
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