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Pickering T, Wright B, MacMahon C. Fatigued or bored? Investigating the effect of different types of mental fatigue on 3 km running performance. PSYCHOLOGY OF SPORT AND EXERCISE 2024; 74:102687. [PMID: 38897333 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2024.102687] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Mental fatigue has been highly cited as having a negative impact on endurance performance. Few, however, have investigated whether different types of mental fatigue, namely active and passive fatigue, might affect endurance performance differently. This study used a repeated-measures design where 11 participants completed a 3 km run after three 32-min conditions: an actively fatiguing task (Task-load Dual-back; TloadDback); a passively fatiguing task (Mackworth Clock); and a control task (Documentary). Subjective ratings and performance on a second task (Flanker task) were taken before and after the 32-min tasks, while ratings of perceived effort, motivation and workload were taken during the 3 km run. Results showed that both fatigue conditions were mentally fatiguing, with the TloadDback rated as more demanding and the Mackworth Clock more boring and less motivating. Performance on subsequent tasks showed different effects: the TloadDback condition had the slowest responses on the post-test Flanker task, while the Mackworth Clock condition had the slowest completion time on the 3 km run, though this difference in completion times was non-significant. These results suggest that different cognitive tasks lead to different types of mental fatigue, which can lead to different outcomes on subsequent cognitive tasks but non-significant differences on subsequent physical tasks. This study highlights that to understand the influence of mental fatigue on physical performance, it is important to understand the cognitive tasks used and how different cognitive and physical tasks interact. Future work should examine whether performance outcomes in other areas commonly affected by mental fatigue, like technical and tactical sporting skills, are affected differently by active and passive fatigue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd Pickering
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, La Trobe University, Australia.
| | - Bradley Wright
- Department of Psychology, Counselling and Therapy, La Trobe University, Australia
| | - Clare MacMahon
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, La Trobe University, Australia
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2
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Gonzalez MP, Brown DMY, Swafford IM, Summerville B, Seidi M, Hajiaghamemar M, Dorgo S. The Effects of Mental Fatigue on Anaerobic Power and Power Endurance Performance. Sports (Basel) 2024; 12:192. [PMID: 39058083 PMCID: PMC11280764 DOI: 10.3390/sports12070192] [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: 06/08/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Mental fatigue has been studied extensively in relation to its impact on aerobic-, strength-, and motor-based tasks, but anaerobic power-based tasks have received limited attention. Interdisciplinary research investigating the underlying mechanisms by which mental fatigue influences physical performance has been called for. In two studies, the effects of mental fatigue on maximal power jump and endurance jump performance as well as kinetics and kinematics during jump performance were examined. Samples of collegiate volleyball players (Study 1; N = 14) and recreationally active students (Study 2; N = 27) completed two 30 min experimental manipulations (high vs. low cognitive control exertion) before performing three maximal power squat jumps followed by 15 repeated countermovement jumps, with measurements of kinetics and kinematics. For Study 1, the maximal power performance was significantly lower under a mentally fatigued condition, but no differences were observed for repeated jump performance, which may have been attributable to alterations in jump mechanics. For Study 2, no between-condition differences were observed for the maximal power performance, although repeated jump performance was significantly lower under a mentally fatigued condition. Collectively, these findings suggest that the impacts of mental fatigue on power-based performance tasks may depend on the task demands as well as the training status of the individual.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew P. Gonzalez
- Department of Kinesiology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA;
| | - Denver M. Y. Brown
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA; (D.M.Y.B.); (I.M.S.); (B.S.)
| | - Isabella M. Swafford
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA; (D.M.Y.B.); (I.M.S.); (B.S.)
| | - Bryce Summerville
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA; (D.M.Y.B.); (I.M.S.); (B.S.)
| | - Morteza Seidi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA;
| | - Marzieh Hajiaghamemar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA;
| | - Sandor Dorgo
- Department of Kinesiology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA;
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3
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Martarelli CS, Weibel D, Popic D, Wolff W. Time in suspense: investigating boredom and related states in a virtual waiting room. Cogn Emot 2024:1-15. [PMID: 38738651 DOI: 10.1080/02699931.2024.2349279] [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: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
We studied the role of time in the experience of boredom and its relationship with various psychological states using virtual reality. Sixty-six participants visited nine virtual waiting rooms and evaluated their perception of time and psychological experiences, including boredom, exhaustion, restlessness, amotivation, frustration, anger, unhappiness, spontaneous and deliberate mind-wandering, fantasy, and absorption. Results confirmed the relationship between boredom and time perception, showing that the higher the levels of boredom, the slower time seems to pass. However, manipulating time-related information via a slower/faster ticking clock did not affect boredom. We also found that boredom increased as participants progressed through the nine virtual rooms, and its affective characterisation over time remained stable, while its cognitive characterisation fluctuated. While boredom was consistently associated with exhaustion, restlessness, amotivation, and frustration, its relationship with fantasy, absorption, spontaneous mind-wandering and deliberate mind-wandering, evolved over time. These findings provide novel insights into the intricate and differentiated cognitive and affective consequences of being bored.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Weibel
- Department of Psychology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Deian Popic
- Faculty of Psychology, UniDistance Suisse, Brig, Switzerland
| | - Wanja Wolff
- Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Martarelli CS, Ovalle-Fresa R. In sight, out of mind? Disengagement at encoding gradually reduces recall of location. Q J Exp Psychol (Hove) 2024; 77:42-56. [PMID: 36803300 DOI: 10.1177/17470218231159656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Disengaging from the external world-a phenomenon referred to as mind wandering-is a common experience that has been shown to be associated with detriments in cognitive performance across a large range of tasks. In the current web-based study, we used a continuous delayed estimation paradigm to investigate the impact of task disengagement at encoding on subsequent recall of location. Task disengagement was assessed with thought probes on a dichotomous (off- vs. on-task) and a continuous response scale (from 0% to 100% on-task). This approach allowed us to consider perceptual decoupling in both a dichotomous and a graded manner. In the first study (n = 54), we found a negative relationship between levels of task disengagement at encoding and subsequent recall of location measured in degrees. This finding supports a graded perceptual decoupling process rather than a decoupling that happens in an all-or-none manner. In the second study (n = 104), we replicated this finding. An analysis of 22 participants showing enough off-task trials to fit the data with the standard mixture model revealed that in this particular subsample, being disengaged from the task at encoding was related to worse long-term memory performance in terms of likelihood to recall but not in terms of precision with which information is recalled. Overall, the findings suggest a graded nature of task disengagement that covaries with fine-grained differences in subsequent recall of location. Going forwards, it will be important to test the validity of continuous measures of mind-wandering.
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Holgado D, Mesquida C, Román-Caballero R. Assessing the Evidential Value of Mental Fatigue and Exercise Research. Sports Med 2023; 53:2293-2307. [PMID: 37682411 PMCID: PMC10687172 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-023-01926-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
It has often been reported that mental exertion, presumably leading to mental fatigue, can negatively affect exercise performance; however, recent findings have questioned the strength of the effect. To further complicate this issue, an overlooked problem might be the presence of publication bias in studies using underpowered designs, which is known to inflate false positive report probability and effect size estimates. Altogether, the presence of bias is likely to reduce the evidential value of the published literature on this topic, although it is unknown to what extent. The purpose of the current work was to assess the evidential value of studies published to date on the effect of mental exertion on exercise performance by assessing the presence of publication bias and the observed statistical power achieved by these studies. A traditional meta-analysis revealed a Cohen's dz effect size of - 0.54, 95% CI [- 0.68, - 0.40], p < .001. However, when we applied methods for estimating and correcting for publication bias (based on funnel plot asymmetry and observed p-values), we found that the bias-corrected effect size became negligible with most of publication-bias methods and decreased to - 0.36 in the more optimistic of all the scenarios. A robust Bayesian meta-analysis found strong evidence in favor of publication bias, BFpb > 1000, and inconclusive evidence in favor of the effect, adjusted dz = 0.01, 95% CrI [- 0.46, 0.37], BF10 = 0.90. Furthermore, the median observed statistical power assuming the unadjusted meta-analytic effect size (i.e., - 0.54) as the true effect size was 39% (min = 19%, max = 96%), indicating that, on average, these studies only had a 39% chance of observing a significant result if the true effect was Cohen's dz = - 0.54. If the more optimistic adjusted effect size (- 0.36) was assumed as the true effect, the median statistical power was just 20%. We conclude that the current literature is a useful case study for illustrating the dangers of conducting underpowered studies to detect the effect size of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darías Holgado
- Department of Experimental Psychology, and Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
- Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Quartier UNIL-Centre, Bâtiment Synathlon, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Cristian Mesquida
- Centre of Applied Science for Health, Technological University Dublin, Tallaght, Ireland
| | - Rafael Román-Caballero
- Department of Experimental Psychology, and Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
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Parfenov EA, Duncan NW. Increasing familiarity with the heartbeat counting task does not affect performance. Biol Psychol 2023; 183:108662. [PMID: 37598881 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2023.108662] [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: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interoception is typically defined as the processing and perception of internal signals. A common evaluation of interoceptive abilities is the heartbeat counting task, during which participants count their heartbeats over a period of time. It has been argued recently, however, that performance in this task may reflect processes other than cardiac sensation. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to: 1) observe heartbeat counting task performance changes across multiple repetitions of the task; and 2) compare performance in the heartbeat counting task with that for a visual counting task to investigate generalised propensities for how uncertain stimuli are reported. METHODS Seventy-nine healthy participants performed seven blocks each of the heartbeat and visual counting tasks. Scores for each of the tasks were compared across blocks to identify any change in performance. Performance in the two tasks was then correlated. The study was preregistered at https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/GWAB7. RESULTS Heartbeat counting task performance did not change over blocks. In contrast, scores for the visual counting task reduced over time. A positive correlation was seen between performance in the two tasks (ρ(79) = .27). CONCLUSION Heartbeat counting task performance is stable across repetitions of the task, not changing with increasing familiarity. This suggests that non-interoceptive factors, such as beliefs, may be involved. The correlation between the heartbeat and visual counting tasks may point to a general propensity in counting uncertain stimuli across sensory domains. Together, these results raise questions about the interpretation of the heartbeat counting task as a measure of interoception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgeny A Parfenov
- Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain and Consciousness, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Niall W Duncan
- Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain and Consciousness, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Dallaway N, Lucas SJE, Ring C. Effects of Stroop task duration on subsequent cognitive and physical performance. PSYCHOLOGY OF SPORT AND EXERCISE 2023; 68:102459. [PMID: 37665903 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
The strength model of self-control purports to explain why brief cognitive response inhibition tasks impair subsequent isometric handgrip endurance. According to the model, ego depleting tasks requiring self-control resources impair performance on subsequent tasks that also require self-control resources. However, several lines of evidence challenge this model, including evidence of improved exercise performance following longer cognitive tasks. Our study investigated the effects of cognitive task duration on (1) subsequent physical endurance performance, (2) concurrent cognitive task performance, and (3) subsequent novel cognitive task performance. Adopting an experimental design, with Stroop task type (incongruent, congruent) and duration (5, 10, 20 min) as between-participant factors, participants (N = 180) completed a color word Stroop task, an isometric handgrip to exhaustion task, and a novel 5-min incongruent number word Stroop task. In the handgrip task, endurance performance was worse following incongruent word Stroop than congruent word Stroop for 10-min tasks but not 5-min and 20-min tasks. In the word Stroop task, accuracy was lower and speed was slower following incongruent word Stroop than congruent word Stroop. Importantly, reaction times improved with longer task durations. In the novel number Stroop task, accuracy was higher following incongruent word Stroop than congruent word Stroop. In conclusion, the finding that the ego depletion effect was moderated by cognitive task duration is better explained by the expected value of control model than the strength model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil Dallaway
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
| | - Samuel J E Lucas
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Christopher Ring
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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Relationship between Depression and Cognitive Inhibition in Men with Heroin or Methamphetamine Use Disorder in First-Time Mandatory Detoxification. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 11:healthcare11010070. [PMID: 36611530 PMCID: PMC9819117 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11010070] [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: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that males with substance use disorder (SUD) in their first mandatory detoxification experience high rates of depression. It is unknown whether this high depression incidence contributes to impaired inhibition. In this work, two studies were undertaken to examine the role of depression in cognitive inhibition in heroin and methamphetamine withdrawal. We used the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the self-control scale (SCS) to explore the relationship between depression and impulse inhibition in patients participating in mandatory drug treatment for the first time (Study 1). The results showed that depression negatively predicted impulse inhibition. The Stroop color-word interference task was used to explore the role of patients' depression in their inhibitory abilities (Study 2). The results showed that the high-depression group had weaker inhibition performances in the Stroop color-word interference task compared to the low-depression group. This study shows that cognitive inhibition is weaker in people with high-depression addiction than in those with low depression. This result suggests that attention should be paid to the role of depressive comorbidity when conducting working memory training treatment for substance addiction.
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9
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Mangin T, Audiffren M, Lorcery A, Mirabelli F, Benraiss A, André N. A plausible link between the time-on-task effect and the sequential task effect. Front Psychol 2022; 13:998393. [PMID: 36389536 PMCID: PMC9643466 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.998393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Mental fatigue can be studied by using either the time-on-task protocol or the sequential task protocol. In the time-on-task protocol, participants perform a long and effortful task and a decrease in performance in this task is generally observed over time. In the sequential task protocol, a first effortful or control task is followed by a second effortful task. The performance in the second task is generally worse after the effortful task than after the control task. The principal aim of the present experiment is to examine the relationship between these two decrements in performance while concomitantly using a sequential task protocol and assessing the performance of the first effortful task as a function of time-on-task. We expect a positive correlation between these two decrements in performance. A total of 83 participants performed a 30-min fatiguing mental task (i.e., a modified Stroop task) or a control task followed by a time-to-exhaustion handgrip task. As expected, this protocol combining the time-on-task and sequential task protocols allowed us to observe (1) a decrease in performance over time during the Stroop task, (2) a worst performance in the handgrip task after the Stroop task by comparison to the control task, (3) a positive correlation between these two effects. The decrease in performance during the Stroop task also correlated with the subjective measures of boredom and fatigue, whereas the detrimental effect observed in the handgrip task did not. Our findings suggest that the two fatigue-related phenomena share a common mechanism but are not completely equivalent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Mangin
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition et l’Apprentissage (CeRCA), UMR CNRS 7295, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
- Faculté de Médecine, École de Kinésiologie et des Sciences de l’Activité Physique (EKSAP), Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM), Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Michel Audiffren
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition et l’Apprentissage (CeRCA), UMR CNRS 7295, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Alison Lorcery
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition et l’Apprentissage (CeRCA), UMR CNRS 7295, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Francesco Mirabelli
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition et l’Apprentissage (CeRCA), UMR CNRS 7295, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Abdelrhani Benraiss
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition et l’Apprentissage (CeRCA), UMR CNRS 7295, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Nathalie André
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition et l’Apprentissage (CeRCA), UMR CNRS 7295, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
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10
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Harju LK, van Hootegem A, De Witte H. Bored or burning out? Reciprocal effects between job stressors, boredom and burnout. JOURNAL OF VOCATIONAL BEHAVIOR 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jvb.2022.103807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Van Tilburg WAP, Pekrun R, Igou ER. Consumed by Boredom: Food Choice Motivation and Weight Changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Behav Sci (Basel) 2022; 12:bs12100366. [PMID: 36285935 PMCID: PMC9598600 DOI: 10.3390/bs12100366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Boredom is an established cause and correlate of eating behavior. Yet, existing work offers a scattered range of plausible motivations for why this is. We examined among 302 people representative of the adult UK population what motivations they had for selecting food during the COVID-19 pandemic and how this related to boredom. As predicted, bored people choose food less for health reasons and more for convenience. Boredom reduced ethical and ‘natural content’ motivations for selecting food and was not associated with choosing food to regulate one’s mood or to experience unfamiliarity. Boredom was also associated with greater absolute changes in weight over the course of the pandemic. Boredom did not predict weight gains or losses overall. These findings offer insights into the role that boredom plays in eating motivations in particular and health-relevant outcomes in general.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Reinhard Pekrun
- Department of Psychology, University of Essex, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
- Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University, North Sydney, NSW 2060, Australia
- Department of Psychology, University of Munich, 80802 Munich, Germany
- Department of Psychology, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
| | - Eric R. Igou
- Department of Psychology, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
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12
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Bieleke M, Ripper L, Schüler J, Wolff W. Boredom is the root of all evil-or is it? A psychometric network approach to individual differences in behavioural responses to boredom. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:211998. [PMID: 36177193 PMCID: PMC9515645 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.211998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Functional accounts of boredom propose that boredom serves as an impartial signal to change something about the current situation, which should give rise to adaptive and maladaptive behaviour alike. This seemingly contrasts with research on boredom proneness, which has overwhelmingly shown associations with maladaptive behaviour. To shed light on this discrepancy, we disentangled boredom proneness from individual differences in (i) the urge to avoid and escape boredom and (ii) adaptive and maladaptive ways of dealing with boredom by developing corresponding trait scales. In a study with N = 636 participants, psychometric network modelling revealed tight associations between boredom proneness and less adaptive and (especially) more maladaptive ways of dealing with boredom. However, its associations with the urge to avoid and escape boredom were rather weak. Importantly, a higher urge to avoid and escape boredom was linked not only to more maladaptive but also to more adaptive ways of dealing with boredom. This pattern of results was robust across various specific behaviours that have previously been linked to boredom. Our findings provide novel evidence for functional accounts of boredom from an individual difference perspective, cautioning against a shallow view of boredom as being associated with purely maladaptive behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maik Bieleke
- Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Leonie Ripper
- Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Julia Schüler
- Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Wanja Wolff
- Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
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13
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Tam KYY, Chan CS, van Tilburg WAP, Lavi I, Lau JYF. Boredom belief moderates the mental health impact of boredom among young people: Correlational and multi-wave longitudinal evidence gathered during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Pers 2022; 91:638-652. [PMID: 35927788 PMCID: PMC9537911 DOI: 10.1111/jopy.12764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Young people's experience of boredom and its psychological health sequelae have been exacerbated by the COVID‐19 pandemic. The present study examined the moderating role of boredom beliefs—the extent to which one affectively dislikes boredom (boredom dislike) and cognitively accepts it (boredom normalcy)—on the association between boredom experience and mental well‐being. We also validated a new measure of boredom beliefs in two different samples of young people. Method We report data from a correlational study with British young people aged 12–25 (Study 1; N = 2495) and a 16‐week eight‐wave within‐subject study with Israeli adolescents aged 12–18 (Study 2; N = 314). Results Across both studies, disliking boredom was associated with higher frequency and intensity of boredom. Boredom dislike moderated the negative association between boredom and mental well‐being, such that the association was more salient among those who strongly disliked boredom. Normalizing boredom was positively associated with mental well‐being. The measure of boredom beliefs demonstrated fair validity and reliability. Conclusion Results provide novel insights into the potential buffering effect of boredom beliefs against the mental health impact of boredom, particularly at a time of reduced activity. These findings generalize across two different countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katy Y Y Tam
- Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong.,Department of Psychology, King's College London
| | | | | | - Iris Lavi
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK.,School of Social Work, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Jennifer Y F Lau
- Institute of Population Health Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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14
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Martarelli CS, Baillifard A, Audrin C. A Trait-Based Network Perspective on the Validation of the French Short Boredom Proneness Scale. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT 2022. [DOI: 10.1027/1015-5759/a000718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract. The Short Boredom Proneness Scale (SBPS) has recently been developed. Using a standard confirmatory factor analysis, we report on the structural validation of the French SBPS, which provided support for the original construct. A network analysis ( n = 490) revealed the structure of the relationships between the SBPS and the two facets of Curiosity and Exploration Inventory-II (CEI-II). The analysis revealed positive connections between the boredom and curiosity items, whereas the connections between the boredom and exploration items were negative. To evaluate measurement invariance, we compared the French-speaking sample ( n = 490) with an English-speaking sample ( n = 364). Full configural, metric, and scalar invariance was established; thus, we provide a valid French translation of a widely used measure of boredom that may advantage future research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Catherine Audrin
- University of Teacher Education, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, Geneva, Switzerland
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15
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Getting trapped in a dead end? Trait self-control and boredom are linked to goal adjustment. MOTIVATION AND EMOTION 2022; 46:837-851. [PMID: 35729994 PMCID: PMC9199331 DOI: 10.1007/s11031-022-09943-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Disengaging from unattainable goals and reengaging in alternative goals is essential for effective goal pursuit; yet, surprisingly little is known about associated personality factors. Here, we focused on individual differences in self-control (domain-general self-control, if–then planning) and boredom (boredom proneness, boredom avoidance and escape tendencies). Concerning goal adjustment in everyday life (Study 1; N = 323 crowdworkers), if–then planning was associated with worse disengagement and better reengagement. While boredom proneness was associated with poorer reengagement, boredom avoidance and escape tendencies were associated with better reengagement. When goal striving was thwarted during the COVID-19 pandemic (Study 2; N = 97 students), similar associations emerged along with links to anxiety and depression. However, disengagement was no longer associated with if–then planning but instead with better self-control and higher boredom proneness. These results show differential relationships of goal disengagement and reengagement with self-control and boredom, paving the way to a better understanding of who struggles or shines when effective goal adjustment is required.
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16
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Timme S, Wolff W, Englert C, Brand R. Tracking Self-Control – Task Performance and Pupil Size in a Go/No-Go Inhibition Task. Front Psychol 2022; 13:915016. [PMID: 35747671 PMCID: PMC9211021 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.915016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an ongoing debate about how to test and operationalize self-control. This limited understanding is in large part due to a variety of different tests and measures used to assess self-control, as well as the lack of empirical studies examining the temporal dynamics during the exertion of self-control. In order to track changes that occur over the course of exposure to a self-control task, we investigate and compare behavioral, subjective, and physiological indicators during the exertion of self-control. Participants completed both a task requiring inhibitory control (Go/No-Go task) and a control task (two-choice task). Behavioral performance and pupil size were measured during the tasks. Subjective vitality was measured before and after the tasks. While pupil size and subjective vitality showed similar trajectories in the two tasks, behavioral performance decreased in the inhibitory control-demanding task, but not in the control task. However, behavioral, subjective, and physiological measures were not significantly correlated. These results suggest that there is a disconnect between different measures of self-control with high intra- and interindividual variability. Theoretical and methodological implications for self-control theory and future empirical work are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinika Timme
- Sport and Exercise Psychology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Wanja Wolff
- Department of Sport Science, Sport Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Institute of Educational Science, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Chris Englert
- Institute of Educational Science, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Institute for Sports Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ralf Brand
- Sport and Exercise Psychology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
- *Correspondence: Ralf Brand,
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Weich C, Schüler J, Wolff W. 24 Hours on the Run-Does Boredom Matter for Ultra-Endurance Athletes' Crises? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19116859. [PMID: 35682442 PMCID: PMC9180276 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Sport and exercise can be boring. In the general population, thinking of sports as boring has been linked to exercising less. However, less is known about the role of boredom in people who participate in ultra-endurance competitions: Do these athletes also associate their sports with boredom, and does boredom pose a self-regulatory challenge that predicts if they encounter a crisis during an ultra-endurance competition? Here, we investigate these questions with a sample of N = 113 (n = 34 female) competitors of a 24 h hour running competition, aged M = 37.6 ± 13.8 years. In this study, n = 23 very extreme athletes competed as single starters or in a relay team of 2, and n = 84 less extreme athletes competed in relay teams of 4 or 6. Before the run, athletes completed self-report measures on sport-specific trait boredom, as well as the degree to which they expected boredom, pain, effort, and willpower to constitute self-regulatory challenges they would have to cope with. After the run, athletes reported the degree to which they actually had to deal with these self-regulatory challenges and if they had faced an action crisis during the competition. Analyses revealed that very extreme athletes displayed a significantly lower sport-specific trait boredom than less extreme athletes (p = 0.024, d=−0.48). With respect to self-regulatory challenges, willpower, pain, and effort were expected and reported at a much higher rate than boredom. However, only boredom was as a significant predictor of experiencing a crisis during the competition (odds ratio = 12.5, p = 0.02). Our results show that boredom also matters for highly active athletes. The fact that the experience of boredom—and not more prototypical competition-induced challenges, such as pain or effort—were linked to having an action crisis highlights the relevance of incorporating boredom into the preparation for a race and to the performance management during competition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Weich
- Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464 Konstanz, Germany; (J.S.); (W.W.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Julia Schüler
- Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464 Konstanz, Germany; (J.S.); (W.W.)
| | - Wanja Wolff
- Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464 Konstanz, Germany; (J.S.); (W.W.)
- Educational Psychology Lab, University of Bern, Fabrikstrasse 8, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
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18
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A single item measure of self-control – validation and location in a nomological network of self-control, boredom, and if-then planning. SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGICAL BULLETIN 2022. [DOI: 10.32872/spb.7453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Self-control is a highly adaptive human capacity and research on self-control is booming. To further facilitate self-control research, especially in conditions where time-constraints might render the use of multi-item measures of self-control problematic, a validated time-efficient single item measure would be an asset. However, such a measure has not yet been developed and tested. Here, we address this gap by reporting the psychometric properties of a single item measure of self-control and by assessing its localization within a larger theorized psychometric network consisting of self-control, boredom and if-then planning. In a high-powered (N = 1553) study with paid online workers from the US (gender: 47.3% female, 51.7% male, 1% other; age: 40.36 ± 12.65 years), we found evidence for the convergent validity (Brief Self-Control Scale), divergent validity (Short Boredom Proneness Scale and If-Then Planning Scale), and criterion validity (objective and subjective socio-economic status) of the single item measure of self-control (“How much self-control do you have?”). Network psychometrics further revealed that the single item was part of the self-control subnetwork and clearly distinguishable from boredom and if-then planning, which together with self-control form a larger psychometric network of psychological dispositions that are relevant for orienting goal directed behavior. Thus, the present findings indicate that self-control can be adequately captured with the single item measure presented here, thereby extending the methodological toolbox of self-control researchers by a highly-time efficient measure.
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Wolff W, Bieleke M, Keller L. Boredom Proneness Predicts Self-Assessed Decision Errors in Sports but Is Unrelated to Risk Taking in General. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19063479. [PMID: 35329163 PMCID: PMC8950886 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19063479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Boredom proneness is linked to poor self-regulation, leading to poor decision making and/or increased risk taking. These links have not yet been investigated in the domain of sports and exercise. However, poor decisions or excessive risk behavior would be highly detrimental to sporting performance and, in some cases, even cause physical harm. Here, we address this gap by assessing if boredom proneness is linked to general risk taking, sport-specific risk taking, and to regrets about sports-specific decision errors with respect to acting too risky or too passively. Methods: N = 936 athletes (27.6 ± 9.0 years, 89.6% men): n = 330 Climbers (31.8 ± 10.7 years, 82.4% men), n = 83 Snowboarders (29.9 ± 8.3 years, 79.5% men), and n = 523 Esports athletes (24.6 ± 6.3 years, 95.8% men) completed the Short Boredom Proneness Scale (SBPS), along with measures for objective risk taking (Balloon Analogue Risk Task; BART), subjective risk taking (general willingness to take risks), as well as assessments for sport-specific risk taking and regrets for sports-specific decision errors (taking too many risks, failing to act at all). In the two extreme sports samples (i.e., climbers and snowboarders), we additionally assessed self-selected outcome certainty in a hypothetical sports-specific scenario where an error would result in physical harm. Results: A series of multiple regression analyses revealed that boredom proneness was unrelated to objective and subjective general risk taking, but a significant predictor of sport-specific risk taking and higher risk taking in the sports scenario (climbers and snowboarders only). Most importantly, boredom proneness predicted regrets for taking too many risks and being too passive. Exploratory post-hoc analyses further indicated that boredom proneness in extreme sports athletes was lower than in esports athletes. Higher boredom proneness was significantly related to lower skill levels across all kinds of sport. Discussion: Across three athlete samples, boredom proneness was unrelated to general risk taking but significantly related to poorer decision making, as indicated by regrets about acting too risky and too passively, as well as demanding a significantly lower safety threshold to make a risky sports-specific choice. While at odds with the often-reported link between boredom proneness and risk taking, these results are consistent with the conceptualization of boredom proneness as a maladaptive self-regulatory disposition that leads to noisy decision making in sports. In addition, we provide preliminary evidence that boredom proneness covaries with self-selection into specific types of sports and might also stand in the way of skill acquisition in sports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanja Wolff
- Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany; (W.W.); (M.B.)
- Institute of Educational Science, Educational Psychology, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Maik Bieleke
- Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany; (W.W.); (M.B.)
| | - Lucas Keller
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Hirsch A, Bieleke M, Bertschinger R, Schüler J, Wolff W. Struggles and strategies in anaerobic and aerobic cycling tests: A mixed-method approach with a focus on tailored self-regulation strategies. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259088. [PMID: 34705866 PMCID: PMC8550367 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Endurance sports pose a plethora of mental demands that exercisers have to deal with. Unfortunately, investigations of exercise-specific demands and strategies to deal with them are insufficiently researched, leading to a gap in knowledge about athletic requirements and strategies used to deal with them. Here, we investigated which obstacles exercisers experience during an anaerobic (Wingate test) and an aerobic cycling test (incremental exercise test), as well as the strategies they considered helpful for dealing with these obstacles (qualitative analysis). In addition, we examined whether thinking of these obstacles and strategies in terms of if-then plans (or implementation intentions; i.e., "If I encounter obstacle O, then I will apply strategy S!") improves performance over merely setting performance goals (i.e., goal intentions; quantitative analysis). N = 59 participants (age: M = 23.9 ± 6.5 years) performed both tests twice in a 2-within (Experimental session: 1 vs. 2) × 2-between (Condition: goal vs. implementation intention) design. Exercisers' obstacles and strategies were assessed using structured interviews in Session 1 and subjected to thematic analysis. In both tests, feelings of exertion were the most frequently stated obstacle. Motivation to do well, self-encouragement, and focus on the body and on cycling were frequently stated strategies in both tests. There were also test-specific obstacles, such as boredom reported in the aerobic test. For session 2, the obstacles and strategies elicited in Session 1 were used to specify if-then plans. Bayesian mixed-factor ANOVA suggests, however, that if-then plans did not help exercisers to improve their performance. These findings shed novel light into the mental processes accompanying endurance exercise and the limits they pose on performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Hirsch
- Department of Sport Science, Sport Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Maik Bieleke
- Department of Sport Science, Sport Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Raphael Bertschinger
- Department of Sport Science, Sport Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Julia Schüler
- Department of Sport Science, Sport Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Wanja Wolff
- Department of Sport Science, Sport Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Educational Psychology, Institute of Educational Science, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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21
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Wiesner CD, Meyer J, Lindner C. Detours increase local knowledge-Exploring the hidden benefits of self-control failure. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257717. [PMID: 34597326 PMCID: PMC8486128 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Self-control enables people to override momentary thoughts, emotions, or impulses in order to pursue long-term goals. Good self-control is a predictor for health, success, and subjective well-being, as bad self-control is for the opposite. Therefore, the question arises why evolution has not endowed us with perfect self-control. In this article, we draw some attention to the hidden benefits of self-control failure and present a new experimental paradigm that captures both costs and benefits of self-control failure. In an experiment, participants worked on three consecutive tasks: 1) In a transcription task, we manipulated how much effortful self-control two groups of participants had to exert. 2) In a number-comparison task, participants of both groups were asked to compare numbers and ignore distracting neutral versus reward-related pictures. 3) After a pause for recreation, participants were confronted with an unannounced recognition task measuring whether they had incidentally encoded the distracting pictures during the previous number-comparison task. The results showed that participants who exerted a high amount of effortful self-control during the first task shifted their priorities and attention toward the distractors during the second self-control demanding task: The cost of self-control failure was reflected in worse performance in the number-comparison task. Moreover, the group which had exerted a high amount of self-control during the first task and showed self-control failure during the second task was better in the unannounced third task. The benefit of self-control failure during number comparison was reflected in better performance during the recognition task. However, costs and benefits were not specific for reward-related distractors but also occurred with neutral pictures. We propose that the hidden benefit of self-control failure lies in the exploration of distractors present during goal pursuit, i.e. the collection of information about the environment and the potential discovery of new sources of reward. Detours increase local knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Dirk Wiesner
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jennifer Meyer
- Leibniz-Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (IPN), Kiel, Germany
| | - Christoph Lindner
- Educational Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Hamburg (UHH), Hamburg, Germany
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22
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Sürücü L, Ertan ŞS, Bağlarbaşı E, Maslakçı A. COVID-19 and human flourishing: The moderating role of gender. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2021; 183:111111. [PMID: 34511680 PMCID: PMC8416548 DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2021.111111] [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: 09/19/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 fear restricts human freedom and decreases human flourishing. This paper examines the relationship between COVID-19 fear and human flourishing. Additionally, it tests gender's moderating effect in this relationship. Although studies show the relationship between COVID-19 fear and human flourishing, this study is a first attempt to determine gender's moderating role. Data were obtained from 326 hotel staff in the United States and analyzed using structural equation modeling and hierarchical regression. This study found that COVID-19 negatively affected human flourishing and gender moderated this relationship. The current study will contribute to the literature by clarifying that women's flourishing is more negatively affected than men due to COVID-19. This finding further indicates how to reduce women's COVID-19 fears from both practical and legal standpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lütfi Sürücü
- European Leadership University, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Blv, Gazimağusa 99500, North Cyprus, Cyprus
| | - Şenay Sahil Ertan
- European Leadership University, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Blv, Gazimağusa 99500, North Cyprus, Cyprus
| | - Evren Bağlarbaşı
- European Leadership University, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Blv, Gazimağusa 99500, North Cyprus, Cyprus
| | - Ahmet Maslakçı
- European Leadership University, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Blv, Gazimağusa 99500, North Cyprus, Cyprus
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Bieleke M, Martarelli CS, Wolff W. If-then planning, self-control, and boredom as predictors of adherence to social distancing guidelines: Evidence from a two-wave longitudinal study with a behavioral intervention. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2021; 42:9095-9108. [PMID: 34413619 PMCID: PMC8363486 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-02106-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
In the wake of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), social distancing is instrumental for containing the pandemic. To maximize its effectiveness, it is paramount to investigate psychological factors that predict adherence to social distancing guidelines and examine corresponding interventions. We focused on individual differences in if-then planning, self-control, and boredom, and tested an intervention based on if-then planning. We conducted a two-wave longitudinal study combining observational and experimental methods. Participants (N = 574, 35.7% female, age: M = 37.5 years, SD = 10.8) reported their adherence to social distancing guidelines and the perceived difficulty of adherence at T1, along with trait measures of if-then planning, self-control, and boredom. Afterwards, they were randomly assigned to an if-then planning intervention to increase adherence, or to a control intervention. One week later at T2, participants again reported their adherence and the perceived difficulty of adhering. Multiple regression and structural equation modeling were used to establish whether trait if-then planning, self-control, and boredom predicted adherence, and to examine the effects of the if-then planning intervention. Trait if-then planning, self-control, and boredom were associated with T1 adherence, while only if-then planning and boredom predicted T2 adherence. No overall treatment effect of the if-then planning intervention emerged; however, participants who complied with the intervention (75.6%) maintained higher levels of adherence over time than control participants. In sum, individual differences in if-then planning, self-control, and boredom predicted adherence to social distancing guidelines. If-then planning interventions are promising but require further steps to ascertain compliance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maik Bieleke
- Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | | | - Wanja Wolff
- Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.,Department of Educational Psychology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Rodriguez JE, Holmes HL, Alquist JL, Uziel L, Stinnett AJ. Self-controlled responses to COVID-19: Self-control and uncertainty predict responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2021; 42:7321-7335. [PMID: 34276168 PMCID: PMC8272611 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-02066-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Two online studies (Total N = 331) tested the hypothesis that individual differences in self-control and responses to uncertainty would predict adherence to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2020a) guidelines, reported stockpiling, and intentions to engage in hedonic behavior in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Trait self-control (b = 0.27, p = .015), desire for self-control (Study 1: b = 0.28, p = .001; Study 2: b = 0.27, p = .005), and cognitive uncertainty (b = 0.73, p < .001) predicted more CDC adherence. State self-control (Study 1: b = -0.15, p = .012; Study 2: b = -0.26, p < .001) predicted less stockpiling, whereas emotional uncertainty (b = 0.56, p < .001) and cognitive uncertainty (b = 0.61, p < .001) predicted more stockpiling. State self-control (b = -0.18, p = .003) predicted less hedonic behavior, whereas desire for self-control (b = 0.42, p < .001) and emotional uncertainty (b = 0.26, p = .018) predicted more hedonic behavior. Study 2 (pre-registered) also found that emotional uncertainty predicted more stockpiling and hedonic behavior for participants low in state self-control (stockpiling: b = -0.31, p < .001; hedonic behavior: b = 0.28, p = .025), but not for participants high in state self-control (stockpiling: b = 0.03, p = .795; hedonic behavior: b = -0.24, p = .066). These findings provide evidence that some forms of self-control and uncertainty influenced compliance with behavioral recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-021-02066-y.
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25
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Wolff W, Englert C. On the Past, Present and Future of Volition Research in Sports. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR SPORTPSYCHOLOGIE 2021. [DOI: 10.1026/1612-5010/a000339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wanja Wolff
- Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Chris Englert
- Department of Sport Psychology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany
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Englert C, Dziuba A, Giboin LS, Wolff W. Elites Do Not Deplete - No Effect of Prior Mental Exertion on Subsequent Shooting Performance in Elite Shooters. Front Psychol 2021; 12:668108. [PMID: 34177728 PMCID: PMC8226326 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.668108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to perform at the highest level, elite shooters have to remain focused during the whole course of a tournament, which regularly lasts multiple hours. Investing self-control over extended time periods is often associated with lower levels of perceived self-control strength (i.e., the subjective estimation of how much mental effort one is capable of investing in a given task) and impaired performance in several sports-related domains. However, previous findings on the effects of prior self-control efforts on shooting performance have been mixed, as elite shooters seem to be less affected by preceding self-control demanding tasks than sub-elite athletes. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of self-control on shooting performance in elite shooters. Hence, we randomly assigned elite shooters to an experimental (n = 12) or a control condition (n = 11) and asked them to perform a series of 40 shots at baseline (T1) and again after a task which either did or did not require self-control (T2). Additionally, we continuously measured the shooters’ level of perceived self-control strength. We assumed that in elite athletes, shooting accuracy as well as the perceived level of self-control strength would not be significantly affected over time from T1 to T2 in both conditions. In line with our assumptions, Bayesian linear mixed effect models revealed that shooting performance remained relatively stable in both conditions over time and the conditions also did not differ significantly in their perceived levels of self-control strength. Contrary to resource-based theories of self-control, these results speak against the idea of a limited self-control resource as previous acts of self-control did not impair subsequent shooting performance in elite athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Englert
- Department of Educational Psychology, Institute of Education, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anna Dziuba
- Institute of Sports and Sports Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Louis-Solal Giboin
- Department of Sport Sciences, Sensorimotor Performance Lab, Human Performance Research Centre, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Wanja Wolff
- Department of Educational Psychology, Institute of Education, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Sport Psychology, Department of Sport Sciences, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
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de la Fuente J, Pachón-Basallo M, Santos FH, Peralta-Sánchez FJ, González-Torres MC, Artuch-Garde R, Paoloni PV, Gaetha ML. How Has the COVID-19 Crisis Affected the Academic Stress of University Students? The Role of Teachers and Students. Front Psychol 2021; 12:626340. [PMID: 34140911 PMCID: PMC8204055 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.626340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have required substantial adjustments in terms of university teaching-learning processes. The aim of this study was to verify whether there were significant differences between the academic year of 2020 and the two preceding years in factors and symptoms and stress. A total of 642 university students (ages 18-25 years) participated by filling out validated self-reports during the months from March to August 2020. Using an ex post facto design, SEM analyses and simple and multiple ANOVAs were performed. Structural results showed that stress factors from the teaching process had a predictive value for the learning process, emotions, and academic burnout, and being a man was a factor predicting negative emotion. In a similar way, inferential results revealed no significant effect of academic year but did show an effect of gender on stress experiences during the pandemic. Aside from certain specific aspects, there was no significant global effect of the year 2020 on factors and symptoms of stress. The results showed that studying in the year of the COVID-19 outbreak did not have a significant effect on stress triggered by the teaching process. From these results, we draw implications for specific guidance interventions with university teachers and students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús de la Fuente
- School of Education and Psychology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- School of Psychology, University of Almería, Almería, Spain
| | | | - Flavia H. Santos
- School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | | | - Paola V. Paoloni
- School of Education, Universidad de Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina
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Englert C, Bertrams A. Again, No Evidence for or Against the Existence of Ego Depletion: Opinion on "A Multi-Site Preregistered Paradigmatic Test of the Ego Depletion Effect". Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:658890. [PMID: 34025377 PMCID: PMC8134656 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.658890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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It's not a bug, it's boredom: Effortful willpower balances exploitation and exploration. Behav Brain Sci 2021; 44:e33. [PMID: 33899724 DOI: 10.1017/s0140525x20001053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The continuous revaluation of rewards lies at the core of Ainslie's account of willpower. Yet, he does not explicate the underlying experiential mechanisms. We draw upon theoretical, neuroscientific, and computational evidence to demonstrate that boredom evokes revaluation. By biasing behavior toward exploration, boredom necessitates effortful willpower to balance it against exploitation, thereby rendering suppression a highly adaptive function of willpower.
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Spoto A, Iannattone S, Valentini P, Raffagnato A, Miscioscia M, Gatta M. Boredom in Adolescence: Validation of the Italian Version of the Multidimensional State Boredom Scale (MSBS) in Adolescents. CHILDREN-BASEL 2021; 8:children8040314. [PMID: 33924166 PMCID: PMC8074396 DOI: 10.3390/children8040314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Boredom in adolescence is often underestimated, although it may be the sign of a profound unease or be associated with psychological disorders. Given the complexity of the construct of boredom and its increasing prevalence among adolescents in recent years, the present study aimed to validate the factorial structure of the Italian version of the Multidimensional State Boredom Scale (MSBS) in adolescents using a cross-validation approach. The study involved 272 students (33.8% males, 66.2% females) aged 14–19 (M = 15.9, SD = 1.38) living in northern and central Italy. In addition to the MSBS, the Symptoms Checklist 90-R (SCL 90-R) and the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) were administered. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses validated a 23-item structure of the MSBS, comprising five correlated factors. The tool showed a good internal consistency for these factors and a good convergent and factor validity. The MSBS consequently seems a valid and reliable method for assessing boredom in adolescence. The cut-off for the total score that could pinpoint cases posing a potential clinical risk was 88. A weak correlation was found between the total level of boredom and the daily Internet usage, while no relationship emerged between boredom and age, gender, and grades. Since excessive levels of boredom may conceal a general unease that could develop into structured psychological disorders, the value of the MSBS lies in enabling us to identify in advance adolescents at potential clinical risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Spoto
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy;
| | - Sara Iannattone
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy;
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Padua University Hospital, 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.R.); (M.M.); (M.G.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Perla Valentini
- Department of Communication Sciences, Humanistic and International Studies: History, Culture, Languages, Literature, Arts, Media, University of Urbino ‘Carlo Bo’, 61029 Urbino, Italy;
| | - Alessia Raffagnato
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Padua University Hospital, 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.R.); (M.M.); (M.G.)
| | - Marina Miscioscia
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Padua University Hospital, 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.R.); (M.M.); (M.G.)
| | - Michela Gatta
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Padua University Hospital, 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.R.); (M.M.); (M.G.)
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Yakobi O, Danckert J. Boredom proneness is associated with noisy decision-making, not risk-taking. Exp Brain Res 2021; 239:1807-1825. [PMID: 33829298 PMCID: PMC8026330 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-021-06098-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Previous research shows that individuals who tend to get bored frequently and intensely—the highly boredom prone—are more likely to engage in risky behaviors. However, these studies are based largely on self-reports. Here we address this gap and suggest that noisy decision-making (DM) is a potential driver for this relationship between boredom proneness and risk-taking. In Study 1, eighty-six participants completed the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART) while EEG was recorded. We found blunted feedback processing with higher boredom proneness, as indexed by reduced feedback-P3 amplitudes. Risk taking, as indexed by the BART, was not higher in the highly boredom prone. In Study 2a (N = 404) we directly tested the noisy DM hypothesis in an online sample using a binary choice task, and found that with higher boredom proneness, participants were more likely to alternate between choices on a trial-to-trial basis, but were not more likely to choose the risky alternative. These findings were replicated in a new sample (Study 2b), and extended to the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT; Study 3). In the IGT we found increased choice switching and reduced feedback sensitivity with higher boredom proneness. Once again, higher risk taking as indexed by the IGT was not evident in the highly boredom prone. Overall, our findings suggest that boredom proneness is associated with noisy decision-making (i.e., a tendency to alternate more between choice options regardless of risk level), and not risk-seeking per se. That is, the highly boredom prone are not necessarily attracted to risks, but rather, may be insensitive to risks due to reduced feedback sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ofir Yakobi
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
| | - James Danckert
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
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Abstract
Self-control does not always work effectively. Whether this reflects the depletion of a global self-control resource is subject to an ongoing debate. We turned to boredom as a potential confounding variable to advance this debate. In a high-powered experiment (N = 719), participants worked on a primary (transcription) task of varying self-control demands (low, high) and length (2, 4, 8 min), followed by a secondary (Stroop) task with low and high self-control demanding trials. In addition to trait boredom, we measured effort, difficulty, tiredness, frustration, and boredom after the primary task and repeatedly during the secondary task. Effort, difficulty, tiredness, and frustration increased with the demand and duration of the primary task; however, without affecting performance in the secondary task. Importantly, participants rated both the primary and the secondary task as boring, and higher boredom at the state and the trait level was associated with lower effort and higher difficulty, tiredness, and frustration. During the secondary task, boredom increased steadily but was generally lower in more self-control demanding trials. Finally, boredom predicted performance in the secondary task. These results show an intricate relationship between self-control and boredom that research on these two constructs should carefully disentangle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maik Bieleke
- Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Leon Barton
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Germany
| | - Wanja Wolff
- Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, Germany.,Department of Educational Psychology, University of Bern, Switzerland
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Too Much of a Good Thing? Exercise Dependence in Endurance Athletes: Relationships with Personal and Social Resources. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18062966. [PMID: 33799357 PMCID: PMC8001540 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18062966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
(1) Background: A large body of research has examined the positive effects of physical activity on physical and mental health. However, for some, excessive exercise can develop into an addiction that is detrimental to their health. In the present study, we examine potential personal (self-control, self-concordance) and social (social support) resources that we assume to be related to exercise dependence. (2) Methods: One hundred and forty athletes from different endurance sports participated in an online survey. Exercise dependence, self-control, self-concordance, and social support were assessed using questionnaires that are well-established in health and sport psychology. Additionally, further sport-relevant and demographic variables were assessed. (3) Results: Correlational analyses supported our hypotheses that exercise dependence is negatively correlated with the personal resources trait, state self-control, and self-concordance. Social support, however, was not significantly correlated with exercise dependence. Furthermore, the results of a mediation analysis revealed that the relationship between both personal traits (self-control, self-concordance) and exercise dependence was mediated by state self-control. (4) Conclusions: Our results indicate that trait self-control and self-concordance might be important personal resources that protect against exercise dependence by making state self-control available.
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Wolff W, Bieleke M, Martarelli CS, Danckert J. A Primer on the Role of Boredom in Self-Controlled Sports and Exercise Behavior. Front Psychol 2021; 12:637839. [PMID: 33732197 PMCID: PMC7957048 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.637839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Self-control is critical for successful participation and performance in sports and therefore has attracted considerable research interest. Yet, knowledge about self-control remains surprisingly incomplete and inconsistent. Here, we draw attention to boredom as an experience that likely plays an important role in sports and exercise (e.g., exercise can be perceived as boring but can also be used to alleviate boredom). Specifically, we argue that studying boredom in the context of sports and exercise will also advance our understanding of self-control as a reward-based choice. We demonstrate this by discussing evidence for links between self-control and boredom and by highlighting the role boredom plays for guiding goal-directed behavior. As such, boredom is likely to interact with self-control in affecting sports performance and exercise participation. We close by highlighting several promising routes for integrating self-control and boredom research in the context of sports performance and exercise behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanja Wolff
- Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Maik Bieleke
- Department for Psychology of Development and Education, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - James Danckert
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
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Martarelli CS, Pacozzi SG, Bieleke M, Wolff W. High Trait Self-Control and Low Boredom Proneness Help COVID-19 Homeschoolers. Front Psychol 2021; 12:594256. [PMID: 33679514 PMCID: PMC7930236 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.594256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) schools around the world have been closed to protect against the spread of coronavirus. In several countries, homeschooling has been introduced to replace classroom schooling. With a focus on individual differences, the present study examined 138 schoolers (age range = 6 to 21 years) regarding their self-control and boredom proneness. The results showed that both traits were important in predicting adherence to homeschooling. Schoolers with higher levels of self-control perceived homeschooling as less difficult, which in turn increased homeschooling adherence. In contrast, schoolers with higher levels of boredom proneness perceived homeschooling as more difficult, which in turn reduced homeschooling adherence. These results partially hold when it comes to studying in the classroom. However, boredom threatened adherence only in the homeschooling context. Our results indicate that boredom proneness is a critical construct to consider when educational systems switch to homeschooling during a pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simona G. Pacozzi
- Faculty of Psychology, Swiss Distance University Institute, Brig, Switzerland
| | - Maik Bieleke
- Department for Psychology of Development and Education, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wanja Wolff
- Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Tutzer F, Frajo-Apor B, Pardeller S, Plattner B, Chernova A, Haring C, Holzner B, Kemmler G, Marksteiner J, Miller C, Schmidt M, Sperner-Unterweger B, Hofer A. Psychological Distress, Loneliness, and Boredom Among the General Population of Tyrol, Austria During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:691896. [PMID: 34177672 PMCID: PMC8222609 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.691896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: COVID-19-related mental health problems are considered a public health challenge. The aim of this study was to investigate psychological distress, loneliness, and boredom among the general population of the federal state of Tyrol, Austria. Methods: Residents of Tyrol aged ≥ 18 years were recruited via dissemination of a link through social media and other advertisements and invited to complete an online survey from June 26th to August 20th, 2020. Next to the collection of sociodemographic and COVID-19 related variables the Brief Symptom Checklist (BSCL), the Three-Item Loneliness Scale (TILS), and the Multidimensional State Boredom Scale-Short Form (MSBS-SF) were used to assess psychological distress, loneliness, and boredom. Results: 961 participants took part in the survey (68.3% woman). Of these, 14.4% were burdened from psychological distress (BSCL), 22.6% reached a TILS score ≥ 7 and were therefore classified as severely lonely, and boredom levels lay by a mean of 25.9 ± 11.0 points in the MSBS-SF (range: 7-56). Women, singles, low-income people as well as those who were unemployed were significantly more often affected by all of the selected outcomes compared to the remaining sample and they had significantly more frequently consumed alcohol or other substances since the outbreak of the pandemic in order to feel better. In addition, young and middle-aged adults were particularly burdened by loneliness and boredom. Discussion: Our findings identify vulnerable groups and factors associated with higher psychological distress, loneliness, and boredom in the context of the pandemic. In order to prevent mental health problems it will be critical to identify options of maintaining social contacts and remaining active despite pandemic-related restrictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Tutzer
- Division of Psychiatry I, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Beatrice Frajo-Apor
- Division of Psychiatry I, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Silvia Pardeller
- Division of Psychiatry I, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Barbara Plattner
- Department of Psychiatry, Central Hospital, Sanitary Agency of South Tyrol, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Anna Chernova
- Division of Psychiatry I, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christian Haring
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy B, State Hospital Hall in Tyrol, Hall in Tyrol, Austria
| | - Bernhard Holzner
- Division of Psychiatry I, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Georg Kemmler
- Division of Psychiatry I, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Josef Marksteiner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy A, State Hospital Hall in Tyrol, Hall in Tyrol, Austria
| | - Carl Miller
- Department of Psychiatry, County Hospital Kufstein, Kufstein, Austria
| | - Martin Schmidt
- Department of Psychiatry, County Hospital Lienz, Lienz, Austria
| | - Barbara Sperner-Unterweger
- Division of Psychiatry II, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alex Hofer
- Division of Psychiatry I, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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38
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Bench SW, Bera J, Cox J. State boredom results in optimistic perception of risk and increased risk-taking. Cogn Emot 2020; 35:649-663. [PMID: 33308011 DOI: 10.1080/02699931.2020.1858760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACTWhile models considering the relationship between emotion and risk differ, many agree that emotions should affect risk in accordance with the adaptive function of the emotion. The function of boredom has been proposed to motivate the pursuit of an alternative experience. Based on this, we predicted that a state of boredom would result in an optimistic perception of risk and increased risk-taking. In Study 1 (n = 164) and Study 2 (n = 200) participants who were made bored (relative to neutral, anger, and fear conditions) reported less worry and concern and estimated fewer deaths for causes of death. Study 3 (n = 149) showed that participants who were made bored (compared to neutral and fear conditions) perceived risk more optimistically, reported being more likely to take risks, and perceived more potential benefits from taking risks. In Study 4 (n = 84) participants who were made bored (relative to neutral) took more risks on the Balloon Analogue Risk Task, a behavioural measure of risk. These findings show that state boredom results in an optimistic perception of risk, increased self-reported risk taking, and increased risk taking. Our results support boredom as an emotion that impacts risk in line with its function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane W Bench
- Department of Psychology, Utah State University, Price, UT, USA
| | - Jac'lyn Bera
- Department of Psychology, Utah State University Eastern, Price, UT, USA
| | - Jaylee Cox
- Department of Psychology, Utah State University Eastern, Price, UT, USA
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Westgate EC, Steidle B. Lost by definition: Why boredom matters for psychology and society. SOCIAL AND PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY COMPASS 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/spc3.12562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Erin C. Westgate
- University of Florida Department of Psychology Gainesville Florida USA
| | - Brianna Steidle
- University of Florida Department of Psychology Gainesville Florida USA
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Boat R, Hunte R, Welsh E, Dunn A, Treadwell E, Cooper SB. Manipulation of the Duration of the Initial Self-Control Task Within the Sequential-Task Paradigm: Effect on Exercise Performance. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:571312. [PMID: 33132830 PMCID: PMC7578372 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.571312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Self-control exertion on an initial task has been associated with impaired performance on subsequent physical tasks also requiring self-control; an effect suggested to be mediated by changes in perceptions of pain and motivation. However, the effects of spending longer on the initial self-control task are unknown. This study, therefore, explored the potential for the duration of the initial self-control task to influence subsequent physical performance, perceptions of pain, and perceived motivation; particularly during the early stages of the physical task. In a within-subject design, 29 participants (11 male, 18 female) completed a wall-sit task until volitional exhaustion, on four separate occasions. Prior to each wall-sit, participants completed either a non-self-control task (congruent Stroop task) for 4 min, or a self-control task (incongruent Stroop task) for 4 (short duration), 8 (medium duration), or 16 (long duration) min. Participant's perceptions of pain and motivation were recorded every 30 s during the wall-sit. Wall-sit performance time was analyzed using one-way ANOVA and perceptions of pain and motivation analyzed using multi-level modeling. Wall-sit performance time was significantly longer on the non-self-control exertion trial compared to all other trials (all p < 0.01), as well as longer on both the short duration and medium duration self-control exertion trials compared to the long duration self-control exertion trial (both p < 0.001). Perceptions of initial (at 30 s) pain and motivation were different between the trials (main effect of trial: pain, p = 0.001; motivation, p < 0.001); whereby longer durations of self-control exertion increased perceptions of pain and decreased motivation. The decrease in motivation during the wall-sit task was greater on the long duration self-control exertion trial compared to all other trials (trial∗time interactions, all p < 0.05). The present study provides novel evidence that spending longer on the initial self-control task led to greater detrimental effects on subsequent wall-sit performance time. Furthermore, longer duration self-control exertion tasks led to increased perceptions of pain and decreased motivation within the first 30 s of the wall-sit task, as well as a greater decrease in motivation across the wall-sit task. These attentional and motivational shifts may explain performance decrements following the exertion of self-control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Boat
- Sport, Health, and Performance Enhancement Research Centre, Department of Sport Science, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Raymon Hunte
- Sport, Health, and Performance Enhancement Research Centre, Department of Sport Science, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Emily Welsh
- Sport, Health, and Performance Enhancement Research Centre, Department of Sport Science, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Dunn
- Sport, Health, and Performance Enhancement Research Centre, Department of Sport Science, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ellen Treadwell
- Sport, Health, and Performance Enhancement Research Centre, Department of Sport Science, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Simon B Cooper
- Sport, Health, and Performance Enhancement Research Centre, Department of Sport Science, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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On Your Mark, Get Set, Self-Control, Go: A Differentiated View on the Cortical Hemodynamics of Self-Control during Sprint Start. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10080494. [PMID: 32751179 PMCID: PMC7463617 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10080494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Most sports are self-control demanding. For example, during a sprint start, athletes have to respond as fast as possible to the start signal (action initiation) while suppressing the urge to start too early (action inhibition). Here, we examined the cortical hemodynamic response to these demands by measuring activity in the two lateral prefrontal cortices (lPFC), a central area for self-control processes. We analyzed activity within subregions of the lPFC, while subjects performed a sprint start, and we assessed if activation varied as a function of hemisphere and gender. In a counterbalanced within-subject design, 39 participants (age: mean (M) = 22.44, standard deviation (SD) = 5.28, 22 women) completed four sprint start conditions (blocks). In each block, participants focused on inhibition (avoid false start), initiation (start fast), no start (do not start) and a combined condition (start fast; avoid false start). We show that oxyhemoglobin in the lPFC increased after the set signal and this increase did not differ between experimental conditions. Increased activation was primarily observed in ventral areas of the lPFC, but only in males, and this increase did not vary between hemispheres. This study provides further support for the involvement of the ventral lPFC during a sprint start, while highlighting gender differences in the processing of sprint start-induced self-control demands.
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Wolff W, Martarelli CS, Schüler J, Bieleke M. High Boredom Proneness and Low Trait Self-Control Impair Adherence to Social Distancing Guidelines during the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E5420. [PMID: 32731369 PMCID: PMC7432636 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17155420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Social distancing during the coronavirus-disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is crucial to reduce the spread of the virus. However, its effectiveness hinges on adherence by individuals who face substantial burdens from the required behavioral restrictions. Here, we investigate sources of individual variation in adhering to social distancing guidelines. In a high-powered study (N = 895), we tested direct and indirect effects of boredom and self-control on adherence. The results showed that both traits were important predictors of adherence but the underlying mechanisms differed. Specifically, individuals high in boredom perceived social distancing as more difficult, which in turn reduced their adherence (i.e., a mediated effect). In contrast, individuals high in self-control adhered more to the guidelines without perceiving them as more or less difficult; however, self-control moderated the effect of difficulty on adherence. Our results are immediately relevant to improve the efficacy of social distancing guidelines in the COVID-19 response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanja Wolff
- Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, 78464 Konstanz, Germany;
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Julia Schüler
- Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, 78464 Konstanz, Germany;
| | - Maik Bieleke
- Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, 1010 Vienna, Austria;
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Hirsch A, Bieleke M, Schüler J, Wolff W. Implicit Theories about Athletic Ability Modulate the Effects of If-Then Planning on Performance in a Standardized Endurance Task. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E2576. [PMID: 32283727 PMCID: PMC7177509 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17072576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Revised: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Muscular strength has a strong positive impact on cardiometabolic health and fitness. However, building up strength endurance requires effortful exercises. From a health perspective, it is important to understand which psychological strategies help people deal with straining exercise. Self-regulation strategies like if-then planning (also known as implementation intentions) appear particularly promising because they might directly alter how people deal with exercise-induced sensations. However, research on the effects of if-then planning on exercise performance has yielded mixed results so far. One possible reason for these inconsistent results is the lack of tailored interventions and the neglect of potential moderators. To address this, we investigated the efficacy of if-then plans that were tailored to perceived limits of endurance performance (i.e., perceptions of exertion versus pain). In addition, we investigated the effects of these tailored if-then plans while taking into account the potentially moderating effects of individual differences in implicit theories. Specifically, we were interested in the role of implicit theories about athletic performance (i.e., entity versus incremental beliefs) and about the limitation of athletic performance by mental versus physical factors (i.e., mind-over-body beliefs). N = 66 male students (age: M = 25.8 years, SD = 3.2) performed a static muscular endurance task twice (measurement: baseline task vs. main task) and were randomly assigned to a goal or an implementation intention condition. They were instructed to hold two intertwined rings for as long as possible while avoiding contacts between them (measure of performance: time-to-failure and errors). After the baseline task, participants were either given an implementation intention or were simply asked to rehearse the task instructions. The content of the instruction depended on whether they ascribed ultimate baseline task termination to perceptions of exertion or pain. After the main task, implicit theories on athletic ability were assessed. No differences in performance emerged between conditions. In the implementation intention condition, however, stronger entity beliefs were associated with increasing time-to-failure when participants planned to ignore exertion but with decreasing time-to-failure when they planned to ignore pain. This pattern of results was reversed with regard to mind-over-body beliefs. These findings indicate that the efficacy of psychological strategies hinges on recreational athletes' beliefs regarding athletic performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Hirsch
- Sport Psychology, Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, 78464 Konstanz, Germany; (J.S.); (W.W.)
| | - Maik Bieleke
- Educational Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Vienna, 1010 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Julia Schüler
- Sport Psychology, Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, 78464 Konstanz, Germany; (J.S.); (W.W.)
| | - Wanja Wolff
- Sport Psychology, Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, 78464 Konstanz, Germany; (J.S.); (W.W.)
- Educational Psychology, Institute of Educational Science, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
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