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Mehmood K, Suhail A, Kautish P, Hakeem MM, Rashid M. Turning Lemons into Lemonade: Social Support as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Technostress and Quality of Life Among University Students. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2024; 17:989-1006. [PMID: 38495088 PMCID: PMC10941796 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s448989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose The overuse of internet-based technologies as a means of coping with the stress they generate has resulted in an alarming level of addiction, adversely impacting the quality of life and overall health of younger individuals. This social detachment, in turn, contributes to both physical and mental health deterioration. The potential remedy for this predicament lies in the application of social support as an antidote to internet addiction. In this context, our present study employs the Stress-Strain-Outcome model to explore the indirect effects of internet addiction and the moderating role of social support in relation to the influence of technostress on the quality of life of adults. Methods We adopted a time-lagged design to collect data from university graduates and evaluated our study hypotheses using Mplus. Results Our empirical findings highlight the significant influence of technostress on internet addiction, with the latter significantly mediating the relationship between technostress and quality of life. Furthermore, our results reveal that social support effectively moderates the indirect effects of technostress on quality of life through its impact on internet addiction. Conclusion These findings can help researchers and educators better understand the underlying mechanisms between technostress and quality of life with social support as the silver lining. This form of social support holds the potential not only to alleviate internet addiction but also to positively enhance the quality of life and overall wellbeing of individuals facing these challenges. The implications of these findings and avenues for future research are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid Mehmood
- Research Center of Hubei Micro & Small Enterprises Development, School of Economics and Management, Hubei Engineering University, Xiaogan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Aamir Suhail
- Department of Management and Leadership, Business School, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Pradeep Kautish
- Department of Marketing, Institute of Management, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, India
| | | | - Md Rashid
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India
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Mrayyan MT, Alkhawaldeh JM, Alfayoumi I, Algunmeeyn A, Abunab HY, Suliman WA, Abu Hasheesh M, Shudifat R. COVID-19 era-related e-learning: a cross-sectional web-scale study of cyberchondria, internet addiction and anxiety-related symptomatology among university nursing students. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e071971. [PMID: 37558438 PMCID: PMC10414090 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-071971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The study assessed COVID-19 era-related e-learning cyberchondria, internet addiction and anxiety-related symptomatology among nursing students. The relationships, predictors and differences between the studied concepts were measured. DESIGN In 2021, a quantitative cross-sectional research design using a web survey with a sample size of 333 nursing students yielded a response rate of 70%. RESULTS Nursing students had a moderate level of cyberchondria, low to moderate internet addiction, a moderate to severe level of anxiety and depression, and a normal stress level. Demographic characteristics, cyberchondria, internet addiction and anxiety-related symptomatology were significantly correlated. Grade point average, age, type of organisation where the students were trained and level of education were significant predictors of the studied variables. Significant differences in the studied concepts were found based on the sample's characteristics such as gender, type of organisations or universities where the students were trained or studied, and age. CONCLUSION Cyberchondria, internet addiction, depression, anxiety and stress symptomatology are troublesome. Higher education organisations might benefit from examining the variables of interest and investigating the relations between internet addiction and depression and anxiety symptomatology among nursing students. Such research will aid in tailoring treatments to assist vulnerable students by targeting counselling and educational efforts toward building a future generation of nurses with reduced cyberchondria, internet addiction and anxiety-related symptomatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majd T Mrayyan
- Department of Community and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan
| | | | - Imad Alfayoumi
- Basic Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Isra University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Abdullah Algunmeeyn
- Advanced Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Isra University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Hamzeh Y Abunab
- Basic Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Isra University, Amman, Jordan
| | - W A Suliman
- Advanced Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Isra University, Amman, Jordan
| | | | - Raed Shudifat
- Department of Adult Health Nursing, Mu'tah University College of Nursing, Mu'tah, Jordan
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Mestre-Bach G, Potenza MN. Cyberchondria: a Growing Concern During the COVID-19 Pandemic and a Possible Addictive Disorder? CURRENT ADDICTION REPORTS 2023; 10:77-96. [PMID: 36785757 PMCID: PMC9909655 DOI: 10.1007/s40429-022-00462-3] [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] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review The main purpose of this narrative review is to provide a brief overview of the current empirical evidence regarding the conceptualization, assessment, and treatment of cyberchondria, with a focus on the potential classification of cyberchondria as a behavioral addiction. Although cyberchondria has been widely associated with anxiety, it has also been suggested that it may be linked to obsessive-compulsive features. A less explored proposal is the categorization of cyberchondria as a behavioral addiction. The present review explores the existing literature with respect to the possible classification of cyberchondria as a behavioral addiction by considering cyberchondria with respect to components of the interaction of person, affect, cognition and execution model. Recent Findings There is a lack of consensus regarding the definition and conceptualization of cyberchondria. The empirical evidence available to date suggests that cyberchondria is a multifactorial construct that operates transdiagnostically, particularly with respect to obsessive-compulsive-related disorders and health-related anxiety. The extent to which the condition may reflect a behavioral addiction as a form of problematic use of the internet also warrants consideration. Cyberchondria may have become more prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic, with particular populations prone to health-related anxiety likely having greater vulnerability. Existing data in part support the potential classification of cyberchondria as a behavioral addiction, although many gaps in understanding currently exist. Summary Cyberchondria appears to be a growing concern. However, there is not yet enough empirical evidence to determine whether this clinical condition has enough similarities with behavioral addictions to be considered as one. Likewise, psychometric instruments that exist to date have not been designed from the theoretical framework of behavioral addictions, so most of the factors that they evaluate may be preferentially related to anxiety. Finally, there is still no consensus on whether cyberchondria should be addressed in the context of health anxiety interventions, OCRD, or behavioral addictions; thus, more empirical evidence is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Mestre-Bach
- Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, Logroño, La Rioja Spain
- Institute for Culture and Society (ICS), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Marc N. Potenza
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
- Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT USA
- Connecticut Council On Problem Gambling, Wethersfield, CT USA
- Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT USA
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
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Shahani R, Asmi F, Ma J, Zawar A, Rufai OH, Muhideen S, Amosun TS, Jianxun C. How cyberchondria and decision self-efficacy shapes the acceptability of COVID-19 vaccine: A gender-based comparison. Digit Health 2023; 9:20552076231185430. [PMID: 37744744 PMCID: PMC10515538 DOI: 10.1177/20552076231185430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Alarmingly, the individuals' reach and coverage to get vaccinated in developing regions during the pandemic is a massive challenge for concerned authorities. This study aimed to demonstrate how cyberchondria play a significant role in a classical health belief model. Cyberchondria may influence cognitive factors (e.g. self-efficacy), which may contribute to an increase in attitude-behavior gap. Especially in the context of a health-centric scenario, it may discourage individuals to take protective measures. Method By using the cross-sectional research design, the authors conducted a quantitative survey in Pakistan and collected 563 responses from 303 male respondents (rural = 91; urban = 212) with (Urban M:35.5, standard deviation (SD):13.4) and rural M:37.5, SD:8.4). Result The findings indicate that decision self-efficacy among males is stronger than that in females. It dominates other determinants, which can dampen the individuals' intentions to get vaccinated. For instance, the effect of conspiracies and perceived seriousness was noted nonsignificant and weak. In females, perceived seriousness was stronger determinant than in males. In addition, the negative effect of decision self-efficacy was noted in the case of females, and conspiracy and cyberchondria had a negative role. Conclusion This study highlights valuable implications for future research in infodemic, health communication and health literacy, and practical implications for regulatory bodies and public administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riffat Shahani
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Fahad Asmi
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jin Ma
- Hefei First People's Hospital, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Asma Zawar
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | | | - Sayibu Muhideen
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | | | - Chu Jianxun
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
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Sfeir M, Malaeb D, Obeid S, Hallit S. Association between religiosity and orthorexia nervosa with the mediating role of self-esteem among a sample of the Lebanese population - short communication. J Eat Disord 2022; 10:151. [PMID: 36280860 PMCID: PMC9589842 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-022-00672-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Orthorexia Nervosa is not yet classified as an eating disorder albeit it can be found in different populations. This condition can be characterized by a preoccupation with the quality of food, accompanied by obsessive thoughts regarding eating behaviors, leading to malnutrition. Previous associations have been reported between high levels of eating disorders and lower levels of self-esteem; where individuals have low self-esteem due to the pressured felt to fit the norms of society in beauty standards. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between religiosity and orthorexia nervosa via either trait or state self-esteem. METHODS This study was conducted between September 2021 and February 2022 and included 428 participants from all Lebanese governorates. The Teruel Orthorexia Nervosa scale was used to measure orthorexia nervosa. The following scales state self-esteem and religiosity were used to measure self-esteem. RESULTS Sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, marital status, household crowding index, body mass index and education) were entered in the mediation model as confounding variables. Higher religiosity was significantly associated with higher state self-esteem (Beta = 0.07), while higher state self-esteem was significantly associated with lower identification of those that exhibited ON tendencies or symptoms (Beta= -0.11). CONCLUSION A high state self-esteem was correlated with a lower level of orthorexia nervosa. Higher religiosity was shown to be associated with higher self-esteem, which in turn was associated with a decrease in the scores of orthorexia nervosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Sfeir
- Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Diana Malaeb
- College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, UAE.,School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Sahar Obeid
- Social and Education Sciences Department, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Jbeil, Lebanon
| | - Souheil Hallit
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon.,Research Department, Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, Jal Eddib, Lebanon
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Ciułkowicz M, Misiak B, Szcześniak D, Grzebieluch J, Maciaszek J, Rymaszewska J. Social Support Mediates the Association between Health Anxiety and Quality of Life: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:12962. [PMID: 36232258 PMCID: PMC9566112 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to test if perceived social support and cyberchondria mediate the association between health anxiety and quality of life (QoL) in a nonclinical sample. Cross-sectional research involved adult internet users (n = 538) between 16 May 2020 and 29 December 2020 in Poland who completed self-report questionnaires, including the cyberchondria severity scale (CSS-PL), the short health anxiety inventory (SHAI), the multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS) and the quality of life scale (QOLS). A mediation analysis was performed to examine the direct effects of health anxiety on cyberchondria, perceived social support and quality of life. Likewise, the effects of cyberchondria and perceived social support on QoL were analyzed. Hence, indirect effects of health anxiety on QoL through cyberchondria and perceived social support were explored. Health anxiety significantly impaired QoL both directly and indirectly through low-perceived social support. Perceived social support partly mediated the association between health anxiety and QoL. Cyberchondria did not have a significant direct effect on the latter. Thus, cyberchondria did not mediate the relationship between health anxiety and QoL. Boosting-perceived social support may mitigate the detrimental effect of health anxiety on QoL. Cyberchondria was not found to have a significant effect on QoL in contrast to health anxiety alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Ciułkowicz
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Błażej Misiak
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Dorota Szcześniak
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Jolanta Grzebieluch
- Department of Population Health, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Julian Maciaszek
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Rymaszewska
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
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Sfeir M, Saliba G, Akel M, Hallit S, Obeid S. Association between perfectionism and life satisfaction among a sample of the Lebanese population: The indirect role of social phobia and validation of the Arabic version of the Social Phobia Inventory. Perspect Psychiatr Care 2022; 58:2513-2523. [PMID: 35383939 DOI: 10.1111/ppc.13087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the psychometric properties of the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN), and evaluate the indirect effect of social phobia between perfectionism and life satisfaction (LS). METHODS A cross-sectional study enrolled 683 Lebanese adults (April-May 2021). RESULTS The confirmatory factor analysis results confirmed the one-factor solution of the SPIN items (Cronbach's alpha = 0.92). Social phobia had an indirect effect in the association between rigid, self-critical, and narcissistic perfectionism and life satisfaction. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS The study results confirm the psychometric properties of the SPIN to assess social phobia and constitute a preliminary database of the variables that interplay with LS in the Lebanese population. Future studies should suggest clinical tools and techniques to cope with anxiety or reduce perfectionism to enhance LS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Sfeir
- Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (SSP), Institute of Psychology (IP), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gisele Saliba
- Faculty of Arts and Science, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon
| | - Marwan Akel
- School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Souheil Hallit
- Psychology Department, College of Humanities, Effat University, Jeddah, 21478, Saudi Arabia.,School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon.,Department of Research, Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, P.O. Box 60096, Jal Eddib, Lebanon
| | - Sahar Obeid
- Social and Education Sciences Department, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Jbeil, Lebanon
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Ambrosini F, Truzoli R, Vismara M, Vitella D, Biolcati R. The effect of cyberchondria on anxiety, depression and quality of life during COVID-19: the mediational role of obsessive-compulsive symptoms and Internet addiction. Heliyon 2022; 8:e09437. [PMID: 35600442 PMCID: PMC9107336 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the global pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), online health information-seeking behaviors have notably increased. Cyberchondria can be a vulnerability factor for the worsening of anxiety-depressive symptoms and quality of life. The current study aims to understand the predictive effect of cyberchondria on health anxiety, anxiety, depression and quality of life considering the mediating effect of obsessive-compulsive symptoms and Internet addiction and the moderating effect of COVID anxiety. 572 Italian participants (66% female; Mean age = 34; SD = 15) took part in a cross-sectional online survey involving CSS-12, MOCQ-R, IAT, SHAI, HADS, WHOQoL-BREF and CAS. Mediation and moderation analyses were conducted. Obsessive-compulsive symptoms and Internet addiction were found to partially mediate the cyberchondria-health anxiety and the cyberchondria-anxiety links and to totally mediate the cyberchondria-depression and the cyberchondria-quality of life links. COVID anxiety was found to moderate the relationship between cyberchondria and anxiety. The findings suggest that compulsivity may have a key role in the explanation of the underlying mechanisms of cyberchondria. Healthcare practitioners should provide additional support for individuals with cyberchondria. As such, cyberchondria is a contributing factor to the exacerbation of anxiety-depressive disorders and may impact on the quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Ambrosini
- Department of Education Studies “Giovanni Maria Bertin”, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberto Truzoli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Clinics Luigi Sacco, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Vismara
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Clinics Luigi Sacco, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan, Italy
- Aldo Ravelli Center for Neurotechnology and Brain Therapeutics, University of Milan, Italy
| | | | - Roberta Biolcati
- Department of Education Studies “Giovanni Maria Bertin”, University of Bologna, Italy
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Vismara M, Varinelli A, Pellegrini L, Enara A, Fineberg NA. New challenges in facing Cyberchondria during the COVID-19 pandemic. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2022; 46:101156. [PMID: 35581995 PMCID: PMC9098916 DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2022.101156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Cyberchondria (CYB) is characterized
by excessive online searching for medical information and is associated
with increasing levels of distress, anxiety, and interference with daily
activities. As the use of digital devices and the Internet as a source of
everyday information has increased, particularly during the current
coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, so has CYB, becoming an object
of interest to clinicians and researchers. The present review will
provide an overview of the latest updates in CYB research. Emerging
evidence draws attention to various vulnerability factors for developing
CYB, including personal characteristics such as female gender, younger
age, or a history of mental disorder, as well as engagement in particular
forms of online behavior, such as increased use of social media,
increased acceptance of online information, and information overload.
Additionally, recent studies suggest that CYB may itself act as a
mediating factor for increased COVID-19-related psychological burden.
However, the data are still very sparse. Knowledge gaps include a
universally accepted definition of CYB, severity thresholds to help
differentiate nonpathological online health searches from CYB, as well as
robustly evidence-based interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Vismara
- University of Milan, Department of Mental Health, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, Milan, Italy
- "Aldo Ravelli" Center for Neurotechnology and Brain Therapeutic, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Varinelli
- University of Milan, Department of Mental Health, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, Milan, Italy
- "Aldo Ravelli" Center for Neurotechnology and Brain Therapeutic, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Pellegrini
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
- Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Welwyn Garden City, United Kingdom
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Arun Enara
- Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Naomi A Fineberg
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
- Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Welwyn Garden City, United Kingdom
- University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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