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La Malva P, Di Crosta A, Prete G, Ceccato I, Gatti M, D'Intino E, Tommasi L, Mammarella N, Palumbo R, Di Domenico A. The effects of prefrontal tDCS and hf-tRNS on the processing of positive and negative emotions evoked by video clips in first- and third-person. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8064. [PMID: 38580697 PMCID: PMC10997595 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58702-7] [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] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The causal role of the cerebral hemispheres in positive and negative emotion processing remains uncertain. The Right Hemisphere Hypothesis proposes right hemispheric superiority for all emotions, while the Valence Hypothesis suggests the left/right hemisphere's primary involvement in positive/negative emotions, respectively. To address this, emotional video clips were presented during dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) electrical stimulation, incorporating a comparison of tDCS and high frequency tRNS stimulation techniques and manipulating perspective-taking (first-person vs third-person Point of View, POV). Four stimulation conditions were applied while participants were asked to rate emotional video valence: anodal/cathodal tDCS to the left/right DLPFC, reverse configuration (anodal/cathodal on the right/left DLPFC), bilateral hf-tRNS, and sham (control condition). Results revealed significant interactions between stimulation setup, emotional valence, and POV, implicating the DLPFC in emotions and perspective-taking. The right hemisphere played a crucial role in both positive and negative valence, supporting the Right Hemisphere Hypothesis. However, the complex interactions between the brain hemispheres and valence also supported the Valence Hypothesis. Both stimulation techniques (tDCS and tRNS) significantly modulated results. These findings support both hypotheses regarding hemispheric involvement in emotions, underscore the utility of video stimuli, and emphasize the importance of perspective-taking in this field, which is often overlooked.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale La Malva
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 31, Via dei Vestini, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Adolfo Di Crosta
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 31, Via dei Vestini, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Giulia Prete
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 31, Via dei Vestini, 66100, Chieti, Italy.
| | - Irene Ceccato
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 31, Via dei Vestini, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Matteo Gatti
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 31, Via dei Vestini, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Eleonora D'Intino
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 31, Via dei Vestini, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Luca Tommasi
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 31, Via dei Vestini, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Nicola Mammarella
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 31, Via dei Vestini, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Rocco Palumbo
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 31, Via dei Vestini, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Alberto Di Domenico
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 31, Via dei Vestini, 66100, Chieti, Italy
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Prete G, Ceccato I, Bartolini E, Di Crosta A, La Malva P, Palumbo R, Laeng B, Tommasi L, Mammarella N, Di Domenico A. Detecting implicit and explicit facial emotions at different ages. Eur J Ageing 2024; 21:8. [PMID: 38499844 PMCID: PMC10948669 DOI: 10.1007/s10433-024-00805-1] [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: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Emotions are processed in the brain through a cortical route, responsible for detailed-conscious recognition and mainly based on image High Spatial Frequencies (HSF), and a subcortical route, responsible for coarse-unconscious processing and based on Low SF (LSF). However, little is known about possible changes in the functioning of the two routes in ageing. In the present go/no-go online task, 112 younger adults and 111 older adults were asked to press a button when a happy or angry face appeared (go) and to inhibit responses for neutral faces (no-go). Facial stimuli were presented unfiltered (broadband image), filtered at HSF and LSF, and hybrids (LSF of an emotional expression superimposed to the HSF of the same face with a neutral expression). All stimuli were also presented rotated on the vertical axis (upside-down) to investigate the global analysis of faces in ageing. Results showed an overall better performance of younger compared to older participants for all conditions except for hybrid stimuli. The expected face-inversion effect was confirmed in both age groups. We conclude that, besides an overall worsening of the perceptual skill with ageing, no specific impairment in the functioning of both the cortical and the subcortical route emerged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Prete
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 31, Via Dei Vestini, 66013, Chieti, Italy
| | - Irene Ceccato
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 31, Via Dei Vestini, 66013, Chieti, Italy.
| | - Emanuela Bartolini
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Adolfo Di Crosta
- Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Pasquale La Malva
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 31, Via Dei Vestini, 66013, Chieti, Italy
| | - Rocco Palumbo
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 31, Via Dei Vestini, 66013, Chieti, Italy
| | - Bruno Laeng
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Luca Tommasi
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 31, Via Dei Vestini, 66013, Chieti, Italy
| | - Nicola Mammarella
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 31, Via Dei Vestini, 66013, Chieti, Italy
| | - Alberto Di Domenico
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 31, Via Dei Vestini, 66013, Chieti, Italy
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Zhang X, Wu Z, He Q. A mini-review on how the COVID-19 pandemic affected intertemporal choice. PSYCHORADIOLOGY 2023; 3:kkad021. [PMID: 38666127 PMCID: PMC10917382 DOI: 10.1093/psyrad/kkad021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has extremely harmful effects on individual lifestyles, and at present, people must make financial or survival decisions under the profound changes frequently. Although it has been reported that COVID-19 changed decision-making patterns, the underlying mechanisms remained unclear. This mini-review focuses on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on intertemporal choice, and potential psychological, biological, and social factors that mediate this relationship. A search of the Web of Science electronic database yielded 23 studies. The results showed that under the COVID-19 pandemic, people tended to choose immediate and smaller rewards, and became less patient. In particular, people with negative emotions, in a worse condition of physical health, or who did not comply with their government restriction rules tended to become more "short-sighted" in behavioral terms. Future studies should examine more longitudinal and cross-cultural research to give a broad view about the decision-making change under the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinwen Zhang
- Faculty of Psychology, MOE Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, CN400715,Chongqing, China
| | - Ziyun Wu
- Faculty of Psychology, MOE Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, CN400715,Chongqing, China
| | - Qinghua He
- Faculty of Psychology, MOE Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, CN400715,Chongqing, China
- Southwest University Branch, Collaborative Innovation Center of Assessment toward Basic Education Quality, CN400715, Chongqing, China
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Di Crosta A, Marin A, Palumbo R, Ceccato I, La Malva P, Gatti M, Prete G, Palumbo R, Mammarella N, Di Domenico A. Changing Decisions: The Interaction between Framing and Decoy Effects. Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:755. [PMID: 37754033 PMCID: PMC10525293 DOI: 10.3390/bs13090755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive biases are popular topics in psychology and marketing, as they refer to systematic cognitive tendencies in human thinking that deviate from logical and rational reasoning. The framing effect (FE) and the decoy effect (DE) are examples of cognitive biases that can influence decision making and consumer preferences. The FE involves how options are presented, while the DE involves the addition of a third option that influences the choice between the other two options. METHODS We investigated the interaction between the FE and the DE in the case of both incongruent (ID) and congruent (CD) decoys in a sample of undergraduates (n = 471). The study had a two (positive vs. negative valence) × three (original, congruent decoy, incongruent decoy) within-subject design. RESULTS The ID option reduces the FE in both positive- and negative-framed conditions compared to the controls, while adding the CD option increases the FE only in the positive-framed condition. Additionally, the inclusion of the CD option enhances the level of decision confidence, whereas no significant differences were found in the ID condition. CONCLUSIONS Our findings gave new insights into the interplay between two of the most frequent cognitive biases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adolfo Di Crosta
- Department of Psychological Science, Humanities and Territory, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy (P.L.M.); (A.D.D.)
- Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Anna Marin
- Neuroscience Department, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Rocco Palumbo
- Department of Psychological Science, Humanities and Territory, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy (P.L.M.); (A.D.D.)
| | - Irene Ceccato
- Department of Psychological Science, Humanities and Territory, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy (P.L.M.); (A.D.D.)
| | - Pasquale La Malva
- Department of Psychological Science, Humanities and Territory, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy (P.L.M.); (A.D.D.)
| | - Matteo Gatti
- Department of Psychological Science, Humanities and Territory, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy (P.L.M.); (A.D.D.)
| | - Giulia Prete
- Department of Psychological Science, Humanities and Territory, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy (P.L.M.); (A.D.D.)
| | - Riccardo Palumbo
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University d’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Nicola Mammarella
- Department of Psychological Science, Humanities and Territory, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy (P.L.M.); (A.D.D.)
| | - Alberto Di Domenico
- Department of Psychological Science, Humanities and Territory, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy (P.L.M.); (A.D.D.)
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Cannito L, Ceccato I, Annunzi E, Bortolotti A, D’Intino E, Palumbo R, D’Addario C, Di Domenico A, Palumbo R. Bored with boredom? Trait boredom predicts internet addiction through the mediating role of attentional bias toward social networks. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 17:1179142. [PMID: 37746057 PMCID: PMC10513058 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1179142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Internet addiction is an emerging issue, impacting people's psychosocial functioning and well-being. However, the prevalence and the mechanisms underlying internet misuse are largely unknown. As with other behavioral addiction disorders, the increase and persistence of internet addiction may be favored by negative affect such as boredom. In this study, we examined the role of boredom susceptibility, as a personality trait, in predicting the risk of internet addiction. Furthermore, we analyzed the attentional mechanisms that may exacerbate dysfunctional internet behaviors. Specifically, we assessed the mediating role of attentional bias toward social media cues on the relation between boredom susceptibility and internet addiction. Sixty-nine young adults were administered a dot-probe task assessing internet-related attentional bias (AB) and questionnaires measuring internet addiction (IAT) and boredom susceptibility (BS-BSSS). Correlation and t-test analyses confirmed that the tendency to experience boredom and selective attention toward social network information was related to internet addiction. Furthermore, the mediation model indicated that AB fully explains the link between BS-BSSS and IAT. The study highlighted the crucial role of selective attentional processing behind internet addiction. The current results are useful for both researchers and clinicians as they suggest that intervention programs for internet addiction should include strategies to cope with dysfunctional cognitive processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loreta Cannito
- Department of Humanities, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), Chieti, Italy
| | - Irene Ceccato
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Eugenia Annunzi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bortolotti
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Eleonora D’Intino
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Rocco Palumbo
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Claudio D’Addario
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alberto Di Domenico
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Riccardo Palumbo
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), Chieti, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
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Krawiec JM, Mizak S, Tagliabue M, Białaszek W. Delay discounting of money and health outcomes, and adherence to policy guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Public Health 2022; 10:953743. [PMID: 36072385 PMCID: PMC9441622 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.953743] [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: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Delay discounting refers to the observation that the subjective value of an outcome decreases as the delay to its receipt increases. It is well-established that steep delay discounting is related to various maladaptive behaviors, including poorer health-related choices. One of the current challenges of public health policies that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic is to encourage preventive behaviors against infectious diseases. In this study, we aimed to explore possible underpinnings of adherence to COVID-19 related public health policy guidelines such as disinfection, distancing, and masks (DDM). Participants completed monetary and health discounting tasks across two outcome amounts in gain and loss conditions, and they provided self-report measures of adherence to the DDM policy. Contrary to the theoretically plausible prediction that higher discounting rates would be negatively associated with adherence to health-related public policy guidelines, we found no compelling evidence to support such statement. We discuss the potential weaknesses of declarative measurements of attitudes toward COVID-19 and consider using behavioral interventions for influencing discounting rates for complementing and enhancing current policy guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub M. Krawiec
- Institute of Psychology, Decision Lab: Center for Behavioral Research in Decision Making, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Szymon Mizak
- Institute of Psychology, Decision Lab: Center for Behavioral Research in Decision Making, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marco Tagliabue
- Department of Behavioural Sciences, OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Wojciech Białaszek
- Institute of Psychology, Decision Lab: Center for Behavioral Research in Decision Making, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw, Poland,*Correspondence: Wojciech Białaszek
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Prete G, D'Anselmo A, Tommasi L. A neural signature of exposure to masked faces after 18 months of COVID-19. Neuropsychologia 2022; 174:108334. [PMID: 35850282 PMCID: PMC9283123 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2022.108334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
In the last two years, face-to-face interactions have drastically changed worldwide, because of the COVID-19 pandemic: the persistent use of masks has had the advantage of reducing viral transmission, but it has also had the cost of impacting on the perception and recognition of social information from faces, especially emotions. To assess the cerebral counterpart to this condition, we carried out an EEG experiment, extracting Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) evoked by emotional faces with and without surgical masks. Besides the expected impairment in emotion recognition in both accuracy and response times, also the classical face-related ERPs (N170 and P2) are altered by the presence of surgical masks. Importantly, the effect is stronger in individuals with a lower daily exposure to masks, suggesting that the brain must adapt to an extra constraint in decoding social input, due to masks hiding crucial facial information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Prete
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Anita D'Anselmo
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Luca Tommasi
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
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8
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Cannito L, Anzani S, Bortolotti A, Di Domenico A, Palumbo R. Face Mask Reduces the Effect of Proposer’s (Un)Trustworthiness on Intertemporal and Risky Choices. Front Psychol 2022; 13:926520. [PMID: 35783730 PMCID: PMC9243543 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.926520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous literature suggested that individuals increase temporal and risk discounting at the presence of a proposer whose face is perceived as untrustworthy, suggesting the activation of protective choice patterns. By the way, the COVID-19 pandemic has substantially transformed the way we interact with other people, even bringing us into situations where the face of the person making a proposal is not fully visible, because of the mask. With the current study, we aimed at verifying if the effect of proposer’s facial (un)trustworthiness on discounting behavior is modulated by mask wearing. In two different experiments, participants performed traditional delay and probability discounting tasks with masked proposers manipulated across trustworthiness levels. Results highlighted that, even after checking for subject-specific emotion recognition ability with masked faces, the presence of a masked untrustworthy proposer increases both delay and probability discounting parameters, although the effect is not statistically significant and smaller than the one detected at the presence of an untrustworthy proposer without a mask. These results suggest that the ability to perceive the proposer’s (un)trustworthiness is affected by the mask, with a consequent less strong effect of proposer’s (un)trustworthiness on choice behavior on both intertemporal and risky choices. Limits and possible implications are outlined and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loreta Cannito
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Health and Territory (DiSpuTer), University G. d’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti Scalo, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti Scalo, Italy
- *Correspondence: Loreta Cannito,
| | - Stefano Anzani
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti Scalo, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences (DNISC), University G. d’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti Scalo, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bortolotti
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti Scalo, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences (DNISC), University G. d’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti Scalo, Italy
| | - Alberto Di Domenico
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Health and Territory (DiSpuTer), University G. d’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti Scalo, Italy
| | - Riccardo Palumbo
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti Scalo, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences (DNISC), University G. d’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti Scalo, Italy
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9
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Cannito L, Annunzi E, Viganò C, Dell’Osso B, Vismara M, Sacco PL, Palumbo R, D’Addario C. The Role of Stress and Cognitive Absorption in Predicting Social Network Addiction. Brain Sci 2022; 12:643. [PMID: 35625029 PMCID: PMC9139642 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12050643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, the use of social networks (SNs) is pervasive and ubiquitous. Among other things, SNs have become a key resource for establishing and maintaining personal relationships, as further demonstrated by the emergence of the pandemic. However, easy access to SNs may be a source of addictive behaviour, especially among the younger population. The literature highlights various psychological and physiological factors as possible predictors of vulnerability to SN addiction. This paper explores the joint effects of stress level and cognitive absorption, in the form of temporal dissociation while on SNs, on the addiction of university students to SNs. Here, 312 participants were involved in an online survey. About 14% of the sample presented a risk for SN addiction. Moreover, it was found that stress level predicted SN addiction both directly and indirectly through the effect of individual temporal dissociation, as experienced during SN usage. These results suggest a significant role of perceived stress level on addiction risk, while also pointing out additional vulnerability to SN addiction for cognitive profiles that are relatively more prone to temporal dissociation while online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loreta Cannito
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, University “G. d’ Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology, University “G. d’ Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Eugenia Annunzi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University “G. d’ Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
| | - Caterina Viganò
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, University of Milan, 20100 Milan, Italy; (C.V.); (B.D.); (M.V.)
- Department of Psychiatry, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, University of Milan, 20100 Milan, Italy
| | - Bernardo Dell’Osso
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, University of Milan, 20100 Milan, Italy; (C.V.); (B.D.); (M.V.)
- Department of Psychiatry, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, University of Milan, 20100 Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Vismara
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, University of Milan, 20100 Milan, Italy; (C.V.); (B.D.); (M.V.)
- Department of Psychiatry, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, University of Milan, 20100 Milan, Italy
| | - Pier Luigi Sacco
- Department of Philosophical, Pedagogical and Economic-Quantitative Sciences, University “G. d’ Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
- MetaLAB (at) Harvard, Cambridge, MA 01451, USA
- ISPC-CNR, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Riccardo Palumbo
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology, University “G. d’ Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University “G. d’ Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
| | - Claudio D’Addario
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
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Gatti M, Palumbo R, Di Domenico A, Mammarella N. Affective health and countermeasures in long-duration space exploration. Heliyon 2022; 8:e09414. [PMID: 35607498 PMCID: PMC9123223 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Space research is shifting attention toward interplanetary expeditions. Therefore, whether long-duration spaceflight may influence affective health is becoming an urgent issue. Method To this end, we undertook a literature search and reviewed several behavioral simulation studies on Earth that focused on affective components in space. We concluded with studies showing how spaceflight can impact on affective health of astronauts with a positively laden trajectory. Results By analyzing the multifaceted theoretical concept of affective health, we show that there is a variety of affective states (e.g., stress, coping, adaptation, and resilience) that can be differently affected by spaceflight. Conclusions Countermeasures geared toward promoting positive emotions could play a key role in positive adaptation to extreme environments and thus during long-duration space missions may benefit. Subjective resilience plays a mediating role in adaptation, but its definition needs to be deepened in order to develop robust countermeasures that may prevent the onset of emotional disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Gatti
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Health and Territory, University of Chieti, Italy
| | - Rocco Palumbo
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Health and Territory, University of Chieti, Italy
| | - Alberto Di Domenico
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Health and Territory, University of Chieti, Italy
| | - Nicola Mammarella
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Health and Territory, University of Chieti, Italy
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11
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Franklin V, Cintya L, Mariel PYM, Pablo DSJ. Mental Health Factors That Guide Individuals to Engage in Overconsumption Behavior During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Cultural Study Between USA and Ecuador. Front Public Health 2022; 10:844947. [PMID: 35392477 PMCID: PMC8980352 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.844947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This study tests a framework that examines the role of several mental health factors (mood, wellbeing, health consciousness, and hoarding) on individuals' overconsumption behavior under the novel coronavirus context. This examination is relevant to public health literature because it increases our knowledge on how the context of COVID-19 pandemic affects people's mental health and provides answers to why individuals engage in overconsumption behavior. Additionally, this research also follows a cross-cultural perspective aiming to understand how individuals from different cultural orientations cope with the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This is a cross-sectional study that compares samples from two countries: Ecuador (n = 334) and USA (n = 321). Data was collected via an online survey. The timing of data collection was set during the mandatory lockdowns and social distance measures taken by both countries to fight against the COVID-19 virus breakout. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to test the theorized framework. Multi-group analysis was used to explore cultural orientation differences among the relationships included in the model. Results The results indicate that individuals' mood state has a positive relationship with health consciousness, as people try to regulate their health concerns by maintaining positive perceptions of their subjective wellbeing. Further, the increased concern individuals express in their health is responsible for them to engage in overconsumption behavior. Cultural orientation (individualism vs. collectivism) moderates the relationship between mood and health consciousness. No moderation effect was found for the relationship between health consciousness and overconsumption. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic has generated negative effects in individuals' mental health. Findings from this study suggest that maintaining a positive mood is important for individuals at the time of mandatory lockdowns, and this effort is related to a greater concern and awareness of their health. Further, health consciousness is responsible to stimulate overconsumption behavior. This chain of effects can be explained by individuals' interest in their wellbeing. Culture plays a role in these effects. People from individualistic countries (USA) compared to people from collectivistic countries (Ecuador) demonstrate greater motivation in maintaining their positive mood by showing greater health consciousness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Velasco Franklin
- Department of Marketing, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito, Ecuador
- *Correspondence: Velasco Franklin
| | - Lanchimba Cintya
- Departamento de Economía Cuantitativa, Facultad de Ciencias Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Quito, Ecuador
- Institut de Recherche en Gestion et Economie Université de Savoie Mont Blanc (IREGE/IAE Savoie Mont Blanc), Annecy, France
| | - Paz y Miño Mariel
- Head of Psychology Department, Director of Mental Health Clinic, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Díaz-Sanchez Juan Pablo
- Tenured Lecturer IDEA Research Group, Departamento de Economía Cuantitativa Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Quito, Ecuador
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12
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Ma X, Liao J. Buying to Cope With Scarcity During Public Emergencies: A Serial Mediation Model Based on Cognition-Affect Theory. Front Psychol 2022; 12:791850. [PMID: 35153914 PMCID: PMC8828481 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.791850] [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] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Panic buying is a common phenomenon that occurs during public emergencies and has a significant undesirable impact on society. This research explored the effect of scarcity on panic buying and the role of perceived control and panic in this effect through big data, an online survey and behavior experiments in a real public emergency (i.e., COVID-19) and simulative public emergencies. The findings showed that scarcity aggravates panic buying (Studies 1–3), and this aggravation effect is serially mediated by perceived control and panic (Studies 2–3). Moreover, this serial mediation model is more suitable for public health emergencies (Study 3). These findings enrich the understanding of panic buying and provide important enlightenment for guiding rational public behavior and managing public opinion during public emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinran Ma
- Department of Psychology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiangqun Liao
- Department of Psychology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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13
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OXTR Gene DNA Methylation Levels Are Associated with Discounting Behavior with Untrustworthy Proposers. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12010098. [PMID: 35053841 PMCID: PMC8774269 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12010098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Individual differences in temporal and probabilistic discounting are associated with a wide range of life outcomes in literature. Traditional approaches have focused on impulsiveness and cognitive control skills, on goal-oriented personality traits as well as on the psychological perception of time. More recently, literature started to consider the role of social and contextual factors in discounting behavior. Between others, higher generalized trust in human beings and specific trust in people who will deliver the future/probabilistic rewards have been related to a stronger willingness to wait and to assume risk. Moreover, the tendency to trust others has been associated with the oxytocin receptor gene regulation that can be modified by life experiences. In this perspective, we hypothesized that differences in the tendency to wait and to take risks for a more desirable reward according to the proposer’s trustworthiness could be related to a different level of DNA methylation at the oxytocin receptor gene. Findings confirmed that participants are less willing to wait and to risk when the proposer is considered highly untrustworthy and revealed how higher oxytocin receptor gene DNA methylation is associated with a stronger effect due to the presence of an untrustworthy proposer. Limits and future directions are outlined.
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14
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Yang L, Liu Y, Han L, Ao Y, Yang H. Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health of Chinese Residents in Its Initial Stage. Front Psychol 2021; 12:722093. [PMID: 34975616 PMCID: PMC8716447 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.722093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the Chinese public's mental health during its early stage. We collected the data through an online questionnaire survey. Specifically, we adopted the impact of event scale-revised (IES-R) and state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) to assess symptomatic responses to exposure to traumatic life events and public anxiety, respectively, in the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Then, we evaluated the differences in the scores among various socio-demographic groups using Kruskal-Wakkis H tests and t-tests and analyzed the IES-R, state anxiety (SA) score, and trait anxiety (TA) score using the Pearson correlation analysis. Finally, we conducted a path analysis to determine the mediating role of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms (measured by the IES-R) in the relationship between TA and SA. The results show that the average of the SA and TA scores were 48.0 ± 10.4 and 38.0 ± 8.2, respectively; the respondents who suffered from mild, moderate, and severe psychological impacts because of the health crisis accounted for 21.9, 5.2, and 13.1%, respectively; farmers have the highest IES-R score than others; people with the highest income have the lowest SA level; a significant positive correlation existed between the IES-R and STAI scores; and TA produces both direct and indirect (through the IES-R) effects on SA. Overall, the general Chinese public exhibited much higher anxiety levels than normal in the early days of the pandemic outbreak. Accordingly, we strongly recommend psychological counseling and intervention support to mitigate the adverse psychological impacts of such an event.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linchuan Yang
- Department of Urban and Rural Planning, School of Architecture, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yunhong Liu
- College of Environment and Civil Engineering, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, China
| | - Li Han
- College of Environment and Civil Engineering, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, China
| | - Yibin Ao
- College of Environment and Civil Engineering, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongtai Yang
- School of Transportation and Logistics, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
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15
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Calluso C, Grande E, Erario A, Tosoni A, Committeri G. Effects of Individual Discount Rate and Uncertainty Perception on Compliance with Containment Measures during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Brain Sci 2021; 11:1256. [PMID: 34679321 PMCID: PMC8533920 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11101256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-contagion measures restricting individual freedom, such as social distancing and wearing a mask, are crucial to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Decision-making patterns and attitudes about uncertainty can highly influence the adherence to these restrictive measures. Here we investigated the relationship between risky behavior and individual preferences for immediate vs. delayed reward, as indexed by temporal discounting (TD), as well as the association between these measures and confidence in the future, perceived risk and confidence in the containment measures. These measures were collected through an online survey administered on 353 participants at the end of the more restrictive phase of the first Italian lockdown. The results showed an unexpected inverse relationship between the individual pattern of choice preferences and risky behavior, with an overall greater adherence to containment measures in more discounter participants. These findings were interpreted in terms of a reframing process in which behaviors aimed at protecting oneself from contagion turn into immediate gains rather than losses. Interestingly, an excessive confidence in a better future was correlated with a higher tendency to assume risky behavior, thereby highlighting the downside of an overly and blindly optimistic view.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Calluso
- Department of Business and Management, LUISS Guido Carli University, Viale Romania 32, 00197 Roma, Italy
| | - Eleonora Grande
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Gabriele d’Annunzio University, Via dei Vestini 33, 66013 Chieti Scalo, Italy; (E.G.); (A.E.); (A.T.); (G.C.)
| | - Alessia Erario
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Gabriele d’Annunzio University, Via dei Vestini 33, 66013 Chieti Scalo, Italy; (E.G.); (A.E.); (A.T.); (G.C.)
| | - Annalisa Tosoni
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Gabriele d’Annunzio University, Via dei Vestini 33, 66013 Chieti Scalo, Italy; (E.G.); (A.E.); (A.T.); (G.C.)
| | - Giorgia Committeri
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Gabriele d’Annunzio University, Via dei Vestini 33, 66013 Chieti Scalo, Italy; (E.G.); (A.E.); (A.T.); (G.C.)
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16
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Di Crosta A, Ceccato I, Marchetti D, La Malva P, Maiella R, Cannito L, Cipi M, Mammarella N, Palumbo R, Verrocchio MC, Palumbo R, Di Domenico A. Psychological factors and consumer behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256095. [PMID: 34398916 PMCID: PMC8366984 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is far more than a health crisis: it has unpredictably changed our whole way of life. As suggested by the analysis of economic data on sales, this dramatic scenario has also heavily impacted individuals' spending levels. To better understand these changes, the present study focused on consumer behavior and its psychological antecedents. Previous studies found that crises differently affect people's willingness to buy necessities products (i.e., utilitarian shopping) and non-necessities products (i.e., hedonic shopping). Therefore, in examining whether changes in spending levels were associated with changes in consumer behavior, we adopted a fine-grained approach disentangling between necessities and non-necessities. We administered an online survey to 3833 participants (age range 18-64) during the first peak period of the contagion in Italy. Consumer behavior toward necessities was predicted by anxiety and COVID-related fear, whereas consumer behavior toward non-necessities was predicted by depression. Furthermore, consumer behavior toward necessities and non-necessities was predicted by personality traits, perceived economic stability, and self-justifications for purchasing. The present study extended our understanding of consumer behavior changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results could be helpful to develop marketing strategies that consider psychological factors to meet actual consumers' needs and feelings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adolfo Di Crosta
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Irene Ceccato
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Daniela Marchetti
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Pasquale La Malva
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Roberta Maiella
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Loreta Cannito
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Mario Cipi
- Department of Business Studies, Grenon School of Business, Assumption University, Worcester, MA, United States of America
| | - Nicola Mammarella
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Riccardo Palumbo
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Verrocchio
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Rocco Palumbo
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Alberto Di Domenico
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
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