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Güven S, Topkaya N, Şahin E, Aras NY. Examining posttraumatic growth among Turkish family caregivers of cancer patients. Sci Rep 2024; 14:20510. [PMID: 39227747 PMCID: PMC11371821 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-71772-x] [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: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a deadly disease that affects millions of people worldwide and is a source of great difficulty, stress, and trauma not only for patients but also for their caregivers. The physical and emotional suffering that patients experience by patients can lead their caregivers to cope with constant anxiety, sadness, and uncertainty. Moreover, during the cancer treatment process, caregivers must make a great effort to meet the needs of patients and support them. This situation may negatively affect the quality of life and psychological health of cancer patients' caregivers and may lead them to experience trauma. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine posttraumatic growth's relationship with age, the transformative power of suffering, and hope in family caregivers of cancer patients. Participants consisted of 314 Turkish family caregivers of cancer patients (73.2% women; Mage = 39.89 years) selected by using convenience sampling method. Participants answered a data collection tool consisting of a demographic information form, the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, Trait Hope Scale, and Transformative Power of Suffering Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient analysis, simple mediation analysis, and moderated mediation analysis. The results of this study revealed that hope mediated the association between the transformative power of suffering and posttraumatic growth in family caregivers of cancer patients, whereas age moderated this relationship. Psychosocial support programs for cancer caregivers could benefit from incorporating interventions that explore the transformative potential of suffering and cultivate hope. Tailoring these interventions to address the specific needs of different age groups may enhance their effectiveness. Future researchers should investigate the factors associated with posttraumatic growth in caregivers across diverse cultures, age ranges, and cancer diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serkan Güven
- Serkan Güven, Hematologist, Department of Hematology, Çanakkale Mehmet Akif Ersoy State Hospital, Çanakkale, Turkey
| | - Nursel Topkaya
- Department of Guidance and Psychological Counseling, Faculty of Education, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, 17000, Çanakkale, Turkey.
| | - Ertuğrul Şahin
- Department of Guidance and Psychological Counseling, Faculty of Education, Amasya University, 05100, Amasya, Turkey
| | - Nur Yağmur Aras
- Graduate School of Education, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey
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Weiler M, Acunzo DJ, Cozzolino PJ, Greyson B. Exploring the transformative potential of out-of-body experiences: A pathway to enhanced empathy. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 163:105764. [PMID: 38879098 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105764] [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: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Out-of-body experiences (OBEs) are subjective phenomena during which individuals feel disembodied or perceive themselves as outside of their physical bodies, often resulting in profound and transformative effects. In particular, experiencers report greater heightened pro-social behavior, including more peaceful relationships, tolerance, and empathy. Drawing parallels with the phenomenon of ego dissolution induced by certain psychedelic substances, we explore the notion that OBEs may engender these changes through ego dissolution, which fosters a deep-seated sense of unity and interconnectedness with others. We then assess potential brain mechanisms underlying the link between OBEs and empathy, considering the involvement of the temporoparietal junction and the Default Mode Network. This manuscript offers an examination of the potential pathways through which OBEs catalyze empathic enhancement, shedding light on the intricate interplay between altered states of consciousness and human empathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Weiler
- Division of Perceptual Studies. Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
| | - David J Acunzo
- Division of Perceptual Studies. Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Philip J Cozzolino
- Division of Perceptual Studies. Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Bruce Greyson
- Division of Perceptual Studies. Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA
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Chirico A, Borghesi F, Yaden DB, Pizzolante M, Sarcinella ED, Cipresso P, Gaggioli A. Unveiling the underlying structure of awe in virtual reality and in autobiographical recall: an exploratory study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12474. [PMID: 38816477 PMCID: PMC11139977 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62654-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the last two decades, awe has attracted the attention of an increasing number of researchers. The use of virtual reality has been identified as one of the most effective techniques for eliciting awe, in addition to more personalized methods for inducing emotion, such as autobiographical recall. However, previous measures of awe were unable to uncover the hidden structure of this experience. Awe experience scale (AWE-S) has been validated as a comprehensive measure of contingent awe in English, providing new opportunities for analysis. In this two-phases study, we investigated whether the latent structure of the experience of awe evoked by the autobiographical recall technique (Study 1) overlapped with that induced by exposing participants to a validated virtual reality awe-eliciting training (Study 2). The original English AWE-S structure held both in autobiographical recall induction and virtual reality-based elicitation. Despite evidence of overlap between English and Italian structures, low correlations were found between Italian trait measures used to test the concurrent validity of the AWE-S in the Italian sample and AWE-S state dimensions. This study highlights cultural differences in awe experience, trait, and state variations, and provides new insights into the standardized induction of this emotion through simulated environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Chirico
- Department of Psychology, Research Center in Communication Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Borghesi
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Via Verdi 10, 10124, Turin, Italy.
| | - David B Yaden
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Marta Pizzolante
- Department of Psychology, Research Center in Communication Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Eleonora Diletta Sarcinella
- Department of Psychology, Research Center in Communication Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Cipresso
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Via Verdi 10, 10124, Turin, Italy
| | - Andrea Gaggioli
- Department of Psychology, Research Center in Communication Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
- IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
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Lynn SJ, McDonald CW, Sleight FG, Mattson RE. Cross-validation of the ego dissolution scale: implications for studying psychedelics. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1267611. [PMID: 38116073 PMCID: PMC10729006 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1267611] [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: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Ego dissolution, variously called Ego-Loss, self-loss, and ego disintegration, is a hallmark of psychedelic drug use. We cross-validated the 10-item Ego Dissolution Scale, which we developed to assess ego dissolution in everyday life, and we included comparator variables that expanded our original assessment of construct validity. Methods Undergraduate college student volunteers (N = 527) completed the measures online. Results We replicated the original two factor structure (i.e., subfactors: Ego-Loss and Unity/connectedness with others, the world, universe), and we determined that the total score (Cronbach's α = 0.79) and subfactors (Ego-Loss = 78; Unity = 0.83) possessed adequate-to-good reliability and strong convergent validity (e.g., mindfulness, hallucination-predisposition, sleep variables, personality variables, positive/negative affect transliminality, dissociation/depersonalization), while neuroticism, social desirability did not correlate highly with ego dissolution. We identified distinct patterns of relations of measures associated with the Ego-Loss vs. Unity subfactors. Discussion We discuss the implications of the use of the EDS for studying everyday aspects of ego dissolution, the long-term effects of psychedelic use, and the value of using the scale in conjunction with measures of the acute effects of psychedelics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Jay Lynn
- Psychology Department, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, NY, United States
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Chirico A, Pizzolante M, Borghesi F, Bartolotta S, Sarcinella ED, Cipresso P, Gaggioli A. "Standing Up for Earth Rights": Awe-Inspiring Virtual Nature for Promoting Pro-Environmental Behaviors. CYBERPSYCHOLOGY, BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL NETWORKING 2023; 26:300-308. [PMID: 37015077 DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2022.0260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
Virtual nature exposure has emerged as an effective method for promoting pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors, also due to the increased emotional connection with nature itself. However, the role played by complex emotions elicited by virtual nature, such as awe, needs to be fully elucidated. Awe is an emotion stemming from vast stimuli, including nature, and virtual reality (VR) emerged as an effective medium to elicit it. One hundred nineteen participants were exposed to either one of four VR environments: (a) an awe-inspiring virtual nature, (b) a non-natural awe-inspiring virtual scenario, (c) a non-awe-inspiring virtual nature, (d) a non-natural non-awe-inspiring scenario. Pro-environmental attitudes, intentions, discrete emotions, and affect were measured and compared across the different conditions. Two ad hoc tasks were developed to measure two pro-environmental behaviors after each VR exposure. Participants were invited to sign a real petition against plastic production, consumption, and in favor of plastic recycling (a personally engaging behavior), and to take flyers to spread the word on the petition to friends and acquaintances (a socially engaging behavior). Awe-inspiring virtual nature resulted in a significantly increased number of flyers taken by participants (vs. control). Disposition toward the protection of the environment, positive emotional affect, and condition significantly correlated with the number of flyers taken. These results indicated that awe-inspiring virtual nature can influence socially engaging pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors but not personally engaging ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Chirico
- Department of Psychology, Research Center in Communication Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Pizzolante
- Department of Psychology, Research Center in Communication Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Sabrina Bartolotta
- Department of Psychology, Research Center in Communication Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Eleonora D Sarcinella
- Department of Psychology, Research Center in Communication Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Cipresso
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Gaggioli
- Department of Psychology, Research Center in Communication Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
- Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
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Malighetti C, Bernardelli L, Pancini E, Riva G, Villani D. Promoting Emotional and Psychological Well-Being During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Self-Help Virtual Reality Intervention for University Students. CYBERPSYCHOLOGY, BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL NETWORKING 2023; 26:309-317. [PMID: 36940285 DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2022.0246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/22/2023]
Abstract
Mental health problems are very common among university students, and the situation worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. The closure of universities, the restrictions imposed, and the reduction of social activities led to considerable changes in students' lives, thus posing new mental health and emotional challenges. Within this context, promoting university students' general well-being, in particular emotional and psychological well-being, becomes essential. In addition to the possibility of online interventions aimed at overcoming distance limitations and reaching people at their home, other advanced technologies such as virtual reality (VR) have demonstrated the potential to improve people's well-being, quality of life, and positive experiences. The study reported in this article is aimed at exploring the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a self-help VR intervention lasting 3 weeks in promoting emotional well-being in university students. Forty-two university students voluntarily participated in a six-session intervention. In each session, a different virtual scenario was presented: two relaxing experiences and four transformative experiences based on metaphors or metaphoric ones aimed at encouraging students to be aware of their emotions and positive resources. Students were randomly allocated to an experimental group and to a waiting list group that started the intervention after 3 weeks. Before and after the six sessions, participants completed an assessment by completing online questionnaires. Results showed a significant increase in both emotional well-being and psychological well-being in the experimental group compared to the waiting list group. The majority of participants said that they would recommend the experience to other students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clelia Malighetti
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Elisa Pancini
- Research Center in Communication Psychology, Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Riva
- Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano (IRCCS), Milano, Italy
- Humane Technology Lab, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniela Villani
- Research Center in Communication Psychology, Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
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Liedgren J, Desmet PMA, Gaggioli A. Liminal design: A conceptual framework and three-step approach for developing technology that delivers transcendence and deeper experiences. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1043170. [PMID: 36844338 PMCID: PMC9945118 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1043170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
As ubiquitous technology is increasingly mediating our relationships with the world and others, we argue that the sublime is struggling to find room in product design primarily aimed at commercial and transactional goals such as speed and efficiency. We suggest a new category of products to promote deeper and more meaningful experiences, specifically those offering liminality, transcendence, and personal transformation. This paper introduces a conceptual framework and three-step design approach looking at narrative participation in design through abstractions to promote, hold and deepen more complex emotions. We explore implications from a theoretical point of view and suggest product examples for how the model might be applied in practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pieter M. A. Desmet
- Department of Human Centered Design, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Andrea Gaggioli
- Research Center in Communication Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy,IRCCS, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy,*Correspondence: Andrea Gaggioli,
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Song JY, Klebl C, Bastian B. Awe promotes moral expansiveness via the small-self. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1097627. [PMID: 36949922 PMCID: PMC10025529 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1097627] [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: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The experience of awe has been shown to challenge how people think about themselves and the world around them, linking them to something greater than themselves. We investigated whether this emotional experience of awe may also challenge the boundaries of our moral consideration, leading to a generalized expansion in our moral worlds. Across five studies (N = 990), we examined whether awe might promote moral expansiveness; that is, increased moral concern across a broad range of entities (e.g., out-groups, animals, plants, environments). Cross-sectional Studies 1a and 1b, found dispositional awe was related to greater moral expansiveness. Experimental Studies 2 and 3, using video-induced awe, found consistent indirect effects on moral expansiveness, via self-reported awe and the small-self sense of vastness. Experimental Study 4, using Virtual Reality induced awe, found those in the awe condition (vs. control) reported greater moral expansiveness, and this was fully mediated by the small-self sense of vastness. Our findings show awe expands our sense of connectedness to the broader world, and through this, increases the breath of our moral concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Young Song
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- *Correspondence: Ji Young Song, ;
| | - Christoph Klebl
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Brock Bastian
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Chirico A, Gaggioli A. Virtual Reality for Awe and Imagination. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2023; 65:233-254. [PMID: 36802035 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2023_417] [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: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Empirical research has explored the potential of the emotion of awe to shape creativity, while theoretical work has sought to understand the link between this emotion and transformation in terms of imagining new possible worlds. This branch of study relies on the transformative potential of virtual reality (VR) to examine and invite cognitive and emotional components of transformative experiences (TEs) within the interdisciplinary model of Transformative Experience Design (TED) and the Appraisal-Tendency Framework (ATF). TED suggests using the epistemic and emotional affordances of interactive technologies, such as VR, to invite TEs. The ATF can provide insight into the nature of these affordances and their relationship. This line of research draws on empirical evidence of the awe-creativity link to broaden the discourse and consider the potential impact of this emotion on core beliefs about the world. The combination of VR with these theoretical and design-oriented approaches may enable a new generation of potentially transformative experiences that remind people that they can aspire to more and inspire them to work toward imagining and creating a new possible world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Chirico
- Department of Psychology, Research Center in Communication Psychology, Universitá Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy.
| | - Andrea Gaggioli
- Department of Psychology, Research Center in Communication Psychology, Universitá Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
- Applied Technology for Neuropsychology Lab (ATNP-Lab), Italian Auxologico Institute of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Pizzolante M, Chirico A, Gaggioli A, Riva G. Why and How Empathy Matters in Aesthetic Experiences. CYBERPSYCHOLOGY, BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL NETWORKING 2022; 25:762-764. [PMID: 36375081 DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2022.29260.ceu] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Pizzolante
- Research Center in Communication Psychology, Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Alice Chirico
- Research Center in Communication Psychology, Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Gaggioli
- Research Center in Communication Psychology, Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Lab, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Riva
- Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Lab, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.,Humane Technology Lab, Catholic University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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