1
|
Hautle LL, Kurath J, Jellestad L, Lüönd AM, Wingenbach TSH, Jansson B, Pfaltz MC. Larger comfortable interpersonal distances in adults exposed to child maltreatment: The role of depressive symptoms and social anxiety. Br J Psychol 2024; 115:599-615. [PMID: 38651545 DOI: 10.1111/bjop.12705] [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: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Previous studies report a preference for larger comfortable interpersonal distance (CIPD) in individuals with child maltreatment (CM) when being approached by others. Yet, research on approaching others, as opposed to being approached, as well as on potential effects of social anxiety and depression is lacking. We investigated if CM and depressive symptoms influence CIPD and if social anxiety mediates the possible association of CM and CIPD when approaching a female stranger. One hundred ten participants with CM (CM) and 58 participants without CM (non-CM) experiences performed the stop-distance paradigm and stopped first when feeling uncomfortable (D1) and again when feeling very uncomfortable (D2). CM experiences were associated with a preference for larger CIPD, independent of depressive symptoms. All CM subtypes were associated with a larger D2. The relationship between CM and CIPD was partially mediated by social anxiety. These novel findings can help to develop interventions strengthening socially relevant skills and processes in those affected by CM, targeting alterations in social anxiety and depression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lara-Lynn Hautle
- Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Kurath
- Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Lena Jellestad
- Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Antonia M Lüönd
- Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Tanja S H Wingenbach
- Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- School of Human Sciences, Faculty of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, University of Greenwich, London, UK
| | - Billy Jansson
- Department of Psychology and Social Work, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
| | - Monique C Pfaltz
- Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Psychology and Social Work, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kanterman A, Scheele D, Nevat M, Saporta N, Lieberz J, Hurlemann R, Shamay-Tsoory S. Let me in: The neural correlates of inclusion motivation in loneliness. J Affect Disord 2024; 361:399-408. [PMID: 38897307 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.06.049] [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: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While it is well-established that humans possess an innate need for social belonging, the neural mechanisms underlying motivation for connection are still largely unknown. We propose that inclusion motivation - measured through the effort that individuals are willing to invest to be included in social interactions - may serve as one of the basic building blocks of social behavior and may change in lonely individuals. METHODS Following the screening of 303 participants, we scanned 30 low- and 28 high-loneliness individuals with functional magnetic resonance imaging while they performed the Active Inclusion Task (AIT). The AIT assesses the participants' levels of effort invested in influencing their inclusion during classic Cyberball conditions of fair play and exclusion. RESULTS High- compared to low-loneliness individuals showed higher urgency for inclusion, specifically during fair play, which correlated with higher activity in the right thalamus. Furthermore, in high-loneliness individuals, we found increased functional connectivity between the thalamus and the temporoparietal junction, putamen, and insula. LIMITATIONS Participants interacted with computerized avatars, reducing ecological validity. Additionally, although increasing inclusion in the task required action, the physical demand was not high. Additional limitations are discussed. CONCLUSIONS Inclusion motivation in loneliness is heightened during fair but not exclusionary interactions, and is linked to activity in brain regions implicated in appetitive behavior and social cognition. The findings indicate that lonely individuals may view threat in inclusionary interactions, prompting them to take action to regain connection. This suggests that inclusion motivation may help explain social difficulties in loneliness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Kanterman
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel.
| | - D Scheele
- Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany; Research Center One Health Ruhr of the University Alliance Ruhr, Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - M Nevat
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - N Saporta
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - J Lieberz
- Section of Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry & Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - R Hurlemann
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstrasse 114-118, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany; Research Center Neurosensory Science, University of Oldenburg, Melander Heerstrasse 114-118, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - S Shamay-Tsoory
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Haim-Nachum S, Sopp MR, Lüönd AM, Afzal N, Åhs F, Allgaier AK, Arévalo A, Asongwe C, Bachem R, Balle SR, Belete H, Belete Mossie T, Berzengi A, Capraz N, Ceylan D, Dukes D, Essadek A, Fares-Otero NE, Halligan SL, Hemi A, Iqbal N, Jobson L, Levy-Gigi E, Martin-Soelch C, Michael T, Oe M, Olff M, Örnkloo H, Prakash K, Quaatz SM, Raghavan V, Ramakrishnan M, Reis D, Şar V, Schnyder U, Seedat S, Shihab IN, Vandhana S, Wadji DL, Wamser R, Zabag R, Spies G, Pfaltz MC. Childhood maltreatment is linked to larger preferred interpersonal distances towards friends and strangers across the globe. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:339. [PMID: 39179529 PMCID: PMC11344078 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02980-2] [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: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Childhood maltreatment (CM) is thought to be associated with altered responses to social stimuli and interpersonal signals. However, limited evidence exists that CM is linked to larger comfortable interpersonal distance (CID) - the physical distance humans prefer towards others during social interactions. However, no previous study has investigated this association in a comprehensive sample, yielding sufficient statistical power. Moreover, preliminary findings are limited to the European region. Finally, it is unclear how CM affects CID towards different interaction partners, and whether CID is linked to social functioning and attachment. To address these outstanding issues, adults (N = 2986) from diverse cultures and socio-economic strata completed a reaction time task measuring CID towards an approaching stranger and friend. Higher CM was linked to a larger CID towards both friends and strangers. Moreover, insecure attachment and less social support were associated with larger CID. These findings demonstrate for the first time that CM affects CID across countries and cultures, highlighting the robustness of this association.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shilat Haim-Nachum
- Faculty of Education, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Marie R Sopp
- Faculty of Education, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Antonia M Lüönd
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Adult Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nimrah Afzal
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Fredrik Åhs
- Department of Psychology and Social Work, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
| | | | - Adrián Arévalo
- Universidad de Piura, Facultad de Medicina, Lima, Peru
- Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Facultad de Medicina "San Fernando", Lima, Peru
| | - Christian Asongwe
- Department of History, Faculty of Arts, University of Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon
| | - Rahel Bachem
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stefanie R Balle
- Department of Psychology, University of the Bundeswehr Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Habte Belete
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Tilahun Belete Mossie
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Azi Berzengi
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychological Therapies, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | | | - Deniz Ceylan
- Department of Psychiatry, Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Daniel Dukes
- Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Aziz Essadek
- Interpsy EA4432, University of Lorraine, Nancy, France
- Hôpitaux de Saint-Maurice, Saint-Maurice, France
| | - Natalia E Fares-Otero
- Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Hospital Clínic, Institute of Neurosciences (UBNeuro), Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica (FCRB), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Network Centre for Biomedical Research in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Health Institute Carlos III (ISCIII), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Sarah L Halligan
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Alla Hemi
- Faculty of Education, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Naved Iqbal
- Department of Psychology, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Laura Jobson
- School of Psychological Sciences, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Einat Levy-Gigi
- Faculty of Education, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
- The Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | | | - Tanja Michael
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Misari Oe
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Kurume University, Kurume, Japan
| | - Miranda Olff
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Neuroscience & Public Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, Diemen, The Netherlands
| | - Helena Örnkloo
- Department of Psychology and Social Work, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
| | - Krithika Prakash
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, USA
| | - Sarah M Quaatz
- Department of Psychology, University of the Bundeswehr Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Vijaya Raghavan
- Schizophrenia Research Foundation, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Dorota Reis
- Research Group Applied Statistical Modeling, Department of Psychology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Vedat Şar
- Department of Psychiatry, Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ulrich Schnyder
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Soraya Seedat
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- South African Research PTSD Programme of Excellence, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council / Stellenbosch University Genomics of Brain Disorders Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Susilkumar Vandhana
- Kanchi Kamakoti CHILDS Trust Hospital (KKCTH), Nungambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical & Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Thandalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Dany Laure Wadji
- Department of Psychology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Rachel Wamser
- Psychological Sciences Faculty, University of Missouri - St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Reut Zabag
- Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Georgina Spies
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- South African Research PTSD Programme of Excellence, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council / Stellenbosch University Genomics of Brain Disorders Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Monique C Pfaltz
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Department of Psychology and Social Work, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hu X, Wang X, Long C, Lei X. Loneliness and brain rhythmic activity in resting state: an exploratory report. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2024; 19:nsae052. [PMID: 39096513 PMCID: PMC11374414 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsae052] [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: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent studies using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging have shown that loneliness is associated with altered blood oxygenation in several brain regions. However, the relationship between loneliness and changes in neuronal rhythm activity in the brain remains unclear. To evaluate brain rhythm, we conducted an exploratory resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG) study of loneliness. We recorded resting-state EEG signals from 139 participants (94 women; mean age = 19.96 years) and analyzed power spectrum density (PSD) and functional connectivity (FC) in both the electrode and source spaces. The PSD analysis revealed significant correlations between loneliness scores and decreased beta-band powers, which may indicate negative emotion, attention, reward, and/or sensorimotor processing. The FC analysis revealed a trend of alpha-band FC associated with individuals' loneliness scores. These findings provide new insights into the neural basis of loneliness, which will facilitate the development of neurobiologically informed interventions for loneliness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Hu
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality of the Ministry of Education, Southwest University, 2 Tiansheng Rd., Beibei District, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xufang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality of the Ministry of Education, Southwest University, 2 Tiansheng Rd., Beibei District, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Changquan Long
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality of the Ministry of Education, Southwest University, 2 Tiansheng Rd., Beibei District, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xu Lei
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality of the Ministry of Education, Southwest University, 2 Tiansheng Rd., Beibei District, Chongqing 400715, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Barton S, Zovko A, Müller C, Krabichler Q, Schulze J, Wagner S, Grinevich V, Shamay-Tsoory S, Hurlemann R. A translational neuroscience perspective on loneliness: Narrative review focusing on social interaction, illness and oxytocin. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 163:105734. [PMID: 38796125 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105734] [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: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
This review addresses key findings on loneliness from the social, neurobiological and clinical fields. From a translational perspective, results from studies in humans and animals are included, with a focus on social interaction, mental and physical illness and the role of oxytocin in loneliness. In terms of social interactions, lonely individuals tend to exhibit a range of abnormal behaviors based on dysfunctional social cognitions that make it difficult for them to form meaningful relationships. Neurobiologically, a link has been established between loneliness and the hypothalamic peptide hormone oxytocin. Since social interactions and especially social touch regulate oxytocin signaling, lonely individuals may have an oxytocin imbalance, which in turn affects their health and well-being. Clinically, loneliness is a predictor of physical and mental illness and leads to increased morbidity and mortality. There is evidence that psychopathology is both a cause and a consequence of loneliness. The final section of this review summarizes the findings from social, neurobiological and clinical perspectives to present a new model of the complex construct of loneliness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Barton
- Dept. of Psychiatry, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstraße 114-118, Oldenburg 26129, Germany
| | - Ana Zovko
- Dept. of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, J5, Mannheim 68159, Germany
| | - Christina Müller
- Dept. of Psychiatry, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstraße 114-118, Oldenburg 26129, Germany
| | - Quirin Krabichler
- Dept. of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, J5, Mannheim 68159, Germany
| | - Janna Schulze
- Dept. of Psychiatry, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstraße 114-118, Oldenburg 26129, Germany
| | - Shlomo Wagner
- Dep. of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israel
| | - Valery Grinevich
- Dept. of Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, J5, Mannheim 68159, Germany
| | - Simone Shamay-Tsoory
- Dept. of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israel
| | - René Hurlemann
- Dept. of Psychiatry, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstraße 114-118, Oldenburg 26129, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Broom TW, Iyer S, Courtney AL, Meyer ML. Loneliness corresponds with neural representations and language use that deviate from shared cultural perceptions. COMMUNICATIONS PSYCHOLOGY 2024; 2:40. [PMID: 38721125 PMCID: PMC11073992 DOI: 10.1038/s44271-024-00088-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024]
Abstract
The word zeitgeist refers to common perceptions shared in a given culture. Meanwhile, a defining feature of loneliness is feeling that one's views are not shared with others. Does loneliness correspond with deviating from the zeitgeist? Across two independent brain imaging datasets, lonely participants' neural representations of well-known celebrities strayed from group-consensus neural representations in the medial prefrontal cortex-a region that encodes and retrieves social knowledge (Studies 1 A/1B: N = 40 each). Because communication fosters social connection by creating shared reality, we next asked whether lonelier participants' communication about well-known celebrities also deviates from the zeitgeist. Indeed, when a strong group consensus exists, lonelier individuals use idiosyncratic language to describe well-known celebrities (Study 2: N = 923). Collectively, results support lonely individuals' feeling that their views are not shared. This suggests loneliness may not only reflect impoverished relationships with specific individuals, but also feelings of disconnection from prevalently shared views of contemporary culture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Siddhant Iyer
- Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY USA
| | | | - Meghan L. Meyer
- Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, NY USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Holt DJ. Personal space as a model neurobehavioral system for investigating schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2024; 267:396-397. [PMID: 38640850 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2024.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Daphne J Holt
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Givon-Benjio N, Sokolover H, Aderka IM, Hadad BS, Okon-Singer H. Perception of interpersonal distance and social distancing before and during COVID-19 pandemic. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4568. [PMID: 38403693 PMCID: PMC10894866 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55218-y] [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: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Since COVID-19 is easily transmitted among people in close physical proximity, the focus of epidemiological policy during the COVID-19 crisis included major restrictions on interpersonal distance. However, the way in which distance restrictions affected spatial perception is unclear. In the current study, we examined interpersonal distance preferences and perceptions at three time points: pre-pandemic, early post-pandemic, and late post-pandemic. The results indicate that following the pandemic outbreak, people perceived others as farther away than they actually were, suggesting that the distance restrictions were associated with an enlargement of perceived interpersonal distance. Interestingly, however, people maintained the same distance from one another as before the outbreak, indicating no change in actual distance behavior due to the risk of infection. These findings suggest that COVID-19 was associated with a change in the way distance is perceived, while in practice, people maintain the same distance as before. In contrast, COVID-related anxiety predicted both a preference for maintaining a greater distance and a bias toward underestimating perceived distance from others. Thus, individuals who were highly fearful of COVID-19 perceived other people to be closer than they actually were and preferred to maintain a larger distance from them. The results suggest that subjective risk can lead to an increased perception of danger and a subsequent change in behavior. Taken together, even when behaviors should logically change, the decision-making process can be based on distorted perceptions. This insight may be used to predict public compliance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nur Givon-Benjio
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Hili Sokolover
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Idan M Aderka
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Bat-Sheva Hadad
- Department of Special Education, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Hadas Okon-Singer
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- The Integrated Brain and Behavior Center (IBBRC), University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Shamay-Tsoory SG, Kanterman A. Away from the herd: loneliness as a dysfunction of social alignment. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2024; 19:nsae005. [PMID: 38287695 PMCID: PMC10873844 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsae005] [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: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
The tendency of all humans to experience loneliness at some point in their lives implies that it serves an adaptive function. Building on biological theories of herding in animals, according to which collective movement emerges from local interactions that are based on principles of attraction, repulsion and alignment, we propose an approach that synthesizes these principles with theories of loneliness in humans. We present here the 'herding model of loneliness' that extends these principles into the psychological domain. We hold that these principles serve as basic building blocks of human interactions and propose that distorted attraction and repulsion tendencies may lead to inability to align properly with others, which may be a core component in loneliness emergence and perpetuation. We describe a neural model of herding in humans and suggest that loneliness may be associated with altered interactions between the gap/error detection, reward signaling, threat and observation-execution systems. The proposed model offers a framework to predict the behavior of lonely individuals and thus may inform intervention designs for reducing loneliness intensity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alisa Kanterman
- Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Fulford D, Holt DJ. Social Withdrawal, Loneliness, and Health in Schizophrenia: Psychological and Neural Mechanisms. Schizophr Bull 2023; 49:1138-1149. [PMID: 37419082 PMCID: PMC10483452 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbad099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS Some of the most debilitating aspects of schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses (SMI) are the impairments in social perception, motivation, and behavior that frequently accompany these conditions. These impairments may ultimately lead to chronic social disconnection (ie, social withdrawal, objective isolation, and perceived social isolation or loneliness), which may contribute to the poor cardiometabolic health and early mortality commonly observed in SMI. However, the psychological and neurobiological mechanisms underlying relationships between impairments in social perception and motivation and social isolation and loneliness in SMI remain incompletely understood. STUDY DESIGN A narrative, selective review of studies on social withdrawal, isolation, loneliness, and health in SMI. STUDY RESULTS We describe some of what is known and hypothesized about the psychological and neurobiological mechanisms of social disconnection in the general population, and how these mechanisms may contribute to social isolation and loneliness, and their consequences, in individuals with SMI. CONCLUSIONS A synthesis of evolutionary and cognitive theories with the "social homeostasis" model of social isolation and loneliness represents one testable framework for understanding the dynamic cognitive and biological correlates, as well as the health consequences, of social disconnection in SMI. The development of such an understanding may provide the basis for novel approaches for preventing or treating both functional disability and poor physical health that diminish the quality and length of life for many individuals with these conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Fulford
- Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daphne J Holt
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Stijovic A, Forbes PAG, Tomova L, Skoluda N, Feneberg AC, Piperno G, Pronizius E, Nater UM, Lamm C, Silani G. Homeostatic Regulation of Energetic Arousal During Acute Social Isolation: Evidence From the Lab and the Field. Psychol Sci 2023; 34:537-551. [PMID: 36976885 DOI: 10.1177/09567976231156413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that social contact is a basic need governed by a social homeostatic system. Little is known, however, about how conditions of altered social homeostasis affect human psychology and physiology. Here, we investigated the effects of 8 hr of social isolation on psychological and physiological variables and compared this with 8 hr of food deprivation in a lab experiment (N = 30 adult women). Social isolation led to lowered self-reported energetic arousal and heightened fatigue, comparable with food deprivation. To test whether these findings would extend to a real-life setting, we conducted a preregistered field study during a COVID-19 lockdown (N = 87 adults; 47 women). The drop in energetic arousal after social isolation observed in the lab replicated in the field study for participants who lived alone or reported high sociability, suggesting that lowered energy could be part of a homeostatic response to the lack of social contact.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Stijovic
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna
| | - Paul A G Forbes
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna
| | - Livia Tomova
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna
| | - Anja C Feneberg
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna
| | - Giulio Piperno
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome
| | - Ekaterina Pronizius
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna
| | - Urs M Nater
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna
- University of Vienna Research Platform "The Stress of Life (SOLE) - Processes and Mechanisms Underlying Everyday Life Stress"
| | - Claus Lamm
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna
- University of Vienna Research Platform "The Stress of Life (SOLE) - Processes and Mechanisms Underlying Everyday Life Stress"
| | - Giorgia Silani
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna
- University of Vienna Research Platform "The Stress of Life (SOLE) - Processes and Mechanisms Underlying Everyday Life Stress"
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Chamberlain S, Savage RD, Bronskill SE, Griffith LE, Rochon P, Batara J, Gruneir A. Retrospective cross-sectional study examining the association between loneliness and unmet healthcare needs among middle-aged and older adults using the Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging (CLSA). BMJ Open 2023; 13:e068769. [PMID: 36918248 PMCID: PMC10016309 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Our primary objective was to estimate the association between loneliness and unmet healthcare needs and if the association changes when adjusted for demographic and health factors. Our secondary objective was to examine the associations by gender (men, women, gender diverse). DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS Retrospective cross-sectional data from 44 423 community-dwelling Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging participants aged 45 years and older were used. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE Unmet healthcare needs are measured by asking respondents to indicate (yes, no) if there was a time when they needed healthcare in the last 12 months but did not receive it. RESULTS In our sample of 44 423 respondents, 8.5% (n=3755) reported having an unmet healthcare need in the previous 12 months. Lonely respondents had a higher percentage of unmet healthcare needs (14.4%, n=1474) compared with those who were not lonely (6.7%, n=2281). Gender diverse had the highest percentage reporting being lonely and having an unmet healthcare need (27.3%, n=3), followed by women (15.4%, n=887) and men (13.1%, n=583). In our logistic regression, lonely respondents had higher odds of having an unmet healthcare need in the previous 12 months than did not lonely (adjusted odd ratios (aOR) 1.80, 95% CI 1.64 to 1.97), adjusted for other covariates. In the gender-stratified analysis, loneliness was associated with a slightly greater likelihood of unmet healthcare needs in men (aOR 1.90, 95% CI 1.64 to 2.19) than in women (aOR 1.73, 95% CI 1.53 to 1.95). In the gender diverse, loneliness was also associated with increased likelihood of having an unmet healthcare need (aOR 1.38, 95% CI 0.23 to 8.29). CONCLUSIONS Loneliness was related to unmet healthcare needs in the previous 12 months, which may suggest that those without robust social connections experience challenges accessing health services. Gender-related differences in loneliness and unmet needs must be further examined in larger samples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rachel D Savage
- Women's College Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Susan E Bronskill
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- University of Toronto Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lauren E Griffith
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paula Rochon
- Women's College Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of Toronto Department of Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jesse Batara
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Andrea Gruneir
- Women's College Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Ramos-Vera C, García O'Diana A, Basauri MD, Calle DH, Saintila J. Psychological impact of COVID-19: A cross-lagged network analysis from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging COVID-19 database. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1124257. [PMID: 36911134 PMCID: PMC9992548 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1124257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent health restrictions had an unprecedented impact on mental health, contributing to the emergence and reinforcement of various psychopathological symptoms. This complex interaction needs to be examined especially in a vulnerable population such as older adults. Objective In the present study we analyzed network structures of depressive symptoms, anxiety, and loneliness from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging COVID-19 Substudy over two waves (Months of June-July and November-December 2020). Methods For this purpose, we use measures of centrality (expected and bridge-expected influence) in addition to the Clique Percolation method to identify overlapping symptoms between communities. We also use directed networks to identify direct effects between variables at the longitudinal level. Results UK adults aged >50 participated, Wave 1: 5,797 (54% female) and Wave 2: 6,512 (56% female). Cross-sectional findings indicated that difficulty relaxing, anxious mood, and excessive worry symptoms were the strongest and similar measures of centrality (Expected Influence) in both waves, while depressive mood was the one that allowed interconnection between all networks (bridge expected influence). On the other hand, sadness and difficulty sleeping were symptoms that reflected the highest comorbidity among all variables during the first and second waves, respectively. Finally, at the longitudinal level, we found a clear predictive effect in the direction of the nervousness symptom, which was reinforced by depressive symptoms (difficulties in enjoying life) and loneliness (feeling of being excluded or cut off from others). Conclusion Our findings suggest that depressive, anxious, and loneliness symptoms were dynamically reinforced as a function of pandemic context in older adults in the UK.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Ramos-Vera
- Research Area, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad César Vallejo, Lima, Peru
- Sociedad Peruana de Psicometría, Lima, Peru
| | - Angel García O'Diana
- Research Area, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad César Vallejo, Lima, Peru
- Sociedad Peruana de Psicometría, Lima, Peru
| | - Miguel Delgado Basauri
- Sociedad Peruana de Psicometría, Lima, Peru
- Postgraduate School, Universidad Femenina del Sagrado Corazón, Lima, Peru
| | - Dennis Huánuco Calle
- Research Area, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad César Vallejo, Lima, Peru
- Sociedad Peruana de Psicometría, Lima, Peru
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Dang J, Liu L. Do lonely people seek robot companionship? A comparative examination of the Loneliness–Robot anthropomorphism link in the United States and China. COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2022.107637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
|
15
|
Mizani H, Cahyadi A, Hendryadi H, Salamah S, Retno Sari S. Loneliness, student engagement, and academic achievement during emergency remote teaching during COVID-19: the role of the God locus of control. HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 9:305. [PMID: 36105275 PMCID: PMC9461404 DOI: 10.1057/s41599-022-01328-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has raised many problems in the education sector, one of which is the increasing trend toward student loneliness owing to a lack of interpersonal connections in online learning activities. The present study explicitly aims to examine the relationship between loneliness and academic achievement for university students in Indonesia. Moreover, we propose moderating God's locus of control (i.e., God's control over behavior-related learning) (GLC) and learning student engagement, playing mediating roles in these relationships. The data were collected from 324 respondents among university students in Indonesia during emergency remote teaching. The moderated-mediated regression analysis using Hayes' PROCESS macro found loneliness negatively related to engagement and academic achievement. Student engagement had a positive relationship with academic achievement and served as a mediator between loneliness and academic achievement. Furthermore, GLC was found to moderate the relationship between loneliness and learning engagement as well as loneliness and academic achievement. This study's findings uncover GLC's role as a boundary condition, and confirms that learning-engagement intermediates the relationship between loneliness and academic achievement. Students with high perceived God control tend to anticipate the impact of loneliness on learning behavior amid isolation and loneliness because of the pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hilmi Mizani
- Universitas Islam Negeri Antasari, Banjarmasin, Kalimantan Selatan Indonesia
| | - Ani Cahyadi
- Universitas Islam Negeri Antasari, Banjarmasin, Kalimantan Selatan Indonesia
| | | | - Salamah Salamah
- Universitas Islam Negeri Antasari, Banjarmasin, Kalimantan Selatan Indonesia
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Araújo CRV, Mota BEF, Campagnoli RR, Rocha-Rego V, Volchan E, Souza GGL. Decreased self-reported receiving of social touch and social support predict loneliness in healthy adults. PSICOLOGIA, REFLEXAO E CRITICA : REVISTA SEMESTRAL DO DEPARTAMENTO DE PSICOLOGIA DA UFRGS 2022; 35:25. [PMID: 35913547 PMCID: PMC9340735 DOI: 10.1186/s41155-022-00228-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Loneliness has emerged as a public health concern. Previous research has reported its deleterious effects on physical and mental health; however, some specific psychophysiological mechanisms in healthy adults remain to be elucidated. The aim of the current study is to investigate whether self-reported social support and social touch (giving and receiving social touch), as well as resting heart rate variability (HRV), are significant negative predictors of loneliness in healthy adults. The study sample consists of 120 healthy students (50% female) with a mean age of 21.85 years old (DP= 2.21). The students were asked to complete a psychiatric screening questionnaire utilizing loneliness, social support, and social touch scales. HRV was derived from an electrocardiographic signal recorded for 15 min, with the participant relaxed in a supine position. Linear regression analyses were conducted to evaluate loneliness as a function of social support, social touch (giving or receiving touch), and resting HRV. The results show that social support (p< 0.001) and social touch, specifically receiving touch (p< 0.002), accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in loneliness. However, neither giving touch nor resting HRV was a significant predictor of loneliness. The current study highlights specific psychosocial factors in healthy adults that should be considered as promising pathways in order to reduce or work toward preventing loneliness, thus promoting better health and well-being.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cássia Regina Vieira Araújo
- Laboratory of Psychophysiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
| | - Bruna Eugênia Ferreira Mota
- Laboratory of Psychophysiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil.,School of Nutrition, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Ramos Campagnoli
- Biomedical Institute, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Brazil.,Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Rocha-Rego
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eliane Volchan
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Guerra Leal Souza
- Laboratory of Psychophysiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Lieberz J, Shamay-Tsoory SG, Saporta N, Kanterman A, Gorni J, Esser T, Kuskova E, Schultz J, Hurlemann R, Scheele D. Behavioral and Neural Dissociation of Social Anxiety and Loneliness. J Neurosci 2022; 42:2570-2583. [PMID: 35165170 PMCID: PMC8944238 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2029-21.2022] [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: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Loneliness is a public health concern with detrimental effects on physical and mental well-being. Given phenotypical overlaps between loneliness and social anxiety (SA), cognitive-behavioral interventions targeting SA might be adopted to reduce loneliness. However, whether SA and loneliness share the same underlying neurocognitive mechanisms is still an elusive question. The current study aimed at investigating to what extent known behavioral and neural correlates of social avoidance in SA are evident in loneliness. We used a prestratified approach involving 42 (21 females) participants with high loneliness (HL) and 40 (20 females) participants with low loneliness (LL) scores. During fMRI, participants completed a social gambling task to measure the subjective value of engaging in social situations and responses to social feedback. Univariate and multivariate analyses of behavioral and neural data replicated known task effects. However, although HL participants showed increased SA, loneliness was associated with a response pattern clearly distinct from SA. Specifically, contrary to expectations based on SA differences, Bayesian analyses revealed moderate evidence for equal subjective values of engaging in social situations and comparable amygdala responses to social decision-making and striatal responses to positive social feedback in both groups. Moreover, while explorative analyses revealed reduced pleasantness ratings, increased striatal activity, and decreased striatal-hippocampal connectivity in response to negative computer feedback in HL participants, these effects were diminished for negative social feedback. Our findings suggest that, unlike SA, loneliness is not associated with withdrawal from social interactions. Thus, established interventions for SA should be adjusted when targeting loneliness.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Loneliness can cause serious health problems. Adapting well-established cognitive-behavioral therapies targeting social anxiety might be promising to reduce chronic loneliness given a close link between both constructs. However, a better understanding of behavioral and neurobiological factors associated with loneliness is needed to identify which specific mechanisms of social anxiety are shared by lonely individuals. We found that lonely individuals show a consistently distinct pattern of behavioral and neural responsiveness to social decision-making and social feedback compared with previous findings for social anxiety. Our results indicate that loneliness is associated with a biased emotional reactivity to negative events rather than social avoidance. Our findings thus emphasize the distinctiveness of loneliness from social anxiety and the need for adjusted psychotherapeutic protocols.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jana Lieberz
- Research Section Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, 53127, Germany
| | | | - Nira Saporta
- Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa, 3498838, Israel
| | - Alisa Kanterman
- Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa, 3498838, Israel
| | - Jessica Gorni
- Research Section Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, 53127, Germany
| | - Timo Esser
- Research Section Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, 53127, Germany
| | - Ekaterina Kuskova
- Research Section Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, 53127, Germany
| | - Johannes Schultz
- Center for Economics and Neuroscience, University of Bonn, Bonn, 53127, Germany
- Institute of Experimental Epileptology and Cognition Research, University of Bonn, Bonn, 53127, Germany
| | - René Hurlemann
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, 26129, Germany
- Research Center Neurosensory Science, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, 26129, Germany
| | - Dirk Scheele
- Research Section Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, 53127, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, 26129, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Saporta N, Scheele D, Lieberz J, Nevat M, Kanterman A, Hurlemann R, Shamay-Tsoory SG. Altered activation in the action observation system during synchronization in high loneliness individuals. Cereb Cortex 2022; 33:385-402. [PMID: 35220424 PMCID: PMC9837608 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Lonely people tend to evaluate social exchanges negatively and to display difficulties in interactions. Interpersonal synchronization is crucial for achieving positive interactions, promoting affinity, closeness, and satisfaction. However, little is known about lonely individuals' ability to synchronize and about their brain activity while synchronizing. Following the screening of 303 participants, we recruited 32 low and 32 high loneliness participants. They were scanned while engaged in movement synchronization, using a novel dyadic interaction paradigm. Results showed that high loneliness individuals exhibited a reduced ability to adapt their movement to their partner's movement. Intriguingly, during movement adaptation periods, high loneliness individuals showed increased activation in the action observation (AO) system, specifically in the inferior frontal gyrus and the inferior parietal lobule. They did not show increased activation in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, which in the context of synchronization was suggested to be related to gap-monitoring. Based on these findings, we propose a model according to which lonely people may require stronger activation of their AO system for alignment, to compensate for some deficiency in their synchronization ability. Despite this hyperactivation, they still suffer from reduced synchronization capacity. Consequently, synchronization may be a relevant intervention area for the amelioration of loneliness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nira Saporta
- Corresponding author: School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave, Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel.
| | - Dirk Scheele
- Research Section Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany,Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstrasse 114-118, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Jana Lieberz
- Research Section Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael Nevat
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Alisa Kanterman
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - René Hurlemann
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstrasse 114-118, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany,Research Center Neurosensory Science, University of Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstrasse 114-118, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Simone G Shamay-Tsoory
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Saporta N, Peled-Avron L, Scheele D, Lieberz J, Hurlemann R, Shamay-Tsoory SG. Touched by loneliness-how loneliness impacts the response to observed human touch: a tDCS study. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2022; 17:142-150. [PMID: 34907421 PMCID: PMC8824677 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsab122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Lonely people often crave connectedness. However, they may also experience their environment as threatening, entering a self-preserving state that perpetuates loneliness. Research shows conflicting evidence about their response to positive social cues, and little is known about their experience of observed human touch. The right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG) is part of an observation-execution network implicated in observed touch perception. Correlative studies also point to rIFG's involvement in loneliness. We examined the causal effect of rIFG anodal transcranial direct current stimulation on high- and low-loneliness individuals observing human touch. In a cross-over design study, 40 participants watched pictures of humans or objects touching or not touching during anodal and sham stimulations. Participants indicated whether pictures contained humans or objects, and their reaction time was measured. Results show that the reaction time of low-loneliness individuals to observed human touch was significantly slower during anodal stimulation compared to high-loneliness individuals, possibly due to them being more emotionally distracted by it. Lonely individuals also reported less liking of touch. Our findings support the notion that lonely individuals are not drawn to positive social cues. This may help explain the perpetuation of loneliness, despite social opportunities that could be available to lonely people.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nira Saporta
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Leehe Peled-Avron
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Dirk Scheele
- Division of Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn 53105, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg 26129, Germany
| | - Jana Lieberz
- Division of Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn 53105, Germany
| | - René Hurlemann
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg 26129, Germany
- Research Center Neurosensory Science, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg 26129, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Consuming In Response to Loneliness: Bright Side and Dark Side Effects. Curr Opin Psychol 2022; 46:101329. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
|
21
|
Admon R, Klavir O. Cognitive and Behavioral Patterns across Psychiatric Conditions. Brain Sci 2021; 11:1560. [PMID: 34942862 PMCID: PMC8699748 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11121560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychiatric conditions represent a highly heterogeneous group of disorders associated with chronic distress and a sharp decline in quality of life [...].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roee Admon
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
- The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBRC), University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Oded Klavir
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
- The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBRC), University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| |
Collapse
|