1
|
Lissak S, Ophir Y, Tikochinski R, Brunstein Klomek A, Sisso I, Fruchter E, Reichart R. Bored to death: Artificial Intelligence research reveals the role of boredom in suicide behavior. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1328122. [PMID: 38784160 PMCID: PMC11112344 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1328122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Recent advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) contributed significantly to suicide assessment, however, our theoretical understanding of this complex behavior is still limited. Objective This study aimed to harness AI methodologies to uncover hidden risk factors that trigger or aggravate suicide behaviors. Methods The primary dataset included 228,052 Facebook postings by 1,006 users who completed the gold-standard Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale. This dataset was analyzed using a bottom-up research pipeline without a-priory hypotheses and its findings were validated using a top-down analysis of a new dataset. This secondary dataset included responses by 1,062 participants to the same suicide scale as well as to well-validated scales measuring depression and boredom. Results An almost fully automated, AI-guided research pipeline resulted in four Facebook topics that predicted the risk of suicide, of which the strongest predictor was boredom. A comprehensive literature review using APA PsycInfo revealed that boredom is rarely perceived as a unique risk factor of suicide. A complementing top-down path analysis of the secondary dataset uncovered an indirect relationship between boredom and suicide, which was mediated by depression. An equivalent mediated relationship was observed in the primary Facebook dataset as well. However, here, a direct relationship between boredom and suicide risk was also observed. Conclusion Integrating AI methods allowed the discovery of an under-researched risk factor of suicide. The study signals boredom as a maladaptive 'ingredient' that might trigger suicide behaviors, regardless of depression. Further studies are recommended to direct clinicians' attention to this burdening, and sometimes existential experience.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shir Lissak
- The Faculty of Data and Decision Sciences, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yaakov Ophir
- The Faculty of Data and Decision Sciences, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
- The Centre for Human-Inspired Artificial Intelligence (CHIA), University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Refael Tikochinski
- The Faculty of Data and Decision Sciences, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | | | - Itay Sisso
- Cognitive Science Department, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Eyal Fruchter
- Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Roi Reichart
- The Faculty of Data and Decision Sciences, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Veldhuis CB, Kreski NT, Usseglio J, Keyes KM. Are Cisgender Women and Transgender and Nonbinary People Drinking More During the COVID-19 Pandemic? It Depends. Alcohol Res 2023; 43:05. [PMID: 38170029 PMCID: PMC10760999 DOI: 10.35946/arcr.v43.1.05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This narrative review of research conducted during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic examines whether alcohol use among cisgender women and transgender and nonbinary people increased during the pandemic. The overarching goal of the review is to inform intervention and prevention efforts to halt the narrowing of gender-related differences in alcohol use. SEARCH METHODS Eight databases (PubMed, APA PsycInfo, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, Gender Studies Database, GenderWatch, and Web of Science) were searched for peer-reviewed literature, published between March 2020 and July 2022, that reported gender differences or findings specific to women, transgender or nonbinary people, and alcohol use during the pandemic. The search focused on studies conducted in the United States and excluded qualitative research. SEARCH RESULTS A total 4,132 records were identified, including 400 duplicates. Of the remaining 3,732 unique records for consideration in the review, 51 were ultimately included. Overall, most studies found increases in alcohol use as well as gender differences in alcohol use, with cisgender women experiencing the most serious consequences. The findings for transgender and nonbinary people were equivocal due to the dearth of research and because many studies aggregated across gender. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Alcohol use by cisgender women seems to have increased during the pandemic; however, sizable limitations need to be considered, particularly the low number of studies on alcohol use during the pandemic that analyzed gender differences. This is of concern as gender differences in alcohol use had been narrowing before the pandemic; and this review suggests the gap has narrowed even further. Cisgender women and transgender and nonbinary people have experienced sizable stressors during the pandemic; thus, understanding the health and health behavior impacts of these stressors is critical to preventing the worsening of problematic alcohol use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cindy B Veldhuis
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Noah T Kreski
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - John Usseglio
- Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library, Columbia Irving Medical Center, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Katherine M Keyes
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Danckert J, Elpidorou A. In search of boredom: beyond a functional account. Trends Cogn Sci 2023; 27:494-507. [PMID: 36922277 DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2023.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023]
Abstract
Boredom has been characterized as a crisis of meaning, a failure of attention, and a call to action. Yet as a self-regulatory signal writ-large, we are still left with the question of what makes any given boredom episode meaningless, disengaging, or a prompt to act. We propose that boredom is an affective signal that we have deviated from an optimal ('Goldilocks') zone of cognitive engagement. Such deviations may be due to a perceived lack of meaning, arise as a consequence of struggles we are experiencing in attending to a task, or be interpreted as a blunt call to find something different to engage with. Thus, the key to understanding boredom lies in its role in keeping us cognitively engaged.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James Danckert
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada.
| | - Andreas Elpidorou
- Department of Philosophy, University of Louisville, 308 Bingham Humanities Building, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Orsolini L, Longo G, Volpe U. The Mediatory Role of the Boredom and Loneliness Dimensions in the Development of Problematic Internet Use. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4446. [PMID: 36901452 PMCID: PMC10001960 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a gradual digitalization of our society, resulting in intensified technology use for daily life activities, including the emergence of problematic Internet use (PIU). Few studies specifically addressed the boredom and loneliness dimensions in mediating the association between depression, anxiety, and stress levels and the onset of PIU. A nationwide population-based cross-sectional case-control study was carried out by recruiting a sample of Italian young people (aged 18-35). Only 1643 participants were selected for the analyses based on the age and the presence versus absence of PIU. Participants were mainly females (68.7%), with a mean age of 21.8 (SD = 1.7). Non-PIU individuals had significantly stable relationships (p = 0.012), siblings (p = 0.044) and lived with their family (p = 0.010), compared to PIU. PIU individuals displayed significantly higher depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as higher loneliness and boredom levels (all p < 0.001), compared to non-PIU. Depressive symptomatology predicted PIU and that their interaction is positively double mediated by boredom and loneliness (ß = 0.3829 (0.0245), 95%CI = 0.3349-0.4309). Our findings suggested that boredom and loneliness dimensions could act as mediators in the association between depressive symptomatology and the likelihood of PIU onset and maintenance.
Collapse
|
6
|
Bambrah V, Wardell JD, Keough MT. Longitudinal co-trajectories of depression and alcohol problems in adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 43:1-17. [PMID: 36531195 PMCID: PMC9748906 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-04109-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
We examined person-centered heterogeneity in the longitudinal co-development of depression and alcohol problems during the COVID-19 outbreak. We also investigated the risk factors (personality and coping) for being in "higher" relative to "lower" risk subgroups of combined depressive symptoms and alcohol problems. Canadian participants (N = 364, M age = 32.16, 54.67% male) completed questionnaires four times every three months, starting approximately 2 months after Canada announced its COVID-19 State-of-Emergency. Parallel-process latent class growth analysis found evidence for three latent subgroups: a "moderate increasing depression and alcohol problems" subgroup (Class 1); a "moderate stable depression, moderate decreasing alcohol problems" subgroup (Class 2); and a "low-risk normative" subgroup (with mild depression that was stable and mild alcohol problems that decreased; Class 3). Multinomial logistic regressions found that higher levels of hopelessness, impulsivity, and boredom proneness distinguished Class 1 from Class 3. Further, lower levels of general self-efficacy distinguished Class 1 from Classes 2 and 3. Linear mixed models found that Class 1 increasingly used maladaptive avoidant coping strategies (denial, drugs/alcohol, behavioural disengagement) as the pandemic progressed, whereas Class 2 increasingly used adaptive approach-oriented strategies (planning, seeking emotional support from others). We analyzed longitudinal data to detect classes of individuals with depressive and alcohol-related difficulties during COVID-19 and to characterize the vulnerability factors for increased difficulties. Highlighting the heterogeneity in the co-trajectory of depression and alcohol problems during COVID-19 and the personality and coping factors associated with combined increases in these mental health difficulties can inform treatment practices and bolster peoples' preparedness and resilience for future pandemics. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-022-04109-4.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Veerpal Bambrah
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, York University, Behavioural Sciences Building, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3 Canada
| | - Jeffrey D. Wardell
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, York University, Behavioural Sciences Building, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3 Canada
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Canada
| | - Matthew T. Keough
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, York University, Behavioural Sciences Building, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3 Canada
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Danckert J. Boredom in the COVID-19 Pandemic. Behav Sci (Basel) 2022; 12:428. [PMID: 36354405 PMCID: PMC9687330 DOI: 10.3390/bs12110428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The past two and half years have been witness to an extraordinary global pandemic with obvious and devastating health outcomes [...].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James Danckert
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| |
Collapse
|