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Vicario CM, Mucciardi M, Faraone G, Lucifora C, Schade HM, Falzone A, Salehinejad MA, Craparo G, Nitsche MA. Individual predictors of vaccine hesitancy in the Italian post COVID-19 pandemic era. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2024; 20:2306677. [PMID: 38289323 PMCID: PMC10829816 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2306677] [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: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
A wide range of survey studies have explored vaccination hesitancy/resistance during the COVID-19 pandemic and provided evidence that this can be explained by several individual variables from the ideological, clinical, and socio-affective domain. However, evidence about which individual variables predict vaccine hesitancy in the post-pandemic state of COVID-19 is meager. We administered a battery of questionnaires to a group of 120 Italian participants with high and low scores on the adult vaccine hesitancy scale (aVHS) to investigate the predictive role of ideological (i.e. political orientation), clinical (i.e. anxiety, interoceptive accuracy), and socio-affective (i.e. alexithymia, disgust sensitivity/propensity, empathy) variables on vaccine hesitancy/resistance. This study provides evidence that lower interoceptive awareness and cognitive empathy are predictors of a greater hesitancy to get vaccinated in the post-pandemic COVID-19 state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmelo M Vicario
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cognitive, Psicologiche, Pedagogiche e Degli Studi Culturali, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Massimo Mucciardi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cognitive, Psicologiche, Pedagogiche e Degli Studi Culturali, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giulia Faraone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cognitive, Psicologiche, Pedagogiche e Degli Studi Culturali, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Chiara Lucifora
- Dipartimento di Filosofia e Comunicazione, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Hannah M Schade
- Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Alessandra Falzone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cognitive, Psicologiche, Pedagogiche e Degli Studi Culturali, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Mohammad A Salehinejad
- Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany
- School of Cognitive Sciences, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Giuseppe Craparo
- Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Kore University of Enna, Cittadella Universitaria, Enna, Italy
| | - Michael A Nitsche
- Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany
- University Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy and University Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Protestant Hospital of Bethel Foundation, University Hospital OWL, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
- German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Bochum, Germany
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2
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Gessner J, Schulz JO, Melzig CA, Benke C. Role of interoceptive fear and maladaptive attention and behaviors in the escalation of psychopathology-a network analysis. Cogn Behav Ther 2024; 53:524-543. [PMID: 38593025 DOI: 10.1080/16506073.2024.2336036] [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: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
The complex interplay of fear, attention, and behavior toward bodily sensations with psychopathological symptoms and how they mutually influence and potentially reinforce one another remains to be fully elucidated. In this study, we used a network analytical approach to unravel these complex interactions. Specifically, we aimed to identify central symptoms and etiologically relevant factors that might be associated with anxiety and depressive core symptoms. To this end, the following clusters were assessed in 791 adults: interoceptive fear, interoceptive attention, maladaptive behaviors related to bodily sensations, and core symptoms of anxiety and depression. This network was modeled using a Gaussian Graphical Model. Central variables (nodes) were identified using centrality indices and bridge analysis. Self-examination and attention to bodily sensations emerged as central nodes. Moreover, time spent paying attention to bodily sensations, fear of anxiety-related sensations, and self-examination were identified as central bridge nodes, that is, central nodes connecting psychopathologically relevant symptom clusters. The present study indicates that fear of bodily sensations, the amount of attention and time spent focusing on somatic sensations, and self-examination are central factors. The findings suggest potential targets for future longitudinal studies on the impact of these factors for the escalation of anxiety and depressive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Gessner
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Experimental Psychopathology and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Jan-Ole Schulz
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Experimental Psychopathology and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Christiane A Melzig
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Experimental Psychopathology and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, CMBB, Philipps University Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Gießen, Germany
| | - Christoph Benke
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Experimental Psychopathology and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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Solano Durán P, Morales JP, Huepe D. Interoceptive awareness in a clinical setting: the need to bring interoceptive perspectives into clinical evaluation. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1244701. [PMID: 38933585 PMCID: PMC11199726 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1244701] [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: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Interoceptive awareness (IA) is crucial to understanding mental health. The Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA) scale, available in approximately 30 languages, has gained global recognition for its research applicability. This review highlights the critical importance of integrating IA evaluation in clinical settings, advocating for the MAIA scale's potential as a screening tool. Through an examination of academic databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and J-STOR, our analysis spans seven mental health domains: eating disorders (ED), depression, stress, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), chronic pain, and suicide ideation (SI). Thirty-eight studies showed links between several dimensions of IA with different disorders. That is, ED was related to Body Trust and Self-Regulation; anxiety to Body Listening, Emotional Awareness, and Self-Regulation; depression to Noticing and Emotional Awareness; ASD to Trusting, Emotional Awareness, and Noticing; chronic pain to Not-Worrying and Self-Regulation; and SI with Trusting. These insights hold profound implications for both clinical practice and mental health research. Integrating IA assessments into standard clinical protocols has the potential to improve our understanding of pathology, enrich patient care, and enhance therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Solano Durán
- Center for Social and Cognitive Neuroscience (CSCN), School of Psychology, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago de Chile, Chile
- Oficina de Equidad de Género, Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica, Cartago, Costa Rica
| | - Juan-Pablo Morales
- Facultad de Educación Psicología y Familia, Universidad Finis Terrae, Santiago, Chile
- University of Sydney Business School, Darlington, NSW, Australia
| | - David Huepe
- Center for Social and Cognitive Neuroscience (CSCN), School of Psychology, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago de Chile, Chile
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Lee SJ, Lee M, Kim HB, Huh HJ. The Relationship Between Interoceptive Awareness, Emotion Regulation and Clinical Symptoms Severity of Depression, Anxiety and Somatization. Psychiatry Investig 2024; 21:255-264. [PMID: 38569583 PMCID: PMC10990629 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2023.0221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The primary objective of this study was to examine the associations among emotion regulation strategies, interoceptive awareness, and psychological distress measures-namely, depression, anxiety, and somatization. Additionally, we aimed to explore the predictive power of various facets of interoceptive awareness in determining the severity of symptoms for each mental disorder. METHODS A cohort of 130 outpatients diagnosed with depression/anxiety disorder were recruited, and 20 subjects exhibiting incomplete responses were excluded from the dataset, leading to a final sample size of 110 outpatients. The clinical symptoms were measured by Patient Health Questionnaire-9, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y, and Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, and the usage of emotion-regulation strategies and interoceptive awareness was assessed with Emotion Regulation Questionnaire and Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA), respectively. A hierarchical regression analysis was performed to examine whether emotion-regulation strategies and interoceptive awareness explain the statistically significant variance in each of the symptoms. RESULTS In the depression model, cognitive reappraisal, accept, and attention regulation showed significant associations, while in the anxiety model, cognitive reappraisal, attention regulation, trust, and notice emerged as significant factors. Lastly, cognitive reappraisal and attention regulation were found to be significant contributors to the final model for somatization. CONCLUSION The inclusion of MAIA subscales improved the predictive ability of the regression model, highlighting the independent association between interoceptive awareness-particularly attention regulation-and clinical symptoms of anxiety and depression. Additionally, the study underscores the relevance of considering the specific pathological context when implementing interventions, as evidenced by the positive associations between the accept subscale and depression and between the notice subscale and anxiety, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Jin Lee
- Department of Psychology, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mimi Lee
- Department of Psychology, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeong Beom Kim
- Department of Social Welfare, Soongsil University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyu Jung Huh
- Department of Psychiatry, Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Incheon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Miniati M, Poidomani C, Conversano C, Orrù G, Ciacchini R, Marazziti D, Perugi G, Gemignani A, Palagini L. Alexithymia and Interoceptive Confusion in Covid-19 Pandemic Distress. CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHIATRY 2023; 20:264-270. [PMID: 37791080 PMCID: PMC10544239 DOI: 10.36131/cnfioritieditore20230405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Objective Alexithymic traits are associated with the difficulty of perceiving 'non-affective interoceptive signals', and are related to a problematic management of stressful life events (SLEs). The main purpose of this study was to quantify the psychological response of the general population to COVID-19 pandemic stress and to evaluate potential correlations with the presence of 'alexithymic traits' and 'interoceptive confusion' (study protocol # 0077794/2022). Method 175 subjects from general population were assessed with the Toronto-Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), the Event-Revised Impact Scale (IES-R), the Interoceptive Accuracy Scale (IAS), and the Interoceptive Confusion Questionnaire (ICQ). Results a significant relationship emerged between alexithymic traits (assessed with the TAS-20), the ICQ 'interoceptive confusion', and the domain of 'hyper-arousal' as assessed with IES-R. Logistic regression model showed that ICQ-Total Score and IES-R 'hyper-arousal' domain were significantly correlated with TAS-20 total score, with DR value (R2 corrected) explaining the 36.8% of the variability (standard error: 10.7). Conclusions This study, albeit with the limitations of a cross-sectional experimental design with self-evaluation tools in a general population sample, showed a vulnerability to COVID-19 pandemic stress due to high levels of hyper-arousal in subjects with alexithymic traits and interoceptive confusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Miniati
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy, and the Department of Surgical Medical and Molecular Pathology, Critical Care and Care Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Poidomani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy, and the Department of Surgical Medical and Molecular Pathology, Critical Care and Care Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Ciro Conversano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy, and the Department of Surgical Medical and Molecular Pathology, Critical Care and Care Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Graziella Orrù
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy, and the Department of Surgical Medical and Molecular Pathology, Critical Care and Care Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Rebecca Ciacchini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy, and the Department of Surgical Medical and Molecular Pathology, Critical Care and Care Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Donatella Marazziti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy, and the Department of Surgical Medical and Molecular Pathology, Critical Care and Care Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulio Perugi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy, and the Department of Surgical Medical and Molecular Pathology, Critical Care and Care Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Angelo Gemignani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy, and the Department of Surgical Medical and Molecular Pathology, Critical Care and Care Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Palagini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy, and the Department of Surgical Medical and Molecular Pathology, Critical Care and Care Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Ricci P, Pallocci M, Treglia M, Ricci S, Ferrara R, Zanovello C, Passalacqua P, Damato FM. The Effect of Physical Exercise during COVID-19 Lockdown. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:1618. [PMID: 37297758 PMCID: PMC10252320 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11111618] [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: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted an effect on the general population that went over every expectation. To explore the effect of physical exercise (PE) during the national lockdown in Italy, a survey was drawn up and administered to a sample composed of 208 subjects. The questionnaire comprised 81 multiple-choice items, including sociodemographic data, health-related questions, and assessment of physical exercise, satisfaction with life, depression, and personality. The purpose of this study is to explore the role of physical exercise during the outbreak following the present hypothesis: first, if a link exists between the time spent on physical exercise during the lockdown and the perceived health condition, depressive and somatic symptomatology, and life satisfaction; second, to find associations among the SF-12 component summaries and the other psychological outcomes; and finally, to explore how physical and psychological variables are predictive of PCS-12 and MCS-12. The results showed that both vigorous and moderate physical exercise was strongly correlated with psychological variables, with statistically significant negative correlations found between age and physical exercise. Additionally, significant positive correlations were observed between physical exercise and mental health indices, such as MCS-12 and SWLS, whereas negative correlations were found with BDI, PCS-12, and SOM-H. The correlation analysis also revealed that physical and individual mental health summaries were associated with psychological outcomes, with statistically significant negative correlations found between PCS-12 and MCS, PCS-12 and SOM-H, and MCS-12 and BDI scores. Regression analysis showed that physical activities and psychological status both had a direct influence on perceived mental and physical well-being during the lockdown, accounting for 56.7% and 35.5% of the variance, respectively. The p-values for the significant correlations ranged from <0.05 to <0.01. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of physical exercise and psychological well-being in maintaining good health during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Ricci
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics (S.A.I.M.L.A.L.), Legal Medicine Section, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Margherita Pallocci
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Treglia
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Serafino Ricci
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics (S.A.I.M.L.A.L.), Legal Medicine Section, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Rosaria Ferrara
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics (S.A.I.M.L.A.L.), Legal Medicine Section, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Zanovello
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Passalacqua
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Felice Marco Damato
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics (S.A.I.M.L.A.L.), Legal Medicine Section, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Borlimi R, Buattini M, Riboli G, Nese M, Brighetti G, Giunti D, Vescovelli F. Menstrual cycle symptomatology during the COVID-19 pandemic: The role of interoceptive sensibility and psychological health. COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY 2023; 14:100182. [PMID: 36911251 PMCID: PMC9990892 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2023.100182] [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: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The literature on the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the importance of investigating its impact on mental health during this sensitive period, also in relation to the female menstrual cycle. To this end, interceptive sensibility has emerged as a fundamental construct for studying the mind-body interaction among psychosomatic and pain symptoms, particularly through the distinction between two attentional styles (namely, a "mindful" and a "non-mindful" sensibility). The aim of the following study is to verify the role of mental health and interoceptive sensibility on menstrual symptoms in women of childbearing age, during the pandemic, as well as to identify the specific contribution of the existing dimensions of interoceptive sensibility in the prediction of symptoms' severity. Data were collected through an online survey, for which 5294 women responded on demographic information, menstrual history, symptoms' disturbance, and completed the Italian versions of the GHQ-12 and the MAIA. The analyses showed that symptoms were strongly correlated to either the GHQ-12 and the MAIA subscales Noticing, Emotional Awareness, Trusting and Not-Worrying. This result was further verified via a hierarchical regression, which revealed that the same interoceptive dimensions and mental health strongly predicted the intensity of menstrual symptoms (R2 = 0.177, ΔR2 = 0.143) compared to other considered dimensions (R2 = 0.180, ΔR2 = 0.002). Results are partially in line with the premises but suggest that mental health has a strong impact on the experience of the menstrual cycle and that only a few interoceptive dimensions may be relevant in explaining the severity of menstrual symptoms. It is here suggested that noticing internal bodily signals and being aware of emotional states might become dysfunctional if not reconciled with a good ability to self-regulate internal states, but may rather contribute to the perpetuation of the 'vicious cycle' of heightened affective and attentional reactions to interoceptive sensations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Greta Riboli
- Sigmund Freud University, Milan, Italy
- Sigmund Freud PrivatUniversitat, Wien, Austria
- Corresponding author. Sigmund Freud University, Milan, Ripa di Porta Ticinese 79, Italy.
| | | | | | - Daniel Giunti
- Centro Integrato di Sessuologia Clinica “Il Ponte”, Florence, Italy
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Vabba A, Porciello G, Monti A, Panasiti MS, Aglioti SM. A longitudinal study of interoception changes in the times of COVID-19: Effects on psychophysiological health and well-being. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14951. [PMID: 37035351 PMCID: PMC10065811 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Interoception - the processing of the internal state of the body - has been consistently tied to well-being and mental health, which in turn have been severely challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the fact that symptoms of COVID-19 (high temperature, shortness of breath, fatigue, and even gastro-intestinal problems) directly alter interoceptive signals has fueled people's tendency to constantly check their internal bodily state. Objectives In this longitudinal study we tested for changes in interoception and psychophysiological health and well-being during different stages of the pandemic in 2020 and assessed their potential association. To highlight this association, we combined both subjective (i.e., self-reported questionnaires) and objective (i.e., measures of heart rate variability, HRV and of interoceptive accuracy) measures. Methods 245 Italian participants who had completed the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA-2) prior to the onset of the pandemic, repeated the questionnaire during the first national lockdown in Italy, and four months after restrictions. Participants also completed survey measures of depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (STAI), and sleep disturbance (PSQI). A sub-sample of 28 participants, who had completed the heartbeat counting task (HCT) and a measure of heart rate variability (HRV), was tested again remotely, in the same time windows, using phone applications and photoplethysmography. Results While performance in the HCT remained unvaried, MAIA-2 scores consistently increased from before the pandemic to the national lockdown, and remained largely unvaried after four months. The national lockdown was associated with the lowest psychophysiological health and well-being, as evidenced by a decrease in HRV compared to before the pandemic and by higher scores in self-reported depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance compared to four months after the lockdown. Interestingly, psychophysiological health and well-being were predicted by specific regulatory components of interoception (e.g., the ability to regulate distress by focusing on body sensations and experiencing one's body as safe and trustworthy). Conclusions Our results suggest an increased attention towards visceral signals during the COVID-19 pandemic, and highlight the positive role of specific components of interoception in contributing to well-being, suggesting that novel interventions aimed at increasing interoception may be developed to protect against stressful life events such as COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisha Vabba
- Sapienza, Università di Roma and CLNS@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS, Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Ardeatina 306/354, 00179, Rome, Italy
- Corresponding author. Department of Psychology, Sapienza, Università di Roma, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185, Rome Italy.
| | - Giuseppina Porciello
- IRCCS, Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Ardeatina 306/354, 00179, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza, Università di Roma, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Monti
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza, Università di Roma, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Serena Panasiti
- IRCCS, Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Ardeatina 306/354, 00179, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza, Università di Roma, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Maria Aglioti
- Sapienza, Università di Roma and CLNS@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS, Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Ardeatina 306/354, 00179, Rome, Italy
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Luo L, Xiao M, Luo Y, Yi H, Dong D, Liu Y, Chen X, Li W, Chen H. Knowing what you feel: Inferior frontal gyrus-based structural and functional neural patterns underpinning adaptive body awareness. J Affect Disord 2022; 315:224-233. [PMID: 35901991 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.07.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heightened body awareness (BA) is conducive for increasing understanding of bodily state and improves individuals' health and well-being. Although there has been cumulative research concentrating on the self-perceived tendency to focus on negatively valenced interoceptive sensations, the specific structural and functional neural patterns underlying BA and their role in the relationship between BA and individual well-being remain unclear. METHODS Voxel-based morphometry and whole brain functional connectivity analyses were conducted to examine the structural and functional neural patterns, respectively, in 686 healthy subjects. BA and subjective well-being were assessed using questionnaires. RESULTS BA was inversely related to gray matter volume of the right inferior frontal gyrus, opercular part (IFGoperc). Higher BA was correlated with enhanced IFGoperc-precuneus and IFGoperc-anterior supramarginal gyrus connectivities, and with decreased IFGoperc-lateral occipital cortex and IFGoperc-medial frontal cortex connectivities. The inferior frontal gyrus, triangular part (in the fronto-parietal task control network) acted as the hub that linked the sensory/somatomotor network, the default mode network, and the dorsal and ventral attention network. The IFGoperc-precuneus connectivity moderated the association between BA and subjective well-being. LIMITATIONS We were unable to rank all the networks by their relative importance, because the absolute weighted value in each module was not calculated. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrated that BA was reflected by specific neural patterns mainly involved in cognitive-affective control, attentional and self-referential processing, as well as multisensory integration, which could offer some references for current therapies (e.g., mindfulness, yoga training) that are dedicated to solving health problems and improving individual well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Luo
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China; Department of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Mingyue Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China; Department of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yijun Luo
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China; Department of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Haijing Yi
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China; Department of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Debo Dong
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China; Department of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China; Department of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ximei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China; Department of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Li
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China; Department of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China; Department of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
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The impact of a brief mindfulness training on interoception: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273864. [PMID: 36070308 PMCID: PMC9451078 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Interoception is a collection of different representations of signals originating within the body. The way of perceiving these signals seems to be related to both emotion regulation and dysregulation, and its dysfunction is implicated across a variety of affective disorders. There is a growing body of research investigating the relationship between mindfulness meditation practices and interoception showing an increase in interoceptive processes with regular training. In this study, we assessed the effects of a three-day mindfulness training on interoceptive accuracy and sensibility in a young healthy adult sample. Moreover, we also performed a mediation analysis on interoceptive sensibility and anxiety. Healthy participants (n = 40) naive to mindfulness practices were randomized to a brief mindfulness training (MT) (n = 20, females = 10) or to an active control group (n = 20, females = 10). Participants were assessed before and after the 3-days intervention for both groups on measures of interoception and anxiety in a modified intention-to-treat approach. The brief mindfulness training group increased interoceptive sensibility while active control had no effects on this variable. Five out of eight subdomains of interoceptive sensibility were significantly improved after mindfulness training. There was no significant difference in interoceptive accuracy after training. The effect of a brief mindfulness training on interoceptive sensibility mediated changes in the anxiety state. To date, this is the first study showing a plausible mechanism of a brief mindfulness training to explain the anxiolytic effects of meditation practices. Trial registration:RBR-7b8yh8, March 28th 2017 http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-7b8yh8/.
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Sugaya N, Yamamoto T, Suzuki N, Uchiumi C. Transition of Social Isolation and Its Related Factors During Two Mild Lockdown Periods During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Survey in Japan. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2022; 8:e32694. [PMID: 35107428 PMCID: PMC8906839 DOI: 10.2196/32694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lockdowns and "stay-at-home" orders announced internationally for COVID-19 have led to physical and social distancing, with reports of many individuals experiencing social isolation and loneliness. Although the emergency declaration in Japan was declared as a mild lockdown requested by the government without penalties for violations, the lockdown measures, including social isolation, had several influences on people's lives and mental health as in other countries. Furthermore, Japan declared a state of emergency multiple times; thus, it is necessary to examine the influence of the transition of social isolation caused by repeated emergency declarations and the deterioration of mental health associated with these changes. OBJECTIVE This study longitudinally investigated the transition of social isolation and its related factors during the "mild lockdown" under two declared states of emergency in Japan and analyzed psychosocial characteristics extracting clusters where people with specific transition patterns of social isolation predominated. METHODS We collected data on 7893 inhabitants (46.8% women, 49.6 ± 13.7 years) living in the seven prefectures where the initial emergency declaration was applied. The investigations took place online in the final phase of the first and second states of emergency: Phase 1 (between May 11 and 12, 2020) and Phase 2 (between February 24 and 28, 2021). Nonparametric Bayesian co-clustering was used to visualize the exhaustive interaction structure between the transition pattern of social isolation and the psychosocial variables. RESULTS There were no improvements in social networks and loneliness between the two phases, although psychological distress significantly improved and depression decreased slightly. Forty-nine percent of the participants remained socially isolated through Phases 1 and 2, and 12% were socially isolated in Phase 2, even though they were not socially isolated in Phase 1. More participants experienced persistent social isolation in unmarried, childless, and low household income groups. The persistent social isolation group had fewer cohabitants than other transition pattern groups. The nonparametric Bayesian co-clustering results showed that most clusters, including participants without social isolation throughout Phases 1 and 2, had healthy behaviors, more interactions, good relationships, and less loneliness and psychological stress. Furthermore, the cluster in which relationships deteriorated in Phase 1 recovered in Phase 2. Comparatively, the clusters with social isolation throughout Phases 1 and 2 were divided into clusters with increased loneliness and psychological stress; clusters were close to participants' average scores in this study. The clusters with increased loneliness and psychological stress were notable for deteriorating relationships and less online interaction. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed the actual state of transition of social isolation and related psychological, social, and behavioral factors under repeated declarations of a state of emergency. These results should help construct intervention methods that fit individual characteristics for people in social isolation during a pandemic. CLINICALTRIAL
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagisa Sugaya
- Unit of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, JP
| | - Tetsuya Yamamoto
- Graduate School of Technology, Industrial and Social Sciences, Tokushima University, 1-1, Minamijosanjima-cho, Tokushima, JP
| | - Naho Suzuki
- Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Tokushima University, Tokushima, JP
| | - Chigusa Uchiumi
- Graduate School of Technology, Industrial and Social Sciences, Tokushima University, 1-1, Minamijosanjima-cho, Tokushima, JP
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