Abstract
BackgroundTrypophobia is characterised by an aversion to or even revulsion for patterns of holes or visual stimuli featuring such patterns. Past research has shown that trypophobic stimuli trigger emotional and physiological reactions, but relatively little is known about the antecedents, prodromes, or simply covariates of trypophobia.AimThe goals of this study were (a) to draw the contours of the nomological network of trypophobia by assessing the associations of symptoms of trypophobia with several constructs that were deemed relevant from past research on anxiety disorders and specific phobias, (b) to compare such associations with those found for symptoms of spider phobia and blood and injection phobia (alternative dependent variables), and (c) to investigate the main effect of gender on symptoms of trypophobia and replicate the association of gender with symptoms of spider phobia and blood and injection phobia (higher scores for women).MethodsParticipants (N = 1,134, 53% men) in this cross-sectional study completed an online questionnaire assessing the constructs of interest.ResultsMost assessed constructs typically associated with anxiety disorders (neuroticism, conscientiousness, anxiety sensitivity, trait anxiety, disgust sensitivity, and disgust propensity) were also associated with trypophobia in the predicted direction. All of these constructs were also associated with spider phobia and blood and injection phobia. Behavioral inhibition was negatively associated with trypophobia and spider phobia—contrary to what was expected, but positively with blood and injection phobia. We found no gender difference in trypophobia, whereas women scored higher on spider phobia and blood and injection phobia.DiscussionAlthough some differences were observed, the nomological network of trypophobia was largely similar to that of spider phobia and blood and injection phobia. Further studies are needed to clarify similarities and dissimilarities between trypophobia and specific phobia.
Highlights
Anxiety disorders have been shown to constitute one of the largest groups of mental disorders
The goals of this study were (a) to draw the contours of the nomological network of trypophobia by assessing the associations of symptoms of trypophobia with several constructs that were deemed relevant from past research on anxiety disorders and specific phobias, (b) to compare such associations with those found for symptoms of spider phobia and blood and injection phobia, and (c) to investigate the main effect of gender on symptoms of trypophobia and replicate the association of gender with symptoms of spider phobia and blood and injection phobia
The aims of the current study were (a) to draw the contours of the nomological network of trypophobia by assessing the associations of a range of constructs related to the three anxiety disorder variables, and specific phobias in particular, with trypophobia; (b) to examine similarities and difference in such associations in comparison with those found with spider phobia and blood and injection phobia; and (c) to investigate the main effect of gender on trypophobia
Summary
Anxiety disorders have been shown to constitute one of the largest groups of mental disorders. Their estimated 12-month (lifetime) prevalence was reported to be 22.7% (33.3%) among women and 13% (22%) among men in the United States [1] and in the range of 5.6% to 19% (13.6% to 28%) worldwide [2]. According to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), specific phobias entail “fear or anxiety [that] is circumscribed to the presence of a particular situation or object” [5, p.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
