Aspects Of Fear Research Articles

A Model for Predicting Fear of Terrorism through Fear of Crime, Gender, Locus of Control and Coping Strategies.

This study examines the assumption that aspects of fear of crime (fear of rape and sense of insecurity) predict fear of terrorism. The online survey included 754 Israeli respondents, who answered questions about their demographic characteristics, fear of terrorism, fear of crime indicators (fear of rape and sense of insecurity), locus of control (LOC; internal and external), and coping strategies. The findings indicate that for women, higher belief in chance and fate, and powerful others (external LOC), higher sense of insecurity, and higher fear of rape were related to a higher fear of terrorism. For men, higher belief in chance and fate (external LOC), higher sense of insecurity, and higher fear of rape were related to a higher fear of terrorism. Furthermore, the effect of fear of rape on fear of terrorism was mediated by sense of insecurity. Our findings support the assumption that fear of crime shadows and affects fear of terrorism for men as well as women. Therefore, fear of rape should be addressed as a significant issue for both genders.

Distraction versus focusing during VR exposure therapy for acrophobia: A randomized controlled trial

Background and ObjectivesThe therapeutic mechanisms of exposure therapy are not well understood. Research suggests that focusing on the most feared aspect might not be necessary, and that distraction with a low cognitive load (e.g., conversation) might enhance exposure. We aimed at systematically testing the efficacy of exposure therapy with focusing vs. conversational distraction, hypothesizing that distracted exposure would yield superior effects. MethodsThirty-eight patients with acrophobia (specific phobia of heights; clinician-determined) (free from relevant somatic or other mental disorders) were randomly assigned (1:1) to one virtual reality (VR) session of either focused (n = 20) or distracted exposure (n = 18). This monocentric trial took place at a psychiatric university hospital. ResultsBoth conditions resulted in a significant reduction of acrophobic fear and avoidance, and a significant increase of self-efficacy (primary outcome variables). However, condition did not have a significant effect on any of these variables. Effects were stable at four-week follow-up. Heart rate and skin conductance level indicated significant arousal, but did not differ between conditions. LimitationsEye-tracking was unavailable, nor did we assess emotions other than fear. Power was limited due to sample size. ConclusionsA balanced exposure protocol combining attention to fear cues with conversational distraction, while not being superior, might be as effective as focused exposure for acrophobia, at least during the initial stages of exposure therapy. These results support previous findings. This study demonstrates how VR can be exploited for therapy process research, as VR supports dismantling designs and the incorporation of online process measures.

Adolescents’ fear of the dark: associations with fear of death and trait-anxiety

ABSTRACT Fears related to death and darkness are common during adolescence. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between these two types of fear, considering trait-anxiety and gender differences. A total of 171 16–18 years old adolescents (99 girls and 72 boys) completed paper-and-pencil questionnaires (Intensity of Fear of the Dark Scale, Multidimensional Fear of Death Scale, Spielberger Trait-State Anxiety Inventory – Trait version). According to our results, girls had higher levels of fear and anxiety than boys. Fear for significant others was the most intensively feared aspect of fear of death among both genders. Fear of the dark was associated with fear of death and trait anxiety, and the effect of trait anxiety on fear of the dark was partially mediated by fear of death. These results underline the symbolic association between fear of the dark and fear of death and have possible treatment implications.

Barriers of Human and Nonhuman Agents’ Integration in Positive Hybrid Systems: The Relationship Between the Anthropocentrism, Artificial Intelligence Anxiety, and Attitudes Towards Humanoid Robots

The article focuses on the analysis of subjective conditions for the integration of humans with humanoid robots. By interacting with each other, these units create hybrid systems that deserve to be called positive, as interactions with technological artifacts contribute to increasing the optimal functioning of users. An online survey-based study with 364 respondents was conducted that tested the relationship between anthropocentric beliefs of individuals, attitudes towards, and interactions with humanoid robots. It was found that this relationship is positive and is mediated by the aspects of fear of artificial intelligence (AI) related to the perception of AI-driven agents as scary and intimidating and by anxiety caused by the fear of their strong expansion (e.g., in the labor market). The significant strength of the relationship is an important clue for people designing hybrid systems (e.g., in the workplace), especially in conservative societies whose representatives are sensitive to the position humans in the hierarchy of entities.

Trials Faced by Staff Nurses Caring for COVID-19 Patients

Covid-19 has been identified to be the cause of deadly illness. It is hazardous, and crushed the population infected with the virus. This virus paralysed the daily work of public globally. Irre- spective of situation, whether regular or during disaster, it is nurses who belong to the frontline and are accountable for comprehensive nursing care for all variety of patients. The present study aimed to assess the challenges experienced by staff nurses; correlate the aspects of challenges experienced by staff nurses; and associate aspects of challenges with selected demographic variables. A descriptive study was adopted for the present study using quantitative approach. Permission was sought from hospitals. The tool was distributed to the staff nurses after explain- ing the purpose of the study. Purposive sampling technique was solicited. The calculated sample size was 244, however, 270 nurses completed the self reports. The questionnaire was tested for reliability using Cronbach' s alpha for each aspect and it ranged from 0.71 to 0.82. Questionnaire consisted of 36 items and 7 aspects. The findings showed that majority (72.6%) of staff nurses self reported to have faced the challenge of physical exhaustion and mental stress' and the least reported challenge (22.2%) was the aspect of fear and anxiety. On further computation, it was found all the seven aspects i.e. fear and anxiety, caring aspects, physical exhaustion and mental stress, personal sacrifice, facilities and resources, availability of supports and ethical challenges were correlated at 0.01 level. With regard to association, not all aspects were found to have significant association. It is concluded that a profound understanding of these challenges can help health care organisations to resolve these challenges and provide evidence-based information and implement psychological interventions.

Potential mechanisms for poor glycaemic control in patients with type two diabetes and fear of hypoglycaemia.

The current study aimed to explore the potential effect of diabetes-related distress on the association between fear of hypoglycaemia and poor glycaemic control. We evaluated the specific aspects of fear of hypoglycaemia that affect glycaemic control among Saudi patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Descriptive cross-sectional survey of patients with T2D attending a specialist diabetes clinic in Taif, Saudi Arabia. We used the Hypoglycaemia Attitudes and Behaviour Scale (HABS) for assessing fear of hypoglycaemia among our sample. We used Structural Equation Modelling to evaluate the moderators and correlates of fear of hypoglycaemia. We surveyed 365 patients with T2D. Cronbach's alpha for the HABS assessment was 0.84, an indication of excellent internal consistency. The composite reliability for hypoglycaemic anxiety was 86.8%; hypoglycaemic avoidance was 85.2%; and hypoglycaemic confidence was 92.6%. The mean HABS score was 32.7 points (out of 70 points; SD = 9.8 points). Fear of hypoglycaemia was associated with increased levels of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), presence of eye disease, heart disease, and stroke. Fear of hypoglycaemia was associated with poor glycaemic control. No significant moderating effect of diabetes-related distress was observed. However, only hypoglycaemic anxiety and avoidance were associated with poor glycaemic control. Confidence in the ability to control low glucose levels was not associated with elevated HbA1c levels. A significant finding of this study highlighted the considerable and direct effect of fear of hypoglycaemia on poor glycaemic control among patients with T2D. However, only fear-related anxiety and avoidance-and not confidence in the ability to control low glucose levels-had an effect on poor glycaemic control.

Страхи российского студенчества в ситуации социальной неопределенности (весна 2022 года)

The article is devoted to the analysis of the repertoire of Russian students’ fears in four Russian regions in the context of the spring events of 2022. The usual and new aspects of fears and anxiety are described, as well as their regional differences due to the event context and territorial proximity/remoteness from the arena of a special mili-tary operation. Empirical data were collected among students of 1-4 full-time courses of study in economic, social and humanitarian areas of training in the Sverdlovsk, Tyumen, Rostov and Belgorod regions from 03/10/2022 to 03/15/2022. The study used the method of group focused interviews (8 focus groups). In the course of quali-tative data analysis, axial and thematic coding procedures were implemented. It was revealed that the structure of the dominant elements in the repertoire of fears is pre-served in all analyzed regions (fear of illness of relatives and friends, war, one’s own illness and loss of working capacity, arbitrariness on the part of the authorities, pov-erty), however, for students of the Urals and Siberia, the fear of illness of relatives is in the first place, while in the border regions the first position is occupied by the fear of war. It was revealed that the external environmental factors of the border areas af-fect the strengthening of fears: the closer and more real the threat is, the sharper and more specific the students' fears are. Socio-psychological tension is caused by dif-fuse, natural fears for the life, health and well-being of loved ones, one's own social future, the future of the country and the world, which, under the influence of a situa-tion of uncertainty, acquire concreteness and menacing acuteness. New aspects in the palette of fears are associated with economic, political, cultural changes in the coun-try and the world, and, first of all, with manifestations of the "cancel culture". Its economic aspect is due to the total and long-term economic sanctions against the Russian Federation, which caused a surge in economic fears, the need to cope with which will require serious changes in the economic consciousness and behavior of young people. The political aspect of cancel culture is associated among students with growing fears about the external political isolation of Russia and alienation from vari-ous forms of political activity within the country. The socio-cultural aspect of the cancellation phenomenon manifested itself in new types of fears of the cultural isola-tion of Russia as a whole, reduced access to familiar social networks and services, limited student cultural, scientific, educational exchanges and educational opportuni-ties abroad.

Câhiliye Dönemi Arap Şiirinde Korku Kaynakları ve Korku İfade Eden Sözcükler

Çalışmamızın konusunu Câhiliye dönemi Arap şiirinde korku ve temel korku kaynakları oluşturmaktadır. İnsan psikolojisinin önemli unsurlarından biri olan korkunun Câhiliye dönemi şairleri tarafından şiirlerinde dile getirilmesi ve dizelerde korkunun değişik yönlerini, şiddetini ifade eden farklı kelimelerin kullanılması çalışmada ele alınmıştır. Güvenliği sağlayacak bir devlet düzeni ve adalet sistemini işletecek genel bir kolluk gücünün bulunmayışı sebebiyle Arabîstan yarımadasında gerek sınırlı sayıda şehirde yerleşik gerekse göçebe kabileler halinde sürdürülen yaşam doğal bir korku iklimi oluşturmuştur. Su ve yiyecek kaynaklarının son derece kıt olduğu çöl hayatı, güçlülerin zayıfları ezdiği bir sistemi ortaya çıkarmış, baskın yapılarak mağlupların katli veya köleleştirilmesi, namuslarına el uzatılması, onur ve haysiyetlerinin yerle yeksan edilmesi korkuyu besleyen ögeler olmuştur. Kendisiyle ensâbın muhafaza olunduğu, kahramanlıkların bilindiği, dilin kendisinden öğrenildiği Arapların “Dîvânı” sayılan şiirlerin bu önemli psikolojik olguya yer vermemeleri, enine boyuna incelememeleri ve korkuyla ilgili uzak-yakın kelimeleri ihtiva etmemeleri düşünülemezdi. Yazının yaygın olmaması sebebiyle sosyal hayatı en iyi yansıtan edebi eserin şiir olması hasebiyle şiirlerde yer alan korku anlamına gelen kelimeler çalışmamızda incelendi. Araştırmamızı Câhiliye dönemi ile sınırlı tutmakla birlikte edebi hayatlarının bir kısmı cahiliye döneminde geçmiş olan Muhadram şairlerin şiirlerinden örnekler de verildi.

Speech Processing as a Far-Transfer Gauge of Serious Games for Cognitive Training in Aging: Randomized Controlled Trial of Web-Based Effectivate Training.

BackgroundThe number of serious games for cognitive training in aging (SGCTAs) is proliferating in the market and attempting to combat one of the most feared aspects of aging—cognitive decline. However, the efficacy of many SGCTAs is still questionable. Even the measures used to validate SGCTAs are up for debate, with most studies using cognitive measures that gauge improvement in trained tasks, also known as near transfer. This study takes a different approach, testing the efficacy of the SGCTA—Effectivate—in generating tangible far-transfer improvements in a nontrained task—the Eye tracking of Word Identification in Noise Under Memory Increased Load (E-WINDMIL)—which tests speech processing in adverse conditions.ObjectiveThis study aimed to validate the use of a real-time measure of speech processing as a gauge of the far-transfer efficacy of an SGCTA designed to train executive functions.MethodsIn a randomized controlled trial that included 40 participants, we tested 20 (50%) older adults before and after self-administering the SGCTA Effectivate training and compared their performance with that of the control group of 20 (50%) older adults. The E-WINDMIL eye-tracking task was administered to all participants by blinded experimenters in 2 sessions separated by 2 to 8 weeks.ResultsSpecifically, we tested the change between sessions in the efficiency of segregating the spoken target word from its sound-sharing alternative, as the word unfolds in time. We found that training with the SGCTA Effectivate improved both early and late speech processing in adverse conditions, with higher discrimination scores in the training group than in the control group (early processing: F1,38=7.371; P=.01; ηp2=0.162 and late processing: F1,38=9.003; P=.005; ηp2=0.192).ConclusionsThis study found the E-WINDMIL measure of speech processing to be a valid gauge for the far-transfer effects of executive function training. As the SGCTA Effectivate does not train any auditory task or language processing, our results provide preliminary support for the ability of Effectivate to create a generalized cognitive improvement. Given the crucial role of speech processing in healthy and successful aging, we encourage researchers and developers to use speech processing measures, the E-WINDMIL in particular, to gauge the efficacy of SGCTAs. We advocate for increased industry-wide adoption of far-transfer metrics to gauge SGCTAs.

A Comparison of Distance and Face-to-Face Learning Regarding Anxiety Factors Among 5th Grade EFL Students: A Case Study

In the general sense, anxiety is a feeling that causes trouble in mind. Accordingly, language learning anxiety can be listed as one of the factors affecting learners negatively in and out of the educational settings due to the Covid-19 pandemic. For this reason, being aware of students’ learning conditions that affect their anxiety level is significant for language teachers to set clear expectations about the learning outcomes of the school subjects. Regarding young learners in Turkey, the distance education context is a highly new way to be pursued in the scope of experience. Considering this information, the current study aims to profile and compare individual language anxiety levels of 5th-grade students in face-to-face learning and distance learning. Research is valuable since distance learning is a new concept for young learners in Turkey, resulting from the pandemic, and very few researchers have focused on young learners in Turkey. The study was conducted in a state school in Kütahya. Participants were 5th-grade students from three different sections of the school. In the study, the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) and its modified distance learning version were used. The results of the two tests were compared. While some factors do not show a significant difference, some aspects of fear of communication increase in the target foreign language. However, some items related to fear of making mistakes have noticeably reduced in distance learning.

The urban fabric and fear of crime: the case of the compact city of Bilbao, Spain

ABSTRACT This research examines the influence that a compact city’s urban fabric can have on fear of crime. To this end, the Spanish city of Bilbao, a compact city where the population’s fear of crime is higher than might be expected given low rates of victimization, was taken as a case study. Based on a comparative study of five of the city’s neighborhoods, the research used an inter-scalar analysis. Surveys were used to gather data about individuals’ fear of crime and places they avoided; and an observational and morphological analysis was carried out to analyze the urban characteristics of these places. The study produced two main results: first, Bilbao witnesses little fear of crime during the day and moderate fear at night, usually centered around the same spaces; second, the spaces avoided are usually related to singularities in the urban fabric, which include hermetic buildings, large green areas, urban borders, and interruptions. We concluded that some aspects of fear of crime at an environmental level are related to shortcomings in urban planning at the territorial and district levels. The study contributes to the field by providing a methodological tool addressing a gap in research connecting individual fear of crime and urban planning.

Exploring Fear of Crime for Those Targeted by Romance Fraud

ABSTRACT This article assesses 3,259 romance fraud reports made by individuals to Scamwatch (Australian online reporting portal for fraud), between July 2018 – July 2019 (inclusive). It seeks to highlight experiences of fear of crime as articulated by the complainants. Drawing on frameworks used to analyze fear of crime (specifically the affective, behavioral and cognitive aspects of fear) the article is an exploratory assessment of how fear of crime is evident in those targeted by romance fraud. It builds a model for better understanding differing victim responses to romance fraud and the often-hidden harms involved around the anxieties of victims which importantly, can manifest in both online and offline environments.

Gender roles and personality traits as predictive factors for fear of childbirth

ABSTRACT Fear of childbirth affects their labor, delivery, and the postpartum period. For this reason, it is important to examine all aspects of fear of childbirth, which has a multifactorial etiology. The purpose of this study is to determine whether gender roles and personality traits predict fear of childbirth among pregnant Turkish women. A cross-sectional study was conducted. It was completed with 200 women in the labor process receiving care in the birthing room of a state hospital. Descriptive statistics were represented by percentages, means, and standard deviation values. Simple regression analysis was employed to examine whether gender roles and Cervantes personality traits predicted fear of childbirth. It was determined that there was a negative relationship between masculine gender role and having an extroverted personality and fear of childbirth. In conclusion, the data suggest that gender roles and personality traits may be useful variables to predict women’s fear of childbirth. Future studies that will examine the relationship of gender roles and personality traits with the birth process can bring a new perspective to health professionals and a new dimension to care.

Brain and cognitive ageing: The present, and some predictions (…about the future).

Experiencing decline in one's cognitive abilities is among the most feared aspects of growing old [53]. Age-related cognitive decline carries a huge personal, societal, and financial cost both in pathological ageing (such as dementias) and also within the non-clinical majority of the population. A projected 152 million people worldwide will suffer from dementia by 2050 [3]. The early stages of cognitive decline are much more prevalent than dementia, and can still impose serious limitations of performance on everyday activities, independence, and quality of life in older age [5], [60], [80]. Cognitive decline also predicts poorer health, adherence to medical regimens, and financial decision-making, and can herald dementia, illness, and death [6], [40]. Of course, when seeking to understand why some people experience more severe cognitive ageing than others, researchers have turned to the organ of thinking for clues about the nature, possible mechanisms, and determinants that might underpin more and less successful cognitive agers. However, that organ is relatively inaccessible, a limitation partly alleviated by advances in neuroimaging. Here we discuss lessons for cognitive and brain ageing that have come from neuroimaging research (especially structural brain imaging), what neuroimaging still has left to teach us, and our views on possible ways forward in this multidisciplinary field.

Fear of pregnancy and childbirth in women and men: gender aspects and parenting experience

The article discusses the fear of pregnancy and childbirth as a multidimensional subjective phenomenon. It is noted that the fear of pregnancy and childbirth is a phenomenon associated not only with the period of expectation of a child and (or) preparation for childbirth, but also with existential experience that arises in the subject outside of partnership and the context of procreation, which is recorded from fertile age. However, pregnancy contributes to the understanding and concretisation of this fear in both partners. The sources of fear of pregnancy and childbirth are extensive. At the same time, in Russian literature, the interpretational aspects of fear are revealed mainly in the female sample. An empirical study was carried out to in-depth study of the fear of pregnancy and childbirth as a female and male problem and its dependence on parenting experience or prospects (n=141). The results demonstrate that fear of pregnancy and childbirth is present in both women and men and does not depend on the life context. The content of the main female and male fears is identical, but the female fear of pregnancy and childbirth is more pronounced and structured. The unified fears for women and men are revealed. However, this fear is more pronounced in subjects without experience of pregnancy and parenting.

Jenseits des Sichtbaren Rilkes Aufzeichnungen des Malte Laurids Brigge

In Rilke’s novel Die Aufzeichnungen des Malte Laurids Brigge, the Parisian scene is conceived as a stage; the main character has been considered as the author’s alter ego or Doppelgänger, who is going to face the most alienating and fearful aspects of the modern metropole. Rilke’s project involves a new use of sight and perception in which the boundary between the inner and outer world is continuously crossed so that Malte – and the reader at the same time – starts to doubt the traditional categories of acknowledgement. Despite all negative aspects of this split scene of modernity, characterised by forgetfulness and alienation, Malte is very likely to eventually die, completely forgotten by his ghostly family – this loss of individuality and possession is also able to enhance a kind of negative capability, representing the condition to make a new start, e.g. a lyrical program expressing the paradox of Life, where life seems to be no longer possible. The formal fragmentation of Rilke’s novel and its lack of traditional unity reflect the split scene of the subject, thus foreshadowing the clash between sign and meaning, between angel and puppet, which will be put on stage in the crucial passage of the Fourth Elegy, where the I is depicted as a spectator in front of the curtain of his own heart.

Fear: Introduction to special issue

Fear needs dealing with. Fear demands to be abated, countered or turned into something else, contributing and curtailing how we ‘do’ being human beings. This special issue of the European Journal of Cultural Studies addresses fear within media and popular culture, adopting a cultural studies approach to fear in a variety of socio-cultural and political contexts. A cultural studies approach allows us to enhance the horizon of understanding cultural practices, mediation and the subjective experience of fear as something we need to work through, in a process of recognition and shock, action and reaction, understanding and reflection. This focus on ‘working through fear’ offers new insights into the intensely subjective aspects of fear as it is creatively explored in representations within drama and documentary, photography and art, and in user-generated content, memes and political satire, and as it is embodied and experienced by people in the context of their realities. In addition, it shows how fear generates energy, anxiety and even desire. Rather than offering a generalizing account, this issue seeks to address fear in specific contexts, localities and from specific roles and perspectives.

Metaphorical Conceptualization of ANGER, FEAR and SHAME in Lithuanian: In Search of Cultural Content

The article discusses the conceptual images of ANGER, FEAR and SHAME in Lithuanian. The aim of the paper is to show the cognitive and cultural basis for the perception, valuation and linguistic expression of feelings of anger, fear and shame in Lithuanian. Conceptual metaphors and, in some cases, conceptual metonymies are used to reveal tendencies in thinking about these feelings. To this end, linguistic constructs are used to express various aspects of anger, fear and shame as well as the norms and behaviors associated with them. The research inventory consists of lexemes belonging to the categories of anger, fear and shame, composite linguistic units, which contain these lexemes or which are regularly associated semantically with the said lexemes, as well as derivatives derived from metonymic and metaphorical transfers and phraseological compounds. The structure of the article is measured by the source domains of the conceptual metaphors of ANGER, FEAR and SHAME. On this basis, first of all, the conceptual metaphors of the common source domain, which reveal the common patterns of perception of anger, fear and shame, are discussed (CONTAINER / CLOSED SPACE / UP and DOWN MOVEMENT / BALANCE; HUMAN / COMPANION / ENEMY; ANIMAL / BEAST; ARTEFACT; HEAT (FIRE) / COLD; DISEASE), the following are the directions of linguistic conceptualization specific to individual feelings only (PAIN / SUFFERING; BITTER / POISON; NATURAL FORCES / AIR / DARKNESS; PLANT (TREE / CEREALS); WATER (SEA / RIVER); DEVIL) First one reveal the common cognitive basis of the perception and evaluation of the feelings of ANGER, FEAR and SHAME, the second allows us to see the cultural layer of latter.

Gendered feelings of unsafety and avoidance of local central areas in Finland 2001–2016

ABSTRACT There is a lack of knowledge about fear-of-crime-related place avoidance in Finland. International studies have examined different aspects of fear of crime and avoidance. However, examinations of the association between feelings of unsafety and place avoidance are rarer. This study takes on a less-researched perspective and examines the association between feelings of unsafety and avoidance of local central areas in Finland in 2001–2016. It conducts a gendered assessment of the association and distinguishes between different degrees of urbanization. As a methodological contribution, this study conducts cross-sectional time-series analysis. The research data consist of Finnish survey data from 2001 to 2016. The results show that levels of feelings of unsafety and avoidance in local central areas remain relatively stable during the examined period. Furthermore, the considered association is stronger among women than among men, regardless of the degree of municipality or neighbourhood urbanization. Interestingly, the strength of the considered association is more stable among women than among men. Furthermore, of all the considered independent and contextual factors, gender is the most consistently relevant factor in all areas of different degrees of urbanization. Implications of the results are discussed.

Perceived safety and fear of crime: A web-based GIS platform.

Fear of crime is a social phenomenon that mainly affects the population of urban communities and it is recognized as an issue by both the academic community and society itself. To study the phenomenon, it is necessary to collect primary data, either using traditional data collection methods or using well-established online questionnaires. This paper describes the process and architecture of developing an interactive data survey, analysis, and geovisualization web-based platform to support online questionnaires and surveys, related to the urban fear of crime. The main goal is to provide tools and utilities for researchers, journalists, groups or individuals, interested in the scientific aspect of fear of crime, to collect related data and analyze them within a common interface. The fear of crime platform utilizes a client-server Web-GIS application that gives access to a worldwide spatial database. As the fear of crime platform is a dynamic ecosystem that grows up every day, this database is also growing proportionally by individuals around the world. The project’s development is accessible at the following web address: www.fearofcrime.com