Boredom Susceptibility Subscales Research Articles

Boredom Susceptibility and Quit Smoking: The Role of Anxiety Symptoms

Boredom is one of the main reported motives for smoking. However, scarce research has examined the relationship between boredom susceptibility and abstinence achievement in treatment-seeking smokers. The aim of this study is to examine the mediating effect of anxiety symptoms in the relationship between boredom susceptibility and abstinence at the end of a smoking cessation treatment. The sample was composed of 481 Spanish smokers who received a cognitive-behavioral treatment to quit (M age= 45.51, SD = 11.16; 60.6% female). The Boredom Susceptibility subscale of the Sensation Seeking Scale Form-V and the Beck Anxiety Inventory were used. Pearson correlations and mediation analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between the study variables. Boredom susceptibility was significantly and positively correlated to anxiety symptoms, but not to abstinence. Anxiety symptoms were significantly and negatively correlated to abstinence. A significant indirect effect of boredom susceptibility on abstinence at the end of treatment through anxiety symptoms was found. There was no direct relation between boredom susceptibility and abstinence. These findings extend previous literature by showing that higher boredom susceptibility is associated with less likelihood to be abstinent at the end of the treatment through higher anxiety symptoms. These results highlight the relevance of considering the inclusion of boredom and anxiety management techniques in smoking cessation interventions.

A Gender-Based Study of Sensation Seeking in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease Compared with Healthy Subjects

Introduction: The relationship between psychological factors and Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is one of the topics that has occupied the minds of researchers in the field of health psychology. The present research aimed at studying the levels of sensation seeking in coronary patients and healthy subjects. Methods : Two hundred and twenty-three coronary patients and 255 healthy subjects completed the Sensation Seeking Scale-form V (SSS–V). Next, 100 coronary cases (50 males and 50 females) that had referred to Madani Heart Hospital, Tabriz, Iran, and 100 healthy subjects, were compared in terms of levels of sensation-seeking. All participants were selected by purposeful sampling (aged 25 to 64 years). Data were analyzed by Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) through the SPSS 18 software. Results: Coronary male patients scored higher than coronary female patients in thrill and adventure seeking and healthy males scored higher than healthy females in boredom susceptibility. Healthy females scored higher than coronary females in thrill and adventure seeking, and in boredom susceptibility subscale, healthy males scored higher than coronary males. Conclusions: The identification of individuals with sensation seeking features will allow the identification of susceptible coronary patients for preventive procedures.

Self-Report Measures of Boredom: An Updated Review of the Literature

ABSTRACTA detailed review of the psychometric measures of boredom was published approximately 12 years ago (Vodanovich, 2003). Since that time, numerous studies have been conducted on existing scales, and new measures of boredom have been developed. Given these assessment advancements, an updated review of self-report boredom scales is warranted. The primary focus of the current review is research published since 2003, and it includes a total of 16 boredom scales. The measures reviewed consist of two trait assessments (Boredom Proneness Scale, Boredom Susceptibility subscale of the Sensation Seeking Scale), five context-specific trait boredom scales (Boredom Coping Scale, Leisure Boredom Scale, Free Time Boredom Scale, Sexual Boredom Scale, Relational Boredom Scale), three assessments of state boredom (Multidimensional State Boredom Scale, State Boredom Measure, Boredom Experience Scale), and six context-specific state boredom measures–Lee's Job Boredom Scale, Dutch Boredom Scale, Boredom Coping Scale (Academic), the Boredom subscale of the Achievement Emotions Questionnaire, Academic Boredom Scale, Precursors to Boredom Scale. In addition to providing a review of these measures, a brief critique of each scale is included, as well as suggestions for needed research focus.

Testosterone exposure, dopaminergic reward, and sensation-seeking in young men

To test the relationship between androgen exposure, dopaminergic reward and sensation-seeking, we compared variation in salivary testosterone (T), 2D:4D digit ratio, facial masculinity, Zuckerman's sensation-seeking scale (SSS) and the D4 dopamine receptor ( DRD4) genes from 98 young men, between the ages of 18 and 23 years. In univariate analyses, both salivary T and facial masculinity were significantly correlated with the SSS boredom susceptibility subscale, while the presence of the 7-repeat allele (7R+) in the dopamine receptor D4 gene was associated with the SSS thrill and adventure-seeking and overall sensation-seeking. Neither left nor right 2D:4D digit ratio was associated with any sensation-seeking scale. In multivariate models, salivary T and facial masculinity were significant predictors of SSS boredom susceptibility, while 7R+ was a significant predictor of SSS thrill and adventure-seeking. For overall SSS, both 7R+ and salivary T were significant predictors. There was no significant interaction of 7R+ and androgen exposure for SSS or any of the SSS subscales. These results add to earlier reports of an association between T and sensation-seeking. In addition, our results also indicate that genetic variation in DRD4 is independently associated with SSS sensation-seeking.

The Relationship Between Pathological Gambling and Sensation Seeking: The Role of Subscale Scores

Research investigating the relationship between gambling and sensation seeking has yet to establish conclusively whether pathological gamblers (PGs) are more or less sensation seeking than nonpathological gamblers (NPGs). Sensation seeking is usually measured with the Zuckerman et al. (J Consult Clin Psychol 46:139-149, 1978) SS Scale form V (SSS-V). Whereas previous studies relied on the SSS-V total score, the current study uses two samples to demonstrate the importance of the SSS-V subscales, which include Thrill and Adventure Seeking (TA), Experience Seeking (ES), Disinhibition (DS), and Boredom Susceptibility (BS). In two samples, strong intrascale correlations between DS and BS, and between TA and ES, suggest that certain subscales reflect similar underlying characteristics. In both samples PGs displayed higher scores than NPGs on the DS and BS subscales, with mean differences in Sample 2 reaching significant levels for both DS and BS. Results support the notion that the SSS-V can be divided into concepts reflecting actual behavior, based on the DS and BS subscales, and hypothetical behavior, based on the TA and ES subscales. Furthermore, PGs appear to have a preference for the more behavioral subscales while NPGs show a preference for the more hypothetical subscales. Reasons for the subscale divisions and preferences are discussed.

Generation and sex differences in sensation seeking: results of the family study.

Previous research regarding sex and age differences for sensation seeking in English, American, Canadian, and Australian samples showed clear sex differences and a decline of sensation seeking across ages. The 1978 Form V of the Sensation Seeking Scale was administered to a Croatian sample of 151 high school students and their 226 parents. Analysis showed that parents had lower mean scores than their children, consistent with the hypothesis that sensation seeking declines with age. Male subjects scored higher on the total Sensation Seeking, and Thrill and Adventure Seeking, Disinhibition, and Boredom Susceptibility subscales than female subjects, while there was no difference between male and female subjects on the Experience Seeking scale. Also, several sex-by-generation interactions were significant.

Criminal cognitions and personality: what does the PICTS really measure?

AbstractIntroductionThe Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles (PICTS) is a measure of the criminal cognitions and thinking styles that maintain offending. The scale comprises 8 a priori thinking styles and two validation scales, the validation scales having been found to be unreliable. Owing to the large amount of apparently shared variance in the original validation study, this data matrix needs re‐analysis. Results from the PICTS were examined in relation to general measures of individual differences, in order to link the PICTS to the broader literature on the characteristics of offenders.MethodThe original PICTS data‐matrix was re‐analysed using a more parsimonious method of analysis. The PICYS was also given to 54 detained, mentally disordered offenders along with the NEO‐Five Factor Inventory, the Sensation‐Seeking Scale (SSS), the Attention Deficit Scales for Adults (ADSA) and, as a measure of general intelligence, the Standard Progressive Matrices.ResultsPrincipal components analysis suggested that the PICTS really comprised two factors: a lack of thoughtfulness (i.e. lack of attention to one's experience), and wilful hostility, with the first factor being most well defined. Intelligence was not associated with any factor of criminal thinking style. High scores on the ADSA and Disinhibition and Boredom Susceptibility subscales of the SSS were associated with much greater endorsement of criminal sentiments; high Neuroticism, low Extroversion, and low Agreeableness were slightly lower correlates.DiscussionThe issues involved in criminogenic cognitions need clarification and to be linked to the broader literature on cognitive distortions and personality. Interventions targeted at dismantling impulsive destructive behaviour, whether it be thoughtlessness or wilful hostility, may be effected by increasing thinking skills, so breaking down the cognitions that maintain criminal behaviour. Copyright © 2000 Whurr Publishers Ltd.

Sensation-seeking, criminality, and spinal cord injury: a case-control study.

A retrospective case-control study was performed in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1985-1986 to test the hypotheses that 1) criminality is a risk factor for severe injury, and 2) the association between criminality and injury can be explained in terms of a common underlying factor--increased sensation-seeking tendencies. A total of 140 males with spinal cord injury were individually matched with 140 driver's license holders on age, race, sex, educational attainment, and zip code of residence and were interviewed by telephone. Criminality prior to spinal cord injury was measured by self-report and police records, and sensation seeking was measured by the Disinhibition and Boredom Susceptibility subscales of Zuckerman's Sensation-Seeking Scale (Form V). Those with spinal cord injuries were significantly more likely than controls to report a history of juvenile delinquency, adult criminality, and incarceration prior to the time of spinal cord injury. Statistically significant but modest difference were also found between cases and controls with respect to Disinhibition, Boredom Susceptibility, and the combined Sensation-Seeking Scale score. Matched-pairs logistic regression analysis indicated that the association between sensation seeking and spinal cord injury remained significant after controlling for criminality, with an estimated relative risk of 2.05 (95% confidence interval 1.67-2.53). However, the association between criminality and spinal cord injury also remained significant after controlling for sensation seeking (estimated relative risk = 2.04, 95% confidence interval 1.09-3.82). On the basis of these results, criminality and sensation seeking may be statistically significant but independent predictors of spinal cord injury.

Sensation seeking and bipolar affective disorder

Sensation seeking is a stable trait which is reflected in certain behavioral characteristics, such as risk-taking activities of many kinds. Several lines of research have suggested a relationship between sensation seeking and bipolar affective disorder. The Hypomania scale of the MMPI correlates with the Sensation Seeking Scale. Additionally, both bipolar affective disorder patients and high sensation seekers tend to show the augmenting pattern in average evoked response experiments and low levels of the enzyme monoamine oxidase. The current study tested a hospitalized bipolar affective disorder population on the Sensation Seeking Scale. Bipolar patients scored higher than the control group on the Disinhibition and Boredom Susceptibility subscales of the Sensation Seeking Scale even though about half of the group was currently in a depressive phase of the illness. Research using the Sensation Seeking Scale to identify high-risks groups is discussed.

Boredom Proneness in Pathological Gambling

To test the hypothesis that pathological gamblers seek stimulation as a means of reducing aversive under-aroused states of boredom and/or depression, the Beck Depression Inventory, Zuckerman's Sensation Seeking Scale and a Boredom Proneness Scale were administered to 48 diagnosed pathological gamblers and a control group of 40 family physician patients. Analyses of variance showed pathological gamblers obtained significantly higher boredom proneness and depression scores than those of controls. That the Boredom Proneness Scale failed to correlate with the Zuckerman Boredom Susceptibility subscale suggested the two measure differing dimensions. Results indicated the possible existence of three subtypes of pathological gamblers, one group characterized by boredom, another by depression, and a third by a mixture of both depression and boredom.

Drunk driving, sensation seeking, and egocentrism among adolescents

Drunk driving behavior among one hundred and eighty one 17- and 18-yr-old males was investigated for its relation to sensation seeking and to egocentrism. Drunk driving was significantly related to the total score on the Sensation Seeking Scale, and to the Thrill and Adventure Seeking, Disinhibition, and Boredom Susceptibility subscales. Concerning the relation between drunk driving and egocentrism, those who had driven while drunk were significantly less likely to expect that drunk driving would result in an automobile accident or an arrest for driving while under the influence of alcohol, compared to boys who had not driven while drunk. They also estimated the percentage of their peers who had driven while drunk as higher, compared to other boys. No relationship was found between drunk driving and knowing someone who had been killed or injured by a drunk driver.

Chasing, arousal and sensation seeking in off-course gamblers.

SummaryOff‐course belling agency customers (N = 172) were assessed by a brief structured interview and by a questionnaire that included; the Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS Form V), a short form of the State portion of the State‐Trait Anxiety questionnaire designed to assess subjective reports of levels of arousal after betting but prior to the race result, a question assessing the frequency of chasing and questions about other aspects of betting behaviour. Contrary to the hypothesis of Zuckerman (1979) the results showed that male bettors as a group were significantly lower on SSS scores than existing population norms. Despite the restricted range of these scores weak but significant relationships were shown between SSS subscales and level of involvement in betting. Chasing was shown to be a central feature of a group of out‐of‐control betting behaviours. Sensation Seeking scores were positively correlated with level of involvement and the relationship found between the Boredom Susceptibility subscale and arousal was tentatively highlighted as an individual difference that would predispose a person to greater loss of control and possible problematic levels of gambling.

Personality correlates of male sexual arousal and behavior.

This study explores the relationship between male sexual behavior and personality factors, as measured by the MMPI and Sensation Seeking Scale. Subjects were 20 male volunteers, ages 19-58, with a history of long-term sexual relationships. Subjects kept a daily record of sexual behaviors. Frequency of these behaviors was correlated with MMPI and Sensation Seeking (SSS) subscales. Results indicate that both introversion and depression show significant correlations with autoerotic stimulation and arousal, but not with heterosexual activity. There is no significant correlation demonstrated between hypomania and sexual activity. The Boredom Susceptibility subscale of the SSS correlated significantly with the number of sexual partners.