Dissociative States Research Articles

Ion core switching during photodissociation dynamics via the Rydberg states of XeAr

The heterodimer, XeAr, is a classic example of a weakly bound van der Waals molecule, which has a variety of accessible bound excited states that exhibit complex interactions. In this study, XeAr has been investigated in the 77,500–81,500 cm−1 region using a combination of Resonance Enhanced Multi-Photon Ionization (REMPI) spectroscopy and Velocity Map Imaging (VMI). By monitoring REMPI and photodissociative product channels across the spectrum, several novel excited states, product channels, excited state symmetries and lifetimes, as well as highly localized perturbations were observed and characterized, including the first VMI study of Ar* dissociating from XeAr Rydberg states accessed by two-photon excitation. In this work we have analyzed 38 vibronic bands representing nine different electronic transitions, and we provide new assignments for two 0+←0+ electronic transitions dissociating to the Xe* 5d [3/2]02 (ca. 80,323 cm−1) and Xe* 5d [7/2]03 (ca. 80,970 cm−1) limits. Several new predissociation product channels were identified at the two- and three-photon levels, including production of Xe* 5p[5/2]3, Xe* 6s'[1/2]o1, Xe* 6p[1/2]1, Ar* 4p[1/2]0, Ar* 4p'[3/2]1, Ar* 4p'[1/2]1, and Ar* 4p[5/2]3. Using the multidimensional analysis offered by VMI, we explore interesting photophysics whereby a resonant state that is reached after absorbing two photons can predissociate to yield Xe*, but which also can absorb a 3rd photon, yielding super-excited Ar*Xe that predissociates to Ar* limits. The ground state dissociation energy for XeAr was determined to be D0 = 114.4 ± 2.7 cm−1, in excellent agreement with previous measurements.

Posttraumatic symptoms and poor sleep are independent pathways to agency disruptions and dissociation: A longitudinal study with objective sleep assessment.

Dissociation and diminished sense of agency are experiential distortions of disintegration in the perception of self and action. Although one is often implied in the other, they are seldom studied together. Assessing their relationship and shared influences may allow for a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of dissociative experiences. We aimed to examine their temporal (concurrent or directional) co-occurrence, and to elucidate their etiology, focusing on posttraumatic symptoms (PTS), poor sleep, and their hypothesized joint effect. N = 113 adults oversampled for the existence of trauma exposure history reported PTS and then, for a week, wore an actigraphic sleep monitor, reported subjective sleep quality each morning, and reported state dissociation (depersonalization, derealization, and absorption) and sense of agency four times each day. Data were analyzed using multilevel linear modeling. Higher state dissociation correlated with diminished state sense of agency, but only contemporaneously, not directionally. Both hypothesized etiological factors, namely, PTS (especially complex) and poor sleep (objective and subjective) predicted state dissociation and diminished state sense of agency, but psychological distress seemed to overshadow these main effects. However, robust interactive effects suggested that poor sleep predicted dissociation and disruptions in the sense of agency only among individuals with low PTS. These findings suggest that PTS and poor sleep quality are separate paths to dissociation and impaired sense of agency. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Narcissistic vulnerability and binge eating in adolescence: The mediating role of emotion dysregulation and dissociative experiences

IntroductionAlthough evidence suggests a link between vulnerable narcissism and binge eating (BE), an important question remains whether the narcissistic vulnerability has a direct or indirect effect on BE, and which variables may be involved in such associations. The present study aims to explore a mediational trajectory between vulnerable narcissism and BE through emotion dysregulation and dissociation. MethodsParticipants were 253 (Mage = 15.63, SD = 1.74; range=12–18 years; F = 172, 68%) Italian students screened by self-report measures assessing narcissism, emotion dysregulation, dissociative states, and BE. ResultsVulnerable narcissism showed an indirect effect on BE with emotion dysregulation and dissociation serving as significant mediators in such a relationship (χ2(4) = 6.623; RMSEA = 0.05; SRMR = 0.023; CFI = 0.99; TLI = 0.95), explaining 51 % of the variance in BE. LimitationsLimitations concerned the cross-sectional and self-report nature of the study. Also, the study only included adolescent school students. DiscussionsFindings suggest that a psychic fragility of the Ego (vulnerable narcissism) likely has an indirect effect on BE, through emotion dysregulation and dissociative states. BE seems to represent an acting-out occurring in a specific psychic condition defined by feelings of disconnectedness and lack of control. Potential implications for theory, research, prevention and treatment are discussed.

CO2-induced drastic decharging of dielectric surfaces in aqueous suspensions.

We study the influence of airborne CO2 on the charge state of carboxylate stabilized polymer latex particles suspended in aqueous electrolytes. We combine conductometric experiments interpreted in terms of Hessinger's conductivity model with Poisson-Boltzmann cell (PBC) model calculations with charge regulation boundary conditions. Without CO2, a minority of the weakly acidic surface groups are dissociated and only a fraction of the total number of counter-ions actually contribute to conductivity. The remaining counter-ions exchange freely with added other ions like Na+, K+ or Cs+. From the PBC-calculations we infer a corresponding pKa of 4.26 as well as a renormalized charge in reasonably good agreement with the number of freely mobile counter-ions. Equilibration of salt- and CO2-free suspensions against ambient air leads to a drastic de-charging, which exceeds by far the expected effects of to dissolved CO2 and its dissociation products. Further, no counter-ion-exchange is observed. To reproduce the experimental findings, we have to assume an effective pKa of 6.48. This direct influence of CO2 on the state of surface group dissociation explains our recent finding of a CO2-induced decrease of the ζ-potential and supports the suggestion of an additional charge regulation caused by molecular CO2. Given the importance of charged surfaces in contact with aqueous electrolytes, we anticipate that our observations bear substantial theoretical challenges and important implications for applications ranging from desalination to bio-membranes.

Magic cluster sizes of cationic and anionic sodium chloride clusters explained by statistical modeling of the complete phase space.

As one of the main components of sea salt aerosols, sodium chloride is involved in numerous atmospheric processes. Gas-phase clusters are ideal models to study fundamental physical and chemical properties of sodium chloride, which are significantly affected by the cluster size. Of particular interest are magic cluster sizes, which exhibit high intensities in mass spectra. In order to understand the origin of these magic cluster sizes, quantum chemical calculations at the CCSD(T)//DFT level are performed, yielding structures and binding energies of neutral (NaCl)x, anionic (NaCl)xCl- and cationic (NaCl)xNa+ clusters up to x = 8. Our calculations show that the clusters can easily isomerize, enabling dissociation into the lowest-energy isomers of the fragments. Energetics can explain the special stability of (NaCl)4Cl-, but (NaCl)4Na+ actually offers low-lying dissociation channels, despite being a magic cluster size. Collision-induced dissociation experiments reveal that the loss of neutral clusters (NaCl)x, x = 2, 4, is in most cases more favorable than the loss of NaCl or the atomic ion, i.e. sodium chloride clusters actually fragment via the cleavage of the entire cluster, not by evaporating small cluster building blocks. This is rationalized by the calculated high stability of even-numbered neutral clusters (NaCl)x, especially x = 2, 4. Analysis of the density of states and rate constants calculated with a modified Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus (RRKM) equation called AWATAR - considering all energetically accessible isomers of reactants and fragments - shows that entropic effects are responsible for the magic cluster character of (NaCl)4Na+. In particular, low-lying vibrational modes provide a high density of states of the near-planar cluster. Together with the small contribution of an atomic ion to the sum of states in a loose transition state for dissociation, this leads to a very small unimolecular rate constant for dissociation into (NaCl)4 and Na+, which is the lowest energy fragmentation pathway. Thus, entropic effects may override energetics for certain magic cluster sizes.

Theoretical study of a new molecular ion species BeN+: molecular states and cross sections for electronic excitation and dissociation.

We present here a theoretical study of a new molecular ion species BeN+, which has not been reported before. Using a good quality configuration interaction model, we first undertake a configuration interaction calculation of the molecular states to obtain the potential energy curves of several low lying states of BeN+ and the dipole and transition dipole moments of some of its states as a function of the internuclear distance. We find the ground state to be bound and of X 3Σ- character having a shallow minimum at Re = 2.9031a0 and several other closely spaced excited states some of which are repulsive. We have determined the spectroscopic parameters for some of these states by fitting the raw potential energy data to a 6-parameter analytical potential energy function. Subsequently, the R-matrix method is used to obtain electron collision cross sections for electronic excitation from the ground X 3Σ- state to several of its excited states at the equilibrium Re = 2.9031a0 and cross sections for electron impact dissociation. We have also reported many Feshbach resonances and their widths at the equilibrium Re = 2.9031a0, which may, in future studies, be extended to potential energy curves for neutral dissociative states. The states and cross sections obtained are of considerable significance for edge plasma chemistry in fusion devices operating with beryllium walls.

Surface enhanced Raman scattering microtips for microenvironment pH determination of semi-solid preparations.

Semi-solid preparations such as ointments, creams, gels, and pastes are common topical dosage forms with complex compositions and microstructures. pH is a critical quality attribute for semi-solid preparations, affecting properties such as particle size distribution, drug dissociation state, and rheological behavior. Currently, traditional pH electrode methods only provide an "average" pH for large-volume matrices, with low spatial resolution and accuracy. Microenvironment pH detection is crucial for accurately assessing semi-solid preparations. Herein, we developed pH-sensitive surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) microtips to achieve localized pH detection in semi-solid preparations. SERS microtips were prepared from glass needles with a tip size of around 1 μm and gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) grown in situ on glass surfaces for SERS enhancement. 4-Mercaptopyridine was selected as a pH sensitive Raman reporter and immobilized on the Au NPs, exhibiting characteristic Raman peak shifts within the pH range of 3-10. The SERS microtips were employed to conduct highly sensitive pH measurements in localized areas of 15 commercial ointments, 8 gels, and 1 laboratory-made ointment, providing higher spatial resolution and microenvironment differentiation compared to pH meters. The SERS microtips were used to monitor pH changes over time in ointment applied to localized wounds on live mice. This work introduces a new tool for pH detection in semi-solid preparations, offering a new method to enhance the prescription process and quality assessment of complex preparations like topical semi-solid preparations.

Reactive collisions between electrons and BeH+ above dissociation threshold.

Our previous studies of dissociative recombination and vibrational excitation/de-excitation of the BeH+ ion, based on the multichannel quantum defect theory, are extended to collision energies above the dissociation threshold, taking into account the vibrational continua of the BeH+ ion and, consequently, its dissociative excitation. We have also significantly increased the number of dissociative states of 2Π, 2Σ+ and 2Δ symmetry included in our cross section calculations, generating the most excited ones by using appropriate scaling laws. Our results are suitable for modeling the kinetics of BeH+ in edge fusion plasmas for collision energies up to 12 eV.

Restorative justice in a case of traumatic birth following an unperceived pregnancy.

Pregnancy can be denied or better "unperceived" by women in up to 1:300 pregnancies and poses the mother and her unborn at high risk when an unassisted birth follows. The importance of recognizing unperceived pregnancy and the risk of unassisted births for both mothers and their babies are described. Description of a case of unperceived pregnancy and traumatic unassisted birth. A pregnant woman was not diagnosed in a clinic despite being at the verge of giving birth. She was turned away, was on her way to another hospital, and gave birth in a toilet in a dissociative state. The baby survived, but the mother was declared guilty of attempted manslaughter and received a 6-year prison sentence. The expertise of a perinatal psychiatrist reversed the verdict and the court apologized to the mother, now living with her son. This case shows the severe consequences when pregnancy and labor are not recognized by health professionals. The reversal of the original sentence is considered a pioneer case of restorative justice in the context of unperceived pregnancy and obstetric violence. Health providers and courts need to be informed by perinatal mental health professionals about the impact of unperceived pregnancy and obstetric violence.

Error of relativistic effective core potentials for closed-shell diatomic molecules of p-block heavy and superheavy elements in DFT and TDDFT calculations.

Pseudopotentials (PP) are extensively used in electronic structure calculations, particularly for molecules containing heavy elements. Parameters in PPs are mainly determined from abinitio results, and errors of such PPs in density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been studied previously. However, PP errors on results with spin-orbit coupling and those in time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) calculations have not been reported previously. In this work, we investigate the error of the small-core energy-consistent Stuttgart/Koln pseudopotentials in DFT and TDDFT calculations with and without spin-orbit coupling. Ground state bond lengths, harmonic frequencies, dissociation energies, and vertical excitation energies for a series of closed-shell diatomic heavy and superheavy p-block molecules are calculated using several popular exchange-correlation functionals. PP errors are estimated by comparing with results using the all-electron Dirac-Coulomb (-Gaunt) Hamiltonian. Our results show that the difference between ground state properties and most excitation energies in scalar-relativistic calculations with the PP and those of all-electron calculations is quite small. This difference becomes somewhat larger when spin-orbit coupling (SOC) is present, especially for properties that are affected by SOC to some extent. In addition, the errors of the PPs are insensitive to the employed exchange-correlation functionals in most cases. Our results indicate that reasonable DFT and TDDFT results can be obtained using the small-core energy-consistent Stuttgart/Koln pseudopotentials for heavy and super-heavy p-block molecules.

Observation of Continuum State Dissociation Enables the Determination of N2 Bond Dissociation Energy to Spectroscopic Accuracy.

Nitrogen (N) is one of the most fundamental elements of life. Precise determination of the bond dissociation energy (BDE) of the corresponding homonuclear diatomic molecule N2 is not only important for calculating the enthalpies of formation for any N-containing molecules but also provides the best benchmark for evaluating theoretical computational methods. Thus, it has attracted many experimental and theoretical studies, while controversies still exist. Here, we report the observation of continuum state dissociation of N2 into the channel N(2D5/2,3/2)+N(2D5/2,3/2) for the first time by using the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV)-pump-VUV-probe time-sliced velocity-mapped imaging setup. The quantum-state-resolved images enable the direct visualization of the dissociation onsets corresponding to each of the correlated spin-orbit fine-structure channels within a few tenths of wavenumber. The BDEs of 14N2 and 15N2 are directly determined to be 78691.8 ± 0.3 cm-1 and 78731.5 ± 0.3 cm-1, respectively, which should represent the most accurate BDE of N2 thus far.

Factors that contribute to an inability to remember an important aspect of a traumatic event

ABSTRACT Dissociative amnesia is controversial. We tested other factors that could contribute to an inability to remember an important aspect of a traumatic event: how traumatic the event was, organic amnesia, dissociative state, childhood amnesia, expression suppression, sleep disturbance, repeated experiences, and ordinary forgetting. Trauma survivors who reported an inability to remember an important aspect of a traumatic event rated the event as traumatic as trauma survivors who reported no such inability to remember. Moreover, all cases of an inability to remember an important aspect of the traumatic event could be explained by at least one factor other than dissociative amnesia. These findings are contrary to dissociative amnesia. Compared to participants who reported no inability to remember an important aspect of the traumatic event, participants who did report an inability to remember were more likely to (1) have felt disconnected from their body during the traumatic event, which may have altered memory encoding, (2) have experienced sleep problems in the year after the traumatic event, which may have reduced memory consolidation, and (3) have experienced the traumatic event repeatedly, which may have led to less detailed memories. These findings have implications for the inclusion of dissociative amnesia in the DSM.

Unveil the potential in hydrogen activation and spillover towards NiMoS by Ni3S2 - A theoretical study

Using density functional theory calculation (DFT) as well as ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulation, the capabilities of hydrogen dissociation and hydrogen spillover over Ni3S2 (111) surface are examined. The steady state, energy change, transition state of hydrogen dissociation and the spillover pathway, stability of S-H bond during hydrogen spillover are all calculated. The results show that several S-top site and S-Ni-bridge site are available for dissociation, among them, “S1-top”, “S3-top” and “S1-Ni1” sites could be recognized as distinct sites, and one hydrogen molecule could be efficiently dissociated by one S3-top site and the adjacent S1-Ni1 site. The crystal orbital Hamilton population analysis and AIMD simulation for S-H bonds both confirm the tendency towards breaking, then the spillover coordinate calculation gives a self-consistent pathway among three district sites. In short, the Ni3S2 surface shows excellent performance in the aspect of hydrogen dissociation and hydrogen spillover, which displays tremendous potential for hydrogen spillover in NiMoS catalytic system. We hope these findings could shed light on the theory of “remote control” model.

Limbic Psychotherapy®: A Novel Approach to Treat Dissociative States, Traumas, Attachment Disorders, and Their Somatic Dimensions

Pierre Janet (1859-1947) introduced traumatic dissociation in 1889, laying the groundwork for the study of psychotrauma. In the 1960s and 1970s, researchers like Spiegel (1963) and Hilgard (1977) revisited dissociative states, proposing neo-dissociation, a continuum of modified states of consciousness from normal to pathological. The DSM integrated Dissociative Troubles in 1980, following Janet and Hilgard's work. In 2006, Van der Hart, Steele, and Nijenhuis introduced "The Haunted Self," establishing the theory of Structural dissociation in DID and complex PTSD. Inspired by these pioneers, we present a novel conceptual framework, rooted in the model of Functional dissociation® introduced in 2022, more common than structural dissociation or DID : Limbic Psychotherapy®, an integrated approach rapidly addressing patient suffering. Limbic Psychotherapy® operates directly on the neurophysiological level, regulating the limbic system and balancing the ventral vagal and dorsal vagal pathways of the autonomic nervous system, following S. Porges' model. This non-verbal, "bottom-up" method avoids inadvertent suggestions by the clinician, often providing immediate relief by sympathetic/parasympathetic regulation. Manual interventions, previously used in TICE® (Mayer, 2017), enhance patient self-healing, eliminating intermediaries. This innovative approach facilitates the understanding and treatment of dissociative states and chronic trauma, offering a promising path to alleviate patient distress.

Ketamine’s acute effects on negative brain states are mediated through distinct altered states of consciousness in humans

Ketamine commonly and rapidly induces dissociative and other altered states of consciousness (ASCs) in humans. However, the neural mechanisms that contribute to these experiences remain unknown. We used functional neuroimaging to engage key regions of the brain’s affective circuits during acute ketamine-induced ASCs within a randomized, multi-modal, placebo-controlled design examining placebo, 0.05 mg/kg ketamine, and 0.5 mg/kg ketamine in nonclinical adult participants (NCT03475277). Licensed clinicians monitored infusions for safety. Linear mixed effects models, analysis of variance, t-tests, and mediation models were used for statistical analyses. Our design enabled us to test our pre-specified primary and secondary endpoints, which were met: effects of ketamine across dose conditions on (1) emotional task-evoked brain activity, and (2) sub-components of dissociation and other ASCs. With this design, we also could disentangle which ketamine-induced affective brain states are dependent upon specific aspects of ASCs. Differently valenced ketamine-induced ASCs mediated opposing effects on right anterior insula activity. Participants experiencing relatively higher depersonalization induced by 0.5 mg/kg of ketamine showed relief from negative brain states (reduced task-evoked right anterior insula activity, 0.39 SD). In contrast, participants experiencing dissociative amnesia showed an exacerbation of insula activity (0.32 SD). These results in nonclinical participants may shed light on the mechanisms by which specific dissociative states predict response to ketamine in depressed individuals.

Effect of a Wake-Field on the Dissociation of Quarkonium in Collisional Quark–Gluon Plasma

We have studied wake effects on the dissociation of heavy quarkonia states J/ψ and Y by introducing an in-medium modification to the inter-quark potential. The wakes in the quark–gluon plasma were modeled using linear response theory using a dynamic dielectric function obtained from kinetic theory (Boltzmann equation) with a Bhatnagar–Gross–Krook (BGK) collision term. The in-medium modified potential was used to investigate the dissociation character depending on various parameters such as the velocity of quarkonium moving through the medium and the collision frequency. We have also calculated critical values of the dissociation temperature. Modifications of the dissociation energy due to wake-field effects were found.

Identity state-dependent self-relevance and emotional intensity ratings of words in dissociative identity disorder: A controlled longitudinal study.

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is characterized by, among others, amnesic episodes and the recurrence of different dissociative identity states. While consistently observed in clinical settings, to our knowledge, no controlled research study has shown the degree to which different identity states report autobiographical knowledge over time. Hence, the current study investigates self-relevance and emotional intensity ratings of words longitudinally. Data of 46 participants were included: 13 individuals with DID, 11 DID-simulating actors, and a control group of 22 paired individuals. Individuals with DID and DID simulators participated once in the neutral identity state (NIS) and once in the trauma-related dissociative identity state (TIS). The control group paired 11 healthy controls with 11 participants with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a NIS-TIS pair. Self-relevance ratings of different word types were collected in a baseline and a follow-up session, on average 6weeks apart. A mixed ANOVA design was used to assess the effects of group, session, word type, and dissociative identity state. All participants in TIS and individuals with DID in NIS rated self-relevant trauma-related words more negatively. In the NIS, the control group rated self-relevant trauma-related words as less negative, whereas the ratings of simulating actors were intermediate. There was no group-dependent longitudinal effect for intensity ratings. This study was the first to confirm clinical observations that self-relevant and emotional processing are different between individuals with DID and controls, but consistent over time. Actors were unable to perfectly simulate DID. The finding that ratings of self-relevant trauma-related words differ between subgroups as included in the study is in line with clinical observations.

Alterations of sleep initiation in NREM parasomnia after sleep deprivation – A multimodal pilot study

ObjectivesNREM parasomnias also known as disorders of arousal (DOA) are characterised by abnormal motor and autonomic activation during arousals primarily from slow wave sleep. Dissociative state between sleep and wake is likely responsible for clinical symptoms of DOA. We therefore investigated potential dissociation outside of parasomnic events by using simultaneous 256-channel EEG (hdEEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). MethodsEight DOA patients (3 women, mean age = 27.8; SD = 4.2) and 8 gender and age matched healthy volunteers (3 women, mean age = 26,5; SD = 4.0) were included into the study. They underwent 30–32 h of sleep deprivation followed by hdEEG and fMRI recording. We determined 2 conditions: falling asleep (FA) and arousal (A), that occurred outside of deep sleep and/or parasomnic event. We used multimodal approach using data obtained from EEG, fMRI and EEG-fMRI integration approach. ResultsDOA patients showed increase in delta and beta activity over postcentral gyrus and cuneus during awakening period. This group expressed increased connectivity between motor cortex and cingulate during arousals unrelated to parasomnic events in the beta frequency band. They also showed lower connectivity between different portions of cingulum. In contrast, the greater connectivity was found between thalamus and some cortical areas, such as occipital cortex. ConclusionOur findings suggest a complex alteration in falling asleep and arousal mechanisms at both subcortical and cortical levels in response to sleep deprivation. As this alteration is present also outside of slow wave sleep and/or parasomnic episodes we believe this could be a trait factor of DOA.

Theoretical Study on the Spectroscopic Properties and Photodissociation Mechanism of Dibromocarbene.

Detailed calculations on the electronic states of dibromocarbene (CBr2) herein are presented. First, the spectroscopic properties of the electronic states including geometry parameters, harmonic vibrational frequencies and transition energies of the lowest electronic states of the neutral radical were calculated in detail using the internally contracted multireference configuration interaction methods including Davidson correction (icMRCI+Q) with correlation consistent basis sets of aug-cc-pVXZ (X = T, Q, 5). Second, as CBr2 including two Br atoms, the Spin-Orbit Coupling (SOC) effect on the spectroscopic parameters and the one-dimensional cuts of the potential energy surface (PESs) of the lowest three states were studied. The barrier to linearity and dissociation of the singlet state were discussed. Third, the one-dimensional cuts along with the vertical transition energy (VTE), the oscillator strength, and so on of the electronic states related to the several lowest dissociation limits of CBr2 were calculated at the icMRCI+Q/aug-cc-pVTZ level. Based on the computed results of the electronic states of the radical, the photodissociation mechanism in the UV region were discussed in detail. The ab initio calculations are compared with the previous theoretical and experimental data and are in good agreement. The present work will provide a comprehensive understanding on the electronic structures and dissociation dynamics for the electronic states of the CBr2 radical.

Consumer Experiences with Gift Card Payment Scams: Causes, Consequences, and Implications for Consumer Protection

ABSTRACT Retail gift cards are requested by fraud perpetrators in many types of mass marketing scams because they are accessible to consumers and card values can be redeemed remotely and anonymously. We interviewed 27 individuals who experienced a gift card payment scam. Five themes emerged: (1) contexts of vulnerability, (2) cognitive and emotional dissociative states, (3) the mixed efficacy of retail interventions, (4) self-blame, and (5) consumer education and other safeguards. Contextual and situational factors, such as work stress, having a recent experience that corresponded with the premise of the scam, and having an unmet financial or socioemotional need, increased vulnerability. Perpetrators used strong emotional appeals to activate a stress response and to interfere with participants’ reasoned decision making. To prevent victimization, direct questioning by retail employees was less effective than outright refusals to sell them gift cards. Several participants reported severe emotional distress and symptoms associated with trauma following victimization. Participants did not hold the retail stores or gift card issuers accountable for their losses and instead expressed self-blame. They advocated for more consumer education about gift card payment scams as well as more empathy and support for victims.