Emotional Research Articles

Social anxiety and weight interact with body salience to affect experiences of social exclusion

ABSTRACT Background Individuals at a higher weight experience greater victimization and exclusion by peers, and limited research suggests that the salience of one’s body image may increase negative emotional reactions to social rejection. Additionally, social exclusion is related to higher levels of social anxiety (SA). We examined how body salience interacts with SA and weight to predict anxiety, self-esteem, and negative affect following social rejection. Methods Participants were undergraduate women (N = 186). We explored the interactive effects of SA, body mass index (BMI), and body salience (i.e., face versus body photo condition) on emotional response to exclusion in a social ostracism paradigm, Cyberball. BMI and self-reported SA were collected at baseline. One week later, participants played Cyberball and reported state affect, anxiety, and self-esteem before and after the game. Results The 3-way interaction of BMI, SA, and photo condition did not significantly predict post-exclusion state measures. Photo condition moderated the relationship between SA and post-exclusion anxiety and between BMI and post-exclusion anxiety. Conclusions Those with higher SA were particularly anxious following exclusion if their bodies were visible to others. Additionally, those with lower BMI experienced greater anxiety after exclusion when their body was visible than those with higher BMI.

The Impact of Virtual Reality Simulations on Social Work Education: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the potential of virtual reality (VR) simulations for use as an effective learning modality for social work education. At a public college in a large U.S. Northeastern city with a mostly self-identified non-White student body, 19 respondents, including five BA and seven MSW social work students, as well as seven graduated former MSW students, participated in one of three focus groups in which they shared their thoughts and feelings regarding two VR simulations they experienced. One of the VR applications concerned racism and the other homelessness. The study found that VR has the ability to be an immersive and immediate experience that arouses intense emotional reactions in participants, thereby enhancing their empathy toward the individuals portrayed in the simulations and increasing participants’ motivation to participate in social action. The respondents overwhelmingly expressed that VR should be integrated into social work education, but that the emotional intensity it engenders creates the need for careful pre-briefing and debriefing. Issues of physical discomfort for some participants during the simulations need to be addressed as well.

The development of the Sensory Emotional Engagement Checklist (SEE-C): Preliminary reliability and validity

ABSTRACT The Sensory Emotional Engagement Checklist (SEE-C) was developed to assess social emotional challenges in children whose sensory integration and sensory processing differences impact daily life. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of the SEE-C for identifying social emotional patterns. Retrospective data were used from parent interviews and consultations at a pediatric clinic in the northeast with occupational therapists that produced items representative of hypothesized social-emotional behavioral subtypes. Factor analysis was conducted to explore construct validity, followed by internal consistency reliability of factor groupings. Correlational analyses were computed for factors within the SEE-C as well as between the SEE-C and the Sensory Processing 3 Dimensions Checklist (SP3D-C). Data were collected from 167 individuals’ charts of children ranging from 4.5 to 13.5 years who were evaluated for sensory integration and sensory processing differences. Factor analysis revealed a four-factor solution that explained the proposed structure of the SEE-C. Internal reliability for SEE-C factors ranged from α = .7 to .8. Correlations were weak but significant within the SEE-C, as well as between factors of the SEE-C and the SP3D-C subscales. Evidence supports the preliminary reliability and validity of the SEE-C as well as suggesting a link between children’s social emotional styles and sensory-related behaviors. The proposed social emotional behavior patterns of the SEE-C also suggest behaviors commonly considered in the mental health field may be reflective of sensory integration and sensory processing differences. These sensory-emotional patterns can further justify the inclusion of pediatric Occupational Therapists as part of the therapeutic intervention team for social emotional challenges in children.

Parental Sexual Socialization, Sexual Subjectivity, and Emotional Responses to Sexual Experiences among Adolescent Girls.

This study explored girls' sexual subjectivity as a pathway through which parental socialization influenced their emotions about past sexual experiences. A national online survey of 397 adolescent girls (Mage = 16.8 years) from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds (33.0% Black, 25.7% Latina, 28.0% non-Hispanic White) assessed (1) parental messaging emphasizing relational, sex-positive, gendered sex role, abstinence-only, and sex-is-taboo discourses; (2) girls' sexual subjectivity including sexual body esteem, entitlement to sexual pleasure, and perceived sexual control; and (3) positive and negative emotional reactions to sexual experiences. Sexual subjectivity fully mediated the positive effect of relational messaging on positive emotional reactions and the negative effect on negative emotional reactions. Additionally, sexual subjectivity partially mediated the positive effect of gendered sex role messaging on negative emotional reactions. This study draws critical attention to placing the psychological aspects of girls' sense of their own sexuality and the emotional components of their sexual experience at the forefront of understanding the influence of parental sexual socialization on the sexual experiences of adolescent girls.

Indominable Color Schemes

This ten-page visual, poetic essay captures my disenfranchisement from my own art and poetry, as well as the continuous instability of my life. I start with parental expectations, symbolized by negative space or violent lines and shapes, pondering the cost of these expectations on the joys and freedom of youth. I move into encounters of transphobic and racist bullying at primary school, a time when it was impossible to bear the terms for such experiences. This is followed by representations of abuse, only retroactively understood throughout the subsequent exploration of it, as well as the chronic deprivation of opportunity that these kinds of injuries cause. The exponential costs, particularly the emotional ones, that incur from the practical losses that come with life are then considered, along with the re-traumatization of simply trying to survive them. Finally, there are discordant uses of space, cluttered and overlayered images and words, alongside isolating negative spaces, to represent the constant feeling of failure, including being broken even during instances of stability or minor success.

Gynecologic cancer survivor preferences for provider communication regarding sexual health after treatment: a qualitative study.

Survivorship from gynecologic cancers is becoming increasingly prevalent. There are significant sexual side effects that influence quality of life that would be reduced with proper intervention; however, existing literature highlights the lack of understanding of the sexual health needs within this population. Furthermore, multiple studies show that one contributing factor to sexual well-being in survivorship is provider-patient communication. The aim of this study is to explore experiences of sexual distress and survivor experiences of sexual health communication. Adult participants who had been out of active treatment for 3months were recruited to participate in focus groups. Six focus groups (n = 32) were conducted with survivors of gynecologic cancers via Zoom. Research team members analyzed content using thematic analysis. Two broad themes were identified: Experiences of provider communication and Preferences for provider communication, with subthemes nested under both. Subthemes from the Experiences theme included absent/lacking communication, negative experiences, emotional reaction to lack of communication, and feeling like sexuality was not valued. Subthemes from the Preferences theme included more conversation and open communication about sexuality, more resources/referrals, and more provider training on sexuality. Survivor experiences of subjective sexual health are often dependent on the type and quality of information they receive from their healthcare team during treatment. Unfortunately, the majority of participants endorsed negative or absent communication related to their sexual health needs, leading to additional distress.

Impact of psychological factors on investment decisions in Nepalese share market: A mediating role of financial literacy

Psychological factors such as emotional reactions, cognitive biases, and herd behavior influence investment decisions because they shape investor behavior, drive market dynamics, and affect rational decision-making. Similarly, financial literacy improves investment decisions by facilitating informed choices, minimizing biases, enhancing risk management, and promoting long-term financial planning. This study aims to examine the influence of psychological factors on investment decisions in the Nepalese share market, emphasizing the mediating role of financial literacy. Smart PLS 4.0 was used to analyze the structural relationships within the proposed theoretical model. Data were collected from the primary source using a structured questionnaire administered through a random sampling technique. The respondents included 410 active individual investors from the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE). The study's findings reveal that psychological factors have a positive and significant effect on investment decisions among investors in the Nepalese stock market. Furthermore, the study revealed that financial literacy mediates the relationship between psychological factors and investment decisions by enhancing individuals' understanding and confidence, leading to more informed and rational investment choices. The results highlight the critical role of financial literacy in investment decisions in the share market. The findings indicate that investors with higher financial literacy levels are better equipped to mitigate the adverse effects of psychological biases, leading to more rational and informed investment decisions. By understanding the interplay between psychological factors and financial literacy, policymakers and financial institutions can develop targeted strategies to foster a more robust and resilient financial market in developing economies such as Nepal.

Sensory room: Naturalistic assessment of auditory and visual perception in developing children

IntroductionHearing is essential for language acquisition and understanding the environment. Understanding how children react to auditory and visual information is essential for appropriate management in case of hearing loss. Objective and subjective assessments can diagnose hearing loss, but do not measure natural perception in children. We developed a “sensory room” for complementary assessment of children's perceptions so as to assess behavioral responses to meaningful natural sounds and visual stimuli in an ecologic environment suited to children. Material and methodsSixteen normal-hearing children and 10 with congenital hearing loss before cochlear implantation, aged 13 to 32months, were included in this feasibility study. They perceived 18 environmental sounds and 9 visual stimuli, and their behavioral responses were coded accordingly as: stopping, looking, moving, pointing, language or emotional reactions. ResultAll children completed the task, demonstrating its feasibility in children. Percentage responses to auditory versus visual stimuli did not differ in normal-hearing children; those with congenital hearing loss responded like normal-hearing children to visual stimuli, but did not react to auditory stimuli. Progression in normal-hearing children's behavioral responses corresponded to cognitive and linguistic development according to age. ConclusionThe “sensory room” quantified children's responses to various auditory and visual stimuli, providing clinicians with measurable insight into the children's sensory perception and processing.

Experiences and needs of Chinese women after a stillbirth: a qualitative phenomenological study

ObjectivesWe aimed to explore the lived experiences and needs of women after a recent stillbirth event.DesignQualitative phenomenological study.SettingThe current study was conducted in a tertiary obstetric hospital in East China...

Rendering Frankenstein's monsters? The emergence and impacts of human digital twins

AbstractHuman digital twins (HDTs) are set to revolutionise human–system integration and improve human capacities, productivity, and well‐being by including human characteristics in system design. Reflecting real‐life behaviours and emotional reactions, HDTs render virtual data‐driven models of people. Their presence in many fields—including office work, education, and healthcare—showcases their ability to advance diagnoses, workforce training, and individualised learning. However, the general HDTs acceptance hypothesis calls for a critical analysis of their ethical ramifications and social influence. Emphasising the need of social adaptations to maintain stability, structural functionalism provides a suited framework to examine the roles of HDTs inside social systems. Despite their obvious advantages, HDTs raise ethical questions. While addressing concerns about user acceptance and ethical norms, engineers, designers and the legal regulators, but also the users—by means of ‘owners’—must consider the substantial consequences of HDTs and their customisation. HDTs' duality, like a double‐edged sword, calls for deliberate usage and considerable thought to negotiate the changing terrain of human–machine interaction.

Цифровое моделирование интерсубъективности в социальном конструировании и феноменологических анализах мира повседневности

The widespread introduction of digital information and communication tech­nologies is changing the very nature of interpersonal and mass social interaction, creating new practices, meanings and forms of intersubjectivity. The article ana­lyzes a number of approaches to the creation of general artificial intelligence (AGI) systems based on the convergence of methods of phenomenological ana­lysis of intentional structures of intersubjectivity with technologies for creating and training artificial neural network systems of generative intelligence – Chat­GPT. It is shown that one of the most promising areas of constructing the cogni­tive architecture of AGI is the theory of frames as modeling schemes or matrices of stereotypical organization and interpretation of everyday experience. This conclusion is based on the fact that frames, as well as the procedures for swit­ching and configuring them, act as a kind of “spiritual automata” that control typical behavior of people in typical situations. The dual role of digital platforms in the social construction of reality is shown. On the one hand, digital platforms allow users to realize their aspirations and express the uniqueness of their indi­viduality, facilitate access to information, etc. On the other hand, our digital alter Ego, generated by intelligent systems, acquires the ability to recursively target, direct and control our thinking, motivations, emotional reactions, etc. The direct digital access to our spiritual life is not an inevitable consequence of the intro­duction of digital technologies into the world of everyday life, but a political project that can and should be sought for effective alternatives

The Influence of Emotional Intelligence on Organizational Citizenship Behavior with Job Satisfaction as Mediating Variable at PT PLN South and Central Kalimantan

The purpose of this research is to examine the influence of emotional intelligence on organizational citizenship behavior with the mediation of job satisfaction at PT. PLN UP2D Kalselteng. The research uses quantitative methods and collects data through field surveys by filling out questionnaires by employees. The research location is at PT. PLN UP2D Kalselteng in Banjarbaru City, South Kalimantan. The unit of analysis of this research is the behavior and emotional reactions of the unit being observed. The population of this research is employees of PT. PLN UP2D Kalselteng, totaling 60 people in the second semester of 2023. The sample used was the entire population, with a "saturated sample" approach. The data collection technique used was distributing questionnaires. The measurement scale used is the Likert scale. The data analysis technique used is Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) based on Partial Least Squares (PLS) with the help of Smart PLS software. The results of the research found that emotional intelligence has a positive and significant influence on job satisfaction and organizational citizenship behavior among employees of PT. PLN UP2D Kalselteng. The results of the study suggest that developing emotional intelligence in employees can lead to improved job satisfaction and organizational citizenship behavior.

Psycho Social Challenges Experienced by Flood Victims in Charsaadda, Pakistan

Flood victims face a complicated set of emotional, social, and mental challenges that require advanced knowledge and personalized treatments. The July 2010 flood severely disrupted Pakistani society, inflicting chaos and structural damage and needing a new framework for the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This research investigates the social and psychological effects of the floods on residents of Charsadda, Pakistan. The information was gathered from people affected by floods in Charsadda, Pakistan. Purposive sampling methods were used to choose responders. N = 377 flood victims were selected from four villages in Union Council Agra. The data for this research was gathered from flood victims using a closed-ended questionnaire. The study emphasizes the enormous social and emotional hardship that flood victims experience, extensive property destruction and health issues. They lacked zeal for their well-being and exhibited excessive emotional reactions. The study suggests focusing social rehabilitation on financial aid and interest-free loans, conducting training sessions and building adequate therapy programs for future calamities. Psychological treatment can offer comfort and support to those impacted. Those who are impacted can find comfort via psychological treatment.

Correlates of public stigma towards prolonged grief disorder

BackgroundPublic stigma for grief may reduce the social support provided to bereaved persons and increase bereavement-related distress. The general public reports more stigmatizing responses towards bereaved persons with prolonged grief disorder (PGD) than towards persons experiencing non-clinical grief. No studies to date have investigated whether personal characteristics of the general public relate to public stigma towards PGD. The present study examined whether participants’ socio-demographic characteristics and personal bereavement experiences are associated with stigmatizing responses towards PGD. MethodWe combined data of three previously published vignette experiments to conduct a secondary analysis. All studies presented members of the general public (N = 452) with a description of a male bereaved person with PGD symptoms and a PGD diagnosis. Participants rated three indicators of public stigma - negative attributes (competence, warmth), emotional reactions (fear, anger), and preferred social distance. First, we examined whether gender, age, and educational level related to public stigma towards PGD. Second, we examined the association of participants’ personal bereavement experiences with public stigma. ResultsRegression analyses demonstrated that participants’ socio-demographic characteristics explained a significant amount of variance for warmth (ΔR² = .03; p < .05) and anger (ΔR² = .05; p < .01): Male participants rated the person in the vignette as less warm (β = -.13, p < .05). Being older related to lower ratings of warmth (β = -.12, p < .05) and higher ratings of anger (β = .18, p < .01). Participants’ educational level was not associated with stigma. Participants’ bereavement experiences explained a significant amount of variance for preferred social distance (ΔR² = .11; p <. 05): Participants reporting higher personal grief severity preferred less social distance from a person with PGD (β = -.29, p < .05). A higher number of experienced losses, the recency of the bereavement, and the cause of death (natural vs. unnatural) did not relate to public stigma. ConclusionsMale and older persons are more likely to demonstrate public stigma towards PGD. Experiencing severe grief oneself is associated with less preferred social distance from a person with PGD. Anti-stigma interventions may advance the public's knowledge about grief and PGD and address specific target groups (men and older persons).

Risk Factors for Very Long ICU Stay after Cardiac Surgery and Effects on the Quality of Life

Risk factors for long stay in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the effect on the quality of life following cardiac surgery are of interest as the recourses for patient recuperation increase. The aim of the study was to assess risk factors inducing very long stay in a ICU after cardiac surgery and the quality of life a year later and more. This is a three years prospective and retrospective study at a university hospital ICU with 17 beds. Eighty out of 3619 patients undergoing cardiac surgery under extracorporal circulation and necessitating more than nine days ICU, are included in the study group. Patients with ICU stay more than 14 days out of same group - very long stay - are subject to additional risk factors study. Eighty-three of the operated patients with up to three days ICU stay represent the control group. Generic NHP questionnaire is used [1]. Multifactorial analysis determines as risk factor dopamine infusion &gt;13 days (P&lt;0.001) (ODD=167.5). Patients who experienced sepsis have affected physical ability (P=0.014), those with low cardiac output syndrome, social isolation (P=0.023) and affected physical ability (P=0.011) and emotional reaction (P=0.001) Very long stay in ICU following cardiac surgery is caused by persistent heart failure complicated by respiratory and renal one, as well as need of massive blood transfusion. Patients with long ICU stay and surviving sepsis and/or LCOS experience long term effects on the quality of life.

Maternal symptoms of prenatal depression predict context-incongruent negative emotion in infants.

Prenatal symptoms of depression in mothers are associated with infants' emotional reactivity. Context-incongruent reactivity, comprising mismatches between the eliciting context and emotional reactions, predicts negative long-term socioemotional outcomes in children. However, the etiology of context-incongruent reactivity is largely unknown, obscuring a full understanding of its potential role as a vulnerability in models outlining the transmission of risk for emotion difficulties from mothers to offspring. We tested mothers' (N = 92) prenatal depressive symptoms as prospective predictors of infants' context-incongruent emotion. Greater prenatal symptoms predicted more context-incongruent negativity in infants even when controlling for context-congruent affect. Findings demonstrate a novel utility of context-incongruent emotion as one possible vulnerability linking mothers' prenatal depression to socioemotional difficulties in offspring. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Acceptance and commitment therapy versus progressive relaxation training for misophonia: Randomized controlled trial protocol, interventions, and audiological assessments

BackgroundMisophonia is a disorder characterized by an intense emotional reaction to specific sounds, often leading to significant distress and impairment in daily functioning. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a promising psychotherapy for treating misophonia, but has only been previously tested in case studies. This paper presents a protocol for the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) assessing the efficacy and feasibility of ACT supplemented by audiological interventions for misophonia versus progressive relaxation training (PRT). MethodsThe outlined protocol is a RCT with 60 adults with misophonia. After undergoing a comprehensive psychological and audiological evaluation, participants were randomly assigned to ACT (n = 30) or PRT (n = 30). All participants completed clinician-administered and self-report assessments at baseline, post-intervention, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up. The primary outcome was misophonia severity and impairment measured via clinical interview. Secondary outcomes included disgust, anger, sensory sensitivities, well-being, distress, and psychological flexibility. DiscussionThis paper outlines the rationale of using ACT supplemented by audiological methods for misophonia with the novel therapeutic target of enhancing psychological flexibility. The results of this randomized controlled trial will help determine if ACT is an efficacious and acceptable treatment for misophonia. This trial will also help clarify active psychological mechanisms of misophonia, and assess whether this combination of psychological and audiological services can effectively help individuals with misophonia.

Analysis of Tourist Experiences at Dark Tourism Sites in Kinmen: Clustering Analysis of Motivations, Emotional Responses, and Satisfaction

Dark tourism involves visiting sites associated with death, disaster, and major historical tragedies. Kinmen, Taiwan, known for its history of multiple wars, features notable dark tourism sites such as Mount Taiwu, the Guningtou War Museum, and the 823 Memorial Hall. These sites currently offer educational significance about historical events, but visiting them often triggers complex emotional responses. This study explores tourist experiences at these sites, focusing on motivations, emotional reactions, and the relationship between satisfaction and psychological stress. The study surveyed 348 visitors and used clustering analysis to group their travel experiences. The results identified three types of visitors: History Enthusiasts, War Memorialists, and Exploratory Curiosity Seekers, each with distinct motivations and emotional responses. Emotions experienced include sadness, shock, fear, and unease, closely related to the content and atmosphere of the sites. While overall satisfaction is high, many visitors report being "satisfied but not happy." The study suggests targeted strategies to enhance dark tourism experiences, such as providing emotional support, emphasizing commemorative value, and offering ethical education. Recommendations for site management include addressing emotional needs and balancing educational significance with emotional impact.

Putting self at stake by telling a story: Storyteller's narcissistic traits modulate physiological emotional reactions to recipient's disengagement.

Telling a story to a disengaged recipient induces stress and threatens positive self-image. In this study, we investigated whether storytellers with overly positive and fragile self-images (e.g., individuals with grandiose and vulnerable narcissism) would show heightened behavioral, emotional, and psychophysiological reactivity to recipient disengagement.Building on Bavelas, Coates, and Johnson [1] we conducted a conversational experiment instructing the participants to tell about a "close call" experience to a previously unknown co-participant. We modified the co-participant's level of interactional engagement by asking them either to listen to the story carefully or to simultaneously carry out a counting task that distracted them from the content of the story. We found that the distraction condition was unrelated to the storytellers' narration performance, but a significant positive association was found between the story-recipients' observed lack of affiliation and the tellers' narration performance. The distraction of recipients was also associated with increased self-reported arousal in the tellers, indicating disengagement-induced stress in the tellers. Moreover, tellers higher in grandiose narcissism reacted with higher skin conductance response to disengagement, and vulnerable narcissism was associated with higher heart rate during narration in general. Our experiment thus showed that grandiose narcissists are emotionally sensitive to their co-participants' disengagement.

Self-reference and emotional reaction drive aesthetic judgment

Traditional philosophical inquiry, and more recently neuroscientific studies, have investigated the sources of artworks' aesthetic appeal. A substantial effort has been made to isolate the objective features contributing to aesthetic appreciation. While variables such as contrast or symmetry have been shown to robustly impact aesthetic judgment, they only account for a small portion of the intersubjective variability in aesthetic ratings. Recent multiprocess model of aesthetic appreciation could accommodate this finding by proposing that evaluative processes based on self-reference underpin the idiosyncrasy of aesthetic judgment. We tested this hypothesis in two behavioral studies, that were basically conceptual replications of our previous work, in which we took advantage of the self-reference effect on memory. We also tried to disentangle the role of self-reference and emotional reaction to artworks in guiding aesthetic judgments, by comparing an aesthetic judgment encoding condition to a self-reference condition (Study 1), and an emotional evaluation condition (Study 2). We show that artworks encoded in an aesthetic judgment condition exhibit a similar mnesic advantage compared to both the self-reference and the emotional evaluation encoding conditions. Moreover, retrospective emotional judgment correlates with both self-reference and aesthetic judgments ratings. These results suggest that a basic mechanism, appraisal of self-relevance, could ground aesthetic judgments.