High Levels Of Preoccupation Research Articles

Relationship between erectile dysfunction and alexithymia in male patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators: a cross-sectional study.

Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) implantation is a life-saving intervention for individuals at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias. However, the psychosocial impact of ICD implantation extends beyond its cardiovascular benefits, potentially influencing emotional well-being and sexual health. This can lead to erectile dysfunction, which, is often associated with alexithymia. Both erectile dysfunction and alexithymia can significantly affect the psychological well-being of both patients and their partners. This study examines the association of erectile dysfunction with alexithymia in patients after ICD implantation. Additionally, we investigate potential moderators of this association. Patients (N=165) completed self-rating questionnaires: Toronto Alexithymia scale (TAS-20), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), Adjustment disorder - new module (ADNM-20). Descriptive statistics, correlations, multivariate linear regressions, and moderation analysis were conducted. The determinants of erectile dysfunction in ICD patients were explored in a regression model explaining 22% of the total variance. The ADNM-20 subscale preoccupation was found to significantly moderate the relationship between the alexithymia subscale externally oriented thinking and erectile dysfunction (R2 = 0.02, p=0.03). We did not find evidence for a relationship between externally oriented thinking and erectile dysfunction at low to average levels of preoccupation. However, evidence for such a relationship was found at high levels of preoccupation, where more externally oriented thinking was related to more erectile dysfunction. The intersection of alexithymia and erectile dysfunction represents a promising avenue for future research, offering opportunities to unravel the intricate connections between emotional processing and sexual health. Enhancing insights into this relationship could lead to innovative interventions that address the needs of individuals struggling with both conditions, fostering improved emotional expression, intimate relationships, and sexual satisfaction.

The Ottawa clinical fear of recurrence instruments: Ascreener, self-report, and clinical interview.

Clinical fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) was recently defined by a group of experts during a Delphi study. Five criteria were agreed upon, namely: (a) high levels of preoccupation, (b) high levels of worry, (c) that are persistent, (d) hypervigilance and hypersensitivity to physical sensations that e) may result in functional impairment. No existing instruments comprehensively capture all these criteria for clinical FCR. To remedy this gap, a set of three patient-reported outcome instruments including a one-item screener, self-report questionnaire, and semi-structured clinical interview, named the Ottawa Clinical Fear of Recurrence instruments, were developed. To do so, the research team first conducted a literature review of potential items. Additional FCR experts discussed the content of the screener and interview. The self-report's items were assessed for content validity by the same expert panel using Likert ratings and the Content Validity Index to narrow down the number of items. The three instruments were piloted with a group of cancer survivors to assess face validity following the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer recommendations. The literature review and content validity assessment led to a final draft pre-pilot of 23 potential items for the self-report questionnaire. The instruments were piloted. Pilot study participants suggested changing wording and response options (particularly for the self-report) for greater clarity. Based on the feedback received, minor modifications were made, mostly for the self-report. In general, content and face validity for the three instruments were good for both experts and cancer survivors.

Effects of intranasal oxytocin on the self-perception and anxiety of singers during a simulated public singing performance: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Professional musicians experience intense social exposure and high levels of preoccupation with their performance and potential negative reactions from the audience, which favor anxiety. Considering that oxytocin (OXT) has a potential therapeutic effect on anxiety, cognitive processes, and decreased psychosocial stress, this study’s objective was to assess the effects of a single dose of 24 UI of intranasal OXT among professional singers, during a public singing simulation test, on self-rated performance and mood. This crossover, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial addressed 54 male singers with different levels of musical performance anxiety (42% high). The participants took part in different phases of a simulated public singing performance and completed instruments rating their performances (Self Statements During Public Performance- State version) and mood (Visual Analogue Mood Scale). Data were analyzed using ANOVA 2 × 2 for crossover trials. The results show that the use of OXT during the performance and immediate post-stress favored more positive (effect size: d > 1.04) and less negative assessments of musical performance (effect size: d > 1.86) than when placebo was used. No treatment effects were found in any VAMS subscales, indicating no direct anxiolytic effects. The conclusion is that OXT can minimizes social stress, especially during performances. This finding is exploratory and, if confirmed in future studies, may have relevance for musicians, especially those who constantly experience and recognize the impact of negative and catastrophic thoughts on performance and professional activities.Clinical Trial Registration[https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-5r5sc5], identifier [RBR-5r5sc5].

Identifying the key characteristics of clinical fear of cancer recurrence: An international Delphi study.

Without an agreed-upon set of characteristics that differentiate clinical from nonclinical levels of fear of cancer recurrence (FCR), it is difficult to ensure that FCR severity is appropriately measured, and that those in need of intervention are identified. The objective of this study was to establish expert consensus on the defining features of clinical FCR. A three-round Delphi was used to reach consensus on the defining features of clinical FCR. Sixty-five experts in FCR (researchers, psychologists, physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals) were recruited to suggest and rate potential features of clinical FCR. Participants who indicated they could communicate diagnoses within their clinical role were also asked to consider the application of established DSM-5 and proposed ICD-11 diagnostic criteria (Health Anxiety, Illness Anxiety Disorder, Somatic Symptom Disorder) to clinical FCR. Participants' ratings suggested that the following four features are key characteristics of clinical FCR: (a) high levels of preoccupation; (b) high levels of worry; (c) that are persistent; and (d) hypervigilance to bodily symptoms. Of participants whose professional role allowed them to diagnose mental disorders, 84% indicated it would be helpful to diagnose clinical FCR, but the use of established diagnostic criteria related to health anxiety or somatic-related disorders to clinical FCR was not supported. This suggests that participants consider clinical FCR as a presentation that is specific to cancer survivors. Clinical FCR was conceptualized as a multidimensional construct. Further research is needed to empirically validate the proposed defining features.

From normal response to clinical problem: definition and clinical features of fear of cancer recurrence.

Research to date on fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) shows that moderate to high FCR affects 22-87% of cancer survivors and is associated with higher psychological morbidity (Simard et al J Cancer Surviv 7:300-322, 2013). Despite growing research interest in FCR, the lack of consensus on its definition and characteristics when it reaches a clinical level has impeded knowledge transfer into patient services. In order to address these gaps, expert researchers, policy makers, trainees, and patient advocates attended a 2-day colloquium at the University of Ottawa in August 2015. A Delphi method was used to identify the most relevant definition of FCR, and the attendees generated possible diagnostic characteristics of clinical FCR. After three rounds of discussion and voting, the attendees reached consensus on a new definition of FCR: "Fear, worry, or concern relating to the possibility that cancer will come back or progress." Regarding clinical FCR, five possible characteristics were proposed: (1) high levels of preoccupation, worry, rumination, or intrusive thoughts; (2) maladaptive coping; (3) functional impairments; (4) excessive distress; and (5) difficulties making plans for the future. The new proposed definition of FCR reflects the broad spectrum in which patients experience FCR. A consensual definition of FCR and the identification of the essential characteristics of clinical FCR are necessary to accurately and consistently measure FCR severity and to develop effective interventions to treat FCR. We hope this broad definition can encourage further research and the development of inclusive policies for all cancer patients and survivors who are struggling with this issue.

Contrasting Preoccupation With Relationships to Preoccupation With Isolative Sex

Relationship preoccupation and preoccupation with isolated sex are not well studied as yet. Sexual Dependency Inventory 4.0 data from people seeking treatment for sex addiction were used to compare groups defined as high preoccupation with relationships (REL), high preoccupation with isolated sex (ISOL), high on both (BOTH), or high on neither (NE). The groups were compared on sex addiction symptoms and consequences of sexual behavior. The 3 elevated groups (REL, ISOL, and BOTH) were used to establish profiles of associated sexual preoccupations. Results found that men and women of the BOTH group had higher scores on all measures of sexual addiction symptoms, consequences, and preoccupations. Contrasting groups elevated on REL to groups elevated on ISOL uncovered some gender differences in symptoms. However, consequences of sexual behaviors associated with high REL and high ISOL were largely similar across genders. The findings of this study suggest that clients scoring high on both the Preoccupation with Relationships and Preoccupation with Isolated Fantasizing are more likely to show high levels of preoccupation with a wide variety of other sexual interests and more likely to report more severe symptoms and consequences related to sexual addiction.

Orthorexia nervosa and self-attitudinal aspects of body image in female and male university students.

BackgroundThe present study was designed to investigate orthorexia nervosa, or the phenomenon of being preoccupied with consuming healthy food. Specific aims were to explore relationships between orthorexia features and attitudes towards body image, fitness and health in normal weight female and male university students with high levels of healthy food preoccupation, i.e. orthorexia nervosa.MethodsParticipants were 327 female (N = 283) and male (N = 44) students aged 18 to 25 years. All participants completed the Polish adaptation of the 15-item questionnaire assessing orthorexia eating behaviours (the ORTHO-15) and the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (the MBSRQ). Relationships between scores on the ORTHO-15 and MBSRQ were explored in the 213 students who had high levels of preoccupation with a healthy food intake (68.55% women and 43.18% men, respectively).ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences in the levels of orthorexia behaviours between females and males. In female students with orthorexia nervosa, preoccupation with consuming healthy food was significantly correlated with the MBSRQ subscale scores for overweight preoccupation, appearance orientation, fitness orientation, health orientation, body areas satisfaction and appearance evaluation. Conversely, in male students with orthorexia nervosa there were no correlations between orthorexic behaviours and the MBSRQ subscales.In female students with orthorexia nervosa multivariable linear regression analysis found high body areas (parts) satisfaction, low fitness orientation, low overweight preoccupation and low appearance orientation were independent predictors of greater fixation on eating healthy food. In male students, we found that aspects of body image were not associated with preoccupation with healthy eating.ConclusionA strong preoccupation with healthy and proper food was not associated with an unhealthy body-self relationship among Polish female student with orthorexia nervosa.

The Relationship between Rumination, Dysphoria, and Self-Referent Thinking: Some Preliminary Findings

Rumination has recently been conceptualized as “behaviors and thoughts that focus one's attention on one's depressive symptoms and on the implication of these symptoms” [1, p. 569). In this article, we describe current theoretical formulations about how a ruminative processing style interacts with a dysphoric mood to yield high levels of self-relevant thinking. In the subsequent sections, we describe three experiments, the results of which broadly support a combination of two themes described in the literature: (i) that rumination, in the absence of dysphoria, seems to be associated with high levels of task focus, consistent with the attentional inflexibility hypothesis; and (ii) that we can distinguish between the effects of rumination and dysphoria in terms of their contributions to the content of a self-referential thinking. In particular, dysphoria seems to be associated with higher levels of pre-occupation with one's concerns while rumination, particularly in the presence of a dysphoric mood, seems to be associated with a pre-occupation with one's own performance: a finding consistent with the mood as input hypothesis for rumination. The theoretical implications for these findings are discussed, and we outline two important issues for future research to tackle.