Low Fear Research Articles

The fear factor: examining the impact of fear on vaccine hesitancy and anti-vaccine conspiracy beliefs

Objectives While anti-vaccine conspiracy beliefs can reduce vaccine intentions, longitudinal research shows that vaccine hesitancy can increase conspiracy beliefs. In three experiments (N = 949), we examined the effect of fear about a vaccine on vaccine hesitancy and anti-vaccine conspiracy beliefs. Method and Measures In Studies 1a (N = 221) and 1b (N = 508), participants were exposed to high fear (vs low fear) about a (fictional) vaccine before reporting vaccine hesitancy and anti-vaccine conspiracy beliefs. In Study 2, all participants were exposed to high fear before being asked to think about not getting vaccinated (vs vaccinated) against the (fictional) disease. Participants then reported their vaccine hesitancy, anti-vaccine conspiracy beliefs, and closeness to others who distrust official narratives. Results In Studies 1a and 1b, exposure to high fear (vs low fear) increased vaccine hesitancy, which was positively correlated with anti-vaccine conspiracy beliefs. The reverse model’s effect was either smaller (Study 1a) or non-significant (Study 1b). In Study 2, fear and not wanting to vaccinate resulted in vaccine hesitancy, which then predicted anti-vaccine conspiracy beliefs and feeling closer to those distrusting official narratives. Conclusion Therefore, fear creates a response not to get vaccinated. A conspiracy belief may then justify this response.

Effect of fear with saturated fear cost and harvesting on aquatic food chain model (plankton–fish model) in the presence of nanoparticles

Studying the interplay of phytoplankton–zooplankton–fish (PP–ZP–F) in an aquatic system is crucial for better understanding of nutrient cycling, assessing ecosystem health, predicting and mitigating harmful algal blooms, and managing fisheries in the water bodies. In order to investigate the effectiveness of nanoparticles (NPs), fear, and harvesting, this paper focuses on exploring the dynamics of a food chain model among PP–ZP–F species. We consider the fear of fish on zooplankton species (which reduces the reproduction rate of ZPs) with saturated fear cost in the presence of nanoparticles (NPs) and harvesting in fish. The system dynamics are studied from the viewpoint of proving positivity, boundedness, and uniqueness, followed by analysing the existence and local stability of biologically feasible equilibria. Conditions for the global stability of the interior equilibrium point are also found. Furthermore, we established the transversality conditions for the occurrence of Hopf, transcritical, and saddle–node bifurcations. To validate our theoretical results, we made numerous phase portraits, time-series graphs, tables showing the extinction of species, and bifurcation diagrams. It is numerically observed that increasing the contact rate of NPs with PPs makes the system stable from chaos, and further increase of contact rate may lead to extinction. Chaos at a low contact rate can also be managed by increasing the fear level, and the chaotic behaviour at a low fear level can again be controlled by enhancing the harvesting of fish species. Over-exploitation may result in the extinction of fish, whereas fear may promote coexistence, stability, and long-term survival of the species. Increased saturated fear cost can make the system chaotic from stable dynamics. Therefore, the theoretical as well as numerical findings of our paper may be of great interest in estimating the behaviour of aquatic systems biologically and practically.

DYING IN CYBERWORLD: VIOLENT VIDEO GAMES EXTINGUISHED CHILDREN’S DEATH CONCEPT AND ATTITUDE

Death is often a taboo topic in society, especially among the Chinese community. Most of the violent video games spread immoral values of life and death. Hence deformed death concept and death attitude are easily moulded in children particularly without proper supervision from parents. The misconception of death concept and death attitude can manipulate primary school children’s attitudes towards death which gradually might lead children to harm themselves or others. This study is aimed at identifying the relationship between violent video games and children’s death concept and death attitude (Fear of death, Death avoidance, Approach Acceptance, Escape Acceptance). The differences between the level of exposure to violent video games towards children’s death concept and death attitude are also carried out in this study. A total of 397 data was collected from Malaysian Chinese schoolchildren between 10 to 12 years of age by using the purposive sampling method. Instruments used in this study consist of demographic information, Death Attitude Media Violence Exposure. The study showed that a high level of exposure towards violent video games had a significant negative correlation with death concept and fear of death, whilst significantly positive correlation with escape acceptance. The result of the independent samples t-test showed that children with high exposure to violent video games had lower death concept and fear of death and a higher level of escape acceptance. Further research is needed to explore the death concept and attitude among children as technology has become an inseparable part of human beings in the 4th Industrial Revolution.

Dental Fear and Caries in 6- to 12-Year-Old Children: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

To investigate the relationship between dental fear and dental caries in children aged 6 to 12 years in a systematic review and meta-analysis. Systematic review search terms were selected according to medical subject headings (MeSH) or non-MeSH. An electronic search of studies published in English assessing the relationship between dental fear (children's fear survey schedule-dental subscale) and dental caries (DMFT or dmft index) was carried out of the Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane and Proquest databases up to March 2022. Of 5,759 articles retrieved initially, 16 were eligible for inclusion in the study, and 5 of these were included in the quantitative analysis. The quality of studies was evaluated based on the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Begg tests were employed to assess the publication bias. According to the meta-analysis, the results revealed no statistically significant difference in mean of DMFT score in low and high fear score groups, with a mean difference of 1.28 (95% confidence interval -0.132 to 2.693) (P = 0.076). A statistically significant difference was found in the mean dmft score for the low and high fear score groups, with a mean difference of 0.227 (95% confidence interval 0.058 to 0.395) (P = 0.008). The mean dmft was significantly higher in the high fear score group. Dental fear has a significant relationship with caries in primary teeth, but not in permanent teeth.

Exploring the fear of clinical errors: associations with socio-demographic, professional, burnout, and mental health factors in healthcare workers - A nationwide cross-sectional study.

The fear of clinical errors among healthcare workers (HCW) is an understudied aspect of patient safety. This study aims to describe this phenomenon among HCW and identify associated socio-demographic, professional, burnout and mental health factors. We conducted a nationwide, online, cross-sectional study targeting HCW in France from May to June 2021. Recruitment was through social networks, professional networks, and email invitations. To assess the fear of making clinical errors, HCW were asked: "During your daily activities, how often are you afraid of making a professional error that could jeopardize patient safety?" Responses were collected on a 7-point Likert-type scale. HCW were categorized into "High Fear" for those who reported experiencing fear frequently ("once a week," "a few times a week," or "every day"), vs. "Low Fear" for less often. We used multivariate logistic regression to analyze associations between fear of clinical errors and various factors, including sociodemographic, professional, burnout, and mental health. Structural equation modeling was used to explore how this fear fits into a comprehensive theoretical framework. We recruited a total of 10,325 HCW, of whom 25.9% reported "High Fear" (95% CI: 25.0-26.7%). Multivariate analysis revealed higher odds of "High Fear" among males, younger individuals, and those with less professional experience. High fear was more notable among physicians and nurses, and those working in critical care and surgery, on night shifts or with irregular schedules. Significant associations were found between "High Fear" and burnout, low professional support, major depressive disorder, and sleep disorders. Fear of clinical errors is associated with factors that also influence patient safety, highlighting the importance of this experience. Incorporating this dimension into patient safety culture assessment could provide valuable insights and could inform ways to proactively enhance patient safety.

Emergency department staff compassion is associated with lower fear of enacted stigma among patients with opioid use disorder.

Fear of enacted stigma (fear of discrimination or being treated unfairly) is associated with decreased health care-seeking behaviors among patients with opioid use disorder (OUD). We sought to describe the prevalence of fear of enacted stigma among patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with OUD and to test whether experiencing greater compassion from ED staff is associated with lower fear of enacted stigma. We conducted a cross-sectional study in the ED of an academic medical center between February and August 2023. We included adult patients with OUD presenting to the ED and assessed patient experience of compassion from ED staff using a previously validated 5-item compassion measure (score range 5-20). The primary outcome measure was fear of enacted stigma in the ED, measured using the validated 9-item subscale of the Substance Abuse Self-Stigma Scale (score range 9-45). Of the 116 subjects enrolled, 97% (95% confidence interval [CI] 91%-99%) reported some degree of stigma, with a median (interquartile range) score of 23 (16-31). In a multivariable model adjusting for potential confounders, patient experience of greater ED compassion was independently associated with lower fear of enacted stigma, β = -0.66 (95% CI -1.03 to -0.29), suggesting that every 1-point increase in the 5-item compassion measure score is associated with a 0.66-point decrease in the fear of enacted stigma score. Among ED patients with OUD, fear of enacted stigma is common. Patient experience of compassion from ED staff is associated with lower fear of enacted stigma. Future research is warranted to test if interventions aimed at increasing compassion from ED staff reduce patient fear of enacted stigma among patients with OUD.

Gender-Based Violence Cases and Response at One-Stop Centers in Shinyanga Region, Tanzania

This study sought to establish the perceptions of female survivors regarding the effectiveness of One Stop Centers (OSCs) in responding to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Shinyanga, Tanzania. Employing a cross-sectional design and mixed research method, the study surveyed 96 female GBV survivors through a questionnaire and key informant interviews. Quantitative data was analyzed using the SPSS software while thematic analysis analyzed the qualitative data. The findings reveal that sexual and physical violence are the common forms of GBV reported at the OSCs. In response, different services are offered at OSCs but the kinds of services offered at each center depend on the availability of staff, accessibility to OSCs, funding from partners and availability of testing equipment. Female survivors reported barriers to OSCs utilization, including low awareness, fear and stigma, protecting perpetrators and insufficient privacy. Shortages in staff, budget constraints and inadequate transportation emerged as significant challenges for OSCs. Increased government funding for OSCs and collaborative efforts among stakeholders are essential steps to fortify these canters and ensure they can adequately respond to the complex and sensitive nature of GBV.

Survivorship care plans and fear of recurrence in patients with breast cancer (BC).

e13790 Background: A survivorship care plan (SCP) is recommended for all patients after curative treatment for cancer. It typically includes guidance on the type and interval of follow-up care as well as education on treatment received and potential long-term side effects. Fear of recurrence is a common unmet need reported by cancer survivors and is associated with higher depression and lower social functioning. It is unknown if SCPs are associated with reduced fear of recurrence. Methods: Between 7/2023-8/2023, active patients and survivors were recruited from Breastcancer.org and consented to participate in an anonymous online survey in English or Spanish. Eligibility included: US resident, age ≥18, and diagnosed with BC within the past 10 years. Survey assessed engagement in and satisfaction with survivorship care, receipt of a written SCP, and fear of recurrence (via the validated 9 question FCRI-SF, scored 0-36, higher scores indicate greater fear of recurrence) in patients with non-metastatic BC. Multivariate analysis (MVA) assessed relationship of SCP and FCRI-SF score ≥22 (indicating a clinically significant level of fear) after controlling for gender, age, race, ethnicity, and education. Results: Of 997 who completed the survey, 340 (34.1%) had completed all curative treatment and thus queried on receipt of SCP and fear of recurrence. Of this cohort, 97.4% identified as women, 78.8% White, 6.2% Black, and 3.3% Hispanic. Median age was 63 (interquartile range IQR 54-70) and median time since diagnosis 2.5 years (IQR 1.4-5.2). 76.2% had a college degree. Most were satisfied with their survivorship care (median score 4: scale: 1-very unsatisfied to 5-very satisfied). Less than a quarter (21.8%) had access to a cancer survivorship program at their facility; 60.0% did not; and 18.2% did not know. Of the 74 respondents who had access to a program, 56.8% used its services. 32.1% participants reported receiving a written SCP, 18.5% did not remember; almost half (49.4%) reported they did not receive one. Of those that received a SCP, most reported it was explained well to them (median score 4; scale: 1-poor to 5-excellent), and that they had “excellent” comprehension of the plan (median score 5). Median fear of recurrence score was 20 (IQR 14-25); 43.2% had a score ≥22, indicating a clinically significant level of fear. On MVA, patients who were older (OR 0.98, 95%CI 0.96-1.00, p=0.019) and who had received a SCP (OR 0.54, 95%CI 0.33-.88, p=0.013) were less likely to have clinically significant fear. Conclusions: Although overall satisfaction with survivorship care was high, less than one-third of surveyed BC survivors reported receiving a written SCP. Receipt of a SCP was associated with clinically significantly lower fear of recurrence. Future research should focus on provider barriers to SCP implementation, patient barriers to survivorship program use, and explore the role of SCP in mitigating psychosocial distress in diverse samples.

A preliminary examination of the associations between belief in God and in afterlife, death anxiety, and COVID-19 protective behaviours within a non-representative Polish community sample

ABSTRACT A common form of dealing with death anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic was to comply with protective behaviours. Researchers observed that religious people were less likely to comply with protective behaviours. At the same time, religious people usually felt lower death anxiety since they believed in an afterlife more strongly than non-religious people. We explored these complex mechanisms by examining the relationship between a declaration of belief in God, death anxiety, belief in an afterlife, and protective behaviours during the pandemic. We examined 551 participants from a non-representative Polish sample. According to structural equation modelling analysis, declaring oneself as a believer, predominantly as Catholic, was positively associated with belief in an afterlife, which, like death anxiety, but independent of it, was associated with perceiving COVID-19 as a non-severe disease, which was associated with low fear of the disease and disregard for protective behaviours. Thus, our preliminary results allowed us to distinguish belief in God and an afterlife from death anxiety as two independent determinants of compliance with protective behaviours. Finally, the positive relationship between death anxiety and compliance with protective behaviours suggested that people attempted to alleviate thoughts of death by engaging in protective behaviours during the pandemic.

Resistance to persuasion as a maladaptive coping response to anti Covid-19 message: a protection motivation theory perspective

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to shed light on the protection motivation theory’s (PMT) maladaptive coping response to anti-Covid-19 preventive persuasive appeals. PMT is based on coping appraisal that may lead to either an adaptive- or a maladaptive coping response. It has been suggested that the maladaptive coping response is not sufficiently investigated and can be represented by individuals’ resistance to anti-Covid-19 persuasive messages. It has been also supposed that resistance is predicted and modeled through a set of cognitive, affective and individual factors such as information processing style, fear arousal, gender and coping self-efficacy.Design/methodology/approachAn experiment and a survey were conducted online on a random sample of 290 individuals. The sample was divided into two groups, each of which was exposed to an anti-Covid-19 persuasive message.FindingsThe findings show that resistance to anti-Covid-19 persuasion is not directly predicted by the individual’s exposure to the message, but channeled through an affective and a cognitive process. It was also reported that resistance is predicted by both the reflective and the nonreflective information processing styles, which are in turn predicted by a high versus a low fear arousal. Fear arousal level was shown to be moderated by gender and coping self-efficacy.Originality/valueThis research brings additional insight to the PMT in so far that it highlights the maladaptive coping response through resistance to persuasion in a pandemic context.

Comparison of Pain Characteristics, Strength, and Movement Patterns in Adolescents With Juvenile Fibromyalgia and High Versus Low Fear of Movement

Physical activity avoidance and fear of movement (FOM) is often observed in individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain, along with difficulties coping with pain. There is little research regarding how FOM may also relate to reduced physical strength and altered movement patterns that may perpetuate a cycle of pain, FOM, and disability. The objective of this observational study was to compare how adolescents with juvenile fibromyalgia (JFM) exhibiting high versus low FOM (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia-11) differed on patient-reported measures of pain, fatigue, catastrophizing and pain interference, and performance-based measures of strength, postural control, and biomechanical function. Participants were youth with JFM (N = 135, Meanage = 15.6 years, 88.9% female) enrolled in an ongoing clinical trial who completed self-report questionnaires and standardized tests, including knee and hip strength, the Star Excursion Balance Test, and the Drop Vertical Jump (with 3 dimensional motion capture). Participants were categorized into Low, Medium, and High FOM groups based on Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia-11 tertile scores. Relative to the Low FOM group, the High FOM group reported significantly greater fatigue, pain interference and catastrophizing, as well as reduced dominant leg knee strength. Additionally, those with high FOM showed altered lower-extremity movement patterns. This preliminary study highlights the importance of combining self-reported measures of symptoms and functioning with physical assessments to gain a more comprehensive view of the impact of FOM in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The results could inform the development of more precise interventions to reduce FOM using a combination of behavioral and exercise-based interventions. PerspectiveThe results of this study demonstrate the association between FOM, fatigue and pain interference in adolescents with JFM, as well as preliminary evidence for altered movement patterns in that may predispose them to further pain/injury and activity avoidance. Clinical trials.gov registrationNCT 03268421

Relationship Between Fear of Cancer Recurrence and Quality of Life in Patients Undergoing Active Cancer Treatment: The Mediating Role of Social Support.

Socio-psychological factors such as fear of recurrence and presence of social support may affect quality of life (QOL) of cancer patients. Identifying mediating factors that impact QOL are crucial for targeting vulnerability in patients undergoing cancer treatments. The study purpose was therefore to determine relationships between presence of fear of cancer recurrence and QOL of patients, with the mediating role of social support. A predictive correlational design was used to conduct the study with 300 patients with cancer who were undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery at two medical centers in Tehran. Measures included a demographic information form, the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (FCRI), the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QOL Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Data analyses included descriptives, and path analysis analyses. Higher fear of cancer recurrence predicted lower QOL (β = -0.60, p < 0.001). Moreover, individuals with lower fear of cancer recurrence also perceived higher social support (β = 0.32, p < 0.001). Additionally, individuals with higher perceived social support also reported better QOL (β = 0.30, p < 0.001). Perceived social support plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between the fear of cancer recurrence and QOL in patients undergoing active cancer treatment. Enhancing social support among cancer patients may contribute to enhanced QOL, and as does reducing fears associated with disease recurrence.

To report or not to report? Extending Protection Motivation Theory to Vulnerability Discovery and Disclosure

Vulnerability researchers face difficult choices when considering whether to reporting a finding to an organization with which they are unaffiliated. We used components of Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) to create the Vulnerability Discovery and Disclosure (VDD) model to understand the decision-making processes of vulnerability researchers. PMT uses high fear appeals, threat appraisals, and coping appraisals to encourage employee prosocial behaviors while VDD proposes low fear and threat with high coping, to encourage reporting. In this exploratory study, we surveyed active vulnerability researchers to gain insight into their concerns when deciding to report to an organization. Using principal components analysis, we developed and refined the VDD survey, which may be tested by future researchers. We also discovered a higher-order efficacy construct, comprised of response and self-efficacy. We theorize that well-developed vulnerability disclosure policies, in line with a low-fear, low-threat appraisal and high efficacy may establish a culture of trust between organizations and vulnerability researchers, encouraging more reports.

Fear of childbirth and its associated factors among pregnant women in Dejen Woreda, East Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

Fears of delivery are the uncertainty and worry experienced before, during, and following labor. It hurts women's health and affects 5–40% of all moms globally. If not recognized, it could cause expectant mothers to feel alone and unsupported. Studies on this subject, however, are scarce at the woreda level. Therefore, this study amis to assess the prevalence and associated factors of fear of childbirth among pregnant women in Dejen Woreda, East Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 575 pregnant women selected by Cluster Sapling from December 15 to December 25, 2022. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire that was presented by an interviewer. Data were entered using Epi-data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS Version 23 statistical software. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were done, and ordinary logistic regression was used to examine the associated factor for fear of childbirth. Finally, a P-value < 0.05 was used to determine statistical significance. Among the 575 pregnant women supposed to have participated, 560 agreed and participated in the survey, with a response rate of 97.4%. This study showed that 133(23.8%; CI 20.4–26.8) of the study participants had low fear of childbirth, 67(12%; CI (9.3–14.8 moderate, 217 (38.8%; CI 34.6–42.7) high, 143 (25.5%; CI 21.8–29.1) severe fear of childbirth. Having maternal age 18–24 (adjusted odds ratio/AOR = 1.6; 95% CI (1.1–2.3), p-value = -0.08), occupation daily laborer and other (AOR = 0.3,95%; CI 0.3, 0–74; p-value = 0.004),gestational age in third trimester (AOR = 1.9,95%; CI 1.1–3.4), p-value = 0.022) showed significant factor for a fear of childbirth. Maternal age, occupation, and third-trimester pregnancy were found to be significantly associated with fear of childbirth. Women should engage in special attention to keep them healthy by consistent monitoring during pregnancy. Healthcare providers should identify pregnant women with high fear of childbirth early, offer cognitive behavioral therapy, support psychological and physical well-being, provide early age and preventive measures, and use uniform instruments for assessing women's anxiety, promoting systematic reviews and longitudinal studies.

What Drives Mating Effort: Fear of Singlehood, Relationship Status, and Self-Esteem

PurposeAttracting and maintaining a romantic partner requires considerable effort. In the current study, we aimed to test the hypothesis that fear of singlehood is a primary factor driving individuals to allocate scarce resources in the mating domain.MethodsWe conducted a close-ended survey with a sample of 990 Greek and Turkish-speaking participants.ResultsWe found that that a stronger fear of singlehood was associated with higher mating effort. Moreover, voluntarily single participants experienced lower fear of singlehood compared to other categories of singles and individuals in intimate relationships. Additionally, higher self-esteem was associated with lower fear of singlehood. We also identified a significant indirect effect of relationship status and self-esteem on mating effort through fear of singlehood. Specifically, involuntarily single individuals tended to exert more mating effort due to heightened fear of singlehood compared to those in other relationship status categories. Furthermore, higher self-esteem was associated with reduced mating effort, as it was associated with lower fear of singlehood. These findings held true across both the Greek and Turkish samples.ConclusionRelationship status and self-esteem play a role in mating effort through fear of singlehood.

Exploration of skin redness and immunoglobulin A as markers of the affective states of hens

Non-invasive markers of affective states can help understanding animals' perception of situations and improving their welfare. These markers are scarce in avian species. In this study, we investigate the potential relation between alterations in facial skin redness in hens and their corresponding affective states. Six hens were filmed in both naturally unfolding scenarios and controlled tests designed to elicit various affective states. The facial skin redness was measured from images extracted from the videos. Our observations revealed that hens exhibited the highest degree of facial skin redness in negative situations of high arousal, a high redness in positive situations of high arousal, and the lowest in positive situations of low arousal. In a second study, we further examined whether facial skin redness and secretory immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) can serve as markers for the quality of the human-animal relationship. Two groups of hens, one habituated to humans (n=13) and one non-habituated (n=12), were compared for general fearfulness in an open field test and for fear of humans in a reactivity to human test. In the open-field test, there were no statistical differences in general fearfulness, facial skin redness or S-IgA concentrations between both groups. However, habituated hens exhibited significantly lower fearfulness and facial skin redness in the presence of humans compared to non-habituated hens in the reactivity to human test. Additionally, habituated hens showed significant lower S-IgA concentration in lachrymal fluid in the presence of humans, with no significant differences in saliva or cloacal samples. We propose that changes in facial skin redness reflect variations in affective states and can be used as a marker for assessing the quality of the human-hen relationship. The relationship between S-IgA concentrations and affective states requires further investigation.

Investigating the relationship between achievement motive and performance in elite-level football goalkeepers

The goalkeeper position in football is highly specific. Investigating the achievement motive of elite-level goalkeepers might help football coaches in general, goalkeeping coaches, and sports psychologists to gain insight into and knowledge of the approaches needed for enhancing the performance of this unique position within the football team. This study aimed to examine the achievement motive for male goalkeepers playing at the elite level in Denmark (n = 34) and Iceland (n = 20) and to investigate the relationship between the achievement motive, age and performance. In addition to biographical questions, the study employed the Achievement Motives Scale – Sport. The findings from the present study suggest that goalkeepers are characterized by higher hope for success than fear of failure values, like other elite athletes, while younger goalkeepers had significantly higher fear of failure. There were no differences between starting and non-starting goalkeepers, but we found that performance level was associated with fear of failure when controlling for the goalkeeper’s status (starters versus non-starters) and playing country. Finally, goalkeepers playing in Denmark showed lower fear of failure than goalkeepers playing in Iceland. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.

Enhancing emotion regulation: investigating the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation at PC6 in reducing fear of heights.

This study investigated the impact of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) at Neiguan acupoint (PC6) on the physiological and behavioral responses of participants exposed in virtual height. 40 participants were included in the study and were randomly assigned to either a control group or an intervention group. Participants had an immersive experience with a VR interactive platform that provided somatosensory interaction in height stimulation scenes. Psychological scores, behavioral and cognitive performance, and physiological responses were recorded and analyzed. The results indicated that the intervention group had significantly lower fear scores compared to the control group. Analysis of heart rate variability revealed that the intervention group exhibited improved heart rate variability, indicating enhanced cardiovascular function and emotion regulation. The behavioral and cognitive results demonstrated that the intervention group exhibited higher left eye openness, faster reaction times, and greater movement distance, suggesting enhanced attentional focus, cognitive processing, and reduced avoidance behaviors. These findings suggest that TEAS at PC6 can effectively reduce fear and improve the regulation of physiological and behavioral responses to negative emotional stimuli.

Multifaceted Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Lockdown on Physical and Mental Health: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Study

IntroductionThe global COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have significantly impacted global wellbeing and highlighted the close link between mental and physical health. Social isolation and quarantine have proven to be major stressors, leading to emotional distress and unpredictable psychological consequences.ObjectivesWe explored the pandemic’s impact on individuals’ physical and mental health and social relationships.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire which included among other socio-democratic questions, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, the World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF) and the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ).ResultsA total of 511 adults (55.1% males) participated in this study. Participants reported increased social media use (more than 4-5 times/week) during the lockdown, which was associated with increased fear of COVID-19 and negative effects on mental and physical health, and social relationships (p&lt;0.01). Conversely, non-work-related outings (once a week) were associated with lower fear (p&lt;0.01) and better well-being (p&lt;0.05). Higher fear, particularly for loved ones, was associated with negative effects. The level of physical health was moderate to high, with varying levels of satisfaction in different areas. Empathy correlated with increased fear (p&lt;0.01) and reduced mobility (p&lt;0.05).ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns significantly affected physical and mental health, highlighting the importance of tailoring interventions for vulnerable populations and promoting adaptive coping strategies in times of crisis.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Causally Probing the Role of the Hippocampus in Fear Discrimination: A Precision Functional Mapping–Guided, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Study in Participants With Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms

BackgroundFear overgeneralization is a promising pathogenic mechanism of clinical anxiety. A dominant model posits that hippocampal pattern separation failures drive overgeneralization. Hippocampal network–targeted transcranial magnetic stimulation (HNT-TMS) has been shown to strengthen hippocampal-dependent learning/memory processes. However, no study has examined whether HNT-TMS can alter fear learning/memory. MethodsContinuous theta burst stimulation was delivered to individualized left posterior parietal stimulation sites derived via seed-based connectivity, precision functional mapping, and electric field modeling methods. A vertex control site was also stimulated in a within-participant, randomized controlled design. Continuous theta burst stimulation was delivered prior to 2 visual discrimination tasks (1 fear based, 1 neutral). Multilevel models were used to model and test data. Participants were undergraduates with posttraumatic stress symptoms (final n = 25). ResultsMain analyses did not indicate that HNT-TMS strengthened discrimination. However, multilevel interaction analyses revealed that HNT-TMS strengthened fear discrimination in participants with lower fear sensitization (indexed by responses to a control stimulus with no similarity to the conditioned fear cue) across multiple indices (anxiety ratings: β = 0.10, 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.17, p = .001; risk ratings: β = 0.07, 95% CI, 0.00 to 0.13, p = .037). ConclusionsOvergeneralization is an associative process that reflects deficient discrimination of the fear cue from similar cues. In contrast, sensitization reflects nonassociative responding unrelated to fear cue similarity. Our results suggest that HNT-TMS may selectively sharpen fear discrimination when associative response patterns, which putatively implicate the hippocampus, are more strongly engaged.