Pleasurable Activities Research Articles

Mental health and resilience in young people on Saint Helena Island.

This study explored the mental health needs and strengths of young people (aged 11-18 years) living on the remote island of Saint Helena (SH). 24 young people and their carers completed standardised inventories assessing mental health and resilience, of whom 15 of the young people and their carers participated in semi-structured interviews enquiring into mental health awareness, contributing factors to young people's mental health and resilience, as well as experience with local mental health services. Descriptive data were reported based on the quantitative measures and thematic analysis was applied to the interview transcripts. A number of young people were found to meet criteria for mental health problems while they showed high levels of resilience. The themes derived from young people's interviews were broadly centred around mental health boosters, including personal successes, social interactions, engagement in pleasurable activities and use of anxiety management strategies; and around limitations of living in SH in terms of limited resources and difficulty in maintaining trust in the community. From the carers, the themes revolved around awareness of mental health needs and strengths in young people, perceived barriers to access support mainly due to apprehensions around stigma and anonymity. Recommendations for improvement of mental health provision are made.

OS EFEITOS POSITIVOS DA PRÁTICA DE ATIVIDADE FÍSICA NA SÁUDE DOIDOSO

The study under discussion will address the importance of physical activity aimed at the elderly,its effects and benefits, with a focus on quality of life. Thus, the elderly who practice physicalactivity become more resistant to illnesses and emotional stress, hence depression, having amore active, healthy and independent life. Thus, what is the importance of practicing physicalactivities in elderly groups? Quality of life is a personal choice. For some seniors, the practiceof physical activity combined with a better quality of life is a pleasurable activity, while othersdo not think this way. The present study is of fundamental importance to prove that physicalactivity is related to improving the quality of life of the elderly, which contributes to theimprovement of the functional capacity and active work of the oldest old and even to preventthe installation, progression or correction of possible dysfunctions that end up incapacitating it.The present study has as general objective to research the relationship between physical activityand maintenance of the elderly's functional autonomy, providing quality of life. The specificobjectives are to investigate the contribution of physical activity as an interfering factor in thehealthy aging process, show the contribution of physical activity for the elderly in theprevention and cure of diseases that compromise the autonomy of the elderly and analyze howphysical activity contributes to maintain quality of life and even increase the level of autonomyof the elderly. Thus, this work is a descriptive research, as its purpose is to register, describe,observe and compare the various phenomena in the context of old age. The research was tocollect bibliographic data.

Analysis of medication rule of Traditional Chinese Medicine in treating depression based on data mining

ObjectiveDepression is a mental disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, decreased interest or pleasure in activities and reduced energy. As a highly prevalent disorder, it seriously endangers the psychosocial functioning of patients. Many scholars have conducted clinical studies on the treatment of depression using different herbal remedies, but there are no studies that integrate these remedies to explore the general medication rule. This study aims to explore the medication pattern of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment for depression through data mining methods, so as to provide scientific theoretical basis and reference for clinical treatment and new prescription development. MethodsBased on the PRISMA principle, 121 articles involving 10810 patients with depression of TCM treatment were collected. We then performed frequency, association rule, and hierarchical clustering analysis of Chinese herbs using Microsoft Excel 2016, SPSS Modeler 18.0 and IBM SPSS Statistics 23. ResultsAmong the 270 herbs collected, the three most frequently occurring herbs are Gancao, Chaihu, and Shaoyao. The categories of high-frequency herbs are mainly deficiency-tonifying, Qi-regulating and blood-activating and stasis-eliminating herbs. Through the Apriori algorithm, we mined 21 herbal groups of association rules, and among which the combination of Chaihu-Shaoyao-Gancao has the highest level of support. Furthermore, five novel clustering combinations were identified, predominantly derived from Xiaoyao-San, Chaihu-Shugan-San, Sini powder, Kaixin-San and Chaihu-Jia-Longgu-Muli Decoction. ConclusionThe current study not only concluded the frequent combinations but also developed five new drug cluster combinations for depression, which can provide evidence-based references for the future clinical treatment and is helpful to understand the potential pharmaceutical mechanism from the properties, tastes, meridian tropisms and categories. The clinical effectiveness of these combinations needs to be verified by future study.

Playful enactive interventions can enhance agency, empathy and social integration in children

Theoretical frameworkPlay is vital for children's healthy development and growth. According to the enactive framework, play can foster socialization, self-regulation and cognitive processing. When children become active participants in pleasurable activities, they engage with their environment in diverse ways, engendering new meanings and transforming existing ones. Previous studies have shown that social integration and agency can be cultivated from an early age. Purpose or motivationIn the current study we review prior research, taking into consideration the enactive approach. From this perspective, we revalue play as a particularly fruitful activity, which enables embodied interactions between peers, contributing to participatory sense-making processes. This study examines the impact of playful enactive interventions on transformative agency and social integration. MethodsThe study involved 161 children aged 6–8 years, who attended four schools in Bariloche, Argentina. We conducted enactive interventions which propitiated playful affective instances through non-competitive play and self-awareness practices. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed to evaluate changes in social integration and agency in children. ResultsThe children showed changes both in the social domain - including peer relationships, empathy and classroom climate - and in their capacity for agency and emotional regulation. In addition, most children reported that they continued to use the self-awareness practices in stressful situations outside of school. ConclusionThe present study reveals that playful enactive interventions can foster agency and empathy during childhood. Embodied experiences within playful contexts may have enabled participatory sense-making processes that contributed to the recreation of peer relationships.

Unpacking the components of positive affect variability: Implications for psychological health across contexts.

Prior research suggests variability of positive affect (PA), or the degree to which an individual's experience of PA is variable rather than stable, is associated with worse psychological health. However, it is unclear whether different aspects of PA variability serve different psychological functions. One possibility is that changes in PA in response to rewarding contexts, or PA reactivity, serve a healthy function, while general instability of PA from one moment to the next serves an unhealthy function. The current investigation separated out PA reactivity to pleasant activities from general PA instability. We tested associations in three experience-sampling studies collected between 2012 and 2020 (N = 323). An internal meta-analysis revealed a significant association between PA reactivity to pleasant activities and less well-being. Moderation by average levels of PA was present but inconsistent across studies. We discuss how PA reactions to rewarding contexts may not necessarily reflect healthy emotion regulation and consider that "mood brightening" effects in daily life may indicate ill-being rather than well-being. Caution is warranted when interpreting the primary findings, as the indirect effect of PA reactivity was significant in only one of the three individual studies, and the effect was only found for the outcome of well-being and not distress. Results can be most confidently generalized to White adults living in the Midwest region of the United States. Future research should test not only the intensity of PA reactivity to rewarding contexts but also how long a person can sustain elevated PA-in relation to psychological health. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Music therapy and anhedonia: A case study

Anhedonia is a reduced ability to experience pleasure or enjoy everyday activities. It is a common symptom of many chronic and mental illnesses. This case study outlines a four-month music therapy program with one individual experiencing anhedonia. In this study, the authors investigated whether brief, daily, guided musicking activity would lead to increased anticipatory and consummatory pleasure for the case study participant. Analysis of numerical data supported this hypothesis. Subsequent analysis of descriptive data articulated key features of the action and experience of the guided musicking process for both the music therapy participant and guide. Findings from this study indicated that music within a therapeutic relationship supported positive outcomes in this case. Further research is needed to understand the potential impact of guided musicking activity for other people with anhedonia.

Dynamic processes in behavioral activation therapy for anhedonic adolescents: Modeling common and patient-specific relations.

Behavioral activation (BA) is a brief intervention for depression encouraging gradual and systematic re-engagement with rewarding activities and behaviors. Given this treatment focus, BA may be particularly beneficial for adolescents with prominent anhedonia, a predictor of poor treatment response and common residual symptom. We applied group iterative multiple model estimation (GIMME) to ecological momentary assessment (EMA) treatment data to investigate common and person-specific processes during BA for anhedonic adolescents. Thirty-nine adolescents (Mage = 15.7 years old, 67% female, 81% White) with elevated anhedonia (Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale) were enrolled in a 12-week BA trial, with weekly anhedonia assessments. EMA surveys were triggered every other week (2-3 surveys per day) throughout treatment assessing current positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA), engagement in pleasurable activities and social interactions, anticipatory pleasure, rumination, and recent pleasurable and stressful experiences. A multilevel model revealed significant decreases in anhedonia, t(25.5) = -4.76, p < .001, over the 12-week trial. GIMME results indicated substantial heterogeneity in variable networks across patients. PA was the variable with the greatest number (22% of all paths vs. 11% for NA) of predictive paths to other symptoms (i.e., highest out-degree). Higher PA (but not NA) out-degree was associated with greater anhedonia improvement, t(25.8) = -2.22, p = .035. Results revealed substantial heterogeneity in variable relations across patients, which may obscure the search for common processes of change in BA. PA may be a particularly important treatment target for anhedonic adolescents in BA. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The psychological side of menopause: evidence from the comorbidity network of menopausal, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.

Numerous studies have uncovered a correlation between menopausal, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. How these symptoms interrelate and influence each other, however, remains unclear. This study aimed to identify the associations between menopausal, anxiety, and depressive symptoms using network analysis. The participants comprised 423 women ( Mage = 49.21 ± 4.01 y; range, 40-60 y) recruited from a menopause clinic at a tertiary hospital in Beijing, China. Demographic characteristics and menopausal, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were obtained through self-report questionnaires. Two networks were established: a partial correlation network and a Bayesian network. The menopausal symptom of nervousness exhibited a robust association with anxiety symptoms in both networks. Within the partial correlation network, the depressive symptom of tiredness emerged as a pivotal symptom, facilitating the co-occurrence of menopausal and depressive symptoms. Bayesian network analysis exhibited that the depressive symptom of a loss of interest was related to certain menopausal symptoms through depressive symptoms of tiredness and motor problems, both serving as critical links between menopausal symptoms and depression. Notably, four menopausal symptoms-arthralgia/myalgia, formication, sexual complaints, and urinary tract infection-appeared independent of other menopausal, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Both psychological (eg, fatigue) and somatic (eg, hot flashes, headaches, and dizziness) menopausal symptoms demonstrate strong associations with depression. In providing optimal support for women's health during menopause, psychological interventions aimed at depression, particularly among those experiencing a loss of interest or pleasure in activities, should complement conventional therapies.

ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES TO CORPORAL PUNISHMENT USED BY SELECTED BASIC SCHOOL TEACHERS IN MAMPONG MUNICIPALITY, GHANA

This study was conducted to determine the alternative strategies to corporal punishment used by some basic school teachers in Mampong Municipality in the wake of the abolition of corporal punishment in Ghanaian schools. The study used a qualitative research approach and phenomenological research design to study 15 basic school teachers and 15 headteachers who were purposively sampled for the study. Interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect data. It was found that the teachers used positive discipline strategies, such as rule setting, rewards presentation, guidance and counselling and mild punishment strategies, such as task assignment, withdrawal from pleasant activity and upstanding as alternative strategies to corporal punishment. This implies that the teachers follow the recommended discipline policy of the Ghana Education Service (GES). It was recommended, among others, that continuous professional education should be conducted by GES for the teachers to keep them abreast of the use of alternative strategies.&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Article visualizations:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="/-counters-/soc/0704/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

From anticipation to action: A RCT on mental imagery exercises in daily life as a motivational amplifier for individuals with depressive symptoms.

Encouraging engagement in rewarding or pleasant activities is one of the most important treatment goals for depression. Mental imagery exercises have been shown to increase the motivation for planned behaviour in the lab but it is unclear whether this is also the case in daily life. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of mental imagery exercises on motivation and behaviour in daily life. Participants with depressive symptoms (N = 59) were randomly assigned to a group receiving mental imagery (MI) exercises or a control group receiving relaxation (RE) exercises via study phones. We employed an experience sampling design with 10 assessments per day for 10days (three days baseline, four days with two exercises per day and three days post-intervention). Data was analysed using t-tests and multilevel linear regression analyses. As predicted, MI exercises enhanced motivation and reward anticipation during the intervention phase compared to RE. However, MI did not enhance active behaviour or strengthen the temporal association from reward anticipation (t-1) to active behaviour (t). Mental imagery exercises can act as a motivational amplifier but its effects on behaviour and real-life reward processes remain to be elucidated.

Individual, social and area level factors associated with older people's walking: Analysis of an UK household panel study (Understanding Society)

BackgroundAmong older people, walking is a popular and prevalent activity. Walking is key to increasing physical activity levels and resulting physical and mental health. In the context of rapidly ageing populations, it is important to better understand what factors are associated with walking among older people, based on the socioecological model of health. MethodsWe used data from Understanding Society (n:6450), a national panel survey of UK adults aged 65 years and over living in Great Britain. Slope Indices of Inequality (SII) were calculated for weekly walking hours for older people according to individual, social and area characteristics. These include health, loneliness and social isolation, previous walking and sporting activity, residential self-selection, contact with neighbours, number of close friends and social activity. Spatial area-level data described local area crime, walkability, and proximity to retail, greenspace, and public transport amenities. ResultsMultivariable models indicated that poor health, particularly requiring help with walking, was the strongest predictor of weekly walking hours (SII (95% CI) comparing those needing help vs. no help: −3.58 (−4.30, −2.87)). However, both prior sporting activity (most vs. least active: 2.30 (1.75, 2.88)) and walking for pleasure (yes vs. no: 1.92 (1.32, 2.53)) were strongly associated with increased walking several years later. Similarly having close friends (most vs. fewest, 1.18 (0.72, 1.77)) and local retail destinations (any vs. none: 0.93 (0.00, 1.86)) were associated with more weekly walking. ConclusionsPast engagement in physical activity and walking for pleasure are strong predictors of walking behaviour in older people, underscoring the importance of implementing and sustaining walking interventions across the lifespan to ensure continued engagement in later years and the associated health benefits. However, poor health significantly impedes walking in this demographic, emphasising the need for interventions that offer both physical assistance and social support to promote this activity.

Correlation between diabetes mellitus and depression

Depression is the most prevalent mental health condition. It’s estimated that nearly 5% of adults suffer from this disorder globally. Depression is marked by ongoing sadness and a loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable or fulfilling. It can also lead to disruptions in sleep and eating patterns. Common symptoms include fatigue and difficulty concentrating. According to WHO diabetes is a chronic, metabolic disease characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose which leads to the damage of the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves. Nowadays the occurrence of diabetes mellitus, obesity and depression is getting higher and higher. Both conditions stand as prominent health issues in today’s society. Recent pandemic, wars, problems of the current world can cause depression and anxiety disorders. The fast-paced nature of our lives, work-life balance issues, sedentary habits, and time constraints can lead to opting for fast food and neglecting a healthy diet. People with diabetes are more prone to experiencing depression. Moreover, a significant portion of cases remains underdiagnosed.

Comparison of Acceptance vs. Abstinence Self-Control Techniques Effects on Procrastination and Well-Being in Video-Gamers

&lt;i&gt;Activities that bring short-term pleasure, such as video gaming, have an ambiguous effect on long-term goal attainment. From one perspective, they are a source of positive affect, which helps people to overcome procrastination and finally initiate the planned task. However, these short-term pleasure activities may become the source of procrastination themselves, tempting people to engage in them beyond the intended timeframe. The present study attempts to resolve this conflict. It implies a novel “qualitative experiment” methodology in order to test a behavioral strategy; taking 10-minute breaks after each game round, which is aimed to help gamers control their desire to play beyond the self-imposed limit. Over the course of two weeks, participants who used this strategy (Strategy group) reported a similar decrease in procrastination tendencies compared to participants who totally abstained from video gaming (Abstinence group) and a larger decrease in procrastination compared to participants who played in their regular routine (Control group). In addition, the Strategy group reported a higher sense of emotional well-being than both the Abstinence and the Control ones. These results corroborate the effectiveness of the self-control model, oriented on the productive coexistence of hedonic pleasures and long-term goals.&lt;/i&gt;

Pleasurable and problematic receptive anal intercourse and diseases of the colon, rectum and anus.

The ability to experience pleasurable sexual activity is important for human health. Receptive anal intercourse (RAI) is a common, though frequently stigmatized, pleasurable sexual activity. Little is known about how diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus and their treatments affect RAI. Engaging in RAI with gastrointestinal disease can be difficult due to the unpredictability of symptoms and treatment-related toxic effects. Patients might experience sphincter hypertonicity, gastrointestinal symptom-specific anxiety, altered pelvic blood flow from structural disorders, decreased sensation from cancer-directed therapies or body image issues from stoma creation. These can result in problematic RAI - encompassing anodyspareunia (painful RAI), arousal dysfunction, orgasm dysfunction and decreased sexual desire. Therapeutic strategies for problematic RAI in patients living with gastrointestinal diseases and/or treatment-related dysfunction include pelvic floor muscle strengthening and stretching, psychological interventions, and restorative devices. Providing health-care professionals with a framework to discuss pleasurable RAI and diagnose problematic RAI can help improve patient outcomes. Normalizing RAI, affirming pleasure from RAI and acknowledging that the gastrointestinal system is involved in sexual pleasure, sexual function and sexual health will help transform the scientific paradigm of sexual health to one that is more just and equitable.

PLAY PARTICIPATION OF ADOLESCENT SCHOOL GOING CHILDREN

Play is a spontaneous, creative, pleasurable and normal activity of the child. It is an integral part of children’s everyday experience, from the earliest days of life through adolescence and into adulthood. Through play the child attains fullness physically and mentally. When the body and mind are alert and fresh, life is full of joy. The aim of the present study is to study the overall statuses of participation of adolescent school going children in play activities and to compare participation of adolescent school going children in play with respect to their gender, family structure and district. The sample of the study consists of 400 Upper Primary and secondary adolescent school going children from six schools of Paschim Medinipur and South-24 Parganas district in West Bengal. The sample was drawn on the basis of non-probability convenient sampling technique. To measure the overall statuses of participation of adolescent school going children in play activities, a three point Likert type Play Participation Scale was developed by the investigator. Collected data were analyzed using the statistics- Mean, Standard Deviation (SD) and Percentage analysis. t- Test analysis was conducts with SPSS programme. Hypotheses were tested at probability level of 0.05. Results of the research showed that most of the adolescent school going children i.e. 92.5% average participation in play activities. Most of them i.e. 67.25% opined that they have low participation per day in play activities and almost negligible percentage i.e. 5.5% of them opined average participation in it. Significant differences in the play participation were found among adolescent school going children with relation to their gender and district. No significant difference in the play participation was found among adolescent school going children with relation to their family structure.

Association of anhedonia with brain-derived neurotrophic factor and interleukin-10 in major depressive disorder

BackgroundAnhedonia, a core symptom of major depressive disorder (MDD), manifests in two forms: anticipatory and consummatory, reflecting a diminished capacity to anticipate or enjoy pleasurable activities. Prior studies suggest that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) may play key roles in the emergence of anhedonia in MDD. The specific relationships between these biomarkers and the two forms of anhedonia remain unclear. This study investigated the potential links between BDNF, IL-10, and both forms of anhedonia in MDD patients. MethodsThis study included 43 participants diagnosed with MDD and 58 healthy controls. It involved detailed assessments of depression and anxiety levels, anticipatory and consummatory pleasure, cognitive functions, and a broad spectrum of plasma biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein, various interleukins, and BDNF. Using partial correlation, variables related to pleasant experiences were identified. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was applied to pinpoint the independent predictors of anhedonia in the MDD group. ResultsDemographically, both groups were comparable in terms of age, sex, body mass index, educational year, and marital status. Individuals with MDD displayed markedly reduced levels of anticipatory and consummatory pleasure, higher anxiety, and depression scores compared to healthy controls. Additionally, cognitive performance was notably poorer in the MDD group. These patients also had lower plasma diamine oxidase levels. Analysis linked anhedonia to impaired delayed memory. Regression results identified IL-10 and BDNF as independent predictors of anticipatory and consummatory anhedonia, respectively. ConclusionThese findings demonstrate that anticipatory and consummatory anhedonia are influenced by independent factors, thereby providing critical insights into the distinct neuroimmunological mechanisms that underlie various forms of anhedonia.Clinicl Trial Registration Number: NCT03790085

Time use decisions in vulnerable urban communities when implementing innovative transport alternatives

Travel time savings have been the most important benefit included in transport project assessments over the last decades. However, understanding how individuals allocate this saved time after implementing transport projects is crucial, as time is a finite resource and performing more pleasant activities may impact their well-being. Large urban interventions, such as the implementation of the first cable car line in a deprived community in Bogotá (Colombia), impact how residents around the project allocate their time. We studied their time-use allocation by estimating a discrete–continuous extreme value (MDCEV) model, by combining data collected before and one year after the project implementation, to represent time-use decision changes in the study area. The results show participation and duration of different activities changed after the project implementation. The cable car increased the probability of participating in work, study, and carrying/collecting activities. It also decreased the duration of travel activities. The cable car also increased women’s time allocation to education and paid work. Overall, reduced travel time allows for more time for leisure and recreational activities. Understanding how individuals allocate their time is particularly relevant for policymakers to inform policies related to transport. This study offers valuable insights into both model development and data collection methods and the understanding of the mechanisms of time-use decisions.

Behavioral Activation Mobile App to Motivate Smokers to Quit: Feasibility and Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Behavioral activation (BA) is an evidence-based treatment for depression that fosters engagement in values-based activities to increase access to positive reinforcement. Depressed mood has been shown to hinder smoking cessation. This study determined the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a mobile app to motivate smokers to quit by using BA and integrating motivational messages to quit smoking. Adult smokers (N=56; mean age 34.5, SD 9.52 years) who were not ready to quit smoking within 30 days were recruited from advertisements and randomized to either 8 weeks of the BA app (set 2 values-based activities per week+motivational messages+feedback on changes in smoking, mood, and values-based activities) or the control group (no app; received resources for quitting smoking). All participants completed the baseline and end-of-treatment web-based questionnaires. Controls also completed weekly web-based assessments, and BA app participants completed assessments through the app. There were no dropouts and only 2 participants in each condition did not complete the end-of-treatment questionnaire. The results demonstrated that it is feasible to recruit smokers who are unmotivated to quit into a smoking cessation induction trial: 86% (57/66) of eligible participants were randomized (BA app: n=27; control: n=29). Participants reported high levels of satisfaction: 80% (20/25) of participants said they would recommend the BA app, there were moderate-to-high scores on the Mobile App Rating Scale, and 88% (22/25) of participants rated the app 3 stars or higher (out of 5). There were high levels of BA app engagement: 96% (26/27) of participants planned activities, and 67% (18/27) of participants planned 7 or more activities. High engagement was found even among those who were at the highest risk for continued smoking (low motivation to quit, low confidence to quit, and high negative affect). The results provided support for the hypothesized relationships between BA constructs: greater pleasant activity completion was associated with greater positive affect (b=0.37, SE 0.21; 95% CI -0.05 to 0.79; P=.08), and greater positive affect tended to predict fewer cigarettes smoked the next day (b=-0.19, SE 0.10; 95% CI -0.39 to 0.01; P=.06). Additionally, a greater number of activities planned was associated with lower negative affect (b=-0.26, SE 0.15; 95% CI -0.55 to 0.04; P=.09). Overall, 16% (4/25) of BA app participants set a quit date versus 4% (1/27) among controls, and there were promising (but not significant) trends for motivation and confidence to quit. The findings suggest that a mobile app intervention can be made appealing to smokers who are unmotivated to quit by focusing on aspects most important to them, such as mood management. This theory-based intervention has shown some initial support for the underlying theoretical constructs, and further efficacy testing is warranted in a fully powered trial.

Kant’s Fantasy

Abstract Throughout his lectures and published writings on anthropology, Kant describes a form of unintentional, unstructured, obscure, and pleasurable imaginative mental activity, which he calls fantasy (Phantasie), where we ‘take pleasure in letting our mind wander about in obscurity’ (LA 25:480). In the context of his pragmatic anthropology, Kant is concerned not only to describe this form of mental activity as a fact of human psychology, but more importantly, to criticize and discourage it. But must we share Kant’s negative evaluation? Could fantasy play a positive role in some kinds of experience? In this paper I first reconstruct Kant’s conception of fantasy, and then consider what role fantasy might play in aesthetic experience. Precisely because of his anxieties about fantasy, Kant is careful to distinguish between the lawless freedom of the imagination in fantasy and the ‘free lawfulness’ of the imagination in aesthetic judgment. Departing from Kant, and with help from Susan Sontag, I argue that certain aesthetic objects, especially certain works of modernist art, positively invite fantasy, making fantasy part of proper aesthetic appreciation. I conclude by suggesting that while fantasy can indeed play a positive role in aesthetic appreciation, there is still reason to regard fantasy as ‘normatively ambiguous’.

Italian Validation of the Barcelona Music Reward Questionnaire

Music experience is considered a highly pleasant activity, with musical stimuli evoking emotions and activating reward brain circuits. The Barcelona Music Reward Questionnaire (BMRQ) evaluates the main facets of music experience that could describe individual differences in music-associated reward. In this work, we validated an Italian version of the BMRQ since only Spanish, English, and French versions are currently available. The original version was translated into Italian, adapted and validated following the methodology proposed in the original BMRQ. The questionnaire was administered to adult participants through an online survey. A total of 1,218 participants were considered for the analysis. Our primary factor analysis showed an overall good structural validity (goodness of fit index &amp;gt; .999). The reliability estimates of each facet varied from .839 and .930, with some items showing higher factor loadings for a different facet than the expected one. Similar findings resulted from an additional analysis performed on a restricted sample (age &amp;lt;= 30 years and upper secondary education level), more comparable with those of the other studies. The Italian BMRQ appears overall valid and reliable despite some differences with the previous studies, suggesting its applicability might be worth testing with different populations and contexts (e.g., clinical context).