Related Fear Research Articles

Fear of Drug-resistant Tuberculosis as Social Contagion

ABSTRACT This article explores the spread of tuberculosis, the fear of infection as well as rejection and care across family ties and doctor-patient relationships based on a case study in Odisha, India. Social contagion is seen as the communication of the phenomenal in ways that reproduce perceptions, feelings or the faculty of will in another person, involving modifications of intensity, meaning and context. This paper discusses the impact of the social contagion of fear in relation to drug-resistant tuberculosis. It shows how such contagion can be stimulated by medical doctors and severely disrupt kinship ties with a serious negative impact on the course of treatment. The paper argues that in such cases, social contagion and biological infection become mutually reinforcing through a vicious cycle: the former may undermine necessary social support embedded in family relations, thereby allowing the latter to thrive and in turn cause more fear in the patient and her family.

The Role of Father Involvement and Intimate Partner Violence on Postnatal Depression Among Women With Unintended Pregnancy.

This study set out to fill the research gap by including various aspects of father involvement and intimate partner violence (IPV) in the examination of the association between unintended pregnancy and maternal postnatal depression (PND). This study aimed to examine the effect of father involvement and IPV on the association between unintended pregnancy and PND. A sample of 1,083 pregnant women who attended antenatal clinic at selected hospitals in Hong Kong completed two surveys to report on their pregnancy intention, antenatal depression, PND, IPV during pregnancy, their partner's (i.e., father's) involvement during pregnancy and after childbirth, and perceived social support. Comparisons were made between women with unintended pregnancy and those with intended pregnancy, and the effects of unintended pregnancy, father involvement, IPV, and other factors on maternal PND were examined. Results show that women with unintended pregnancy were more likely to report PND, IPV, fear, postnatal stress, lower degree of father involvement, and lower level of social support. Unintended pregnancy independently increased the risk of PND by 1.95 times (95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.15, 3.28]), after adjustment for all other variables. When father involvement was included in the regression model, the negative effects of IPV and the related fear on PND became nonsignificant. The positive association between unintended pregnancy and PND was robust. Father involvement might help promote maternal health by reducing the negative effects of IPV on PND.

The Thought Experimenting Qualities of Kierkegaard’s Fear and Trembling

In this article, I examine the possible thought experimenting qualities of Søren Kierkegaard’s novel Fear and Trembling and in which way (if any) it can be explanatory. Kierkegaard’s preference for pseudonyms, indirect communication, Socratic interrogation, and performativity are identified as features that provide the narrative with its thought experimenting quality. It is also proposed that this literary fiction functions as a Socratic–theological thought experiment due to its influences from both philosophy and theology. In addition, I suggest three functional levels of the fictional narrative that, in different ways, influence its possible explanatory force. As a theoretical background for the investigation, two accounts of literary cognitivism are explored: Noël Carroll’s Argument Account and Catherine Elgin’s Exemplification Account. In relation to Carroll’s proposal, I conclude that Fear and Trembling develops a philosophical argumentation that is dependent on the reader’s own existential contribution. In relation to Elgin’s thought, the relation between truth and explanatory force is acknowledged. At the end of the article, I argue that it is more accurate to see the explanatory force of Fear and Trembling in relation to its exploratory function.

Aversive Imagery Causes De Novo Fear Conditioning

In classical fear conditioning, neutral conditioned stimuli that have been paired with aversive physical unconditioned stimuli eventually trigger fear responses. Here, we tested whether aversive mental images systematically paired with a conditioned stimulus also cause de novo fear learning in the absence of any external aversive stimulation. In two experiments (N = 45 and N = 41), participants were first trained to produce aversive, neutral, or no imagery in response to three different visual-imagery cues. In a subsequent imagery-based differential-conditioning paradigm, each of the three cues systematically coterminated with one of three different neutral faces. Although the face that was paired with the aversive-imagery cue was never paired with aversive external stimuli or threat-related instructions, participants rated it as more arousing, unpleasant, and threatening and displayed relative fear bradycardia and fear-potentiated startle. These results could be relevant for the development of fear and related disorders without trauma.

Associations between Case Fatality Rates and Self-Reported Fear of Neoplasms and Circulatory Diseases.

Background. According to decision by sampling theory, people store relative frequencies of events in memory, and these values constitute subjective representations of events. Because fear is a natural response to the threat of death, we hypothesized that case fatality rate (CFR) statistics, which represent how deadly a disease is, would be positively correlated with self-reported fear ratings of neoplasms and circulatory diseases. Methods. Participants (N = 239) were asked to rate various neoplasms and circulatory diseases (110 diseases in total) on fear, typicality, and disgust scales (e.g., 1 = no fear, 10 = intense fear). They also estimated mortality and morbidity rates for the same set of diseases. Finally, they completed the Berlin Numeracy Test. CFRs were obtained from the World Health Organization (WHO) database. The association between relative CFR and fear ratings was tested using correlation analyses and a multilevel linear model with Bayesian inference techniques. Results. We found that fear ratings were related to relative CFRs (r = 0.42, [0.25, 0.56], BF = 3511). This effect was present on aggregate and, to some extent, on individual levels, even after controlling for other ratings, morbidity rate, participants' estimates of mortality and morbidity statistics, numeracy, sex, age, and knowledge of WHO statistics. Also, women rated neoplasms as more frightening than circulatory diseases, and typicality ratings were related to morbidity rates. Limitations. Limited number of diagnostic entities and categories, lack of control over the technicality of disease names and participants' experience of diseases, and study sample (83% young women). Conclusions. We present initial evidence that implicit acquisition of CFRs of diseases through everyday experience may be related to the intensity of fear reactions to them.

Psychological impact of clinical treatment after breast cancer diagnosis in younger patients (38–50 age range): An explorative 3-year observational study

Objective: Young women with breast cancer (BC) face emotional challenges as they deal with the disease and the related fear of adversity. This study evaluated the psychosocial complications experienced by younger women (38–50 age range) over a three year period after BC diagnosis.Method: From an observational perspective, we detected late-stage complications involving psychological distress (variables included anxiety, anger, psychological distress, and depression) and sociodemographic influences on treatment and post-treatment paths for a 36-month period after diagnosis.Results: Our data highlighted that good emotional regulation improved resilience in dealing with diagnoses and medical treatments. Findings highlighted that women with positive mental flexibility toward surgical and pharmacological treatments improved their resilience because they mentally focused on the medical treatments and following recovery periods. However, fragility was detected over a three-year period following diagnoses. Patients were mostly impacted around 12 months after diagnoses and soon after post-treatment paths (i.e., at 24 months and around 36 months after diagnosis).Conclusion: Psychological status fluctuates among BC survivors. Here, resilience may be a useful trait in young patients by enabling them to regain normal lives. In fact, an increased likelihood of survival is strongly linked to the restoration of a normal life through modified and improved living. Our findings highlighted that young BC patients were emotionally challenged; a psychological resilience index can thus predict depression and/or anxiety patterns in dealing with adversity.

Stakeholder feedback on The CARD™ System to improve the vaccination experience at school.

School-based vaccination programs can be a source of distress for many students due to the pain from the needle injection and related fears. We created a multifaceted Knowledge Translation (KT) intervention to address vaccination and pain, fear, and fainting called The CARD™ System. The objectives were to document acceptability of key tools included in the multifaceted KT intervention and their effectiveness in improving knowledge and attitudes about vaccination pain and fear. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used. Students, school staff, public health nurses, and parents participated in separate focus groups whereby they independently completed a knowledge and attitudes survey and provided structured and qualitative feedback on key KT tools of the multifaceted KT intervention. They then repeated the knowledge and attitudes survey. Altogether, 22 students (grade 6 and 7), 16 school staff (principals, grade 7 and 8 teachers, resource teachers, secretaries), 10 nurses (injecting, charge, and school nurses), and 3 parents participated. Knowledge test scores increased post-KT tool review: 8.5 (2.1) versus 7.3 (1.9); P<0.001. Attitudes were more positive about the individual nature of pain and fear experience during vaccination. Student fear scores were lower post-tool review: 5.1 (2.9) versus 4.6 (3.0); P<0.001. The majority of the participants reported they understood all the information, the amount was just right and that the information was useful. The KT tools were demonstrated to be acceptable and to improve knowledge. Future research is warranted to determine their impact on student experience during school vaccinations.

A collective sigh of relief: Local reactions to the establishment of new asylum centers in Norway

This article investigates a mood change in local communities where new asylum seeker facilities were established in the wake of the “refugee crisis” in 2015. Whereas opinions in flux are often studied using quantitative data, this analysis takes advantage of in-depth qualitative interviews with inhabitants in selected Norwegian local communities after new temporary asylum reception centers were established. Qualitative data collected at this particular time provide the opportunity to gain insight into social processes occurring in the wake of a sudden influx of immigrants. A key feature of the material is statements reflecting fear or nervous anticipation in relation to the period before the newcomers arrived, followed by descriptions of diminishing concern afterwards. Several studies have engaged with the issue of changes in public mood during this particular period, but few have analyzed changes at the local level. The study concludes that while the backdrop of impactful events that led to shifts in public mood at the national and regional levels played a role in informants’ imagined encounters with the newcomers, experiencing the presence of the newcomers resulted in a subtle mood change of increased acceptance.

위생에서 청결로 : 서울의 근대적 분뇨 처리

With the acceptance of the etiology called Miasma theory in Korean society after the opening of its ports, human wastes were cited as the cause of “noxious air” that penetrates into the human body and causes infectious diseases. The prevention of epidemics required blocking the release of noxious air. Among the Gaehwapa members, Kim Ok-Gyun and Park Yeong-Hyo advocated the collection of human wastes and their use as a fertilizer, and Yu Gil-Jun argued for the introduction of Western methods for treating human wastes including flush toilets. The systematic treatment of human wastes was realized with the foundation of Hanseong Wisaenghoi (The Sanitary Organization in Seoul) in 1907. The organization collected human wastes from each household and moved them to a storage in the outskirts of Seoul.<BR> The regular collection of human wastes reduced the incidence of infectious diseases. However, parasites still could spread through human wastes. Gyeongseong-bu (or Seoul under Japan’s colonial rule) sought to provide fundamental methods to treat human wastes by commissioning a study to the parasitologist Kobayashi Harujiro (小林淸治郞). Kobayashi proposed the method of mixing feces and urine, decaying the mixture by storing for up to two months, and then using it as a fertilizer. It was traditional to think that human wastes should be decayed before using them as a fertilizer. However, Kobayashi emphasized the fact that his experiment was performed in the conditions that could cause a number of variables.<BR> Though it was confirmed that using decayed human wastes removed parasites, the problem was that parasites still did not disappear. According to a survey conducted in 1948, over nine out of 10 Koreans were infected with parasites. This was because humans wastes which had not been fully decayed were used as fertilizers. The prevention of parasites required changes in the actual environment. In the 1960s, the production and use of chemical fertilizers was expanded. In the 1970s, a sewage treatment method linked with flush toilets was introduced. Moreover, nationwide movements for the eradication of parasite were carried out. As a result, human wastes gradually turned from an object of fear in relation to sanitation to an object of dirtiness in relation to cleanness.

Modern health worries: Deriving two measurement invariant short scales for cross-cultural research with Ant Colony Optimization.

Worries about possible harmful effects of new technologies (modern health worries) have intensely been investigated in the last decade. However, the comparability of translated self-report measures across countries is often problematic. This study aimed to overcome this problem by developing psychometrically sound brief versions of the widely used 25-item Modern Health Worries Scale (MHWS) suitable for multi-country use. Based on data of overall 5,176 individuals from four European countries (England, Germany, Hungary, Sweden), Ant Colony Optimization was used to identify the indicators that optimize model fit and measurement invariance across countries. Two scales were developed. A short (12-item) version of the MHWS that represents the four-factor structure of the original version and an ultra-short (4-item) scale that only measures the general construct. Both scales show that overall levels of health worries were highest in England and Hungary, but that the main reason for concern (e.g. electromagnetic radiation or food related fears) differs considerably between these countries. This study also shows that even if measurement invariance of translated self-report instruments across countries is problematic, it can be optimized by using adequate item selection procedures. Differences of modern health worries across countries and recommendations for cross-cultural research are discussed.

Explaining Trump's Popular Support: Validation of a Nativism Index

ObjectiveIn this article, we describe the development of a Nativism Index and evaluate its validity in the U.S. context, a global sample, and over time. Our overall objective is to establish the Nativism Index as a valid and reliable measure of nativism for use in subsequent research.MethodUsing survey data from Ipsos Public Affairs in the United States and from the Ipsos Global Advisor for our global sample, we test the convergent and discriminate validity and reliability of the Nativism Index.ResultsThe Nativism Index is correlated with but clearly distinct from related concepts, including populism, authoritarianism, and fear of others. The Nativism Index is also predictive of support for Donald Trump in the United States and UKIP in the United Kingdom.ConclusionOverall, our findings suggest that the Nativism Index represents a robust measure with strong internal consistency and high convergent and divergent validity in both U.S. and global samples.

Not all posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms are equal: fear, dysphoria, and risk of developing hypertension in trauma-exposed women.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with higher risk of incident hypertension, but it is unclear whether specific aspects of PTSD are particularly cardiotoxic. PTSD is a heterogeneous disorder, comprising dimensions of fear and dysphoria. Because elevated fear after trauma may promote autonomic nervous system dysregulation, we hypothesized fear would predict hypertension onset, and associations with hypertension would be stronger with fear than dysphoria. We examined fear and dysphoria symptom dimensions in relation to incident hypertension over 24 years in 2709 trauma-exposed women in the Nurses' Health Study II. Posttraumatic fear and dysphoria symptom scores were derived from a PTSD diagnostic interview. We used proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each symptom dimension (quintiles) with new-onset hypertension events (N = 925), using separate models. We also considered lower-order symptom dimensions of fear and dysphoria. Higher levels of fear (P-trend = 0.02), but not dysphoria (P-trend = 0.22), symptoms were significantly associated with increased hypertension risk after adjusting for socio-demographics and family history of hypertension. Women in the highest v. lowest fear quintile had a 26% higher rate of developing hypertension [HR = 1.26 (95% CI 1.02-1.57)]; the increased incidence associated with greater fear was similar when further adjusted for biomedical and health behavior covariates (P-trend = 0.04) and dysphoria symptoms (P-trend = 0.04). Lower-order symptom dimension analyses provided preliminary evidence that the re-experiencing and avoidance components of fear were particularly associated with hypertension. Fear symptoms associated with PTSD may be a critical driver of elevated cardiovascular risk in trauma-exposed individuals.

Verification of the Korean Version of the Dental Fear Survey.

BackgroundAlthough studies on dental fear in relation to sex and age have been conducted, there have been few nationwide studies particularly on the youth sector. In addition, no validity and reliability verifications have been implemented for new research groups on the Korean version of the Dental Fear Survey (K-DFS). Therefore, this study aimed to apply the K-DFS developed in a previous study on Korean youth to draw conclusions on dental fear among the youth.MethodsThis study used the K-DFS, a Korean translation of Kleinknecht's Dental Fear Survey for elementary school, middle school, and high school students. This study selected 2,161 young people of various ages as participants and increased the validity of the research results by expanding nationwide the scope of the study area.ResultsDifferences in fear levels according to sex were higher in boys fear behavior scores than in girls' regarding dental treatment (P < 0.05). Students with dental fear had higher scores on items associated with dental treatment and fear of dental stimuli compared with students without dental fear (P < 0.05). Differences were observed among the three groups (P < 0.05). However, the results of logistic regression analysis showed no statistically significant differences for dental visits based on sex, grade, and other subcomponents (P > 0.05).ConclusionBy verifying the validity of the newly developed K-DFS, this research confirmed its utility as a dental fear questionnaire. Therefore, there can be no objection that the grounds for criticism have been established according to conventional wisdom. In the future, however, developing and studying the limits of K-DFS that overcome the factors of dental fear, especially pain, will help reduce dental fear in adolescents.

Ten Years and the politics of fear in post-Umbrella Hong Kong

ABSTRACTPolitical emotion has become one of the most significant components of the ensuing crisis in Hong Kong since it was taken over by China in 1997. By focusing on the highly controversial film Ten Years which was awarded the best film at the 35th Hong Kong Film Awards but heavily criticized for its poor artistic value and intense political implications, this article explores a range of affective cultural practices of fear generated by the film and their social effects on Hong Kong’s post-Umbrella movement era. Informed by the perspective of critical cultural studies, the article examines how this political film offers a site of political intervention through which to perform the politics of fear. The article further illustrates how such emotional politics engages with subject formation in the changing political context, and how it produces a site of political intervention against China. Moreover, the article also elaborates what possible dilemma may be evoked by such politics of fear in relation to Hong Kong’s nativism.

Struggling with everyday life after mild stroke with cognitive impairments – The experiences of working age women

Introduction The aim of this study was to explore how women of working age who have had a mild stroke resulting in cognitive impairment experience and manage their everyday lives. Method Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. The participants consisted of 10 women of working age who had sustained cognitive impairment after a mild stroke. The interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results Three main categories appeared: The everyday is affected by the symptoms, Living strategies, and The social environment effects and changes. Participants feel insecure about their abilities and capabilities, experience anxiety and fear in relation to work, and find it hard to live up to demands and expectations. They are required to plan their daily activities in a new way and to prioritise chores that benefit the family, rather than follow their own interests and social activities. In order to cope with everyday life, they need to allocate chores to other family members. Conclusions The constant impact of fatigue and cognitive impairments affects everyday life. The women said that they had to learn to continuously manage their limitations through their experience of everyday life, something that can be facilitated with occupational therapy.

Height Simulation in a Virtual Reality CAVE System: Validity of Fear Responses and Effects of an Immersion Manipulation.

Acrophobia is characterized by intense fear in height situations. Virtual reality (VR) can be used to trigger such phobic fear, and VR exposure therapy (VRET) has proven effective for treatment of phobias, although it remains important to further elucidate factors that modulate and mediate the fear responses triggered in VR. The present study assessed verbal and behavioral fear responses triggered by a height simulation in a 5-sided cave automatic virtual environment (CAVE) with visual and acoustic simulation and further investigated how fear responses are modulated by immersion, i.e., an additional wind simulation, and presence, i.e., the feeling to be present in the VE. Results revealed a high validity for the CAVE and VE in provoking height related self-reported fear and avoidance behavior in accordance with a trait measure of acrophobic fear. Increasing immersion significantly increased fear responses in high height anxious (HHA) participants, but did not affect presence. Nevertheless, presence was found to be an important predictor of fear responses. We conclude that a CAVE system can be used to elicit valid fear responses, which might be further enhanced by immersion manipulations independent from presence. These results may help to improve VRET efficacy and its transfer to real situations.

Sport Courage, Worry and Fear in Relation to Success of Alpine Ski Learning.

(1) Background: Individuals’ psychological traits can influence not just success in sport but also the ability to learn new motor skills. We investigated whether sport courage, worry and fear differ between alpine ski-naive and basic level skiers and how they affect ski learning. (2): A total of 337 students (249 ski-naive and 88 basic level) participated in research consisting of a four-part questionnaire and structured skiing program. (3) Results: For beginners, lower fear (r = −0.30, p < 0.01) and higher Self-efficiency (r = 0.28, p < 0.05) and mastery (r = 0.20, p < 0.01) were associated with better performance; reducing fear and increasing self-efficiency and worry increased performance. Experienced skiers were better in determination, mastery, and self-efficiency (all p < 0.05). In case of lower score in worry (r = −0.28, p < 0.01) and higher in self-efficiency (r = 0.22, p < 0.05) performance was better. Males scored higher in sport courage scale-31 (all p < 0.05). In particular, self-efficiency was associated with better (r = 0.39, p < 0.01), and higher fear with poorer performance (r = −0.33, p < 0.01). Moreover, self-efficiency was a predictor of ski success (p < 0.001). On the other hand, females like ski beginners scored higher in fear (p < 0.001). In females, determination, mastery and self-efficiency had a positive correlation with skiing (r = 0.21, p < 0.05, r = 0.28, p < 0.01, and r = 0.33, p < 0.01, respectively), while association between Fear and skiing (r = −0.46, p < 0.01) was negative, and fear (p < 0.001) was inversely related to success. (4): Conclusions: Psychological factors and gender differences need to be considered during learning phases of alpine skiing. There is a positive association between self-efficiency and performance of male ski beginners, and negative association between fear and achieved results in basic alpine ski school in case of female ski beginners.

Childbirth preferences and related fears - comparison between Norway and Israel

BackgroundFear of childbirth (FOC) could have significant impact on women’s childbearing choices and experience. Culture affects the way women conceptualize childbirth, influencing the fears and expectations they may hold in relation to it. In the current study, we examined differences in childbirth preferences of cesarean section and use of epidural analgesia between Norwegian and Israeli pregnant women. Later, we used the Norwegian six-factor solution of the widely-used Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire (W-DEQ-A) to compare levels of the different FOC factors. Finally, we investigated differences in the associations between FOC and childbirth preferences between the two countries.MethodsSecondary analysis of two large surveys. Women from Israel (n = 490) and Norway (n = 2918) were recruited during prenatal check-ups in community clinics and a university hospital. At around 32 weeks of gestation, all participants filled out questionnaires, including the W-DEQ-A. Statistical analysis included exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, M/ANOVA, Spearman’s Rho and Fisher’s Z tests for the significance of the difference between independent correlations.ResultsThe Norwegian six-factor solution of the W-DEQ fit well with the Israeli data. Norwegian women were more concerned about loneliness, feeling less self-efficacy, negatively appraising birth, and lacking positive anticipation. Israeli women were more concerned about negative outcomes for the child and experienced greater general fear and fear of pain. Norwegian women preferred more cesarean sections compared to Israeli women, who preferred more epidural use than Norwegians. FOC factors were more strongly related to childbirth preferences among Norwegians.ConclusionsCultural differences between Israel and Norway are reflected by the differences seen in the levels of fear reported across the six factors. In Israel, birth culture is very medicalized, motherhood is highly revered, and there is an emphasis on having “perfect babies”. In contrast, Norwegian women have fewer children, and birth is considered more natural. This could explain why Israeli women were more concerned that their child might be harmed during birth, while Norwegian women were more concerned with the physical and emotional expectations of birth.

Effects of a combined lumbar stabilization exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy on selected variables of individuals with non-specific low back pain: A randomized clinical trial

ObjectiveTo determine whether combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) along with Lumbar Stabilization Exercise (LSE) has more benefit in terms of reduction in pain, disability and fear avoidance beliefs of persons with non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) as compared to LSE alone. Material and methodsForty-six individuals, with NSCLBP participated in this single blind randomized clinical trial. Participants were randomly assigned into one of two groups: CBT+LSE; (n=23) and LSE only; (n=23). Treatment was applied twice a week for 6 weeks. Outcomes assessed pre- and post-interventions were pain intensity (PI) using visual analogue scale (VAS), functional disability (FD) using Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Fear Avoidance Beliefs (FAB) using Fear-Avoidance Beliefs questionnaire (FABQ). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired and independent t-tests as well as ANCOVA at α<0.05. ResultsParticipants in both groups were comparable in age and at all baseline values. The results showed no significant difference between the two groups for pain intensity (3.11±1.24 vs 3.33±1.41, p>0.05), FD (27.16±9.14 vs 30.22±11.98, p>0.05), physical activity related fear avoidance beliefs (13.63±7.60 vs 16.11±5.73, p>0.05) and work related fear avoidance beliefs (24.47±10.86 vs 28.72±9.405, p>0.05). However, there was a significant difference within each group in all the outcomes measured, p<0.05. ConclusionCombined intervention of CBT plus LSE was not more effective than LSE alone in the management of non-specific chronic low back pain.

Brain Mechanisms and Treatment Targets for Fear Disorders

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related fear disorders involve a conditioned fear response to stimuli associated with the trauma.