Social Discomfort Research Articles

Review of The mindfulness and acceptance workbook for social anxiety and shyness: Using acceptance and commitment therapy to free yourself from fear and reclaim your life.

The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Social Anxiety and Shyness: Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Free Yourself From Fear and Reclaim Your Life by Jan E. Fleming and Nancy L. Kocovski, Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc., 2013, 168 Pages. (ISBN-10: 1608820807, US $19.95 Paperback) Reviewed by RANDI E. MCCABE DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0038090Individuals who are dispositionally shy may desperately wish to engage more socially but feel inhibited from doing so due to feelings of awkwardness and anxiety. This anxiety may be associated with a range of situations, including social interactions such as making conversation, and performance situations such as giving a speech. Feelings of social anxiety and fears of negative selfevaluation can directly interfere with life satisfaction and goal attainment as negative reinforcement leads individuals to alter their life path in ways that minimise the experience of social discomfort. For a subset of people, social anxiety leads to significant clinical distress and impairment warranting a diagnosis of social anxiety disorder. The evidence-based psychological treatment of choice for individuals suffering from social anxiety disorder is cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), an approach that encompasses a variety of treatment packages, the majority of which include a central emphasis on exposure. CBT has been associated with moderate to large effect sizes; however, dropout rates are in the range of 10-20% and a portion of treatment completers achieve only a partial response (Rodebaugh, Holaway, & Heimberg, 2004). Thus, there is a need for new approaches that may meet the needs of those who do not respond to traditional CBT protocols. This book provides just that option.In The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Social Anxiety and Shyness, the authors present a comprehensive treatment approach for overcoming shyness and social anxiety using mindfulness and acceptance strategies. In developing their treatment program, Fleming and Kocovski drew from the work of Steve Hayes (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; ACT), Jon Kabat- Zinn (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction; MBSR), and Zindel Segal (Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy; MBCT), who contributed the foreword for the book. Integrating ACT, MBSR, and MCBT strategies, the authors have specifically tailored the program to individuals with social anxiety. The book naturally developed out of the authors' own research program investigating group mindfulness- and acceptance-based therapy for social anxiety (MAGT). A major strength of the book is that it is based on empirical evidence showing both in an open trial and in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) that MAGT is associated with a significant reduction in social anxiety that is equivalent to the efficacy associated with CBT. Thus, the workbook offers a viable treatment option for consumers with social anxiety and for therapists working with clients with social anxiety. The approach may be used as an initial treatment or as an alternate option if standard CBT was not a good fit or the gains realised were suboptimal. The authors do a thorough job of summarising the research literature on mindfulness- and acceptance-based strategies for social anxiety, including their own work in this area, in Appendix A of the workbook.Overall, the book is well-written and a quick read with short chapters and focused exercises. In the introduction, the authors orient the reader to the roots of the approach taken in the book (ACT, MBCT, and MBSR) as well as the authors' inspiration for the book. They provide an overview of the organisation of the book as well as how to use it. An attractive feature of this workbook is the companion resources provided on the publisher's website. Users of the workbook can download all the worksheets as well as listen to audio files of the seven main meditation exercises (mindful eating, observing the mountain, body scan, mindful stretching, awareness of thinking, imagining VITAL action, and loving kindness). …

Does rapport‐building boost the eyewitness eyeclosure effect in closed questioning?

PurposeSeveral studies have documented that people's ability to correctly report details of witnessed events is enhanced when they merely close their eyes. Yet closing one's eyes in front of a stranger could sometimes create social discomfort, which other studies suggest can impair memory reports. This paper reports two experiments exploring the extent to which the memory benefits of eyeclosure are enhanced when efforts are taken to build interviewer/witness rapport, thus potentially reducing discomfort.MethodsIn both studies participants observed filmed events and, afterwards, half underwent a basic rapport‐building exercise with an interviewer. All participants then answered closed questions about specific details of the event, and half were instructed to close their eyes throughout this questioning. We recorded the proportion of questions answered correctly, incorrectly, or with ‘don't know’ responses.ResultsBoth eyeclosure and rapport‐building separately enhanced correct responding. The data offer no evidence, though, that rapport‐building moderated this eyeclosure benefit. This is despite the fact that rapport‐building did appear to moderate the effect of eyeclosure on participants' self‐reported comfort during the interviews.ConclusionsThese studies give us initial cause for doubt over a hypothesized – but heretofore untested – social psychological constraint on the benefits of eyeclosure.

Normblind gedrag en omgangsongemak

Summary Norm blind behaviour of people with a mental disorder and social discomfort in interactions between the befriender and the befriended in a befriending serviceIn recent years, anti-stigma strategies have been developed to diminish prejudiced attitudes to people with a mental disorder. One of the strategies involves organised social contact. ‘Befriending services’ deliver such connections. We assumed that voluntary befrienders might regularly feel uneasy in these circumstances as the behaviour of people with a mental disorder can be socially disruptive when they deviate from self-evident social norms. This ‘residual irregularity’ (Scheff) often appears to be the cause of social discomfort for the befriending contacts. Through in-depth interviews with voluntary befrienders, we obtained an understanding of the irregular behaviour of the befriended individuals and about what causes the befriending contacts to feel uncomfortable as well as the character of their uneasiness. We found six types of this residual deviant behaviour and accompanying types of discomfort.

The ghost of Nora Batty: A qualitative exploration of the impact of footwear, bandaging and hosiery interventions in chronic wound care.

To explore the impact of footwear, bandaging and hosiery interventions in the everyday lives of women and men undergoing treatment for chronic, complex wounds in a city in England, UK. This study draws on data generated in semi-structured interviews with patients exploring outcomes and impacts of undergoing treatment for leg and foot ulcers undertaken as part of a UK National Institute for Health Research funded study. Footwear, bandaging and hosiery are explored here as aspects of material culture, not only in functional terms as a treatment supporting or hindering healing but also as part of the means by which people receiving treatment for two of the most common complex, chronic wounds, leg ulcers and foot ulcers, negotiate and understand their embodied selves in everyday life. Physical and social discomfort associated with interventions can lead to ambivalence about effectiveness. Not being able to dress appropriately impacts on the ability of people to feel comfortable and take part in special occasions and everyday events. In this context, the removal of bandaging or refusal to wear support hosiery which may be viewed as 'non-compliance' by a health professional may feel like a strategy of self-care or self-preservation from a patient perspective. The study of material culture explores how inanimate objects work and how they are worked with in carrying out social functions, regulating social relations and giving symbolic meaning to human activity. The interviews show some of the ways in which footwear, hosiery and bandaging play a role in controlling the boundaries between the private (wounded and potentially socially unacceptable smelly, leaky, embodied), self and the public presentation of self.

일부지역 사업장 근로자의 구강건강관련 삶의 질에 미치는 영향

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the subjective oral health awareness, oral health knowledge, oral health behavior and OHIP-14 in industrial workers. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was filled out by 243 workers in Jeonbuk May 7 to June 10, 2014. Except incomplete answers, 230 data were analyzed. The questionnaire consisted of general characteristics of the subjects(sex, age, career, marital status, abd family), oral health recognition characteristics(oral health attention, subjective oral health status, and oral health concern), oral health knowledge, oral health behavior, and oral health related quality of life. The instrument was 14 questions od OHIP-14 including functional restriction(2 questions), physical pain(2 questions), psychological discomfort(2 questions), physical ability decease(2 questions), psychological function decease(2 questions), social activity decrease (2 questions), and social discomfort(2 questions). Cronbach's alpha was 0.949 in this study and it was reliable. Results: Oral health interests showed that 57.8% of the workers had concern for oral health interests and 50.4% perceived that their subjective oral health was moderate status. 55.6% of the workers answered that their oral health status was very worried. Women had more knowledge about the oral health. Those who were in fifties tended to have more knowledge of oral health than the other age groups. Those who had more concern for oral health included female workers, married workers, and workers above 21 years. The concern for oral health made the workers keep good oral health. Higher score of OHIP-14 means good oral health. Conclusions: Good oral health-related quality of life is proportional to continuous management of oral health and subjective oral health status. It is necessary to develop the tailored oral health education program for the workers.

Neural activation during anticipated peer evaluation and laboratory meal intake in overweight girls with and without loss of control eating

The interpersonal model of loss of control (LOC) eating proposes that socially distressing situations lead to anxious states that trigger excessive food consumption. Self-reports support these links, but the neurobiological underpinnings of these relationships remain unclear. We therefore examined brain regions associated with anxiety in relation to LOC eating and energy intake in the laboratory. Twenty-two overweight and obese (BMIz: 1.9±0.4) adolescent (15.8±1.6y) girls with LOC eating (LOC+, n=10) and without LOC eating (LOC−, n=12) underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a simulated peer interaction chatroom paradigm. Immediately after the fMRI scan, girls consumed lunch ad libitum from a 10,934-kcal laboratory buffet meal with the instruction to “let yourself go and eat as much as you want.” Pre-specified hypotheses regarding activation of five regions of interest were tested. Analysis of fMRI data revealed a significant group by peer feedback interaction in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), such that LOC+ had less activity following peer rejection (vs. acceptance), while LOC− had increased activity (p<.005). Moreover, functional coupling between vmPFC and striatum for peer rejection (vs. acceptance) interacted with LOC status: coupling was positive for LOC+, but negative in LOC− (p<.005). Activity of fusiform face area (FFA) during negative peer feedback from high-value peers also interacted with LOC status (p<.005). A positive association between FFA activation and intake during the meal was observed among only those with LOC eating. In conclusion, overweight and obese girls with LOC eating may be distinguished by a failure to engage regions of prefrontal cortex implicated in emotion regulation in response to social distress. The relationship between FFA activation and food intake supports the notion that heightened sensitivity to incoming interpersonal cues and perturbations in socio-emotional neural circuits may lead to overeating in order to cope with negative affect elicited by social discomfort in susceptible youth.

Students’ Perceptions of School Counselors: An Investigation of Two High Schools in Beijing, China

This study sought to examine students' perceptions of their school counselors in two high schools in Beijing, China. Independent t tests found that female students rated school counselors' availability significantly higher than male students did. Also, students who had received prior counseling services rated counselors significantly higher in the following areas than did students who had never received counseling services: knowledge of achievement tests, friendliness and approachability, understanding students' point of view, advocating for students, promptness in responding to requests, ability to explain things clearly, reliability to keep promises, availability, and overall effectiveness. A 2 × 2 between-subjects ANOVA found an interaction effect between gender and use or nonuse of counseling services. In general, students gave positive evaluations of school counselors and were satisfied with counseling services.Keywords: school counselors; counseling services; students' perceptions; high schools; Beijing, ChinaChina has been experiencing dramatic economic and social changes in the past 3 decades (Guthrie, 2012). During this time there has been increased attention to both mental health problems and student development (Cyranoski, 2010; Lim, Lim, Michael, Cai, & Schock, 2010; Xin & Zhang, 2009). It has been estimated that at least 17.5% of the Chinese population has some form of mental illness, one of the highest rates in the world (Phillips et al., 2009), accounting for about 20% of hospitalizations in the country (Fei, 2006). Facing significant mental health challenges, several authors have noted the need for more counseling professionals and mental health service providers (Cook, Lei, & Chiang, 2010; Davey & Zhao, 2012). In rural areas with fewer resources, the demand for mental health care is even greater (Ji, 2000).Given such great needs for mental health services, China has been making tremendous efforts in reforming its mental health service system (Tse, Ran, Huang, & Zhu, 2013). In 2004, China launched the 686 Project, a mental health reform initiative modeled on the World Health Organization's recommended framework for integrating hospital-based services with a community mental health service system (Ma, 2012). By the end of 2011, 1.83 million Chinese people with severe mental illness had been treated as a result of the project.While China has witnessed growth in the counseling profession, at the same time it has struggled to build national certification and licensing standards, and create comprehensive counselor training (Chang & Kleinman, 2002; Cook et al., 2010; Davey & Zhao, 2012; Ding, Kuo, & Van Dyke, 2008; Hou & Zhang, 2007). In 2002, China's National Counseling Licensing Board was formed, and there is currently a three-tier national licensing program. More than 30 locations throughout China offer the qualification exams for counselors, and recently a national exam to license school counselors was instituted (Lim et al, 2010). Results from a nationwide survey of professional training of mental health practitioners in China showed that quality of training and supervision were among common concerns (Gao et al., 2010). Also, more accredited professional training programs at the university or college level must be designed and established. Beijing Normal University, in collaboration with Rowan University in the United States, was reported to be the first university in China to offer a school counseling training program (Lim et al., 2010).Mental Health of Students in ChinaIncreased attention to student well-being has shown high prevalence of mental health problems among Chinese students (Cook et al, 2010; Wang & Miao, 2001). Common psychological problems among students included test anxiety, academic pressure, loneliness, social discomfort, video game addiction (Thomason & Qiong, 2008), Internet addiction, child obesity, self-centeredness and reclusion (Worrell, 2008). …

Keeping your distance: attentional withdrawal in individuals who show physiological signs of social discomfort

Being in close social proximity to a stranger is generally perceived to be an uncomfortable experience, which most people seek to avoid. In circumstances where crowding is unavoidable, however, people may seek to withdraw their attention from the other person. This study examined whether social discomfort, as indexed by electrodermal activity, is related to a withdrawal of attention in 28 (m=8, f=20) university students. Students performed a radial line bisection task while alone or together with a stranger facing them. Physiological arousal was indexed by a wrist monitor, which recorded electrodermal activity. Correlational analyses showed that individuals who displayed physiological discomfort when together showed a withdrawal of the perceived midpoint of the line towards them (and away from the stranger). Conversely, individuals who showed no discomfort exhibited an expansion of the perceived midpoint away from them. We propose that participants shift their attention away from the stranger to increase interpersonal distance and reduce anxiety/arousal.

Complex investigation of the effects of lambertianic acid amide in female mice under conditions of social discomfort.

The effects of chronic administration of a new substance lambertianic acid amide and previously synthesized methyl ester of this acid were compared in female mice living under conditions of social discomfort. For modeling social discomfort, female mouse was housed for 30 days in a cage with aggressive male mouse kept behind a transparent perforated partition and observed its confrontations with another male mouse daily placed to the cage. The new agent more effectively than lambertianic acid methyl ester improved communicativeness and motor activity of animals, reduced hypertrophy of the adrenal glands, and enhanced catalase activity in the blood. These changes suggest that lambertianic acid amide produces a pronounced stress-protective effect under conditions of social discomfort.

Produzione agricola e beni relazionali

The paper discusses the relevance of in studying the economics of agriculture and food supply chain. The quality of interpersonal relations and the dynamic of relational assets have been proposed as relevant concepts in the interpretation of the happiness paradox in developed economies. After a short overview of the literature, the concept of is used to discuss three specific topics: the role of personal relations in overcoming the information asymmetries in the agro-food system, the organisation of labour in agriculture and the emerging sector of social farming. Quality differentiation increases the importance of credence characteristics in marketing agricultural and food products. The creation of relational assets may ease the solution of this information problem. Moreover, emerging forms in the marketing of agricultural and food products, such as alternative food supply chains, community supported agriculture and farmers’ markets, can be better understood when the production of relational goods is taken into account. The dynamic of personal relations is also relevant in explaining the variety of tenancy forms and models of labour organisation in agriculture. A historical example relative to share tenancy in Italy is used as an example to discuss this theme. Finally, the growing sector of social farming (where farming activities are the basis of personal care of individuals with disabilities or social discomfort) clearly shows the economic and social relevance of relational goods. In social farming production activities become the opportunity for a personal encounter between the carer and the beneficiary. The nature of the agricultural production process seems particularly suitable for lending support these forms of personal care. The paper closes with a discussion on policies to incentive the creation of relational assets in the agro-food system. The possible trade-off between economic incentives and altruistic motivations in producing genuine human relations suggests an indirect approach. The institutional context and the specific regulations should widen the spectrum of means available to actors in arranging economic and market relations. L’articolo discute la rilevanza dei nello studio dell’economia del settore agricolo alimentare. La qualita delle relazioni interpersonali e la dinamica del capitale sono stati proposti come concetti rilevanti nell’interpretazione del paradosso della felicita nelle economie avanzate. Dopo una breve rassegna della letteratura il concetto di bene relazionale viene usato per discutere tre problemi specifici: il ruolo delle relazioni nel superamento delle asimmetrie informative nel sistema agroalimentare, l’organizzazione del lavoro in agricoltura ed il sempre piu importante fenomeno dell’agricoltura sociale. La differenziazione qualitativa accresce l’importanza delle caratteristiche credence nella commercializzazione dei prodotti agricoli e alimentari. La creazione di un capitale puo facilitare la soluzione del problema informativo. Inoltre le forme emergenti di commercializzazione dei prodotti agro-alimentari, come le filiere alimentari alternative, le nuove forme di agricoltura comunitaria e i mercati dei produttori, possono essere meglio comprese considerando la produzione di beni relazionali che generano. La dinamica delle relazioni interpersonali e rilevante anche nello spiegare la varieta delle forme di conduzione ed i modelli di organizzazione del lavoro in agricoltura. L’esempio storico della mezzadria in Italia viene utilizzato per discutere questo particolare aspetto. Infine il comparto emergente dell’agricoltura sociale (nella quale le attivita agricole costituiscono la base per la cura di persone con disabilita o forme di disagio sociale) mostra chiaramente la rilevanza economica e sociale dei beni relazionali. Nell’agricoltura sociale le attivita di produzione agricola diventano l’opportunita di incontri personali tra il paziente e colui che se ne prende cura. Il processo produttivo agricolo mostra caratteristiche peculiari particolarmente adatte a supportare queste forme di cura delle persone. L’articolo viene concluso da una discussione sulle politiche piu appropriate per incentivare la creazione di capitali relazionali nel sistema agro-alimentare. Il possibile trade-off tra incentivi economici e gratuita delle motivazioni nella produzione di relazioni umane genuine suggerisce un approccio indiretto. Il contesto istituzionale e le regolamentazioni settoriali dovrebbero ampliare lo spettro delle modalita con cui gli attori possono organizzare le relazioni economiche e di mercato.

El discurso religioso presente en la narrativa contemporánea como formador de identidad

The patriarchal tradition inherited by the Roman Catholic religion is evidented in the contemporary literature in Latin America mainly in texts written by women, in which speeches influenced by a strong religious you can determiny the way of acting and thinking of female and male. Toward the middle of XX century latinamerican literature started to evidence social discomfort about the way gender was “lived” and transmited in their speeches which was full of inherited prejudice of occidental religious traditions that oppressed women and other sexual preferences while males become more and more powerfull. Next to this amazing situation female talent arises with questioning about patriarchal values discomfort generating new ways of view of the world, more inclusive and fair.

Comparison of upper limb amputees and lower limb amputees: a psychosocial perspective.

Amputation of limb is essential in certain conditions; however, it may have significant impact on the patient's psychological condition. The present study investigates psychological responses of upper limb (UL) amputees versus lower limb (LL) amputees regarding prosthetic adjustment, social discomfort, depression, and body image anxiety. Traumatic major amputations of 20 upper and 38 lower extremities of 58 patients who were currently using prosthesis were included. 12 of UL amputations were of dominantly used limb. Seven of the UL amputations, and nine of the LL amputations were female. The Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scales was used for adjustment, restriction, and satisfaction. Anxiety and depression levels were assessed using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Body image disturbance and social discomfort were assessed with Amputation Body Image Scale-Revised (ABIS-R) and Social Discomfort Score, respectively. 58 individuals with 20 UL and 38 LL amputations were included. Mean age of UL amputees was 44.76±12.26 and 49.1±14.3 years for LL amputees. Mean time of daily prosthesis use was 11.35±4.8 and 11.52±4.7h, respectively. Mean time since amputation was 35.4±14.3 and 36.05±13.6 months; length of prosthesis use time was 24.8±13.4 and 23.9±15.12 months, respectively. Social adjustment and adjustment to limitation subscales had significantly higher scores in LL amputees (p<0.001). There was statistically significant difference between mean HADS depression and anxiety scores (p<0.001). Mean total ABIS-R score indicated significantly greater body image disturbance for UL amputees (p<0.001). Well-adjusted LL prosthesis probably has better cosmetic appearance compared to that of UL prosthesis and perception of cosmetic appearance may be the key factor that leads to increased levels of body image anxiety and social discomfort. Epidemiologic and prognostic study, level III.

Characterisation of a Swedish cohort with orofacial granulomatosis with or without Crohn's disease

To compare oral manifestations in a Swedish cohort of patients with orofacial granulomatosis with or without Crohn's disease and to assess NOD2 polymorphisms in the two groups. Twenty-nine patients with orofacial granulomatosis were included. Demographics, disease history, clinical features and concurrent Crohn's disease were recorded. DNA was extracted from buccal swabs and examined for NOD2 variants Arg702Trp, Gly908Arg and Leu1007fsinsC, all previously linked to gastrointestinal Crohn's disease. Twelve of 29 patients were diagnosed with coexisting gastrointestinal Crohn's disease, and of whom 21 were males. Symptom duration was significantly longer for the orofacial granulomatosis group com-pared to the group with coexisting Crohn's disease (P < 0.0001). The orofacial granulomatosis patients also perceived their overall discomfort, aesthetic problems and social discomfort as more severe. No significant differences in the clinical presentation of oral lesions between the two groups were found. None of the patients with orofacial granulomatosis carried any of the NOD2 variations, whereas four of the 12 patients with coexisting Crohn's disease had a NOD2 variant (Arg702Trp). The two patient groups had similar phenotypic characteristics but seemed to have genotypic differences regarding NOD2. The Swedish cohort differed in their clinical characteristics from patients reported in other geographical regions.

Therapeutic Considerations in Individuals at Clinical Risk for Developing Psychosis

In the last two decades, increased focus has been placed on earlier identification and treatment of psychotic illness in an effort to prevent illness onset and/or long-term sequelae of schizophrenia. Typically, a 16- or 17-year-old young man or woman is referred to our clinic by a mental health provider who has noted thought disorder (referential thoughts, suspiciousness) in addition to depression and/or anxiety. The individual is usually someone who has stopped socializing with friends, has poor grades, has experimented with illicit substances (frequently cannabis), endorses unusual beliefs, but maintains insight. We begin by obtaining a thorough history, including collateral sources such as family and school counselors and a medical history to rule out any organic causes. Oftentimes there is a family history of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, traumatic childhood, and at times a history of social discomfort and bullying. It is not uncommon for our clients to endorse depression and social anxiety in addition to prepsychotic perceptual abnormalities. In our clinic, we use a multimodal risk-reduction approach that matches the risks of illness with risks and benefits of prescribed treatment. For instance, in early-stage patients, we encourage low-risk treatments including cognitive behavior therapy, social skills training, cognitive training, family-focused psychotherapy, relaxation techniques, and neuroprotective agents such as omega-3 fatty acids. Antidepressants are used for prominent neurovegetative symptoms, although they are used with caution, as some individuals meeting criteria for prodromal psychosis, or clinical high-risk criteria, go on to develop bipolar spectrum disorders. Low-dose atypical antipsychotic treatments are reserved for patients closer to psychotic transition. All patients, regardless of stage of illness, are encouraged to optimize physical activity and to abstain from illicit substance use. Looking toward the future, we hope to obtain a biomarker profile (blood tests, neurocognitive, neuroimaging, and neurophysiological assessment) in each patient at the outset which, combined with clinical factors, will guide individualized treatment.

Considering the Role of Affect in Learning: Monitoring Students' Self-Efficacy, Sense of Belonging, and Science Identity

While emphasis is often placed on assessing students' conceptual knowledge, less has been placed on investigating affective aspects of student biology learning. In this paper, we explore self-efficacy, sense of belonging, and science identity, as well as emerging assessment tools to monitor these dimensions of students' learning.

Effects of Buspirone on Behavior in Female Mice in a Social Discomfort Model

We report here studies of the effects of single and chronic (14 days) administration of buspirone (1 mg/kg, i.p.) on the behavior of female C57BL/6J mice in conditions of social discomfort induced by prolonged periods of time in a cage with an aggressive male on the other side of a perforated partition and the presence at daily intermale confrontations. These experiments showed that in conditions of social discomfort, female mice showed dynamic changes in the sensitivity of brain 5-HT1A receptors, assessed in terms of the animals’ behavior 30 min after single doses of buspirone. Sensitivity was found to increase at the initial stages of formation of pathological behavior (10 days) and to decrease at 20‐30 days. Females with decreased 5-HT1A receptor sensitivity due to 30 days of living in conditions of social discomfort also demonstrated decreased sensitivity to chronic administration of buspirone.

An intergenerational choir formed to lessen Alzheimer's disease stigma in college students and decrease the social isolation of people with Alzheimer's disease and their family members: a pilot study.

The intergenerational choir was formed for the purpose of combating the stigma of Alzheimer's disease in college students, and in that process also lessening the social isolation of people with AD and their family members. The choir was composed of 13 college students and 13 people with AD and a family member. Data from the college students were gathered through semi-structured open-ended questions on attitudes and knowledge about AD, collected at three points in time over 8 weeks of rehearsals. Data were collected from the people with AD and their family members through a focus group and observations over 8 weeks of rehearsals. Results a show a decrease in social isolation for the older choir members, and for the college students: a decrease in negative attitudes, an increase in positive attitudes and themes of - recognizing capabilities, expanded understanding of AD, reduced stigma, and reduced social discomfort.

Osoby rozwiedzione żyjące w nowych związkach w realiach polskiego Kościoła. Spostrzeżenia zainspirowane przedsynodalnym kwestionariuszem.

Nowe wyzwania, jakie przed ewangelizacyjną misją Kościoła stawia trawiący aktualnie cywilizację Zachodnią kryzys rodziny, która dotychczas stanowiła podstawowe środowisko przekazu wiary, skłoniły papieża Franciszka, aby to właśnie sprawom rodziny poświęcić najbliższe Zgromadzenie Ogólne Synodu Biskupów. Wraz z dokumentem przygotowawczym do niego poszczególnym episkopatom rozesłany został również kwestionariusz, zawierający pytania dotyczące recepcji katolickiego nauczania na temat rodziny, skali różnego rodzaju trudnych przypadków oraz doświadczeń duszpasterskich, jakie w odpowiadaniu na nie mają Kościoły lokalne. Wśród owych sytuacji, wyszczególnionych w dokumencie pojawiła się również kwestia ochrzczonych, którzy po rozwodzie weszli w nowy, niesakramentalny związek. Autorzy kwestionariusza pytają w nim o podanie odsetka wiernych, których ten problem dotyczy, zdiagnozowanie sposobu, w jaki przeżywają swój problem, oraz ocenę stopnia objęcia ich przez odpowiednie programy duszpasterskie.W rzeczywistości Kościoła w Polsce problem ten bez wątpienia w ostatnich dziesięcioleciach przybrał na sile wraz ze znacznym wzrostem liczby rozwodów i ponownych związków, zawieranych przez osoby rozwiedzione. Można wśród nich zaobserwować całą paletę stanów przeżywanych w związku z owym trudnym położeniem: od obojętności, poczucia społecznego dyskomfortu, pretensji, rozżalenia, poczucia odtrącenia aż po szczerą tęsknotę za życiem sakramentalnym i autentyczny żal z powodu zła, które się wydarzyło. Ze smutkiem można też stwierdzić, że – mimo obecności tej kwestii w programach duszpasterskich i odważnych prekursorskich działań poszczególnych kapłanów i zakonników – duszpasterstwo związków niesakramentalnych w takim stopniu, w jakim realizowane jest przez polski Kościół, nie jest wystarczającą odpowiedzią na tenże problem.

The Ironic Costs of Performing Well: Grades Differentially Predict Male and Female Dropout From Engineering

Stereotype threat may not only affect academic performance and persistence but also the relationship between the two variables. An analysis of the trajectories of 2,397 individuals who began majors in engineering shows a gender gap in graduation rates for those with high and average GPAs. Survey data (N = 455) furthermore highlight that good grades, while reducing academic self-doubt, ironically accentuate female students' social discomfort, and that after dropout, women are more likely than men to show signs of disidentification. For a minority that is met with negative competence expectations, good intellectual performance is no guarantee for persistence.

Brand “you”: The emergence of social anxiety disorder in the age of enterprise

An historical ontology is conducted to identify conditions that led to the emergence of social anxiety disorder (SAD) in the late 20th century. Using Hacking’s (1998) ecological niche framework, SAD is analyzed in terms of four interrelated vectors (medical taxonomy, observability, cultural polarity, release) against the backdrop of neoliberal enterprise culture and its accompanying conception of the ideal self as confident, bold, and striving. The analysis suggests SAD has flourished as a consequence of a complex array of interrelated sociocultural and historical factors that have enabled social discomfort to be viewed as pathological while promoting its occurrence.