Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Michael Smithson, Yiyun Shou, Amy Dawel, Alison L. Calear, Louise Farrer, Nicolas Cherbuin
Summary: This study examines the relationship between prior mental health and hopes, as well as the impact of hopes on subsequent mental health. The results indicate that greater anxiety, depression, distress, and loneliness are associated with less hope, while impaired quality of life and stress positively predict hopes for gaining new skills. Additionally, distress and loneliness predict hopes for social connectedness and an improved society.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Mathematics
Leonidas Sakalauskas, Vitalij Denisov, Aiste Dirzyte
Summary: Previous studies have shown that rates of anxiety are increasing worldwide. To understand this phenomenon, researchers have proposed a hybrid method to model and simulate the dynamics of anxiety, using agent-based modeling, dynamic systems modeling, and machine learning methods. The proposed models were implemented and verified using open access data sets, and can be calibrated using statistical methods.
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Tiago Santos, Antonio de Sousa Uva, Jose Fernandes Rodrigues, Regina Ferreira, Diogo Monteiro, Antonio Hernandez-Mendo, Filipe Rodrigues
Summary: The recent pandemic and lockdown had a significant impact on mental health and optimism. Anxiety and adaptive coping were associated with higher levels of optimism.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Laura K. Globig, Kristin Witte, Gloria Feng, Tali Sharot
Summary: In threatening environments, individuals require weaker evidence to reach unfavorable conclusions, as negative information accumulates at a faster rate. This alteration in evidence accumulation is observed globally when facing threats, impacting even information not directly related to the cause of the threat.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Business, Finance
Xiao-Li Gong, Jia Liu
Summary: This paper constructs the fund investor information network based on social relationship network theory and examines the impact of fund information sharing on stock price crash risk. The results show that private information sharing among institutional investors reduces crash risk. Further analysis reveals that fund information sharing can alleviate analyst optimism bias and improve forecast accuracy, thereby further reducing stock price crash risk. Moreover, these effects are more pronounced in a bull market compared to a bear market. This study contributes to the understanding of private information transmission in fund information networks and provides a new perspective on the relationships among institutional investor behavior, analyst forecasting, and stock price crash risk.
RESEARCH IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND FINANCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Meike C. Shedden-Mora, Jannis Alberts, Keith J. Petrie, Johannes A. C. Laferton, Pia von Blanckenburg, Sebastian Kohlmann, Yvonne Nestoriuc, Bernd Loewe
Summary: This study reports the development and validation of the Treatment Expectation Questionnaire (TEX-Q), a generic, multidimensional self-report scale measuring patients' expectations of medical and psychological treatments. The TEX-Q assesses six theoretically founded subscales of treatment expectations and demonstrates good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, and divergent validity.
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Xuan Wang, Yaojie Li, Hanieh Javadi Khasraghi, Cherie Trumbach
Summary: Inconsistent results have been found in the prior technology threat avoidance literature regarding the relationships between individuals' perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and perceived threat, as well as the intention to avoid security threats. One possible explanation for this paradox is the lack of consideration of individuals' negative emotions while facing threats, which has rarely been studied before. Therefore, this study aims to extend the technology threat avoidance theory by exploring the role of security anxiety in individuals' responses to security threats from the Internet. The results demonstrate that Internet users' risk aversion is strongly influenced by their perception of security threats, response efficacy, and security self-efficacy within the online environment. Additionally, the results indicate that individuals' security anxiety can partially mediate the relationship between perceived threat and Internet threat avoidance behavior.
COMPUTERS & SECURITY
(2023)
Article
Communication
Taeyoung Lee, Gyo Hyun Koo
Summary: This study finds that factors influencing conspiratorial thinking and belief in conspiracy theories about the coronavirus vary. Uncertainty has direct effects on conspiratorial thinking and belief, and it also has indirect effects through threat perception and negative emotions. Perceived relevance to COVID-19, personal experience, and social media use moderate the effects of uncertainty on conspiratorial thinking and belief.
HEALTH COMMUNICATION
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Xiaoshi Yang, Carrie Kovarik, Yuke Wang, Shenshui Yu
Summary: This study found that drug users undergoing compulsory drug detoxification treatment in China often experience high levels of anxiety symptoms, with perceived stress and characteristics of drug use as main contributing factors. Optimism plays a protective role in reducing anxiety symptoms in this population.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
E. Kate Webb, Timothy D. Ely, Grace E. Rowland, Lauren A. M. Lebois, Sanne J. H. van Rooij, Steven E. Bruce, Tanja Jovanovic, Stacey L. House, Francesca L. Beaudoin, Xinming An, Thomas C. Neylan, Gari D. Clifford, Sarah D. Linnstaedt, Laura T. Germine, Kenneth A. Bollen, Scott L. Rauch, John P. Haran, Alan B. Storrow, Christopher Lewandowski, Paul I. Musey, Phyllis L. Hendry, Sophia Sheikh, Christopher W. Jones, Brittany E. Punches, Robert A. Swor, Jose L. Pascual, Mark J. Seamon, Elizabeth M. Datner, Claire Pearson, David A. Peak, Roland C. Merchant, Robert M. Domeier, Niels K. Rathlev, Paulina Sergot, Leon D. Sanchez, Ronald C. Kessler, Karestan C. Koenen, Samuel A. McLean, Jennifer S. Stevens, Kerry J. Ressler, Nathaniel G. Harnett
Summary: This study investigates the association between neighborhood disadvantage and neural correlates of mental health. It finds that neighborhood disadvantage is associated with alterations in brain structure and function, suggesting its potential impact on the risk and resilience of mental health outcomes.
Article
Neurosciences
Peter A. Kirk, Avram J. Holmes, Oliver J. Robinson
Summary: Previous research has suggested a link between the amygdala-dorsomedial prefrontal circuit, trait anxiety/vigilance, and anxiogenic stimuli. This study aimed to investigate if this circuit is chronically engaged in individuals with high anxiety and threat vigilance. While no evidence of this relationship was found in the analysis of resting-state fMRI data, a relationship was observed between threat vigilance behavior and intrinsic amygdala-periaqueductal gray connectivity in exploratory analyses.
HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Aida Helana Binti Affandi, Alexandra C. Pike, Oliver Joe Robinson
Summary: Anxiety and stress are adaptive responses to threat that can promote both active and passive harm avoidance behaviors. While threat of shock may lead individuals to engage in passive avoidance, it may not necessarily increase active avoidance behavior. One potential explanation is that anxiety favors passive harm avoidance strategies to conserve energy.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Richard A. Bryant, Kim L. Felmingham, Gin Malhi, Elpiniki Andrew, Mayuresh S. Korgaonkar
Summary: This study found distinct neural processes during threat processing in CPTSD compared to PTSD, with CPTSD participants showing greater activation in bilateral insula and right amygdala during supraliminal threat stimuli. Additionally, both CPTSD and PTSD groups displayed reduced activation in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and increased activation in the amygdala and insula during subliminal threat stimuli.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Mingming Zhang, Mian Sajid Nazir, Rabia Farooqi, Muhammad Ishfaq
Summary: This study examines the impact of cognitive biases on investors' decision-making process in developing countries. The results show that cognitive biases have a significant positive effect on investors' decisions, with risk perception mediating the relationship and information asymmetry moderating it.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Dinavahi V. P. S. Murty, Songtao Song, Srinivas Govinda Surampudi, Luiz Pessoa
Summary: This study aims to investigate the dynamics of aversive and appetitive processing in the human brain during threat avoidance or reward seeking. The results show that multiple brain regions exhibit temporally increasing responses during the imminence of threat or reward, suggesting that distributed brain circuits are dynamically engaged in processing biologically relevant information regardless of valence.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Orestis Zavlis, Sarah Butter, Kate Bennett, Todd K. Hartman, Philip Hyland, Liam Mason, Orla McBride, Jamie Murphy, Jilly Gibson-Miller, Liat Levita, Anton P. Martinez, Mark Shevlin, Thomas V. A. Stocks, Frederique Vallieres, Richard P. Bentall
Summary: The study found that the pandemic has a negative impact on people's mental health, especially in economic adversities. COVID-specific anxiety may represent the mechanism associated with psychiatric symptoms.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Mark Shevlin, Sarah Butter, Orla McBride, Jamie Murphy, Jilly Gibson-Miller, Todd K. Hartman, Liat Levita, Liam Mason, Anton P. Martinez, Ryan McKay, Thomas V. A. Stocks, Kate Bennett, Philip Hyland, Richard P. Bentall
Summary: This study conducted a longitudinal survey of UK adults and found that there is heterogeneity in the mental health response to the COVID-19 pandemic within the population. The prevalence of anxiety-depression remained stable, while COVID-19-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reduced over time. Three trajectories of mental health were identified: stable, improving, and deteriorating, and psychological factors played a significant role in differentiating these trajectories.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Letter
Psychology, Clinical
Mark Shevlin, Sarah Butter, Orla McBride, Jamie Murphy, Jilly Gibson-Miller, Todd K. Hartman, Liat Levita, Liam Mason, Anton P. Martinez, Ryan McKay, Thomas V. A. Stocks, Kate M. Bennett, Philip Hyland, Frederique Vallieres, Richard P. Bentall
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Orla McBride, Sarah Butter, Jamie Murphy, Mark Shevlin, Todd K. Hartman, Kate M. Bennett, Thomas V. A. Stocks, Alex Lloyd, Ryan McKay, Jilly Gibson-Miller, Liat Levita, Liam Mason, Anton P. Martinez, Philip Hyland, Frederique Vallieres, Thanos Karatzias, Carmen Valiente, Carmelo Vazquez, Richard P. Bentall
Summary: This paper outlines fieldwork procedures for Wave 4 of the C19PRC Study in the UK, focusing on socio-political attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and mental health disorders. The study used a two-phase approach and weighting algorithm to ensure representativeness, successfully re-balancing the longitudinal panel within 1% of population estimates for selected characteristics. The C19PRC Study presents a unique opportunity for interdisciplinary research addressing important public health questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF METHODS IN PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Lorna Myers, Cordelia Gray, Nicole Roberts, Liat Levita, Markus Reuber
Summary: This article explores the link between psychogenic non-epileptic seizures and abnormal emotion processing, with a specific focus on the role of shame. It highlights the difficulties that clinicians face in addressing and treating shame-related processes in patients with PNES and emphasizes the importance of emotional literacy and tolerance in the therapeutic relationship.
SEIZURE-EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF EPILEPSY
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Sarah Butter, Jamie Murphy, Philip Hyland, Orla McBride, Mark Shevlin, Todd K. Hartman, Kate Bennett, Jilly Gibson-Miller, Liat Levita, Anton P. Martinez, Liam Mason, Ryan McKay, Thomas V. A. Stocks, Frederique Vallieres, Richard P. Bentall
Summary: This study aimed to model the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on lifestyle quality within the UK adult population. Data from the COVID-19 Psychological Research Consortium Study were analyzed, revealing that while most individuals' lifestyle quality remained largely unaffected by the crisis, around 15% experienced worsened lifestyles, particularly in terms of partner relationships.
SOCIAL PSYCHIATRY AND PSYCHIATRIC EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Mark Shevlin, Sarah Butter, Orla McBride, Jamie Murphy, Jilly Gibson-Miller, Todd K. Hartman, Liat Levita, Liam Mason, Anton P. Martinez, Ryan McKay, Thomas Va Stocks, Kate M. Bennett, Philip Hyland, Frederique Vallieres, Carmen Valiente, Carmelo Vazquez, Alba Contreras, Vanesa Peinado, Almudena Trucharte, Marco Bertamini, Anna Panzeri, Giovanni Bruno, Umberto Granziol, Giuseppe Mignemi, Andrea Spoto, Giulio Vidotto, Richard P. Bentall
Summary: This study used nationally representative survey data from the UK, Ireland, Spain, and Italy to examine the differential item functioning of the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 based on age, sex, and country. The results showed that although Spain and Italy had higher levels of anxiety and depression, there was no evidence of differential item functioning.
Article
Neurosciences
Leonie Glitz, Keno Juechems, Christopher Summerfield, Neil Garrett
Summary: This study investigates the computational and neural mechanisms of information sharing and segmentation in planning. The findings suggest that human participants can efficiently switch between low-dimensional and high-dimensional representations of state transitions during planning tasks. The medial temporal lobe is identified as a key region for learning state transitions. The study also reveals that transition models are more strongly updated after positive outcomes.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Orla McBride, Eimhear Bunting, Oisin Harkin, Sarah Butter, Mark Shevlin, Jamie Murphy, Liam Mason, Todd K. Hartman, Ryan McKay, Philip Hyland, Liat Levita, Kate M. Bennett, Thomas V. A. Stocks, Jilly Gibson-Miller, Anton P. Martinez, Frederique Vallieres, Richard P. Bentall
Summary: This study examined changes in alcohol use during the pandemic and found that the decrease in 'at-risk' drinking may be more influenced by psychological coping mechanisms rather than changes in physical availability and income. Anxiety and/or depression experiences, as well as low resilience levels, were identified as important factors contributing to drinking for coping purposes.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jilly Gibson-Miller, Orestis Zavlis, Todd K. Hartman, Kate M. Bennett, Sarah Butter, Liat Levita, Anton P. Martinez, Liam Mason, Orla McBride, Ryan McKay, Jamie Murphy, Mark Shevlin, Thomas V. A. Stocks, Richard P. Bentall
Summary: This research examined the complex interplay among psychological factors, socio-demographic characteristics, and social distancing behaviors using network psychometrics. The findings revealed the key predictors of social distancing behaviors and highlighted the influence of demographic variables. These findings have implications for designing interventions to promote adherence to social distancing practices.
PSYCHOLOGY & HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Orla McBride, Sarah Butter, Jamie Murphy, Todd K. Hartman, Ryan McKay, Philip Hyland, Mark Shevlin, Kate M. Bennett, Thomas V. A. Stocks, Alex Lloyd, Jilly Gibson-Miller, Liat Levita, Liam Mason, Anton P. Martinez, Frederique Vallieres, Thanos Karatzias, Richard P. Bentall
Summary: This paper presents the protocol for the Wave 5 of the COVID-19 Psychological Research Consortium (C19PRC) Study, which aims to monitor the psychological and socio-economic impact of the pandemic. The survey assessed COVID-19 related experiences, mental health disorders, psychological characteristics, and social and political attitudes. The results showed a 61.5% retention rate among adults who participated in the previous survey wave. This study provides valuable data for interdisciplinary research on the impact of COVID-19.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF METHODS IN PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Valentina Vellani, Neil Garrett, Anne Gaule, Kaustubh R. Patil, Tali Sharot
Summary: Individual differences in behavior, traits, and mental health have a partially heritable component. This study quantifies the heritability of lower-level mental processes that contribute to complex traits and behavior, focusing on cognitive and affective factors that drive belief formation about risk. The genetic contribution to individual differences in these processes ranges from 13.5% to 39%, with affect evaluation showing a particularly strong heritability component.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Paolo Ossola, Neil Garrett, Letizia Biso, Anthony Bishara, Carlo Marchesi
Summary: This study examined the association between anhedonia and learning from positive and negative outcomes in patients with major depression, schizophrenia, opiate use disorder, and a healthy control group. The results showed that impaired learning from punishment and faster responses to negative feedback were associated with anhedonia. These findings suggest that anhedonic individuals, due to their negative expectations, are less sensitive to negative feedback and may persist in actions leading to negative outcomes.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Neil M. Dundon, Jaron T. Colas, Neil Garrett, Viktoriya Babenko, Elizabeth Rizor, Dengxian Yang, Mairtin MacNamara, Linda Petzold, Scott T. Grafton
Summary: Heuristics can enhance human decision making by reducing computational requirements and being robust to overparameterisation. However, their efficiency in nontrivial actions has not been fully explored. In this study, a novel task was designed to jointly optimize action selection and spatio-temporal skillful execution. The results showed that participants using the heuristic strategy had advantages in both decision making and action execution, supporting the concept of "less-is-more".
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Experimental
Neil Garrett, Tali Sharot
Summary: In a recent paper, Burton et al. argue that belief updating is stronger when an event is less likely than expected. However, our study does not support their claim and finds no evidence of belief updating bias for neutral events. We attempted to replicate their findings by collecting new data using the same belief updating task design but focusing on neutral events. Additionally, we identified statistical errors and confounds in Burton et al.'s study, including mis-specification of the reinforcement learning approach and failure to conduct standard computational model fitting checks. Overall, our results provide little support for biased updating of beliefs for neutral events.
JOURNAL OF COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)