The aim of this study was to examine the existing mobile applications focused on sexual health and analyze the included content and therapeutic techniques. Three databases with mobile applications ...were searched and 47 applications met the criteria. More applications have been developed for men, most of them included content for erectile dysfunction, and only one for vaginismus. Most apps included sexuality tips and Kegel exercises, and only one technique for working on thoughts and emotions. In conclusion, a number of mobile applications have been developed to enhance sexual functioning, but scientific verification of their effectiveness has been completely lacking.
Kod djece i mladih s intelektualnim teškoćama u prvom je redu karakteristična snižena razina intelektualnog, a
potom i emocionalnog i socijalnog funkcioniranja. Takve osobe zaostaju u usvajanju ...akademskih znanja, učenju i
usvajanju socijalnih vještina. Poznavajući aspekte funkcioniranja djece i mladih s intelektualnim teškoćama moguće
je predvidjeti faktore rizika za razvoj teškoća ponašanja te narušavanje mentalnog zdravlja. Međutim, teško je utvrditi
razinu ili barem postojanje mentalnih teškoća zbog nepostojanja standardiziranih testova za procjenu mentalnog
zdravlja kod djece i mladih s intelektualnim teškoćama, iako stručnjaci koji rade s takvim osobama upozoravaju na
njihovo često narušeno mentalno zdravlje. Cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi primjenjivost YP-CORE upitnika za procjenu
psihičke uznemirenosti kod djece i mladih s intelektualnim teškoćama. Ispitivanje je provedeno s učenicima Centra
za odgoj i obrazovanje Rijeka, na uzorku 59 djece i mladih dobi od 7 do 21 godine. Dobiveni rezultati sukladni su
prethodnim istraživanjima koja su pokazala kako 30 % djece i mladih s intelektualnim teškoćama imaju izražene
psihičke teškoće. Iako naši rezultati odgovaraju onima dobivenim u drugim istraživanjima, postoje teškoće u
primjeni upitnika, prije svega kod osoba s umjerenim intelektualnim teškoćama. No, rezultati su ohrabrujući u smislu
valjanosti, koju svakako treba provjeriti u budućim istraživanjima.
Dry eye disease (DED) represents a common health problem in the general population. Previous studies have demonstrated that the subjective symptoms of dry eye are associated with several ...psychological factors, including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. However, there is a lack of empirical information about the mechanisms underlying the relationships between DED and various psychological symptoms. In light of emerging evidence of its trans-diagnostic nature, anxiety sensitivity (i.e. AS) represents one promising factor for further understanding DED. The present study aimed to explore whether anxiety sensitivity plays a role in the perception of DED symptoms in a community-based sample of adults aged 20-89 years (N = 381; M = 39.72, SD = 12.6). A dry ocular surface was reported by 22.8% of the participants. As expected, women more often reported symptoms of dry eye that could be categorized as moderate to severe. The findings demonstrated that AS, and the AS-psychological concerns dimension in particular, predict the intensity of dry eye symptoms above and beyond depressive and anxiety symptoms. These findings add to a growing body of work underscoring the relevance of AS in increasing the risk of chronic medical conditions.
Online health research is common during pregnancy, especially if women are facing complications. Given the unpleasant emotions women experience after research, it is surprising that cyberchondria, ...excessive and repeated online health research caused by anxiety that intensifies such anxiety, has not been studied in pregnant women. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the predictors of cyberchondria among women with and without pregnancy complications, accounting for health anxiety (a worry regarding personal health) and pregnancy-specific anxiety (concerns related to pregnancy and childbirth). A total of 360 pregnant women completed a questionnaire consisted of Short Health Anxiety Inventory, Pregnancy Concerns Scale and Short Cyberchondria Scale. The results of one-way MANOVA showed that women who had medically complicated pregnancy had higher levels of health anxiety, pregnancy-specific anxiety and cyberchondria compared to those without complications. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that health anxiety and pregnancy-specific anxiety were predictors of cyberchondria but had different roles depending on complications. Pregnancy-specific anxiety predicted cyberchondria in both groups above health anxiety. Health anxiety predicted cyberchondria only in women without complications. In conclusion, women with complications have a higher chance of experiencing cyberchondria. Pregnancy-specific and health anxiety are risk factors for cyberchondria in pregnant women.
Background
With the COVID-19 infection speeding around the world, many experience fear and anxiety. To detect those at risk of psychopathology and provide treatment, valid instruments are needed. The ...aim of this study was to cross-culturally validate the theory-based instrument Multidimensional Assessment of COVID-19-Related Fears (MAC-RF) in Croatian and to further examine the scale’s validity by exploring its relationship with relevant constructs.
Method
A total of 477 participants completed an online survey during a rapid rise in new daily COVID-19 cases in Croatia and while new restrictions were being imposed.
Results
MAC-RF had a stronger association with health anxiety, cyberchondria, and anxiety sensitivity compared to depression, attesting to its convergent and divergent validity. However, a 2-factor structure was revealed in this sample: Fear of infection and Fear of using an inadequate strategy in dealing with pandemic. Fear of infection had a stronger association with health anxiety and COVID-19 anxiety and was a better predictor of COVID-19 related protective health behaviors. Fear of choosing an inadequate strategy had a stronger association with cyberchondria, fear of consequences of the epidemic on mental health, as well as financial consequences, and loss of civil liberties.
Conclusion
Fear of infection captures negative emotional states due to feared consequences on personal somatic health and the health of loved ones, while Fear of choosing an inadequate strategy in dealing with the pandemic reflects a metacognitive aspect. Treatments may have to target both aspects of COVID-19 related fear.
Highlights
MAC-RF is a theory-based instrument for measuring COVID-19 related fears.
MAC-RF has two factors: Fear of infection and Fear of using an inadequate strategy in dealing with the pandemic.
First factor had a stronger association with heath anxiety and protective health behaviors.
Second factor had a stronger association with cyberchondria and fear for mental health.
This study aimed to examine fear of childbirth (FOC) before and after delivery in relation to personality (anxiety and anxiety sensitivity) and birth experience (type of delivery, pain, and staff ...support). One-hundred and five women completed questionnaires during pregnancy and one month after childbirth. Participants completed the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire; the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory and Anxiety Sensitivity Index, and the McGill Pain Questionnaire and a Support from staff questionnaire. FOC levels decreased after childbirth, but only in the high-level fear group. Path analysis showed that physical concerns, one aspect of anxiety sensitivity, shape FOC during pregnancy. Together with interventions at delivery (instrumental vaginal delivery and emergency caesarean section), pain and low staff support, this in turn modifies FOC after delivery. In conclusion, FOC decreases after childbirth. However, combined with adverse birth experience and certain personality traits, FOC during pregnancy affects FOC after delivery.
Abstract
Objective: The demographic characteristics, maternal parity and personal traits of pregnant women have been frequently studied predictors of fear of childbirth (FOC). The aim of this study ...was to examine the role of demographic variables, expected pain level, trait anxiety and anxiety sensitivity in FOC among nulliparous and multiparous women in the last trimester of pregnancy.
Method: Two-hundred pregnant women completed a booklet with questionnaires including the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ), Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI), The State - Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and questions on expected labor pain and demographics.
Results: Results showed that FOC was higher amongst nulliparous women, but FOC level was not associated with other demographic variables. Different predictors were established in nulliparous and multiparous women. While higher intensity of expected labor pain and anxiety sensitivity (dimension physical concern) were significant predictors in both groups, trait anxiety was significant for the first-time mothers only.
Conclusion: Amongst all women, anxiety sensitivity (physical concerns dimension) was identified as an important vulnerability factor for FOC. As such, the level of anxiety sensitivity, and any resulting fear or expectations of pain, should be assessed in expectant mothers by clinicians in prenatal settings. Furthermore, anxiety sensitivity should be an important target for psychological interventions aimed at managing FOC.
Pretraživanje o zdravlju na internetu postalo je vrlo rašireno. Kako starije osobe imaju više zdravstvenih problema, mogle bi postati sve veći konzumenti digitalnih zdravstvenih sadržaja. No, budući ...da imaju slabije računalne vještine te da nisu naviknute na ulogu „osnaženog pacijenta“, mogle bi doživjeti pretjeranu zabrinutost dok pretražuju o svojim simptomima. Istraživanja sugeriraju da je pretraživanje o zdravlju na internetu potencijalni rizični faktor za patološku zdravstvenu anksioznost, a možda na poseban način djeluje upravo na starije osobe. Istraživanja o pretraživanju kod starijih malobrojna su i uglavnom provedena bez jasnog teorijskog okvira što otežava smislenu interpretaciju i integraciju njihovih nalaza. Stoga je cilj ovoga preglednog rada ponuditi takav teorijski okvir (Leventhalov model zdravorazumske regulacije) te dati pregled nalaza dosadašnjih istraživanja u području integrirajući ih u predloženi model. Ovaj model predviđa da dob i dobne promjene u doživljaju sebe rezultiraju promjenama u zdravstvenim kognicijama i ponašanjima. Pretraživanje o zdravlju na internetu može se konceptualizirati kao strategija suočavanja i sa zdravstvenom prijetnjom i emocionalnom neugodom, a koja ima posljedice na kognitivne reprezentacije bolesti (identitet, uzrok, posljedice, mogućnost kontrole i vremensku dimenziju), zdravstvena ponašanja i ishode. Polazeći od pretpostavki modela, raspravljeno je kako pretraživanje može rezultirati zdravstvenom anksioznošću. Na kraju su pružene smjernice za buduća istraživanja i razmotrene njihove praktične implikacije.
Health information seeking on the Internet has become widespread. Since the elderly experience more health issues, they might become more frequent users of digital health content. But, since their computer skills are less advanced and since they are not used to the role of the „empowered patient“, researching their symptoms online might result in excessive anxiety. Research suggests that health information seeking might be a risk factor for pathological health anxiety, yet it may have a specific effect on the elderly. Studies on health information seeking in older adults are sparse and mostly conducted without a clear theoretical framework which complicates meaningful interpretation and integration of their findings. Therefore, the aim of this review paper is to propose such theoretical framework; Leventhal’s Common-sense model of self-regulation, and to review findings of previous studies in the area integrating them in the proposed model. According to this model, ageing and age-related changes in the self, affect health-related cognitions and behaviours. Health information seeking may be conceptualized as a coping response to both health threat and emotional discomfort, which has consequences on illness representations (identity, cause, consequences, control, and timeline), health behaviours and outcomes. Special emphasis was placed to a way in which health information seeking online can result in health anxiety according to the proposed model. Finally, avenues for future research are provided and their practical implications considered.
Objective: The hormonal changes that occur in perimenopause can result in distress for a significant proportion of women years before reaching menopause. Previous studies have suggested that various ...biopsychosocial characteristics and personality traits contribute to more intense reactions to these hormonal changes. In the present study, we examined the contribution of trait anxiety and anxiety sensitivity in predicting the experience of perimenopausal distress in pre- and early perimenopausal women while controlling for some menstrual experiences.
Method: A sample of 660 women aged 35-52 years was selected from a broader online survey of biopsychosocial changes in middle-aged women that considered age, menstrual cycle pattern, physical and mental health, and childbearing experience. Three hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted for different age subgroups: women aged 35-40, women aged 41-45 and women aged 46-52.
Results: Results indicated that anxiety and anxiety sensitivity, along with a number of features of the menstrual experience, explained 56-66% of the perimenopausal distress variance. Different personality trait predictors were found to be important in different age subgroups. In the youngest and middle subgroups (45 years and younger), trait anxiety was found to be more significant, whereas anxiety sensitivity was found to be more important in explaining perimenopausal distress experienced by women older than 40.
Conclusion: Anxiety sensitivity (dimension of psychological concerns) might be an important vulnerability factor in the experience of perimenopausal distress among women closer to menopause, whereas the predisposition to an anxiety response might contribute to perimenopausal distress near the beginning of reproductive hormonal changes. Implications for better understanding the development of perimenopausal distress and psychological intervention are discussed.
PDF
