scholarly journals Culture and mood disorders: the effect of abstraction in image, narrative and film on depression and anxiety

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 430-443
Author(s):  
James Carney
Keyword(s):  
Social Psychology ◽  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Therapeutic Effect ◽  
Psychological Distance ◽  
Construal Level Theory ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Cultural Representations ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Abstract Representations ◽  
Concrete Representations

Can cultural representations be used to therapeutic effect in the treatment of mood disorders like depression and anxiety? This article develops a theoretical framework that outlines how this might be achieved by way of mid-level cultural metrics that allow otherwise heterogeneous forms of representation to be grouped together. Its prediction is that abstract representations—as measured by Shannon entropy—will impact positively on anxiety, where concrete representations will positively impact on depression. The background to the prediction comes from construal level theory, a branch of social psychology that deals with the effects of abstraction on psychological distance; the types of cultural representations analysed include image, narrative and film. With a view to evaluating the hypothesis, the article surveys the empirical literature in art therapy, creative bibliotherapy and cinema therapy.

scholarly journals Influence of Psychological Distance on People’s Willingness to Help Accident Victims: Discrepancies Between Implicit and Explicit Inferences

SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 215824402110332
Author(s):  
Yuri Taniguchi ◽  
Tomoko Ikegami
Keyword(s):  
Causal Attribution ◽  
Psychological Distance ◽  
Construal Level Theory ◽  
Situational Factors ◽  
Construal Level ◽  
Cognitive Elaboration ◽  
Willingness To Help ◽  
Helping Behaviors ◽  
Implicit And Explicit

Drawing on construal-level theory, this study explored how a sense of psychological distance from an accident influences people’s willingness to help victims. We conducted a scenario experiment with a sample of 81 Japanese undergraduates. Participants were presented with a short scenario describing an accident that happened on either a distant or a nearby mountain. The results show that the greater the distance perceived by participants from the accident, the more likely they were to infer negative traits about the victim at an implicit level. However, the more they inferred negative traits at an implicit level, the more likely they were to attribute the cause of the accident to external situational factors, at an explicit level. Finally, explicit external causal attribution aroused greater sympathy for the victim, resulting in an increased willingness to help. This discrepancy between implicit and explicit inferences was discussed in terms of cognitive elaboration, in which people engage in helping behaviors when they feel responsible for the fate of the victim.

scholarly journals Reduced level of physical activity during COVID-19 pandemic is associated with depression and anxiety levels: an internet-based survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo José Puccinelli ◽  
Taline Santos da Costa ◽  
Aldo Seffrin ◽  
Claudio Andre Barbosa de Lira ◽  
Rodrigo Luiz Vancini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Physical Activity Level ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Mood State ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Physical Activity Levels

Abstract Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in a strong negative impact on economic and social life worldwide. It has also negatively influenced people’s general health and quality of life. The aim of the present study was to study the impact of social distancing on physical activity level, and the association between mood state (depression and anxiety level) or sex with actual physical activity levels, the change in physical activity caused by social distancing period, the adhesion level to social distancing, the adoption time of social distancing, family income and age. Methods A self-administered questionnaire with personal, quarantine, physical activity, and mood state disorders information’s was answered by 2140 Brazilians of both sex who were recruited through online advertising. Results The physical activity level adopted during the period of social distancing (3.5 ± 0.8) was lower than that the adopted prior to the pandemic period (2.9 ± 1.1, p < 0.001). Thirty percent of the participants presented symptoms of moderate/severe depression and 23.3% displayed moderate/severe anxiety symptoms. A greater presence of symptoms related to anxiety and depression were associated with low physical activity levels, low family monthly income, and younger age. A higher percentage of men who had no mood disorders was observed among those who were very active than among those less active. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has a negative impact on physical activity. Those who reduced their level of physical activity had the highest levels of mood disorders. Therefore, physical activity programs should be encouraged, while respecting the necessary social distancing to prevent the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2.

Regulatory focus and construal level theory on low-income consumer indebtedness: Evidence from an emerging market

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrícia de Oliveira Campos ◽  
Marconi Freitas da Costa
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Regulatory Focus ◽  
Task Complexity ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Psychological Distance ◽  
Construal Level Theory ◽  
Construal Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Low Income Consumers

PurposeThis study aims to further analyse the decision-making process of low-income consumer from an emerging market by verifying the influence of regulatory focus and construal level theory on indebtedness.Design/methodology/approachAn experimental study was carried out with a design 2 (regulatory focus: promotion vs prevention) × 2 (psychological distance: high vs low) between subjects, with 140 low-income consumers.FindingsOur study points out that the propensity towards indebtedness of low-income consumer is higher in a distal psychological distance. We found that promotion and prevention groups have the same propensity to indebtedness. Moreover, we highlight that low-income consumers are prone to propensity to indebtedness due to taking decisions focused on the present with an abstract mindset.Social implicationsFinancial awareness advertisements should focus on providing more concrete strategies in order to reduce decision-making complexity and provide ways to reduce competing situations that could deplete self-regulation resources. Also, public policy should organize educational programs to increase the low-income consumer's ability to deal with personal finances and reduce this task complexity. Finally, educational financial programs should also incorporate psychology professionals to teach mindfulness techniques applied to financial planning.Originality/valueThis study is the first to consider regulatory focus and construal level to explain low-income indebtedness. This paper provides a deeper analysis of the low-income consumers' decision process. Also, it supports and guides future academic and decision-making efforts.

scholarly journals Psychological distance modulates goal-based versus movement-based imitation

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver Genschow ◽  
Jochim Hansen ◽  
Michaela Wänke ◽  
Yaacov Trope
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Psychological Distance ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Construal Level Theory ◽  
Temporal Distance ◽  
Spatial Distance ◽  
Construal Level ◽  
Direct Mapping

In past research on imitation, some findings suggest that imitation is goal based, whereas other findings suggest that imitation can also be based on a direct mapping of a model’s movements without necessarily adopting the model’s goal. We argue that the two forms of imitation are flexibly deployed in accordance with the psychological distance from the model. We specifically hypothesize that individuals are relatively more likely to imitate the model’s goals when s/he is distant but relatively more likely to imitate the model’s specific movements when s/he is proximal. This hypothesis was tested in four experiments using different imitation paradigms and different distance manipulations. Experiment 1 served as a pilot study and demonstrated that temporal distance (vs. proximity) increased imitation of a goal relative to the imitation of a movement. Experiments 2 and 3 measured goal-based and movement-based imitation independently of each other and found that spatial distance (vs. proximity) decreased the rate of goal errors (indicating more goal imitation) compared to movement errors. Experiment 4 demonstrated that psychological distance operates most likely at the input—that is, perceptual—level. The findings are discussed in relation to construal level theory and extant theories of imitation.

Mood disorders and outcomes in lung cancer patients undergoing surgery: a brief summery

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Salvina Signorelli ◽  
Teresa Surace ◽  
Marcello Migliore ◽  
Eugenio Aguglia
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Lung Cancer Patients ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Treatment Of Depression ◽  
The Impact

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. Literature reports depression and anxiety are the most common psychiatric symptoms in cancer patients. Notably, lung cancer is associated with major depressive disorder in 5–13% of cases. The present article aims to give an overview regarding the impact of mood disorders on the outcomes of patients affected by lung cancer. Our review showed that pharmacological treatment and psychotherapy can be useful to improve the quality of life of patients with lung cancer. Moreover, the treatment of depression and anxiety can be associated with a reduced mortality. In conclusion, it is important to consider psychiatric care as important as other adjuvant oncologic therapies in patients with cancer.

Effects of psychological distance perception and psychological factors on pro-environmental behaviors in Taiwan: Application of construal level theory

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei-Fang Chen
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Distance Perception ◽  
Psychological Distance ◽  
Construal Level Theory ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Environmental Concerns ◽  
Construal Level ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Environmental Behaviors

This study applied construal level theory (CLT) to the perceived psychological distance of climate change to investigate Taiwanese people’s psychological distance perception of climate change. It also considered how this psychological distance perception of climate change and other crucial psychological factors (i.e., values, ecological worldviews, and environmental concerns) may influence people’s pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs). A national self-administered questionnaire survey was performed in Taiwan and 733 responses were analyzed empirically. Structural equation modeling analysis indicated that an individual’s altruistic values are positively related to his or her ecological worldviews. An individual’s ecological worldviews are positively related to his or her psychological distance perception of climate change and environmental concerns regarding the negative consequences of climate change. Such environmental concerns positively motivate engagement in PEBs. However, an individual’s psychological distance perception of climate change does not positively relate to his or her PEBs.

An Empirical Exploration of Mental Representations in the Individual Saving Decision Process

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 48-63
Author(s):  
Rodica Ianole
Keyword(s):  
Social Psychology ◽  
Economic Theory ◽  
Decision Process ◽  
Mental Representations ◽  
Construal Level Theory ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Differences Of Opinion ◽  
Conceptual Background ◽  
Saving Behavior ◽  
The Individual

The article tackles the analysis of the saving process by reviving a research methodology that explores mental representations and their economic implications. The conceptual background is updated to the latest interdisciplinary literature in behavioral economics and social psychology, extending the applications of construal level theory. The results are pointing out to a new way of understanding differences of opinion between groups (economists and sociologists) about saving behavior, usually considered irrational in the light of standard economic theory.

The effect of nutrition on older people's mental health

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (Sup7) ◽  
pp. S12-S16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynn Harbottle
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Care Setting ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Healthcare Needs ◽  
Practical Guidance ◽  
Physiological Impact ◽  
Mood Depression

In the context of a rapidly ageing population, with an increasing prevalence of mood disorders and a greater incidence of physical illness in older adults, it is imperative that their healthcare needs are effectively addressed. Nutritional vulnerability increases in later life for various reasons, related to the physiological impact of ageing as well as social and economic challenges. Specific nutrients and overall diet quality may impact on mood. Depression and anxiety in turn impact on interest in and ability to eat and may further distort intake and exacerbate symptoms. Whether working with older adults living at home or in the care setting, nurses need to be aware of and able to identify, refer and support those who need help. This article aims to raise awareness and provides some practical guidance for nurses working with older adults experiencing mood disorders.

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