Girls’ Stuff? Maternal Gender Stereotypes and Their Daughters’ Fear

One of the most robust findings in psychopathology is the fact that specific phobias are more prevalent in women than in men. Although there are several theoretical accounts for biological and social contributions to this gender difference, empirical data are surprisingly limited. Interestingly, there is evidence that individuals with stereotypical feminine characteristics are more fearful than those with stereotypical masculine characteristics; this is beyond biological sex. Because gender role stereotypes are reinforced by parental behavior, we aimed to examine the relationship of maternal gender stereotypes and children’s fear. Dyads of 38 mothers and their daughters (between ages 6 and 10) were included. We assessed maternal implicit and explicit gender stereotypes as well as their daughters’ self-reported general fearfulness, specific fear of snakes, and approach behavior toward a living snake. First, mothers’ fear of snakes significantly correlated with their daughters’ fear of snakes. Second, mothers’ gender stereotypes significantly correlated with their daughters’ self-reported fear. Specifically, maternal implicit gender stereotypes were associated with daughters’ fear of snakes and fear ratings in response to the snake. Moreover, in children, self-reported fear correlated with avoidance of the fear-relevant animal. Together, these results provide first evidence for a potential role of parental gender stereotypes in the development and maintenance of fear in their offspring.

Prevalence of Kinesiophobia in Post Spinal Surgery Patients

Background: The spinal column is a highly complex system of bones and connective tissues that provide support for the body and protect the delicate spinal cord and nerves. Back surgery carries higher risks than some other types of surgery because it is done closer to the nervous system. The most serious of these risks include paralysis and infections. Fear of movement/(re)injury is described as “a specific fear of movement and physical activity that is (wrongfully) assumed to cause reinjury”. In the extreme situation of fear of movement, the expression “kinesiophobia” is used. Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) was developed by Miller, Kori and Todd 1990 in order to assess fear of movement/(re)injury. It is a valid, reliable tool is used to assess Kinesiophobia.(1) Aim: The present study was done to Assess Prevalence of Kinesiophobia In patients undergone Spinal Surgery using Tampa Scale (6- 10 weeks post surgery). Method: In this study a total of 100 patients answered Tampa scale of kinesiophobia and were evaluated according to their level of kinesiophobia after post spinal surgical period 6- 10 weeks, that is after the healing period. Result: There was a high degree of kinesiophobia which was observed after post spinal surgical period 6-10 weeks in 61% of the participants. Conclusion: This study showed Prevalence of High Degree of Kinesiophobia noted after 6-10 weeks in 61% of the Post- Spinal Surgery patients even after 4-6 weeks of healing period. Key words: Kinesiophobia, Fear-avoidance, Spinal surgery, Tampa scale.

Specificity of spiders among fear- and disgust-eliciting arthropods: Spiders are special, but phobics not so much

To investigate a specificity of spiders as a prototypical fear- and disgust-eliciting stimuli, we conducted an online experiment. The respondents rated images of 25 spiders, 12 non-spider chelicerates, and 10 other arthropods on a fear and disgust 7-point scale. The evaluation of 968 Central European respondents confirmed the specificity of spiders among fear- and disgust-eliciting arthropods and supported the notion of spiders as a cognitive category. We delineated this category as covering extant spider species as well as some other chelicerates bearing a physical resemblance to spiders, mainly whip spiders and camel spiders. We suggested calling this category the spider-like cognitive category. We discussed evolutionary roots of the spider-like category and concluded that its roots should be sought in fear, with disgust being secondary of the two emotions. We suggested other chelicerates, e.g., scorpions, might have been important in formation and fixation of the spider-like category. Further, we investigated an effect of respondent’s sensitivity to a specific fear of spiders on evaluation of the stimuli. We found that suspected phobic respondents were in their rating nearly identical to those with only high fear of spiders and similar to those with only moderate fear of spiders. We concluded that results based on healthy respondents with elevated fear should also be considered relevant for arachnophobia research.

Bitcoin-specific fear sentiment matters in the COVID-19 outbreak

Purpose This study aims to investigate the effect of fear sentiment with a novel data set on Bitcoin’s (BTC) return, volatility and transaction volume. The authors divide the sample into two subperiods to capture the changing dynamics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach The authors retrieve the novel fear sentiment data from Thomson Reuters MarketPsych Indices (TRMI). The authors denote the subperiods as pre- and post-COVID-19 considering January 13, 2020, when the first COVID-19 confirmed case was reported outside China. The authors use bivariate vector autoregressive models given below with lag-length k, to investigate the dynamics between BTC variables and fear sentiment. Findings BTC market measures have dissimilar dynamics before and after the Coronavirus outbreak. The results reveal that due to the excessive uncertainty led by the outbreak, an increase in fear sentiment negatively affects the BTC returns more persistently and significantly. For the post-COVID-19 period, an increase in fear also results in more fluctuations in transaction volume while its initial and cumulative effects are both negative. Due to extreme uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, investors may trade more aggressively in the initial phases of the shock. Practical implications The authors are convinced that the results in this paper have more far-reaching implications for other markets regulated by the states. BTC provides a natural benchmark to understand how fear sentiment drives and impacts the markets isolated from any interventions. Hence, the results show that in the absence of regulatory frameworks, market dynamics are likely to be more volatile and the fear sentiment has more persistent impacts. The authors also highlight the importance of using micro, asset-specific sentiment measures to capture market dynamics better. Originality/value BTC is not associated with any regulatory authority and is not produced by the governments and central banks. COVID-19 as a natural experiment provides an opportunity to explore the pure effects of market sentiment on BTC considering its decentralized and unregulated features. The paper has two main contributions. First, the authors use BTC-specific fear sentiment novel data set of TRMI instead of more general market sentiments used in the existing studies. Next, this is the first study to examine the association between fear and BTC before and after COVID-19.

Fear of Rejecting Others: An Overlooked Construct in Dating Anxiety

Dating anxiety may significantly impair the formation of romantic relationships. Given the clinical importance of dating anxiety, understanding underlying cognitive features is imperative to determine appropriate treatment. Research on romantic relationship termination and partner choice suggests individuals with dating anxiety, in addition to fearing rejection, may fear rejecting potential romantic partners. This study examined the relation between dating-specific fear of negative evaluation (DFNE), fear of positive evaluation (FPE), and fear of rejecting others (FRO) to identify potentially relevant cognitive factors to dating anxiety. We found that FRO and FPE were significantly and positively related to DFNE. We also found that FRO had a significant relation to DFNE after accounting for FPE. Implications of our findings are discussed.

An investigation of fear of the dark in individuals with insomnia disorder

Past research found that individuals with poor sleep report and physiologically exhibit greater fear of the dark (FOD) than good sleepers (Carney et al., 2013). The presence of FOD in individuals with insomnia disorder (ID) would have important implications to our understanding of ID and its treatment. Thus, the present study compared individuals with ID to good sleepers (N = 50) on objective and subjective FOD, and explored the FOD construct through participant interviews. Contrary to expectations, ID and good sleeper groups did not differ on FOD measures. Cognitive arousal and trauma history were related to reported dark discomfort. For those with ID, experiences in the dark were characterized by greater sleep effort and pre-sleep arousal generally, but not dark-specific fear per se. For those who were fearful of the dark we posit that there may be a trauma-activated pathway to arousal. Implications and avenues for future research are discussed.

An investigation of fear of the dark in individuals with insomnia disorder

Past research found that individuals with poor sleep report and physiologically exhibit greater fear of the dark (FOD) than good sleepers (Carney et al., 2013). The presence of FOD in individuals with insomnia disorder (ID) would have important implications to our understanding of ID and its treatment. Thus, the present study compared individuals with ID to good sleepers (N = 50) on objective and subjective FOD, and explored the FOD construct through participant interviews. Contrary to expectations, ID and good sleeper groups did not differ on FOD measures. Cognitive arousal and trauma history were related to reported dark discomfort. For those with ID, experiences in the dark were characterized by greater sleep effort and pre-sleep arousal generally, but not dark-specific fear per se. For those who were fearful of the dark we posit that there may be a trauma-activated pathway to arousal. Implications and avenues for future research are discussed.

Active suppression prevents the return of threat memory in humans

Unbidden distressing memories inflict serious damage on mental health. Extant research highlights the importance of associative learning in modulating aversive memory. We report that conscious active suppression eliminates learned fear responses independent of memory triggers and is related to individual difference in thought control ability; in contrast, thought diversion only reduces cue-specific fear response. These results suggest potential avenues for treatment of persistent maladaptive memories by engaging declarative mnemonic control mechanisms.

Hydrocortisone as an adjunct to brief cognitive-behavioural therapy for specific fear: Endocrine and cognitive biomarkers as predictors of symptom improvement

Background: Glucocorticoid (GC) administration prior to exposure-based cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) has emerged as a promising approach to facilitate treatment outcome in anxiety disorders. Further components relevant for improved CBT efficacy include raised endogenous GCs and reductions in information-processing biases to threat. Aims: To investigate hydrocortisone as an adjunct to CBT for spider fear and the modulating role of threat bias change and endogenous short-term and long-term GCs for treatment response. Methods: Spider-fearful individuals were randomized to receiving either 20 mg of hydrocortisone ( n = 17) or placebo ( n = 16) one hour prior to single-session predominantly computerised exposure-based CBT. Spider fear was assessed using self-report and behavioural approach measures at baseline, 1-day and 1-month follow-up. Threat processing was assessed at baseline and 1-day follow-up. Cortisol and cortisone were analysed from hair and saliva samples at baseline. Results/outcomes: Self-report, behavioural and threat processing indices improved following CBT. Hydrocortisone augmentation resulted in greater improvement of self-report spider fear and stronger increase in speed when approaching a spider, but not on threat bias. Neither threat bias nor endogenous GCs predicted symptom change, and no interactive effects with hydrocortisone emerged. Preliminary evidence indicated higher hair cortisone as predictor of a stronger threat bias reduction. Conclusions/interpretation: Our data extend earlier findings by suggesting that GC administration boosts the success of exposure therapy for specific fear even with a low-level therapist involvement. Future studies corroborating our result of a predictive hair GC relationship with threat bias change in larger clinical samples are needed.