Gaming passion contributes to the definition and identification of problematic gaming

Even if for most people playing video games is a healthy leisure activity, a minority of vulnerable users present an excessive use associated to negative consequences (e.g., psychosocial maladjustment, sleep interference) and functional impairment. The current study first aims to identify psychological factors that contribute to discriminate highly involved (but healthy) gamers from problematic gamers. For that purpose, we used a cluster analysis approach to identify different groups of gamers based on their profiles of passion towards gaming (using the Dualistic Model of Passion). Another objective of the present study is to explore, using supervised machine-learning, how gaming disorder symptoms, assessed within the substance use disorder framework (e.g., tolerance, withdrawal), might be linked to harmonious and/or an obsessive passion for gaming. Three distinct clusters of gamers were identified based on their passion profiles, including risky gamers, engaged gamers, and casual gamers. Supervised machine-learning algorithms identified that specific gaming disorder symptoms (salience, mood modification, tolerance, low level of conflict) were predominantly related to harmonious passion, whereas others (withdrawal, high level of conflict, relapse) were more directly related to obsessive passion. Our results support the relevance of person-centered approaches to the treatment of problematic gaming

The psychological syndrome associated with Long-COVID: A study protocol

Introduction: Chronic post-viral syndromes, including Long-COVID, are characterized by a range of persistent symptoms that occur following a viral infection. Psychological symptoms are prevalent in Long-COVID patients and can have a significant impact on their quality of life. However, the specific patterns of psychological symptoms, their associations with physical symptoms, and the factors predicting their severity remain poorly understood. Aims: This study aims to explore and systematically assess psychological symptoms in Long-COVID, to identify syndrome clusters based on these symptoms, to examine their relationship with physical symptoms, and to investigate the influence of pandemic-related variables. Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study with data collected through an online questionnaire across several EU countries, from February 2020 to December 2022. Participants were recruited using public relations, the social media and information campaigns directed at the public and health professionals using snowball sampling. Results: The findings will allow to phenotype Long-COVID related psychological symptom clusters based on self-reports. facilitating improved assessment and treatment approaches. Conclusions: The results will provide important knowledge for the public health management of the public healh management of Long COVID. The findings will contribute to a better understanding of the psychological symptoms associated with Long-COVID and the development of specific treatment guidelines for psychological burden associated with Long-COVID, thereby supporting management strategies to combat the after-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, enhancing their overall well-being and quality of life

The Role of Emotion Regulation Strategies for Sexual Function and Mental Health: A Cluster Analytical Approach

We investigated distinct profiles in emotion regulation strategies (reappraisal and suppression) and their associations with sexual function and mental health. The online survey sample consisted of 5436 adult participants. The gender stratified cluster analysis resulted in a four-cluster solution for both men and women. Better sexual function and mental health scores were found for participants with high cognitive reappraisal and low expressive suppression. High expressive suppression was associated with higher anxiety and depression and worse sexual function. Sexological care should take into account the assessment of emotion regulation abilities and emotion regulation training interventions to support reappraisal strategies

The Role of Emotion Regulation Strategies for Sexual Function and Mental Health: A Cluster Analytical Approach.

peer reviewedWe investigated distinct profiles in emotion regulation strategies (reappraisal and suppression) and their associations with sexual function and mental health. The online survey sample consisted of 5436 adult participants. The gender stratified cluster analysis resulted in a four-cluster solution for both men and women. Better sexual function and mental health scores were found for participants with high cognitive reappraisal and low expressive suppression. High expressive suppression was associated with higher anxiety and depression and worse sexual function. Sexological care should take into account the assessment of emotion regulation abilities and emotion regulation training interventions to support reappraisal strategies

Psychometric Properties of the Multidimensional Assessment of Covid-19-Related Fears (MAC-RF) in French-Speaking Healthcare Professionals and Community Adults

The Multidimensional Assessment of COVID-19-Related Fears (MAC-RF) is an 8-item self-report measure, which is based on the theoretical premise that fear responses to COVID-19 involve different yet intertwined domains (i.e., bodily, relational, cognitive, and behavioural). In this multi-step study, we tested the psychometric properties of the French version of the MAC-RF and examined the reciprocal relationships among COVID-19-related fears. Data were collected in two French-speaking samples (N = 521 individuals from the community and N = 328 healthcare professionals). Internal reliability, convergent validity, construct validity, and internal structure of the MAC-RF were tested. The French version of the MAC-RF demonstrated good psychometric properties and a two-factor structure, with bodily and relational fears tapping into the first factor, and cognitive and behavioural fears tapping into the second factor. Healthcare professionals reported greater COVID-19-related fears than community participants. Correlation network analysis showed that fear for one’s own body and fear of taking action might increase the risk of experiencing other COVID-19-related fears. Limitations comprised the cross-sectional design of the study, risk of bias associated with self-report instruments, and use of online surveys. A careful assessment of different types of fear related to COVID-19 may have implications for prevention and clinical practice during the current coronavirus pandemic. The French version of the MAC-RF is valid and reliable and can thus be used for this purpose

Predictors of Cyberchondria during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study using supervised machine learning.

BACKGROUND Cyberchondria is characterized by repeated and compulsive online searches for health information, resulting in increased health anxiety and distress. It has been conceptualized as a multi-dimensional construct fueled by both anxiety and compulsivity-related factors and described as a "transdiagnostic compulsive behavioral syndrome" which is associated with health anxiety, problematic internet use and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Cyberchondria is not included in the ICD-11 or the DSM-5, and its defining features, etiological mechanisms and assessment continue to be debated. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate changes in the severity of cyberchondria during the pandemic and identify predictors of cyberchondria at this time. METHODS Data collection started on May 4, 2020 and ended on June 10, 2020, which corresponds to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe. At the time the present study took place, French-speaking countries in Europe (France, Switzerland, Belgium and Luxembourg) all implemented lockdown or semi-lockdown measures. The survey consisted of a questionnaire collecting demographic information (sex, age, education level and country of residence) and information on socioeconomic circumstances during the first lockdown (e.g., economic situation, housing and employment status), and was followed by several instruments assessing various psychological and health-related constructs. Inclusion criteria for the study were being at least 18 years of age and having a good understanding of French. Self-report data were collected from 725 participants aged 18 to 77 years (mean 33.29, SD 12.88 years), with females constituting the majority (416/725, 57.4%). RESULTS The results show that the COVID-19 pandemic affected various facets of cyberchondria: cyberchondria-related distress and interference with functioning increased (distress z=-3.651, P<.001; compulsion z=-5.697, P<.001), whereas the reassurance facet of cyberchondria decreased (z=-6.680, P<.001). Also, COVID-19-related fears and health anxiety emerged as the strongest predictors of cyberchondria-related distress and interference with functioning during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide evidence about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cyberchondria and identify factors that should be considered in efforts to prevent and manage cyberchondria at times of public health crises. Also, they are consistent with the theoretical model of cyberchondria during the COVID-19 pandemic proposed by Starcevic and his colleagues in 2020. In addition, the findings have implications for the conceptualization and future assessment of cyberchondria

The psychological syndrome associated with Long-COVID: A study protocol

IntroductionChronic post-viral syndromes, including Long-COVID, are characterized by a range of persistent symptoms that occur following a viral infection. Psychological symptoms are prevalent in Long-COVID patients and can have a significant impact on their quality of life. However, the specific patterns of psychological symptoms, their associations with physical symptoms, and the factors predicting their severity remain poorly understood.AimsThis study aims to explore and systematically assess psychological symptoms in Long-COVID, to identify syndrome clusters based on these symptoms, to examine their relationship with physical symptoms, and to investigate the influence of pandemic-related variables.MethodsDescriptive, cross-sectional study with data collected through an online questionnaire across several EU countries, from February 2020 to December 2022. Participants were recruited using public relations, the social media and information campaigns directed at the public and health professionals using snowball sampling.ResultsThe findings will allow to phenotype Long-COVID related psychological symptom clusters based on self-reports. facilitating improved assessment and treatment approaches.ConclusionsThe results will provide important knowledge for the public health management of the public healh management of Long COVID. The findings will contribute to a better understanding of the psychological symptoms associated with Long-COVID and the development of specific treatment guidelines for psychological burden associated with Long-COVID, thereby supporting management strategies to combat the after-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, enhancing their overall well-being and quality of life

Impact des traits schizotypiques et du style d’encodage dans l’usage des mondes virtuels persistants : étude exploratoire

Introduction : Les MMORPGs sont des jeux de rôle en ligne massivement multijoueurs. À ce jour aucun type de personnalité n’est associé à un usage problématique de ce type de jeu vidéo en ligne. Or, les traits de personnalité schizotypiques semblent y être potentiellement associés. Ces traits sont liés à deux traits de personnalité du Big-Five connus pour être en lien avec des motivations de jeu pouvant mener à une addiction au jeu en ligne. L’objectif de cette étude est de mettre en lien ces traits schizotypiques avec les motivations de jeu, mais également l’usage problématique des MMORPGs. Méthode : 83 joueurs et 99 sujets contrôles ont participé à l’étude. Les joueurs et les sujets contrôles ont rempli des questionnaires visant à évaluer les traits schizotypiques, le style d’encodage, l’usage problématique du jeu en ligne ou d’internet, ainsi que la consommation de substances psychoactives (alcool, tabac, cannabis). Les joueurs ont également répondu à un questionnaire qui évalue les motivations du joueur. Résultats : Les traits schizotypiques semblent être liés aux motivations d’avancement et d’échappatoire, ainsi qu’à un usage problématique du jeu en ligne. De manière plus précise, il semblerait que la dimension désorganisée de la schizotypie est capable de prédire cet usage problématique. Par ailleurs, les joueurs ont montré un score plus élevé que les sujets contrôles dans les traits schizotypiques. Cependant, les traits schizotypiques reportés par les joueurs dans un contexte de virtualité sont significativement moins élevés que ceux mesurés dans le contexte de la réalité. Conclusion : Il semblerait que les traits schizotypiques soient bel et bien liés à une vulnérabilité face à un usage problématique des MMORPGs. Il ne serait pas étonnant, au vu des résultats, que les individus ayant un trouble de la personnalité schizotypique puissent être sujets à l’addiction aux MMORPGs.Master [120] en sciences psychologiques, Université catholique de Louvain, 201

The Role of Emotion Regulation Strategies for Sexual Function and Mental Health: A Cluster Analytical Approach

We investigated distinct profiles in emotion regulation strategies (reappraisal and suppression) and their associations with sexual function and mental health. The online survey sample consisted of 5436 adult participants. The gender stratified cluster analysis resulted in a four-cluster solution for both men and women. Better sexual function and mental health scores were found for participants with high cognitive reappraisal and low expressive suppression. High expressive suppression was associated with higher anxiety and depression and worse sexual function. Sexological care should take into account the assessment of emotion regulation abilities and emotion regulation training interventions to support reappraisal strategies.Funding Agencies|Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) [11606105]; Fonds National de la Recherche Luxembourg</p

Schizotypal personality traits and problematic use of massively-multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs)

A link between maladaptive personality traits and an excessive use of massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) has been documented. However, the role of schizotypal personality traits in MMORPG use is understudied. The aim of this study was to explore the potential links between schizotypal traits, motivations for playing MMORPGs, and symptoms of problematic MMORPG use. Eighty-three MMORPG gamers were enrolled in the study. They filled out questionnaires measuring schizotypal personality traits and an adapted version of the same scale designed to measure in-game schizotypal traits. All participants also filled out questionnaires assessing motivations for gaming and disordered use of MMORPGs. Results of the study showed that the disorganized and interpersonal traits of schizotypy decreased when participants were thinking about themselves in the virtual world. Schizotypal traits, together with achievement and immersion motives, predicted problematic use of MMORPGs. The findings of this study may suggest that schizotypal traits and motivations for playing can interact and play a relevant role in the onset and maintenance of problematic gamin