1
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Anderson AJ, Perone S. The kids are bored: Trait boredom in early childhood and links to self-regulation, coping strategies, and parent-child interactions. J Exp Child Psychol 2024; 243:105919. [PMID: 38581758 DOI: 10.1016/j.jecp.2024.105919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Boredom is a negative emotion that most people experience on occasion. However, some people experience boredom more or are unable to tolerate it, which is called trait boredom. Trait boredom has been well-studied in adolescence and adulthood, but little is known about trait boredom in childhood. The main goal of this study was to measure trait boredom in 4- to 6-year-olds (N = 130) and to test whether it relates to self-regulatory processes in a similar fashion that has been observed in adults and identify strategies children use to cope with boredom. We found boredom in childhood was related to self-regulatory processes in a similar fashion as it does in adults, and most children used social stimulation strategies (e.g., asking to play with a parent) or behavioral strategies (e.g., playing with toys) to cope with boredom. The findings are discussed within the context of prevention and the emotion regulation and boredom literature.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sammy Perone
- Department of Human Development, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA
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2
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Kawada M, Shimazu A, Miyanaka D, Tokita M, Sakakibara K, Mori N, Hamsyah F, Yuheng L, Shojima K, Schaufeli WB. Boredom and engagement at work: do they have different antecedents and consequences? Ind Health 2024; 62:110-122. [PMID: 37766571 PMCID: PMC10995674 DOI: 10.2486/indhealth.2023-0028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to demonstrate the empirical distinctiveness of boredom at work and work engagement in relation to their potential antecedents (job demands and job resources) and consequences (psychological distress and turnover intention) based on the Job Demands-Resources model. A three-wave longitudinal survey was conducted among registered monitors of an Internet survey company in Japan. The questionnaire included scales for boredom at work, work engagement, psychological distress, and turnover intention as well as participants' job characteristics and demographic variables. The hypothesized model was evaluated via structural equation modeling with 1,019 participants who were employed full-time. As expected, boredom at work was negatively associated with quantitative job demands and job resources and positively associated with psychological distress and turnover intention. In contrast, work engagement was positively associated with job resources and negatively associated with turnover intention. Thus, boredom at work and work engagement had different potential antecedents and were inversely related to employee well-being and organizational outcomes. However, contrary to expectations, qualitative job demands were not significantly associated with boredom at work. Further investigation is needed to understand the relationship between boredom and qualitative job demands, which require sustained cognitive load and the use of higher skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiko Kawada
- Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Japan
| | | | - Daisuke Miyanaka
- Faculty of Policy Management, Keio University, Japan
- Better Options, Inc., Japan
| | | | - Keiko Sakakibara
- Department of Social Psychology, Faculty of Sociology, Toyo University, Japan
| | - Naana Mori
- Keio Research Institute at SFC, Keio University, Japan
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Fuad Hamsyah
- Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Japan
- Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia
| | - Lin Yuheng
- Jiangxi College of Foreign Studies, China
| | - Kojiro Shojima
- Research Division, National Center for University Entrance Examinations, Japan
| | - Wilmar B Schaufeli
- Department of Psychology, Utrecht University, Netherlands
- Research Unit Occupational & Organizational Psychology and Professional Learning, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
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3
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Ferré P, Guasch M, Stadthagen-González H, Hinojosa JA, Fraga I, Marín J, Pérez-Sánchez MÁ. What makes a word a good representative of the category of "emotion"? The role of feelings and interoception. Emotion 2024; 24:745-758. [PMID: 37768572 DOI: 10.1037/emo0001300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
The words we use to describe emotions vary in terms of prototypicality; that is, some of these words may be more representative of the semantic category of emotion than others (e.g., anger refers more clearly to an emotion than boredom). Based on a multicomponential conception of emotions, the aim of the present study was to examine the contribution of several variables to emotion prototypicality. Some of those variables are related to the distinct components of emotions: evaluation, action, body expression, internal body sensations (interoception), and feelings. Other variables are related to the concreteness/abstractness distinction: sensory experience, social interaction, thought, and morality. We collected ratings for these variables for a large set of words (1,286) which varied in emotion prototypicality. A regression analysis revealed that the variables that most contributed to emotion prototypicality were feelings and interoception. Furthermore, a factor analysis identified two underlying factors: socioemotional polarity and emotional experience. The scores of each word in both factors were used to create a two-dimensional space and a density plot which provides relevant information about the organization of emotion concepts in memory. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Ferré
- Departament de Psicologia, Universitat Rovira i Virgili
| | - Marc Guasch
- Departament de Psicologia, Universitat Rovira i Virgili
| | | | - José Antonio Hinojosa
- Departamento de Psicologia Experimental, Procesos Cognitivos y Logopedia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid
| | - Isabel Fraga
- Departmento de Psicologia Social, Psicologia Basica y Metodologia, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela
| | - Javier Marín
- Departamento de Psicologia Basica y Metodologia, Universidad de Murcia
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4
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Abstract
Trait boredom plays a significant role in well-being. However, this construct suffers from conceptual ambiguity and measurement problems. The aim of this study was to propose a comprehensive theory and a strong assessment tool to address these limitations. We defined trait boredom as the frequent experience of state boredom resulting from a chronic lack of agency. We developed a six-item self-report scale of the tendency to often experience boredom. Results confirmed a uni-dimensional scale with strong psychometric properties, including adequate internal consistency (ω = .84-.93), interindividual stability (69.04% of variance accounted by a trait factor), and acceptable model fit (CFI = .977-.998, TLI = .962-.997, RMSEA = .025-.090, SRMR = .014-.029). Results confirmed the validity of the scale by showing its associations with related measures. Our findings provide clarity on trait boredom and a strong, new measure to be used in future work.
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Tamarelli C, Cao A, Grossman-Kahn R. Should Patients' Boredom in Locked Inpatient Psychiatric Units Be Considered Iatrogenic Harm? AMA J Ethics 2024; 26:E219-224. [PMID: 38446726 DOI: 10.1001/amajethics.2024.219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Patients often report experiencing boredom during inpatient psychiatry stays. Because patients' vulnerabilities and conditions can be exacerbated when they feel bored, this article considers ethical dimensions of inpatient units' designs that limit patients' autonomy or access to activities or interactions with others. This commentary on a case also considers whether and how boredom should be considered an iatrogenic harm and influence discharge planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie Tamarelli
- Hospital-based psychiatrist and clinical assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor
| | - Angela Cao
- Medical student at the University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis
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6
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Zerr K, Seiler JPH, Rumpel S, Tüscher O. Validation of a German version of the Boredom Proneness Scale and the Multidimensional State Boredom Scale. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2905. [PMID: 38316871 PMCID: PMC10844236 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53236-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The scientific interest in boredom is growing over the past decades. Boredom has not only been linked to symptoms of psychopathology, but also shows a remarkable effect on individual behavior under healthy conditions. Current characterizations of boredom in humans mostly rely on self-report assessments which proved to faithfully reflect boredom in a vast range of experimental environments. Two of the most commonly used and prominent self-report scales in order to assess boredom are the Multidimensional State Boredom Scale (MSBS) and the Boredom Proneness Scale (BPS). Here, we present the German translations of both questionnaires and their validation. We obtained and analyzed psychometric data from more than 800 healthy individuals. We find that the German MSBS and BPS show vast congruence with their originals in respect to item statistics, internal reliability and validity. In particular, we find remarkable associations of state boredom and trait boredom with indicators of mental burden. Testing the factor structure of both questionnaires, we find supporting evidence for a 5-factor model of the MSBS, whereas the BPS in line with its original shows an irregular, inconsistent factor structure. Thus, we validate the German versions of MSBS and BPS and set a starting point for further studies of boredom in German-speaking collectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Zerr
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Untere Zahlbacher Straße 8, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Johannes P-H Seiler
- Institute of Physiology, Focus Program Translational Neurosciences, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 19, 55131, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Simon Rumpel
- Institute of Physiology, Focus Program Translational Neurosciences, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 19, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Oliver Tüscher
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Untere Zahlbacher Straße 8, 55131, Mainz, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research, Wallstraße 7, 55122, Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Ackermannweg 4, 55128, Mainz, Germany
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7
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Yeung RC, Danckert J, van Tilburg WAP, Fernandes MA. Disentangling boredom from depression using the phenomenology and content of involuntary autobiographical memories. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2106. [PMID: 38267475 PMCID: PMC10808106 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52495-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Recurrent involuntary autobiographical memories (IAMs) are memories retrieved unintentionally and repetitively. We examined whether the phenomenology and content of recurrent IAMs could differentiate boredom and depression, both of which are characterized by affective dysregulation and spontaneous thought. Participants (n = 2484) described their most frequent IAM and rated its phenomenological properties (e.g., valence). Structural topic modeling, a method of unsupervised machine learning, identified coherent content within the described memories. Boredom proneness was positively correlated with depressive symptoms, and both boredom proneness and depressive symptoms were correlated with more negative recurrent IAMs. Boredom proneness predicted less vivid recurrent IAMs, whereas depressive symptoms predicted more vivid, negative, and emotionally intense ones. Memory content also diverged: topics such as relationship conflicts were positively predicted by depressive symptoms, but negatively predicted by boredom proneness. Phenomenology and content in recurrent IAMs can effectively disambiguate boredom proneness from depressive symptoms in a large sample of undergraduate students from a racially diverse university.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C Yeung
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, 3560 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON, M6A 2E1, Canada
| | - James Danckert
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | | | - Myra A Fernandes
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada.
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Chao T, Todman M, Foltin RW, Evans SM, Bedi G. Laboratory method to induce state boredom increases impulsive choice in people who use cocaine and controls. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse 2024; 50:42-53. [PMID: 37921613 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2023.2248544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Background: Impulsive choice is associated with both cocaine use and relapse. Little is known about the influence of transient states on impulsive choice in people who use cocaine (PWUC).Objective: This study investigated the direct effects of induced boredom on impulsive choice (i.e., temporal discounting) in PWUC relative to well-matched community controls.Methods: Forty-one PWUC (≥1× cocaine use in past 3 months; 7 females) and 38 demographically matched controls (5 females) underwent two experimental conditions in counterbalanced order. Temporal discounting was assessed immediately after a standardized boredom induction task (peg-turning) and a self-selected video watched for the same duration (non-boredom). Subjective mood state and perceived task characteristics were assessed at baseline, during experimental manipulations, and after the choice task.Results: PWUC and controls were well matched on sex, age, and socioeconomic status. Groups were also similar in reported use of drugs other than cocaine, except for recent cigarette and alcohol use (PWUC > controls). As expected, peg-turning increased boredom in the sample overall, with higher boredom reported during peg-turning than the video (p < .001, η2p = .20). Participants overall exhibited greater impulsive choice after boredom than non-boredom (p = .028, η2p = .07), with no preferential effects in PWUC (p > .05, BF01 = 2.9).Conclusion: Experimentally induced boredom increased state impulsivity irrespective of cocaine use status - in PWUC and carefully matched controls - suggesting a broad link between boredom and impulsive choice. This is the first study to show that transient boredom directly increases impulsive choice. Data support a viable laboratory method to further parse the effects of boredom on impulsive choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Chao
- Institute of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - McWelling Todman
- Department of Psychology, The New School for Social Research, New York, NY, USA
| | - Richard W Foltin
- Division on Substance Use Disorders, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Suzette M Evans
- Division on Substance Use Disorders, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gillinder Bedi
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne and Substance Use Research Group, Melbourne, Orygen, Australia
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9
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Nettinga J, Naseem S, Yakobi O, Willoughby T, Danckert J. Exploring EEG resting state as a function of boredom proneness in pre-adolescents and adolescents. Exp Brain Res 2024; 242:123-135. [PMID: 37978080 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-023-06733-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Boredom is a prominent experience commonly reported in school settings and associated with poor academic achievement. Little is known, however, about the age-related trajectory of boredom. Here we examined self-reported ratings of boredom in a cross-sectional sample of 8 to 15-year olds (n = 185) as a function of resting state EEG. Results indicated that reports of boredom in school rose as a function of age. Resting state EEG showed a decrease in theta power with age perhaps reflective of increased control. While no effects were evident in beta and alpha bands, we did observe an interaction between boredom and age for frontal asymmetry such that for those higher in boredom, the asymmetry increased with age. Finally, for theta to beta ratios there were main effects of age (i.e., a decrease in theta/beta ratio with age) and boredom such that those higher in boredom had higher theta/beta ratios over frontal and central brain areas. The results are discussed in the context of prior work on school-related boredom and provide several important avenues for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Nettinga
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada.
| | - Sarah Naseem
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Ofir Yakobi
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Teena Willoughby
- Department of Psychology, Brock University, St. Catherines, ON, L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - James Danckert
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
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10
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Westgate EC, Buttrick NR, Lin Y, El Helou G, Agostini M, Bélanger JJ, Gützkow B, Kreienkamp J, Abakoumkin G, Abdul Khaiyom JH, Ahmedi V, Akkas H, Almenara CA, Atta M, Bagci SC, Basel S, Berisha Kida E, Bernardo ABI, Chobthamkit P, Choi HS, Cristea M, Csaba S, Damnjanovic K, Danyliuk I, Dash A, Di Santo D, Douglas KM, Enea V, Faller DG, Fitzsimons G, Gheorghiu A, Gómez Á, Hamaidia A, Han Q, Helmy M, Hudiyana J, Jeronimus BF, Jiang DY, Jovanović V, Kamenov Ž, Kende A, Keng SL, Kieu TTT, Koc Y, Kovyazina K, Kozytska I, Krause J, Kruglanski AW, Kurapov A, Kutlaca M, Lantos NA, Lemay EP, Lesmana CBJ, Louis WR, Lueders A, Maj M, Malik NI, Martinez A, McCabe KO, Mehulić J, Milla MN, Mohammed I, Molinario E, Moyano M, Muhammad H, Mula S, Muluk H, Myroniuk S, Najafi R, Nisa CF, Nyúl B, O'Keefe PA, Olivas Osuna JJ, Osin EN, Park J, Pica G, Pierro A, Rees J, Reitsema AM, Resta E, Rullo M, Ryan MK, Samekin A, Santtila P, Sasin E, Schumpe BM, Selim HA, Stanton MV, Stroebe W, Sutton RM, Tseliou E, Utsugi A, van Breen JA, Van Lissa CJ, Van Veen K, vanDellen MR, Vázquez A, Wollast R, Et Al. Pandemic boredom: Little evidence that lockdown-related boredom affects risky public health behaviors across 116 countries. Emotion 2023; 23:2370-2384. [PMID: 36913277 DOI: 10.1037/emo0001118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Some public officials have expressed concern that policies mandating collective public health behaviors (e.g., national/regional "lockdown") may result in behavioral fatigue that ultimately renders such policies ineffective. Boredom, specifically, has been singled out as one potential risk factor for noncompliance. We examined whether there was empirical evidence to support this concern during the COVID-19 pandemic in a large cross-national sample of 63,336 community respondents from 116 countries. Although boredom was higher in countries with more COVID-19 cases and in countries that instituted more stringent lockdowns, such boredom did not predict longitudinal within-person decreases in social distancing behavior (or vice versa; n = 8,031) in early spring and summer of 2020. Overall, we found little evidence that changes in boredom predict individual public health behaviors (handwashing, staying home, self-quarantining, and avoiding crowds) over time, or that such behaviors had any reliable longitudinal effects on boredom itself. In summary, contrary to concerns, we found little evidence that boredom posed a public health risk during lockdown and quarantine. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yijun Lin
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida
| | | | | | | | - Ben Gützkow
- Department of Psychology, University of Groningen
| | | | - Georgios Abakoumkin
- Laboratory of Psychology, Department of Early Childhood Education, University of Thessaly
| | | | | | - Handan Akkas
- Department of Organizational Behavior, Ankara Science University
| | - Carlos A Almenara
- Faculty of Health Science, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas
| | - Mohsin Atta
- Department of Psychology, University of Sargodha
| | | | - Sima Basel
- Department of Social Sciences, New York University, Abu Dhabi
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Sára Csaba
- Doctoral School of Psychology, ELTE, Eotvos Lorand University
| | | | - Ivan Danyliuk
- Department of Psychology, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
| | - Arobindu Dash
- Institute of Management and Organization, Leuphana University of Luneburg
| | - Daniela Di Santo
- Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, University "La Sapienza"
| | | | - Violeta Enea
- Department of Psychology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University
| | | | | | | | - Ángel Gómez
- Universidad Nacional de Educacion a Distancia
| | - Ali Hamaidia
- Psychology/Research Unit Human Resources Development, Setif 2 University
| | - Qing Han
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol
| | - Mai Helmy
- Department of Psychology, Menoufia University
| | | | | | - Ding-Yu Jiang
- Department of Psychology, National Chung-Cheng University
| | | | - Željka Kamenov
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb
| | - Anna Kende
- Department of Social Psychology, ELTE, Eotvos Lorand University
| | | | | | - Yasin Koc
- Department of Psychology, University of Groningen
| | | | - Inna Kozytska
- Department of Psychology, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
| | | | | | - Anton Kurapov
- Department of Psychology, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Adrian Lueders
- Laboratoire de Psychologie Sociale et Cognitive, Universite Clermont-Auvergne
| | - Marta Maj
- Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University
| | | | | | - Kira O McCabe
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University
| | - Jasmina Mehulić
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Silvana Mula
- Dipartimento dei Processi di Sviluppo e Socializzazione, University "La Sapienza"
| | - Hamdi Muluk
- Department of Psychology, Universitas Indonesia
| | | | - Reza Najafi
- Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Rasht Branch
| | - Claudia F Nisa
- Department of Psychology, New York University, Abu Dhabi
| | - Boglárka Nyúl
- Department of Social Psychology, ELTE, Eotvos Lorand University
| | | | - Jose Javier Olivas Osuna
- Department of Political Science and Administration, National Distance Education University (UNED)
| | - Evgeny N Osin
- Department of Psychology, National Research University Higher School of Economics
| | - Joonha Park
- Graduate School of Management, NUCB Business School
| | | | - Antonio Pierro
- Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, University "La Sapienza"
| | - Jonas Rees
- Research Institute Social Cohesion, University of Bielefeld
| | | | - Elena Resta
- Dipartimento dei Processi di Sviluppo e Socializzazione, University "La Sapienza"
| | - Marika Rullo
- Department of Educational, Humanities and Intercultural Communication, University of Siena
| | | | - Adil Samekin
- School of Liberal Arts, M. Narikbayev KAZGUU University
| | | | - Edyta Sasin
- Department of Psychology, New York University, Abu Dhabi
| | - Birga M Schumpe
- Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Amsterdam
| | | | | | | | | | - Eleftheria Tseliou
- Laboratory of Psychology, Department of Early Childhood Education, University of Thessaly
| | - Akira Utsugi
- Graduate School of Humanities, Nagoya University
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Robin Wollast
- Laboratoire de Psychologie Sociale et Cognitive, Universite Clermont-Auvergne
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11
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Seiler JPH, Rumpel S. Modeling fashion as an emergent collective behavior of bored individuals. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20480. [PMID: 37993553 PMCID: PMC10665449 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47749-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Boredom is an aversive mental state that is typically evoked by monotony and drives individuals to seek novel information. Despite this effect on individual behavior, the consequences of boredom for collective behavior remain elusive. Here, we introduce an agent-based model of collective fashion behavior in which simplified agents interact randomly and repeatedly choose alternatives from a circular space of color variants. Agents are endowed with a memory of past experiences and a boredom parameter, promoting avoidance of monotony. Simulating collective color trends with this model captures aspects of real trends observed in fashion magazines. We manipulate the two parameters and observe that the boredom parameter is essential for perpetuating fashion dynamics in our model. Furthermore, highly bored agents lead future population trends, when acting coherently or being highly popular. Taken together, our study illustrates that highly bored individuals can guide collective dynamics of a population to continuously explore different variants of behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes P-H Seiler
- Institute of Physiology, Focus Program Translational Neurosciences, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 19, 55131, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Simon Rumpel
- Institute of Physiology, Focus Program Translational Neurosciences, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 19, 55131, Mainz, Germany.
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12
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Zhang Y. EFL learners' boredom coping strategies: the role of teacher-student rapport and support. BMC Psychol 2023; 11:397. [PMID: 37978568 PMCID: PMC10656883 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01446-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A significant issue in the language education context is examining the coping strategies that learners apply to combat boredom in the class environment. As a significant contextual element affecting different dimensions of learners' acquisition, teacher support in general education has been extensively studied but widely neglected in the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) setting. Also, having a relationship with a teacher can help a learner cope better with school challenges as the teacher can act as a reference for the learner. METHODS To this end, 268 EFL learners participated to fill out the three scales namely, Teacher Support, Teacher-Student Rapport (T-SR), and learners' Boredom Coping Strategies (BCS). RESULTS Using multiple regressions, the results revealed that there are constructive links between these concepts as they affect learners' BCS, and both T-SR and teacher support were predictors of learners' BCS while the better predictor was teacher support. CONCLUSIONS As a result, it can be assumed that these two elements can enhance the students' BCS in language acquisition which ends in declining boredom. Additionally, this research may have further implications for the team members of language teaching in academic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanbo Zhang
- School of Foreign Languages, Zhengzhou Shengda University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, 450000, People's Republic of China.
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13
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Seiler JPH, Zerr K, Rumpel S, Tüscher O. High state boredom vastly affects psychiatric inpatients and predicts their treatment duration. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:350. [PMID: 37973905 PMCID: PMC10654381 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02650-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Boredom is a ubiquitous, aversive human experience typically elicited by low information and monotony. Boredom can occur either as a transient mental state that prompts individuals to adapt their behavior to avoid monotony or as a temporally stable trait, describing a chronic susceptibility to feeling bored. Increased trait boredom was found to correlate with various psychopathologies and indicators of mental burden. However, the role of state boredom in psychopathological conditions and its implications for psychiatric treatment remain elusive. Here, we address this issue by investigating state boredom and trait boredom in a cohort of psychiatric inpatients and a healthy control cohort. We find that in both groups, state boredom, even more than trait boredom, shows remarkable associations with psychopathology. In the inpatient group, state boredom is implicated broadly in multiple mental disorders and shows an association with treatment in closed psychiatric wards. Furthermore, through statistical modeling, we find that high-state boredom during inpatient therapy is predictive of a longer therapy duration. Thus, we show that state boredom constitutes an indicator of mild and severe psychopathology in different mental disorders, affecting the outcome of psychiatric patients. Potential therapeutic interventions are discussed, aiming to enhance information flow in the brain in order to alleviate boredom in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes P-H Seiler
- Institute of Physiology, Focus Program Translational Neurosciences, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 19, 55131, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Katharina Zerr
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Untere Zahlbacher Straße 8, 55131, Mainz, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research, Wallstraße 7, 55122, Mainz, Germany
| | - Simon Rumpel
- Institute of Physiology, Focus Program Translational Neurosciences, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 19, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Oliver Tüscher
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Untere Zahlbacher Straße 8, 55131, Mainz, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research, Wallstraße 7, 55122, Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Ackermannweg 4, 55128, Mainz, Germany
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14
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15
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Droit-Volet S, Monier F, Martinelli NN. The feeling of the passage of time against the time of the external clock. Conscious Cogn 2023; 113:103535. [PMID: 37302373 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2023.103535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
When people say that time is passing faster or slower, they are referring to the clock time. What exactly is the role of this reference to clock time in the awareness of the passage of time? Three experiments were conducted to examine this question. In Experiment 1, participants performed an easy and a difficult task in a condition with or without an external clock. In Experiment 2, the external clock was introduced after several trials of the easy task performed by the same participants. In Experiment 3, the speed of the clock hands was manipulated. Eye movements towards the clock were recorded by an eye tracker. The results showed that time was judged to pass faster with the external clock, thus reducing the distortion of the sense of time. Indeed, participants noticed that time passed faster than they initially thought. However, our results also showed that this was an occasional and short-lived adjustment of subjective time to objective time, with a greater acceleration in the presence of the fast clock. Indeed, the clock quickly lost its effect after a few trials, the feeling of the passage remaining based on the emotion felt, i.e., the boredom felt in the easy task. Our experiments thus showed that the feeling of the passage of time is primarily grounded in the emotional affect experienced (Embodiment), and that knowledge of clock time had only a small and transient corrective effect.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Florie Monier
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, LAPSCO, Clermont-Ferrand, France
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16
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Zhang L, Wang B, Xu Q, Fu C. The role of boredom proneness and self-control in the association between anxiety and smartphone addiction among college students: a multiple mediation model. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1201079. [PMID: 37564421 PMCID: PMC10409989 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1201079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Smartphone addiction has been found to be a widespread public health issue, especially among youth. Previous studies reported a significant association between anxiety and smartphone addiction, but the underlying mechanism in this relationship is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mediating roles of boredom proneness and self-control in the relationship between anxiety and smartphone addiction. Methods Self-reported measures of anxiety, boredom proneness, self-control and smartphone addiction were administered to 1,526 Chinese college students. Results Smartphone addiction scores varied between 10 and 60 with an average of 30.89 ± 10.57 points. Anxiety had a direct and positive effect on smartphone addiction (effect = 0.18, 95% CI = 0.11-0.25), and an indirect effect on smartphone addiction through boredom proneness (effect = 0.10, 95% CI = 0.06-0.15) and self-control (effect = 0.16, 95% CI = 0.13-0.20). Boredom proneness and self-control sequentially mediated the relationship between anxiety and smartphone addiction (effect = 0.12, 95% CI = 0.10-0.15). Conclusion Anxiety is positively associated with smartphone addiction, and boredom proneness and self-control are important mediators in this relationship. Strengthening self-control and mitigating boredom could prevent smartphone addiction in anxious college students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- School of Public Health and Management, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Baokai Wang
- Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Qi Xu
- School of Public Health and Management, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Chang Fu
- School of Public Health and Management, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, China
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17
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Chen PH, Rau PLP. Using EEG to investigate the influence of boredom on prospective memory in top-down and bottom-up processing mechanisms for intelligent interaction. Ergonomics 2023; 66:690-703. [PMID: 35959646 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2022.2113151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to investigate the alpha (α) activity in operators experiencing boredom while performing prolonged monitoring and prospective memory tasks using different processing mechanisms. Fifty-four participants underwent electroencephalography (EEG) and were found to have poorer prospective memory performance under top-down conditions. Further, α power and synchronisation were higher during bottom-up than in top-down processes, revealing an inhibition effect of the former. Significant differences in brain regions and hemispheres were identified to distinguish different cognitive processes in both information-processing mechanisms. Thus, people are likely to cope with boredom differently in terms of top-down and bottom-up processes. Specifically, a higher attention level was reported during top-down processing, to mitigate the negative influences of boredom. Overall, this study provides EEG evidence which suggests that prospective memory can be enhanced in top-down processing during prolonged monitoring tasks by increasing the salience of cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pin-Hsuan Chen
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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18
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Apud I, Scuro J, Carrera I, Oliveri A. Ayahuasca Ritual, Personality and Sociality: Observational Research Conducted in a Substance Use Disorder Rehabilitation Center in Uruguay. J Psychoactive Drugs 2023; 55:141-150. [PMID: 35506737 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2022.2053004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The current article presents a mixed qualitative-quantitative observational study of the effect of ayahuasca ritual on subjective experiences and personality traits on participants of a center specialized in the treatment of substance use disorder in Uruguay. When comparing the psychological traits of ayahuasca participants to a control group, quantitative results using the Zuckerman-Kuhlman-Aluja Personality Questionnaire showed statistically significant higher scores in Impulsive Sensation Seeking, Boredom Susceptibility, and Social Warmth scales. Qualitative analysis of ayahuasca experiences resulted in five main categories: emotional experiences (including social emotions such as love and empathy), corporal experiences, spiritual/transcendental experiences, personal experiences, and visions. Last, qualitative descriptions provide support for the importance of social interactions in the phenomenological manifestations of the psychedelic experience. Both quantitative and qualitative results suggest that the combination of social interactions and the pharmacological action of ayahuasca could facilitate the manifestation of social emotions during the ritual, and may contribute to the long-term increase of empathic and social aspects of personality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismael Apud
- Institute of Foundations and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Juan Scuro
- Department of Social Anthropology, Faculty of Humanities and Educational Sciences, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Ignacio Carrera
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Andrés Oliveri
- Institute of Foundations and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Orsolini L, Longo G, Volpe U. The Mediatory Role of the Boredom and Loneliness Dimensions in the Development of Problematic Internet Use. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:4446. [PMID: 36901452 PMCID: PMC10001960 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a gradual digitalization of our society, resulting in intensified technology use for daily life activities, including the emergence of problematic Internet use (PIU). Few studies specifically addressed the boredom and loneliness dimensions in mediating the association between depression, anxiety, and stress levels and the onset of PIU. A nationwide population-based cross-sectional case-control study was carried out by recruiting a sample of Italian young people (aged 18-35). Only 1643 participants were selected for the analyses based on the age and the presence versus absence of PIU. Participants were mainly females (68.7%), with a mean age of 21.8 (SD = 1.7). Non-PIU individuals had significantly stable relationships (p = 0.012), siblings (p = 0.044) and lived with their family (p = 0.010), compared to PIU. PIU individuals displayed significantly higher depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as higher loneliness and boredom levels (all p < 0.001), compared to non-PIU. Depressive symptomatology predicted PIU and that their interaction is positively double mediated by boredom and loneliness (ß = 0.3829 (0.0245), 95%CI = 0.3349-0.4309). Our findings suggested that boredom and loneliness dimensions could act as mediators in the association between depressive symptomatology and the likelihood of PIU onset and maintenance.
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20
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Wong MM, McCutcheon LE, Rodefer JS, Carter K. Predicting the stalking of celebrities from measures of persistent pursuit and threat directed toward celebrities, sensation seeking and celebrity worship. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281551. [PMID: 36857299 PMCID: PMC9977013 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The stalking of celebrities is a serious issue for thousands of celebrities worldwide who are occasionally confronted by fans who merit the label "fanatic." We administered measures of obnoxious celebrity stalking, celebrity worship, persistent pursuit of celebrities, threat directed toward celebrities, boredom susceptibility, disinhibition, experience seeking, thrill and adventure seeking, relationship styles, and anger to 596 college students from the U.S.A. We developed a model consisting of all but the latter five measures that successfully predicted actual obnoxious stalking behaviors of celebrities. Our results partially replicate earlier research and presents some new findings. Individuals who have personal thoughts about their favorite celebrity frequently, feel compelled to learn more about them, pursue them consistently, threatened to harm them and were prone to boredom were more likely to engage in celebrity stalking. Controlling for these predictors, individuals who admire their favorite celebrity almost exclusively because of their ability to entertain were less likely to engage in celebrity stalking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria M. Wong
- Department of Psychology, Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Lynn E. McCutcheon
- North American Journal of Psychology, Winter Garden, Florida, United States of America
| | - Joshua S. Rodefer
- Department of Psychology, Mercer University, Macon, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Kenneth Carter
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
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21
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Naismith I, Otto Scheiber CS, Gonzalez Rodriguez D, Petrocchi N. Physiological response to self-compassion versus relaxation in a clinical population. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0272198. [PMID: 36749746 PMCID: PMC9904495 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Compassion-focused imagery (CFI) can be an effective emotion-regulation technique but can create threat-focused responses in some individuals. However, these findings have been based on tasks involving receiving compassion from others. AIMS This study sought to compare responses CFI involving self-compassion to relaxation and a control task, and to see whether any threat-responses to self-compassion and relaxation decrease with practice. METHOD 25 participants with depression/anxiety symptoms and high self-criticism and/or low self-compassion engaged in three tasks (control task, relaxation imagery, and CFI) at three or four separate testing sessions, every three days. Heart-rate variability (HRV) was used to explore group-level differences between tasks. Additionally, we identified how many individuals showed a clinically significant change in HRV in response to compassion (compared to baseline) and how many showed such a change during relaxation (compared to baseline). RESULTS During session 1, more individuals had a clinically significant increase in HRV in response to CFI (56%) than in response to relaxation (44%), and fewer had a clinically significant decrease in HRV during CFI (16%) than during relaxation (28%). Comparing the group as a whole, no significant differences between tasks were seen. Repeated sessions led to fewer positive responses to CFI, perhaps reflecting habituation/boredom. CONCLUSIONS These preliminary findings suggest that in high self-critics (those most likely to find self-compassion difficult), self-compassionate imagery is no more challenging than standard relaxation tasks. For both compassion and relaxation, some individuals respond positively and others negatively. For those who are not benefiting, practice alone is not sufficient to improve response. Effects may differ for other compassion tasks. TRIAL REGISTRATION Trial number: NCT04647318.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iona Naismith
- Department of Psychology, University of the Andes, Bogota, Colombia
- * E-mail:
| | | | | | - Nicola Petrocchi
- Department of Economics and Social Sciences, John Cabot University, Rome, Italy
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22
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He J, Yang X, Du M, Zhao C, Wang X, Zhang G, Peng H. Prospective Association between Smartphone Addiction and Perceived Stress and Moderation of Boredom during COVID-19 in China. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:15355. [PMID: 36430074 PMCID: PMC9692943 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192215355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Smartphone addiction (SPA) is prevalent in college students and harms their healthy development, and perceived stress (PS) has been a well-documented risk factor of SPA. People often experienced boredom during COVID-19; however, its effect on behavioral/mental health during the pandemic has been rarely tested. We investigated the prospective association between SPA and PS before and during COVID-19, as well as the moderation of boredom. A total of 197 college students participated in four-wave surveys from December 2018 to June 2020 in China. The cross-lagged model was developed to investigate the prospective association between SPA and PS from T1 to T4. Boredom was added to the model at T4 as a moderator to explore the moderating role of boredom during COVID-19. The results showed that the pandemic changed PS's prediction on SPA. During COVID-19, boredom significantly affected SPA and PS and moderated the link from PS at T3 to PS at T4. The results suggest that the prospective associations between SPA and PS varied before and during COVID-19. Prevention of SPA should be conducted for new students and should be used to enhance their stress coping capacity. Intervention programs for eliminating boredom may be effective for reducing stress and SPA during COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiankang He
- Department of Psychology, School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Xue Yang
- Center for Health Behaviours Research, JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Mingxuan Du
- Department of Psychology, School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Chengjia Zhao
- School of Education, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Center for Health Behaviours Research, JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Guohua Zhang
- Department of Psychology, School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
- The Affiliated Kangning Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Honglei Peng
- The Audit Office, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
- School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
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23
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Jie Z, Roslan S, Muhamad MM, Md Khambari MN, Zaremohzzabieh Z. The Efficacy of Positive Education Intervention for Academic Boredom and Intrinsic Motivation among College Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:13323. [PMID: 36293911 PMCID: PMC9603046 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
(1) Background: The influence of academic boredom and intrinsic motivation on students' learning and achievements is receiving more attention from scholars. Nevertheless, studies on how intervention decreases academic boredom and promotes intrinsic motivation during study remain unexplored. (2) Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate whether positive education intervention based on the PERMA model would help Chinese college students with learning-related academic boredom, class-related academic boredom, and intrinsic motivation. (3) Methods: This study is quasi-experimental research with a control group including pre-test and post-test. The study was conducted with 173 students, including 86 (n1 = 86) experimental and 87 (n2 = 87) control group students. (4) Results: Results revealed that students in the intervention condition reported significant reductions in learning-related academic boredom and class-related academic boredom, and significant increases in intrinsic motivation in comparison to their counterparts in the control group. (5) Conclusions: These findings indicate that positive education intervention for college students is a promising approach to reducing academic boredom and increasing intrinsic motivation among Chinese college students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Jie
- Department of Foundation Studies, Faculty of Educational Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
| | - Samsilah Roslan
- Department of Foundation Studies, Faculty of Educational Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Mokhtar Muhamad
- Department of Foundation Studies, Faculty of Educational Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
| | - Mas Nida Md Khambari
- Department of Foundation Studies, Faculty of Educational Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
| | - Zeinab Zaremohzzabieh
- Institute for Social Science Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
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24
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Liang L, Li C, Meng C, Guo X, Lv J, Fei J, Mei S. Psychological distress and internet addiction following the COVID-19 outbreak: Fear of missing out and boredom proneness as mediators. Arch Psychiatr Nurs 2022; 40:8-14. [PMID: 36064250 PMCID: PMC8934433 DOI: 10.1016/j.apnu.2022.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 has caused major changes in people's mental health and behavior. This study aimed to investigate whether boredom proneness and fear of missing out acted as mediators between psychological distress and Internet addiction (IA). A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2020, including 552 youths aged 17-28 years. The recruited participants were asked to complete a series of self-reported questionnaires regarding psychological distress, fear of missing out, boredom proneness and IA. The results indicate that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the reporting rate of IA in young adults was 28.1%, and fear of missing out and boredom proneness played multiple mediation roles in the relationship between psychological distress and IA. Governments and education departments should focus on young people with psychological deficits to prevent them from succumbing to IA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leilei Liang
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Jilin University, No.1163 Xinmin Street, Changchun, Jilin Province 130021, China
| | - Chuanen Li
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Jilin University, No.1163 Xinmin Street, Changchun, Jilin Province 130021, China
| | - Cuicui Meng
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Jilin University, No.1163 Xinmin Street, Changchun, Jilin Province 130021, China
| | - Xinmeng Guo
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Jilin University, No.1163 Xinmin Street, Changchun, Jilin Province 130021, China
| | - Jianping Lv
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Jilin University, No.1163 Xinmin Street, Changchun, Jilin Province 130021, China
| | - Junsong Fei
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Jilin University, No.1163 Xinmin Street, Changchun, Jilin Province 130021, China
| | - Songli Mei
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Jilin University, No.1163 Xinmin Street, Changchun, Jilin Province 130021, China.
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Gmel G, Marmet S, Bertholet N, Wicki M, Studer J. Longitudinal Associations between Sensation Seeking and Its Components and Alcohol Use in Young SWISS Men-Are There Bidirectional Associations? Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:12475. [PMID: 36231775 PMCID: PMC9566284 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The association between alcohol use and sensation seeking is well known. Less is known about whether longitudinal changes in alcohol use are associated with changes in sensation seeking and in which direction influence might flow. 5125 men aged 20.0 years old at baseline and 25.4 years old at follow-up responded to the Brief Sensation Seeking Questionnaire, which measures four subscales of experience seeking, boredom susceptibility, thrill- and adventure-seeking, and disinhibition. Alcohol use was measured using volume (drinks per week) and binge drinking (about 60 g or more per occasion). Associations were calculated using cross-lagged panel models and two-wave latent change score models. Correlations between the latent change scores for alcohol use and the sensation-seeking subscales were all positive, being largest for disinhibition (r > 0.3) and much smaller (r ~ 0.1) for the others. Disinhibition was the dominant effect over the entire sensation-seeking scale. Cross-lagged paths were (except for thrill- and adventure-seeking) bidirectional and mostly higher from alcohol use to sensation seeking (e.g., pathvolume-disinhibition = 0.136, and pathdisinhibition-volume = 0.072). Again, effects were highest for disinhibition. Given the bidirectional links between sensation seeking and alcohol use, preventive efforts aiming to achieve stable positive changes in alcohol use and personality should target both simultaneously and focus on disinhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard Gmel
- Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 23A, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Research Department, Addiction Switzerland, Avenue Louis-Ruchonnet 14, 1003 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
- Alcohol and Research Unit, University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Simon Marmet
- Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 23A, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
- School of Social Work, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, 4600 Olten, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Bertholet
- Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 23A, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Wicki
- Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 23A, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute for Research, Development and Evaluation, Bern University of Teacher Education, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Joseph Studer
- Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 23A, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Service of Adult Psychiatry North-West, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital, Chemin des Chaux, 1196 Prangins, Switzerland
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26
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Li X, Jia X. The Effect of Boredom on College Students' Meaning in Life: A Longitudinal Mediation Model. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:12255. [PMID: 36231569 PMCID: PMC9564919 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Boredom is a common emotional experience in daily life adversely affecting individual physical health, mental health, and social functioning. Therefore, it is an important issue to improve the quality of life by ameliorating individuals' state of boredom. We used a longitudinal research approach. First, we tested 728 participants with the Multidimensional State Boredom Scale (MSBS). Then, after 3 months, the participants filled out the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI), Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), and Meaning of Life Questionnaire (MILQ); 715 valid questionnaires were obtained. Results showed that cognitive flexibility played a mediating role between boredom and the presence of meaning in life, but social support did not. The total effect of boredom on the presence of meaning in life was significant. Cognitive flexibility and social support played a mediating role between boredom and the search for meaning in life, respectively, but the overall effect of boredom on the search for meaning in life was not significant. This study found that boredom has different effects on the presence of meaning in life and the search for meaning in life. It can improve individuals' sense of meaning in life by reducing boredom and improving cognitive flexibility and social support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xushan Li
- Mental Health Education and Counseling Center, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xiaoming Jia
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
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27
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Coleman E, Rahm-Knigge RL, Danielson S, Nielsen KH, Gleason N, Jennings T, Miner MH. The Relationship between Boredom Proneness, Attachment Styles and Compulsive Sexual Behavior. J Sex Marital Ther 2022; 49:172-188. [PMID: 35695090 DOI: 10.1080/0092623x.2022.2086511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Affect regulation is associated with compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) despite ongoing debate about its inclusion in diagnostic criteria. Previous studies on two specific affect regulation constructs - boredom proneness and attachment styles - suggest that affect regulation is associated with CSB. We tested a moderation model of the effects of attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance on the relationship between boredom proneness and CSB. Results indicate that the relationship between boredom proneness and CSB is stronger at higher levels of attachment anxiety, with no interaction between boredom proneness and attachment avoidance. Overall findings support the importance of affect regulation in conceptualizing and treating CSB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eli Coleman
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Health, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Ryan L Rahm-Knigge
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Health, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Samuel Danielson
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Minnesota, USA
| | - Katja H Nielsen
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Minnesota, USA
| | - Neil Gleason
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Todd Jennings
- Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
| | - Michael H Miner
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Health, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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28
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Weich C, Schüler J, Wolff W. 24 Hours on the Run-Does Boredom Matter for Ultra-Endurance Athletes' Crises? Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:ijerph19116859. [PMID: 35682442 PMCID: PMC9180276 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Sport and exercise can be boring. In the general population, thinking of sports as boring has been linked to exercising less. However, less is known about the role of boredom in people who participate in ultra-endurance competitions: Do these athletes also associate their sports with boredom, and does boredom pose a self-regulatory challenge that predicts if they encounter a crisis during an ultra-endurance competition? Here, we investigate these questions with a sample of N = 113 (n = 34 female) competitors of a 24 h hour running competition, aged M = 37.6 ± 13.8 years. In this study, n = 23 very extreme athletes competed as single starters or in a relay team of 2, and n = 84 less extreme athletes competed in relay teams of 4 or 6. Before the run, athletes completed self-report measures on sport-specific trait boredom, as well as the degree to which they expected boredom, pain, effort, and willpower to constitute self-regulatory challenges they would have to cope with. After the run, athletes reported the degree to which they actually had to deal with these self-regulatory challenges and if they had faced an action crisis during the competition. Analyses revealed that very extreme athletes displayed a significantly lower sport-specific trait boredom than less extreme athletes (p = 0.024, d=−0.48). With respect to self-regulatory challenges, willpower, pain, and effort were expected and reported at a much higher rate than boredom. However, only boredom was as a significant predictor of experiencing a crisis during the competition (odds ratio = 12.5, p = 0.02). Our results show that boredom also matters for highly active athletes. The fact that the experience of boredom—and not more prototypical competition-induced challenges, such as pain or effort—were linked to having an action crisis highlights the relevance of incorporating boredom into the preparation for a race and to the performance management during competition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Weich
- Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464 Konstanz, Germany; (J.S.); (W.W.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Julia Schüler
- Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464 Konstanz, Germany; (J.S.); (W.W.)
| | - Wanja Wolff
- Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464 Konstanz, Germany; (J.S.); (W.W.)
- Educational Psychology Lab, University of Bern, Fabrikstrasse 8, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
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29
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McCurdy A, Stearns JA, Rhodes RE, Hopkins D, Mummery K, Spence JC. Relationships Between Physical Activity, Boredom Proneness, and Subjective Well-Being Among U.K. Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Sport Exerc Psychol 2022; 44:189-197. [PMID: 35354669 DOI: 10.1123/jsep.2021-0253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This investigation sought to examine physical activity (PA) as a potential determinant of chronic boredom and associated well-being within the context of COVID-related restrictions. A representative sample of U.K. adults (N = 1,521) completed a survey on June 1, 2020. Bivariate analyses demonstrated that individuals who met guidelines and maintained or increased PA scored higher on life satisfaction, worthwhileness, and happiness and lower on anxiety (i.e., indicators of well-being) and boredom proneness (d = 0.13-0.43). Boredom proneness was correlated with all indicators of well-being (r = .38-.54). A series of regression models revealed that PA predicted lower boredom proneness and better life satisfaction, worthwhileness, and happiness. Boredom proneness accounted for the covariance between PA and well-being. Prospective research is needed to confirm causality of the observed relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley McCurdy
- Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB,Canada
| | - Jodie A Stearns
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB,Canada
| | - Ryan E Rhodes
- School of Exercise Science, Physical & Health Education, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC,Canada
| | - Debbie Hopkins
- School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford,United Kingdom
| | - Kerry Mummery
- Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB,Canada
| | - John C Spence
- Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB,Canada
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30
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Simonton KL, Garn AC. Emotion and Motivation Consequences of Attributional Training During a Novel Physical Task. Res Q Exerc Sport 2022; 93:219-229. [PMID: 32976087 DOI: 10.1080/02701367.2020.1817836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: Students' positive emotional experiences are an essential physical education outcome because they promote achievement-oriented cognition and behavior. The manner in which students attribute success and failure triggers emotional experiences. Students' beliefs that success is under their control are thought to be a precursor to positive emotions. Research on these relationships has mostly been observational; thus, experimental design was used to address this gap. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of attributional training (AT) on students' emotions and motivation toward a PE-related task. Method: Participants were female university students (N = 144; Mage = 20.92, SD = 2.13) recruited from Kinesiology courses. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the three experimental treatments (high AT = 46; low AT = 49; control = 49). Each treatment group received targeted control belief prompts, instruction, and feedback while learning a novel task. Data were collected on students' emotions and motivation before and after treatment. Results: Repeated measures analysis showed that participants receiving high AT increased enjoyment and reduced boredom over time compared to other groups. Feelings of anxiety trended down over time in all three groups while feelings of relief trended up. Free-choice activity did not show a significant group by time interaction. Conclusion: Our results show that AT can influence control beliefs in ways that increase students' enjoyment and reduce boredom in physical education tasks. Therefore, training physical education teachers to create a high AT learning environment appears to be a viable strategy for promoting adaptive emotions when students are learning novel tasks.
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31
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Gürkan KP, Ayar D, Karadağ G, Böber E, Demir K. The effect of leisure boredom and A1C level on diabetes eating problems in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. J Pediatr Nurs 2022; 64:e1-e5. [PMID: 35184939 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2022.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Eating out of boredom, the changes in daily routine, physical inactivity and longer exposure to screens have made glycemic control difficult at home during the COVID-19 pandemic among adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Adolescents with diabetes are at higher risk of developing eating problems than are their healthy peers. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of leisure time boredom and A1C level on eating problems in adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. DESIGN AND METHODS A descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional design was used in this study. The study was conducted in Turkey, with the participation of 173 adolescents diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Convenience sampling was used to recruit patients from pediatric endocrinology outpatient clinics of hospitals. RESULTS It was determined that the diabetes eating problems of adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes were mostly affected by the level of leisure time and A1C, respectively. In the overall model, 58% (F = 4119.701, p < .001) of the factors affecting diabetes eating problems could be explained by the level of leisure boredom and A1C level. CONCLUSION It has been found that the adolescents with diabetes with high A1C levels and who cannot use their leisure time and have boredom are more at risk in terms of diabetes eating problems. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS It should be determined how the adolescents with diabetes spend their lesiure time by diabetes health care team, which should be supported to develop leisure time skills. Effective use of leisure time and strategies to cope with boredom should also be included in diabetes education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kübra Pınar Gürkan
- Dokuz Eylül University, Faculty of Nursing, Public Health Nursing Department, İnciraltı, Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Dijle Ayar
- Alanya Allaaddin Keykubat University, Faculty of Health Sciences, alanya, Turkey
| | - Gülendam Karadağ
- Dokuz Eylül University, Faculty of Nursing, Public Health Nursing Department, İnciraltı, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ece Böber
- Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medıcıne, Internal Medıcıne Department of Pedıatrıcs Pedıatrıc Endokrınology, İnciraltı, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Korcan Demir
- Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medıcıne, Internal Medıcıne Department of Pedıatrıcs Pedıatrıc Endokrınology, İnciraltı, Izmir, Turkey
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32
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Wolff W, Bieleke M, Keller L. Boredom Proneness Predicts Self-Assessed Decision Errors in Sports but Is Unrelated to Risk Taking in General. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:ijerph19063479. [PMID: 35329163 PMCID: PMC8950886 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19063479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Boredom proneness is linked to poor self-regulation, leading to poor decision making and/or increased risk taking. These links have not yet been investigated in the domain of sports and exercise. However, poor decisions or excessive risk behavior would be highly detrimental to sporting performance and, in some cases, even cause physical harm. Here, we address this gap by assessing if boredom proneness is linked to general risk taking, sport-specific risk taking, and to regrets about sports-specific decision errors with respect to acting too risky or too passively. Methods: N = 936 athletes (27.6 ± 9.0 years, 89.6% men): n = 330 Climbers (31.8 ± 10.7 years, 82.4% men), n = 83 Snowboarders (29.9 ± 8.3 years, 79.5% men), and n = 523 Esports athletes (24.6 ± 6.3 years, 95.8% men) completed the Short Boredom Proneness Scale (SBPS), along with measures for objective risk taking (Balloon Analogue Risk Task; BART), subjective risk taking (general willingness to take risks), as well as assessments for sport-specific risk taking and regrets for sports-specific decision errors (taking too many risks, failing to act at all). In the two extreme sports samples (i.e., climbers and snowboarders), we additionally assessed self-selected outcome certainty in a hypothetical sports-specific scenario where an error would result in physical harm. Results: A series of multiple regression analyses revealed that boredom proneness was unrelated to objective and subjective general risk taking, but a significant predictor of sport-specific risk taking and higher risk taking in the sports scenario (climbers and snowboarders only). Most importantly, boredom proneness predicted regrets for taking too many risks and being too passive. Exploratory post-hoc analyses further indicated that boredom proneness in extreme sports athletes was lower than in esports athletes. Higher boredom proneness was significantly related to lower skill levels across all kinds of sport. Discussion: Across three athlete samples, boredom proneness was unrelated to general risk taking but significantly related to poorer decision making, as indicated by regrets about acting too risky and too passively, as well as demanding a significantly lower safety threshold to make a risky sports-specific choice. While at odds with the often-reported link between boredom proneness and risk taking, these results are consistent with the conceptualization of boredom proneness as a maladaptive self-regulatory disposition that leads to noisy decision making in sports. In addition, we provide preliminary evidence that boredom proneness covaries with self-selection into specific types of sports and might also stand in the way of skill acquisition in sports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanja Wolff
- Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany; (W.W.); (M.B.)
- Institute of Educational Science, Educational Psychology, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Maik Bieleke
- Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany; (W.W.); (M.B.)
| | - Lucas Keller
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Ohlmeier S, Klingler C, Schellartz I, Pfaff H. Having a Break or Being Imprisoned: Influence of Subjective Interpretations of Quarantine and Isolation on Boredom. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:ijerph19042207. [PMID: 35206395 PMCID: PMC8872444 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19042207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Boredom has been identified as one of the greatest psychological challenges when staying at home during quarantine and isolation. However, this does not mean that the situation necessarily causes boredom. On the basis of 13 explorative interviews with bored and non-bored persons who have been under quarantine or in isolation, we explain why boredom is related to a subjective interpretation process rather than being a direct consequence of the objective situation. Specifically, we show that participants vary significantly in their interpretations of staying at home and, thus, also in their experience of boredom. While the non-bored participants interpret the situation as a relief or as irrelevant, the bored participants interpret it as a major restriction that only some are able to cope with.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Ohlmeier
- Institute of Medical Sociology, Health Services Research and Rehabilitation Science, University of Cologne, 50933 Cologne, Germany;
- Correspondence:
| | - Corinna Klingler
- Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany;
| | - Isabell Schellartz
- Institute of Health Care Research, Rhineland State Council, LVR-Institut für Versorgungsforschung, 51109 Cologne, Germany;
| | - Holger Pfaff
- Institute of Medical Sociology, Health Services Research and Rehabilitation Science, University of Cologne, 50933 Cologne, Germany;
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Donati MA, Beccari C, Primi C. Boredom and problematic Facebook use in adolescents: What is the relationship considering trait or state boredom? Addict Behav 2022; 125:107132. [PMID: 34653928 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.107132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Boredom is an unpleasant experience caused by the lack of being engaged in satisfying activities. It can be caused by external circumstances (state boredom, SB) or by individual determinants (trait boredom, TB). Although several studies have attested the impact of boredom on adolescents' risk-taking behaviours, the relationships between boredom and problematic Facebook use (PFU), which has grown exponentially among adolescents, have not been deeply analysed to date. This study aimed at exploring a possible mechanism through which TB, PFU, and SB are related. We hypothesised and tested the mediating role of PFU in the relationship between TB and SB. Participants were 204 Italian adolescents (57% male, Mage = 17.13, SD = 1.61). Analyses showed a significant positive indirect effect of TB on SB through PFU that acted as a mediator. Specifically, individual sensitivity to boredom may enhance the likelihood that teenagers employ Facebook excessively and in addictive way; in turn, PFU may enhance adolescents' situational experience of boredom. Although preliminary, findings indicate the need to further investigate the relationship between TB, PFU, and SB in youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Anna Donati
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug, and Child's Health, Section of Psychology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
| | - Carola Beccari
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug, and Child's Health, Section of Psychology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Caterina Primi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug, and Child's Health, Section of Psychology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Abstract
Research evidence of the attributes of sexual boredom is extremely limited. Understanding variability in the experience of sexual boredom may offer relevant insights for the field of human sexuality. This study aimed to explore the co-occurrence of sexual boredom and other sexuality-related dimensions. The sample consisted of 1021 participants aged between 18 and 75 years old (M = 32.68, SD = 8.79). A gender-stratified cluster analysis was performed to classify individuals regarding their scores on sexual boredom, general boredom, sexual sensation seeking, sexual desire, sexual excitation, sexual pleasure, and sexual satisfaction. A three-cluster solution was revealed for both men and women. Based on our findings, we put forward a profile for the sexually bored individual, who is more likely to be married or cohabiting with a partner, to have a boredom prone personality, to lack sexual sensation seeking, experience low sexual pleasure and satisfaction, and to present with sexual arousal and/or desire problems. Women dealing with sexual boredom might present low sexual desire for their partner but experience high sex desire for attractive others. Results are critically discussed and implications for sexual therapy explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonor de Oliveira
- Center for Psychology at University of Porto, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Porto
| | - Pedro Rosa
- Digital Human-Environment Interaction Lab (HEI-lab), Lusófona University of Humanities and Technologies
- Center for Social Research and Intervention (CIS-IUL), ISCTE University Institute of Lisbon
| | - Joana Carvalho
- Center for Psychology at University of Porto, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Porto
| | - Pedro Nobre
- Center for Psychology at University of Porto, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Porto
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36
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Olié E, Dubois J, Benramdane M, Guillaume S, Courtet P. Psychological state of a sample of patients with mood disorders during the first French COVID-19 lockdown. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23711. [PMID: 34887481 PMCID: PMC8660817 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03037-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, evidence shows the negative psychological impact of lockdown measures in the general population. It is also important to identify predictors of psychological distress in vulnerable people, particularly patients with history of depressive episodes (the most prevalent psychiatric disorder), in order to adapt mental health strategies for future lockdown measures. This study aim was to (1) compare in 69 healthy controls (HC) and 346 patients with a major depressive episode in the two previous years (PP) self-reported psychological symptoms (depression, anxiety, insomnia, suicidal ideation, traumatic stress, anger) and living conditions during the first national French lockdown, and (2) identify predictors of significant psychological distress in PP. The levels of psychological symptoms were very low in HC compared with PP, independently of the living conditions. Half of PP had no psychiatric contact during the lockdown. Loneliness and boredom were independent predictors of depression, anxiety and insomnia, whereas daily physical activity was a protective factor. Virtual contacts protected against suicidal ideation. Our results highlight the need of specific strategies to target loneliness and boredom and to improve care access, including telepsychiatry. Longitudinal studies must investigate the COVID-19 pandemic psychological impact in clinical samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Olié
- Department of Emergency Psychiatry and Post-Acute Care, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
- IGF, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France.
| | | | | | - Sébastien Guillaume
- Department of Emergency Psychiatry and Post-Acute Care, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- IGF, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Philippe Courtet
- Department of Emergency Psychiatry and Post-Acute Care, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- IGF, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
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37
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Parker PC, Tze VMC, Daniels LM, Sukovieff A. Boredom Intervention Training Phase I: Increasing Boredom Knowledge through a Psychoeducational Video. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph182111712. [PMID: 34770226 PMCID: PMC8583322 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182111712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Boredom is a salient emotion experienced in postsecondary settings, and evidence reveals that it can negatively impact academic achievement and motivation. Drawing from the control-value theory (CVT) of achievement emotions (Pekrun, 2006) and the component process model of emotions (CPM; Scherer, 1984), our study examines the first phase of a multi-sequenced online boredom intervention training (BIT) program. The goal of Phase I of BIT was to increase university students' (N = 85) knowledge about boredom as a scholarly construct. Students completed four components of the Phase I BIT session, including: (a) a baseline survey and knowledge quiz, (b) a psychoeducational video, (c) a consolidation exercise, and (d) a follow-up knowledge quiz. We employed a repeated measures analysis to measure changes in knowledge after students watched the psychoeducational boredom video. Our findings reveal that students became more knowledgeable about boredom, learned something novel, and were interested in the intervention. The results are discussed in terms of the implications for research, theory, and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patti C. Parker
- Department of Educational Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G5, Canada; (P.C.P.); (L.M.D.)
| | - Virginia M. C. Tze
- Department of Educational Administration, Foundations & Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
- Correspondence:
| | - Lia M. Daniels
- Department of Educational Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G5, Canada; (P.C.P.); (L.M.D.)
| | - Alyse Sukovieff
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada;
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Maison D, Jaworska D, Adamczyk D, Affeltowicz D. The challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and the way people deal with them. A qualitative longitudinal study. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0258133. [PMID: 34634054 PMCID: PMC8504766 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The conducted qualitative research was aimed at capturing the biggest challenges related to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The interviews were carried out in March-June (five stages of the research) and in October (the 6th stage of the research). A total of 115 in-depth individual interviews were conducted online with 20 respondents, in 6 stages. The results of the analysis showed that for all respondents the greatest challenges and the source of the greatest suffering were: a) limitation of direct contact with people; b) restrictions on movement and travel; c) necessary changes in active lifestyle; d) boredom and monotony; and e) uncertainty about the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Diana Jaworska
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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Dumitrache L, Stănculescu E, Nae M, Dumbrăveanu D, Simion G, Taloș AM, Mareci A. Post-Lockdown Effects on Students' Mental Health in Romania: Perceived Stress, Missing Daily Social Interactions, and Boredom Proneness. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:8599. [PMID: 34444348 PMCID: PMC8394079 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The rapid spread of COVID-19 worldwide was accompanied by intense fears, confusion, worries, anger, and stress threatening people's mental health. Unprecedented measures to slow down and prevent the transmission of COVID-19 have had various impacts on the population's health behaviour and mental health. The main purpose of the present study is to investigate the lockdown's effects on university students' mental health in Romania. Based on a cross-sectional design, the survey data were collected from a sample of 722 participants (247 males; M = 21.1 years; SD ± 1.73). A path analysis was performed to verify the hypothesised direct and indirect effects included in the multiple mediation model. The findings showed a positive association between stress and boredom proneness, missing daily social interactions, spending more time on phone conversations, and the increasing interest in following news about the pandemic. The path analysis revealed an excellent fit between the proposed multiple mediation model and the sample data. Boredom proneness and missing daily social interactions both affected stress, directly and indirectly, through more time spent on phone conversations. In addition, it was found that the increased interest in following news about the pandemic mediated the relationship between boredom proneness and perceived stress. In terms of gender differences, our findings revealed that female students experienced significantly higher stress levels than male students, perceived to a greater extent the lack of daily social interactions, and spent more time on phone conversations. Overall, the findings further extend the empirical evidence on university students' mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, universities need to organise support programmes focused on developing university students' coping strategies to maintain their mental health even in adverse contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana Dumitrache
- Faculty of Geography, University of Bucharest, 010041 Bucharest, Romania; (M.N.); (D.D.); (G.S.); (A.M.T.); (A.M.)
| | - Elena Stănculescu
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Bucharest, 050663 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mariana Nae
- Faculty of Geography, University of Bucharest, 010041 Bucharest, Romania; (M.N.); (D.D.); (G.S.); (A.M.T.); (A.M.)
| | - Daniela Dumbrăveanu
- Faculty of Geography, University of Bucharest, 010041 Bucharest, Romania; (M.N.); (D.D.); (G.S.); (A.M.T.); (A.M.)
| | - Gabriel Simion
- Faculty of Geography, University of Bucharest, 010041 Bucharest, Romania; (M.N.); (D.D.); (G.S.); (A.M.T.); (A.M.)
| | - Ana Maria Taloș
- Faculty of Geography, University of Bucharest, 010041 Bucharest, Romania; (M.N.); (D.D.); (G.S.); (A.M.T.); (A.M.)
- Romanian Young Academy, University of Bucharest, 050663 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alina Mareci
- Faculty of Geography, University of Bucharest, 010041 Bucharest, Romania; (M.N.); (D.D.); (G.S.); (A.M.T.); (A.M.)
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Jackson A, Anderson A, Weybright E, Lanigan J. Differing Experiences of Boredom During the Pandemic and Associations With Dietary Behaviors. J Nutr Educ Behav 2021; 53:706-711. [PMID: 34162515 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2021.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine how changes in feeling bored and eating because of boredom during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic relate to intuitive eating, diet quality, and snacking. METHODS A representative sample of 360 US adults completed an online survey including changes in feeling bored and eating because of boredom since the COVID-19 pandemic. An ANCOVA and multivariate analysis of covariance were used to examine relationships between intuitive eating, diet quality, and snacking in individuals who experienced: (1) increases in feeling bored and eating because of boredom, (2) eating because of boredom only, (3) increases in feeling bored only, and (4) no change/decreases in feeling bored and eating because of boredom. RESULTS Individuals who increased feeling bored and eating because of boredom and increased eating because of boredom only snacked more and scored lower in intuitive eating. Diet quality did not differ across groups. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Although diet quality did not differ, eating because of boredom is potentially a negative impact on diet quality. Programs enhancing intuitive eating may be helpful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Jackson
- Department of Human Development, Washington State University, Vancouver, WA.
| | - Alana Anderson
- Department of Human Development, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
| | | | - Jane Lanigan
- Department of Human Development, Washington State University, Vancouver, WA
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Layland EK, Ram N, Caldwell LL, Smith EA, Wegner L. Leisure Boredom, Timing of Sexual Debut, and Co-Occurring Behaviors among South African Adolescents. Arch Sex Behav 2021; 50:2383-2394. [PMID: 34401994 PMCID: PMC8911384 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-021-02014-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Sex during adolescence is normative; however, there are substantial individual differences in the timing and context of sexual debut. Leisure boredom is an underexplored correlate of sexual behavior that is associated with many adolescent health outcomes. We investigated if and how individual differences in leisure boredom may be associated with timing of sexual debut, and whether individuals engage in safe or risky behaviors at debut. Survival analysis, logistic regression, and Poisson regression were applied to eight-wave longitudinal data obtained from 3,088 South African adolescents (baseline Mage = 13.9 years) to examine associations between leisure boredom and cumulative hazard of sexual debut across adolescence, odds of co-occurring sexual behaviors, and incidence rate of co-occurring sexual risk behaviors at debut. Higher levels of leisure boredom were associated with elevated hazard cumulatively across adolescence. Higher levels of leisure boredom were also associated with lower odds of safe sex and higher odds of substance use during sex and transactional sex at sexual debut, but not casual sex or condom non-use at sexual debut. Although odds of singular risk behaviors were lower for girls than for boys, the association between leisure boredom and the number of risk behaviors at sexual debut was stronger for girls than boys. Higher trait leisure boredom was associated with elevated hazard of sexual debut, greater likelihood that risky behaviors accompanied sexual debut, and greater number of co-occurring risky behaviors at sexual debut. Results support leisure boredom as a potential target for preventing sexual risk behavior among South African adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric K Layland
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, 119 Health and Human Development Building, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
| | - Nilam Ram
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, 119 Health and Human Development Building, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Linda L Caldwell
- Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Management, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Edward A Smith
- Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
- Prevention Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Lisa Wegner
- Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
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Boateng GO, Doku DT, Enyan NIE, Owusu SA, Aboh IK, Kodom RV, Ekumah B, Quansah R, Boamah SA, Obiri-Yeboah D, Nsabimana E, Jansen S, Armah FA. Prevalence and changes in boredom, anxiety and well-being among Ghanaians during the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based study. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:985. [PMID: 34039313 PMCID: PMC8149916 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10998-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with several adverse health outcomes. However, few studies in sub-Saharan Africa have examined its deleterious consequences on mental health. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence and changes in boredom, anxiety and psychological well-being before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana. METHODS Data for this study were drawn from an online survey of 811 participants that collected retrospective information on mental health measures including symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, boredom, and well-being. Additional data were collected on COVID-19 related measures, biosocial (e.g. age and sex) and sociocultural factors (e.g., education, occupation, marital status). Following descriptive and psychometric evaluation of measures used, multiple linear regression was used to assess the relationships between predictor variables and boredom, anxiety and psychological well-being scores during the pandemic. Second, we assessed the effect of anxiety on psychological well-being. Next, we assessed predictors of the changes in boredom, anxiety, and well-being. RESULTS Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 63.5% reported better well-being, 11.6% symptoms of anxiety, and 29.6% symptoms of boredom. Comparing experiences before and during the pandemic, there was an increase in boredom and anxiety symptomatology, and a decrease in well-being mean scores. The adjusted model shows participants with existing medical conditions had higher scores on boredom (ß = 1.76, p < .001) and anxiety (ß = 1.83, p < .01). In a separate model, anxiety scores before the pandemic (ß = -0.25, p < .01) and having prior medical conditions (ß = -1.53, p < .001) were associated with decreased psychological well-being scores during the pandemic. In the change model, having a prior medical condition was associated with an increasing change in boredom, anxiety, and well-being. Older age was associated with decreasing changes in boredom and well-being scores. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first in Ghana to provide evidence of the changes in boredom, anxiety and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings underscore the need for the inclusion of mental health interventions as part of the current pandemic control protocol and public health preparedness towards infectious disease outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Godfred O Boateng
- Department of Kinesiology, College of Nursing and Health Innovations, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - David Teye Doku
- Department of Population and Health, College of Humanities and Legal Studies, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
- Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
| | | | - Samuel Asiedu Owusu
- Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Irene Korkoi Aboh
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | | | - Benard Ekumah
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Reginald Quansah
- Department of Biological and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Dorcas Obiri-Yeboah
- Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Epaphrodite Nsabimana
- Mental Health & Behavior Research Group, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Stefan Jansen
- Mental Health & Behavior Research Group, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Frederick Ato Armah
- Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
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McGeorge E, James J, Abraham N. The intergenerational project: creating space for play in health care. Lancet 2021; 397:1876-1877. [PMID: 34022977 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(21)01103-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jo James
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London W2 1NY, UK
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Audrin C, Hascoët M. Bored to Be Wild: How Boredom Is Related to Pre-Service Teachers' Intention to Persist in Their Studies. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:4452. [PMID: 33922225 PMCID: PMC8122724 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Boredom is an emotion that often arises in an educational context. Past research suggests that boredom depends on specific cognitive appraisals, such as how people can control the task and how much they value it. Research further suggests that boredom is related to negative academic outcomes such as lower grades and a higher risk of dropping out. Here, we tested a mediation model on 324 pre-service teachers during the first lockdown of 2020 in Switzerland to assess (1) how control and value predicted boredom, and (2) how boredom was related to the intention to persist at university. We hypothesized that (1) the more participants felt lacking in control and low in value, the higher their boredom and (2) the more intense their boredom, the lower their intention to persist. We further hypothesized that both control and value would be positively related to the intention to persist, and this link may be mediated by boredom. Our results provide partial support for our mediation model as we found a significant indirect link between control and intention to persist through boredom. More specifically, the more participants lost control over their studies, the more they felt bored, which in turn was negatively related to their intention to persist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Audrin
- Media, Digital Use and Informatic Didactics Teaching and Research Unit, Lausanne University of Teacher Education, 1007 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Marine Hascoët
- Child to Adult Development Teaching and Research Unit, Lausanne University of Teacher Education, 1007 Lausanne, Switzerland;
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Sibley MH, Ortiz M, Gaias LM, Reyes R, Joshi M, Alexander D, Graziano P. Top problems of adolescents and young adults with ADHD during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 136:190-197. [PMID: 33610946 PMCID: PMC8009847 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE ADHD symptom severity appears to be exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study surveyed top problems experienced by adolescents and young adults (A/YAs) with ADHD during the COVID-19 pandemic to identify possible reasons for symptom escalation and potential targets for intervention. We also explored perceived benefits of the pandemic for A/YAs with ADHD. METHOD At the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic (April-June 2020), we administered self and parent ratings about current and pre-pandemic top problem severity and benefits of the pandemic to a sample of convenience (N = 134 A/YAs with ADHD participating in a prospective longitudinal study). RESULTS The most common top problems reported in the sample were social isolation (parent-report: 26.7%; self-report: 41.5%), difficulties engaging in online learning (parent-report: 23.3%, self-report: 20.3%), motivation problems (parent-report: 27.9%), and boredom (self-report: 21.3%). According to parent (d = 0.98) and self-report (d = 1.33), these top problems were more severe during the pandemic than in prior months. Contrary to previous speculation, there was no evidence that pandemic-related changes mitigated ADHD severity. Multi-level models indicated that A/YAs with higher IQs experienced severer top problems exacerbations at the transition to the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS For A/YAs with ADHD, several risk factors for depression and school dropout were incurred during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. A/YAs with ADHD should be monitored for school disengagement and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommended interventions attend to reducing risk factors such as increasing social interaction, academic motivation, and behavioral activation among A/YAs with ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret H Sibley
- University of Washington, 1410 Campus Parkway, Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Children's Research Institute, 1900 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Mercedes Ortiz
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, 1900 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Larissa M Gaias
- University of Massachusetts Lowell, 220 Pawtucket St, Lowell, MA, USA
| | - Rosemary Reyes
- University of Washington, 1410 Campus Parkway, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Mahima Joshi
- University of Washington, 1410 Campus Parkway, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Dana Alexander
- University of Washington, 1410 Campus Parkway, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Paulo Graziano
- Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL, USA
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Empirical data on sexual boredom are scarce and unsystematized, contrasting with the literature on general boredom. AIM The aim of this review of literature is to verify how sexual boredom is defined in previous research and which relationships were found with sexual functioning, relationship dynamics, or gender. METHODS A systematic search was conducted in EBSCO, Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases for papers published until August 2020. Search terms used were "sexual boredom" or "sexual tedium" or "sexual indifference" or "sexual monotony" or a combination of "boredom" and "sexual activity" or "intercourse". This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines. OUTCOMES Articles were grouped in general boredom and sexuality research and in sexual boredom research. RESULTS This review consists of 43 articles, of which 31 are quantitative studies, 8 are qualitative studies, and 4 are mixed-method studies. Studies concerning general boredom and sexuality include research on diverse aspects of sexual behavior, namely solitary sexual behavior, extra-dyadic sex, compulsive sexual behavior, and risky sexual behavior. Sexual boredom research included papers regarding personality, sexual response, and varied aspects of sexual behavior. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Findings suggest sexual boredom is related with sexual response, sexual satisfaction, and hypersexuality, which renders clinical relevance. Sexual boredom impacts well-being, and further research should focus on exploring potential mechanisms underpinning this sexual problem. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS To the authors' knowledge, this is the only existing systematic review of sexual boredom and allowed identifying key features of sexual boredom and related aspects. However, because most studies are correlational, and several do not use comprehensive measures of sexual boredom, no causal relationships were identified. CONCLUSION This review indicates the construct of sexual boredom includes individual, relationship, and societal aspects. However, no definition of sexual boredom includes these, and current knowledge does not allow formulating a model or a theory of sexual boredom. de Oliveira L, Carvalho J, Nobre P. A Systematic Review on Sexual Boredom. J Sex Med 2021;18:565-581.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonor de Oliveira
- Center for Psychology at University of Porto, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Joana Carvalho
- Center for Psychology at University of Porto, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Nobre
- Center for Psychology at University of Porto, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Yan L, Gan Y, Ding X, Wu J, Duan H. The relationship between perceived stress and emotional distress during the COVID-19 outbreak: Effects of boredom proneness and coping style. J Anxiety Disord 2021; 77:102328. [PMID: 33160275 PMCID: PMC7598556 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2020.102328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The outbreak of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was a great threat to the physical and mental health of the general population. Our research aimed to investigate the relationship between perceived stress and emotional distress during the initial outbreak. Furthermore, potential risks and protective factors, i.e., coping and boredom proneness, of stress-related emotional distress were also explored. Data from 3233 participants in China were collected through an online survey platform during the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 from January 31 to February 9 in 2020. Results showed that higher perceived stress was associated with more emotional distress including depression, fear, compulsion-anxiety, neurasthenia, and hypochondria. Boredom proneness significantly and positively mediated the relationship between perceived stress and emotional distress. Moreover, coping style moderated the stress-emotional distress relationship, i.e., individuals who mainly adopted positive coping strategies suffered fewer symptoms of depression, compulsion-anxiety, and neurasthenia under stress, while negative coping strategies aggravated emotional distress. These results from the present study provide practical value for mental health intervention during the emergent public health events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Yan
- Center for Brain Disorder and Cognitive Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060 China
| | - Yiqun Gan
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, China
| | - Xu Ding
- Center for Brain Disorder and Cognitive Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060 China
| | - Jianhui Wu
- Center for Brain Disorder and Cognitive Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060 China; Shenzhen Institute of Neuroscience, Shenzhen 518057, China
| | - Hongxia Duan
- Center for Brain Disorder and Cognitive Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060 China; Shenzhen Institute of Neuroscience, Shenzhen 518057, China; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Kapittelweg 29, 6525 EN Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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Mayo R. Against Trauma: Boredom and Obsession in David Foster Wallace's Oblivion. Lit Med 2021; 39:333-350. [PMID: 34897131 DOI: 10.1353/lm.2021.0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This essay examines two short stories by David Foster Wallace from his final collection, Oblivion. Both are narratives of violent events (a suicide in "Good Old Neon" and a school shooting in "The Soul is Not a Smithy"), and in each case the narrator comes into conflict with the medical authorities diagnosing them. Wallace's writing of this period has been identified by critic Thomas Tracey as "representations of trauma," a reading borne out by the stories' temporal fragmentation and narrative lacunae. I argue that these tropes of trauma writing are deployed ironically, and highlight instances in each story wherein trauma is undermined as an explanatory narrative of the protagonists' suffering. Such a reading not only opens up new avenues in Wallace studies but also raises important questions surrounding medical diagnosis and the value of patient narrative, even a misinformed one, as a diagnostic tool.
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Grossman ER, Benjamin-Neelon SE, Sonnenschein S. Alcohol Consumption during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey of US Adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:ijerph17249189. [PMID: 33316978 PMCID: PMC7763183 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17249189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 191] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Emerging but limited evidence suggests that alcohol consumption has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study assessed: (1) whether drinking behaviors changed during the pandemic; and, (2) how those changes were impacted by COVID-19-related stress. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey with a convenience sample of U.S. adults over 21 years in May 2020. We conducted adjusted linear regressions to assess COVID-19 stress and alcohol consumption, adjusting for gender, race, ethnicity, age, and household income. A total of 832 responded: 84% female, 85% White, and 72% ages 26-49. Participants reported consuming 26.8 alcohol drinks on 12.2 of the past 30 days. One-third of participants (34.1%) reported binge drinking and 7.0% reported extreme binge drinking. Participants who experienced COVID-19-related stress (versus not) reported consuming more drinks (β = 4.7; CI (0.2, 9.1); p = 0.040) and a greater number of days drinking (β = 2.4; CI (0.6, 4.1); p = 0.007). Additionally, 60% reported increased drinking but 13% reported decreased drinking, compared to pre-COVID-19. Reasons for increased drinking included increased stress (45.7%), increased alcohol availability (34.4%), and boredom (30.1%). Participants who reported being stressed by the pandemic consumed more drinks over a greater number of days, which raises concerns from both an individual and public health perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elyse R. Grossman
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
- Advancement Strategy Consulting, LLC, Columbia, MD 21046, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-301-758-0409
| | - Sara E. Benjamin-Neelon
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
| | - Susan Sonnenschein
- Psychology Department, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA;
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Abstract
This study explored the definitions of sexual boredom in a large community sample of Portuguese individuals. A thematic analysis of written responses to the question "What is sexual boredom for you?" was conducted with 653 participants aged 18 to 75 (M = 33.14; SD = 9.01) of multiple genders, sexual orientations, and relationship types. Three main themes were identified: definitions of sexual boredom, predisposing and maintenance factors of sexual boredom, and managing of sexual boredom. Sexual monotony, sexual desire, and hedonic value stand out as defining features of sexual boredom. Findings suggest the need of a multidimensional measure of sexual boredom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonor de Oliveira
- Center for Psychology at University of Porto, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Carvalho
- Center for Psychology at University of Porto, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Nobre
- Center for Psychology at University of Porto, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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