Development and initial validation of a self-report measure to assess eating disorderspecific interoceptive perception

in Psychological Assessment (in press)

Interoceptive deficits – particularly with respect to the perception of emotions, hunger, and satiety – constitute important targets for intervention in eating disorders (EDs). Suitable self4 report ... [more ▼]

Interoceptive deficits – particularly with respect to the perception of emotions, hunger, and satiety – constitute important targets for intervention in eating disorders (EDs). Suitable self4 report measures to identify these deficits, however, are lacking. We, therefore, developed and validated a multidimensional questionnaire to assess eating disorder-specific interoceptive perception (EDIP) in terms of the ability to perceive and discriminate between emotions, hunger, and satiety. In two independent samples with a total of 2058 individuals (22.74% with self8 reported EDs), exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed a four-factor solution of the EDIP Questionnaire (EDIP-Q) with the subscales Emotions, Hunger, Satiety, and Discrimination. The EDIP-Q has sound psychometric properties and was related to convergent questionnaires but unrelated to divergent self-report measures, supporting its construct validity. Participants with self-reported EDs had significantly lower EDIP-Q scores compared to participants without self-reported ED diagnosis. While individuals with self-reported anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge-eating disorder (BED) report similar difficulties in perceiving emotions, participants with BN and BED report greater difficulties in perceiving satiety and differentiating between hunger and emotional states compared to participants with AN. In contrast, individuals with AN report higher sensibility to satiety, but lower sensibility to hunger compared to individuals with BN and BED. The EDIP-Q is a valuable clinical tool to establish profiles of deficits in EDIP that provides the basis for developing more targeted treatment approaches for EDs. [less ▲]

The impact of interoceptive sensibility on the perception of pain

Poster (2023, June 09)

Interoceptive sensibility is the self-perceived dispositional tendency to be internally self-focused and interoceptively cognizant. One would expect that persons with high interoceptive sensibility would ... [more ▼]

Interoceptive sensibility is the self-perceived dispositional tendency to be internally self-focused and interoceptively cognizant. One would expect that persons with high interoceptive sensibility would be more consistent in their subjective ratings to pain stimulation, i.e., the same intensity would be rated similarly across different time points of the session. The present study investigated the relationship between interoceptive sensibility and perception of acute pain, realized by transcutaneous electrical stimulation to the inner forearm, compromising both the subjective pain ratings and the cardiovascular response to the painful stimulation in young healthy adults. To determine the interoceptive sensibility the MAIA-2 was used. In two session design participants received short, individualized pain stimuli in the non-painful to moderate pain range, which they rated regarding subjective intensity and unpleasantness on visual analog scales. The task was repeated three times in one session. Preliminary results suggest a positive relationship between different subscales of the MAIA-2 and the intensity and unpleasantness ratings of painful and non-painful stimulations. Over the three repetitions of stimulation, a differentiated picture forms with respect to possible sensitization or habituation of the participants. These findings suggest that there is an impact of interoceptive sensibility on the perception of pain. Using the MAIA-2 to determine the interoceptive sensibility is an economical approach, since previous studies worked with the heartbeat detection task or other experimental paradigms. Incorporating interoceptive sensitivity could be helpful for future interventions and possible treatments in pain patients. [less ▲]

A machine learning approach to predict self‑protecting behaviors during the early wave of the COVID‑19 pandemic

in Scientific Reports (2023), 13

Using a unique harmonized real‐time data set from the COME‑HERE longitudinal survey that covers five European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Sweden) and applying a non‑parametric machine ... [more ▼]

Using a unique harmonized real‐time data set from the COME‑HERE longitudinal survey that covers five European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Sweden) and applying a non‑parametric machine learning model, this paper identifies the main individual and macro‑level predictors of self‑protecting behaviors against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) during the first wave of the pandemic. Exploiting the interpretability of a Random Forest algorithm via Shapely values, we find that a higher regional incidence of COVID‑19 triggers higher levels of self‑protective behavior, as does a stricter government policy response. The level of individual knowledge about the pandemic, confidence in institutions, and population density also ranks high among the factors that predict self‑protecting behaviors. We also identify a steep socioeconomic gradient with lower levels of self‑protecting behaviors being associated with lower income and poor housing conditions. Among socio‑demographic factors, gender, marital status, age, and region of residence are the main determinants of self‑protective measures. [less ▲]

Well-being and working from home during COVID-19

in Information Technology and People (2023), 36

Purpose – The authors track the well-being of individuals across five European countries during the course of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and relate their well-being to working from ... [more ▼]

Purpose – The authors track the well-being of individuals across five European countries during the course of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and relate their well-being to working from home. The authors also consider the role of pandemic-policy stringency in affecting well-being in Europe. Design/methodology/approach – The authors have four waves of novel harmonised longitudinal data in France, Italy, Germany, Spain and Sweden, covering the period May–November 2020. Well-being is measured in five dimensions: life satisfaction, a worthwhile life, loneliness, depression and anxiety. A retrospective diary indicates whether the individual was working in each month since February 2020 and if so whether at home or not at home. Policy stringency is matched in per country at the daily level. The authors consider both cross- section and panel regressions and the mediating and moderating effects of control variables, including household variables and income. Findings – Well-being among workers is lower for those who work from home, and those who are not working have the lowest well-being of all. The panel results are more mitigated, with switching into working at home yielding a small drop in anxiety. The panel and cross-section difference could reflect adaptation or the selection of certain types of individuals into working at home. Policy stringency is always negatively correlated with well-being. The authors find no mediation effects. The well-being penalty from working at home is larger for the older, the better-educated, those with young children and those with more crowded housing. Originality/value – The harmonised cross-country panel data on individuals’ experiences during COVID-19 are novel. The authors relate working from home and policy stringency to multiple well-being measures. The authors emphasise the effect of working from home on not only the level of well-being but also its distribution. [less ▲]

Children’s internalizing behavior development is heterogeneously associated with the pace of epigenetic aging

in Biological Psychology (2023), 176

Background: Internalizing behaviors are an indicator of children’s psychological and emotional development, predicting future mental disorders. Recent studies have identified associations between DNA ... [more ▼]

Background: Internalizing behaviors are an indicator of children’s psychological and emotional development, predicting future mental disorders. Recent studies have identified associations between DNA methylation (DNAm) and internalizing behaviors. This prospective study aimed at exploring the associations between pace of biological aging and the developmental trajectories of internalizing behaviors. Methods: Participants were children from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) cohort (N=974). Measures of DNA methylation were collected at birth, age 7 and ages 15-17. The pace of aging was estimated using the DunedinPoAm algorithm (PoAm). Internalizing behaviors reported by caregivers between ages 4 and 16 using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. To explore heterogeneity in the association between PoAm and internalizing behaviors we use Poisson quantile regression in cross-section heterogeneity and longitudinal latent class analysis over the childhood and adolescence. Results: Internalizing behavior trajectories were identified: low-risk, childhood limited, late onset and early onset (persistent). Accelerated aging at birth was negatively associated with internalizing behaviors in early childhood but positively correlated during adolescence. Higher PoAm at birth increased chance of low-risk profile, while decreasing likelihood of childhood limited trajectory. PoAm at age 15 was negatively associated with childhood limited profile and positively linked to late onset trajectories. Associations were larger at higher values of internalizing symptoms. Conclusions: The heterogeneity in the association between biological age acceleration and internalizing behaviors suggests a complex dynamic relationship, particularly in children with high or increased risk of adverse mental health outcomes. [less ▲]

Measuring COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: Consistency of Social Media with Surveys

in Proceedings of the 2022 International Conference on Social Informatics (2022, October 12)

Personalized neurofeedback: a systematic comparison of self- and externally-paced training in healthy adults

Poster (2022, June 16)

Sexual Satisfaction and Sexual Behaviors During the Covid-19 Pandemic: Results From the International Sexual Health and Reproductive (I-SHARE) Health Survey in Luxembourg

in BMC Public Health (2022)

Aim: To identify the impact of COVID-19 measures on sexual behaviors and sexual satisfaction in Luxembourg residents. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of adults (> 18 years of age ... [more ▼]

Aim: To identify the impact of COVID-19 measures on sexual behaviors and sexual satisfaction in Luxembourg residents. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of adults (> 18 years of age) residing in Luxembourg, while COVID-19 restrictions were in place. The survey was available in four languages (French, German, English and Portuguese). Survey questions focused on masturbation, cuddling, condom use, sex frequency, sexting, cybersex, watching porn, and sexual satisfaction. Results: 557 volunteers completed the survey (35.5% men, 64.3% women). Sexual problems increased during the COVID-19 measures while sexual satisfaction decreased compared to prior the COVID-19 measures (assessed retrospectively). Factors associated with increased odds of sexual satisfaction were: having a steady relationship before COVID-19 restrictions, engaging in sexting, reporting good mental health and not altering alcohol intake. Conclusions: The context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures implemented in Luxembourg affected sexual behaviors and sexual satisfaction. Sexual and reproductive health care centers and health professionals in general should take these results into consideration when providing care. Recommendations on the importance of sexual health for general wellbeing and behaviors associated with sexual satisfaction should be offered and possibilities to experience sexuality while reducing contamination risks be discussed. [less ▲]

Wohlbefinden und Gesundheit im Jugendalter: Theoretische Perspektiven, empirische Befunde und Praxisansätze

Book published by Springer VS Wiesbaden (2022)

Dieser Open-Access-Band bietet eine Übersicht disziplinärer Zugänge und aktueller empirischer Befunde zum Wohlbefinden und gesundheitsrelevanten Verhalten von Jugendlichen und jungen Erwachsenen ... [more ▼]

Dieser Open-Access-Band bietet eine Übersicht disziplinärer Zugänge und aktueller empirischer Befunde zum Wohlbefinden und gesundheitsrelevanten Verhalten von Jugendlichen und jungen Erwachsenen. Internationale Perspektiven renommierter Experten sowie Beiträge von Akteuren aus verschiedenen Praxisfeldern in Luxemburg ergänzen die Sammlung. Sie machen diesen Band zu einem unverzichtbaren Werk nicht nur für Wissenschaftler, sondern auch für Fachpersonen aus der Praxis mit einem Interesse am Thema Wohlbefinden und Gesundheit junger Menschen. [less ▲]

Mental Health and Well-Being in Adolescence: The Role of Child Attachment and Parental Reflective Functioning

in Heinen, Andreas; Samuel, Robin; Vögele, Claus (Eds.) et al Wohlbefinden und Gesundheit im Jugendalter (2022)