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Purpose To better understand the multidimensional construct of Fear of Cancer Recurrence (FCR) in cancer survivors, the purpose of this study was to highlight key FCR symptoms and their strongest associations with depression and anxiety comorbidities. This approach is critical for developing effective interventions tailored to cancer survivors. We also investigated whether the network changes its symptom connectivity across different diagnostic and treatment subgroups classified as vulnerable or less vulnerable. Methods. We collected data from 234 cancer survivors (women: 78.20%; mean age: 35.58) who had been diagnosed with cancer, were undergoing cancer treatment, or had completed treatment. In addition to cancer-related data that allowed subgrouping, they completed the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (FCRI) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The FCRI is a multidimensional construct that captures symptoms on the spectrum of intrusive thoughts, coping skills, and five others. Networks were estimated using the Gaussian graphical model. Results. The main findings suggest that intrusive thoughts were overall the most influential network symptoms. However, coping skills were central to the network and associated with depression only in the vulnerable subgroups. Conclusions. The present study found that intrusive thoughts were core network symptoms, whereas coping skills and their association with depression were significant only for some subgroups. Implications. Future clinical trials and interventions for FCR should specifically target intrusive thoughts and other repetitive thinking patterns. More research should be conducted to understand the unique characteristics of survivors and their interaction with symptomatology to maximize treatment efficacy., Author(s): Liviu A. Fodor [sup.1] [sup.2] , Diana Todea [sup.3] [sup.4] , Ioana R. Podina [sup.3] [sup.5] Author Affiliations: (1) https://ror.org/02rmd1t30, grid.7399.4, 0000 0004 1937 1397, International Institute for The [...]

The online proliferation of misinformation is pressing both society and business actors to provide effective mitigation strategies. The current study aims to bring more clarity to the common belief that engagement with reliable data will lead to disengagement from inaccurate information. The proposed experiment on 290 volunteers simulates the process of reading a narrative on terrorism - under misinformation or accurate information - followed by exposure to official data. Participants that consulted official data following exposure to misinformation (N = 43) did not differ from participants exposed solely to misinformation in regard to the level of worry about terrorism (N = 43). Similarly, there was no significant difference between misinformation (N = 43) and accurate (N = 47) information groups in the level of worry about terrorism after consulting official data. However, the role of media engagement has proven essential: when presented with accurate information followed by reliable data, participants' worry about terrorism decreased significantly, but only for those highly engaged with news concerning terrorism. Similarly, when presented with misinformation followed by reliable data, participants' worry significantly increased, but only for those not engaged with terrorism-related news. Further analyses revealed a polarization effect within the group of participants exposed to inaccurate information and reliable data, with the engagement with terrorism-related news and conservatism as predictors. These findings broaden the literature on strategies to tackle misinformation, by clarifying the role of fact-checking and narrative unpacking., Author(s): Maria-Magdalena Rosu [sup.1] , Ana Cosmoiu [sup.2] , Rodica Ianole-Calin [sup.3] , Ioana R. Podina [sup.4] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.432032.4, 0000 0004 0416 9364, Faculty of Cybernetics, Statistics and [...]

Depression is known to affect how individuals perceive social exchanges, either negative or positive ones. These difficulties are thought to partly arise from depression-related guilt and rejection sensitivity. Here, we examined whether individuals with elevated levels of depression reported more guilt after engaging in a series of controlled exchanges in the Ultimatum Game (UG) and if rejection sensitivity mediated this relationship in negative interactions. To this end, we utilized a multi-round, multi-shot UG in which participants (N = 72) were sequentially paired with (1) unfair and (2) altruistic allocators. State guilt and perceived fairness ratings were collected throughout the Ultimatum Game. Alternatively, we looked into perceived fairness of received offers and harm caused to the allocator as potential moderators of the mediation model. As expected, we found that rejection sensitivity partially mediated the relationship between depression and guilt. Interestingly, the effect of depression through rejection sensitivity on guilt was stronger when participants caused more harm to the allocator than when they perceived the allocator as extremely unfair. A path analysis was performed as well to check for goodness of fit of the moderated mediation model. Exploratory, we looked at how depression may interfere with the emotional and behavioral response in positive exchanges as well. Overall, our findings may contribute to the understanding of the dynamics in interpersonal transactions of depressed individuals with relevance for counseling and diagnosis. Theoretical implications and interpretive caveats are discussed., Author(s): Denisa Caculidis-Tudor [sup.1] , Andreea Bica [sup.1] , Rodica Ianole-Calin [sup.2] , Ioana R. Podina [sup.1] [sup.3] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.5100.4, 0000 0001 2322 497X, Department of Psychology, University [...]

Disgust sensitivity plays a key role in generating and maintaining outgroup biases. To test our hypotheses, we used a quasi-experimental between-subjects design, in which participants were randomly assigned to a disgust induction condition (N = 102) or a non-induction neutral group (N = 92). The induction scenario featured the return of the diaspora to their home country due to COVID-19 concerns. In one scenario, the diaspora lied about the country they arrived from, and in the other, there was no moral transgression. We hypothesized that the effect of disgust sensitivity on dehumanization and aggressive tendencies passed through contamination fear and the moderated mediation model indicated that this indirect effect was stronger for participants in the disgust-induction than in the non-induction group. This effect was found for biological dehumanization and passive aggression outcomes, both related to outgroup bias. Consistent with the role of disgust as a disease-avoidance mechanism, our results suggest that disgust could facilitate stronger outgroup bias in the context of a high health threat, such as the COVID-19 pandemic., Author(s): Andreea I. Luca [sup.1] [sup.2] , Ioana R. Podina [sup.1] , Rareò Boian [sup.3] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.5100.4, 0000 0001 2322 497X, Laboratory of Cognitive Clinical Sciences, Department of [...]

This paper examines the use of multisensory virtual reality (VR) as a novel approach in psychological therapy for autobiographical memory retrieval with benefits for cognitive enhancement, stress reduction, etc. Previous studies demonstrated improved outcomes in treating various psychological conditions (affective disorders and PTSD). Technological advancements in VR, such as olfactory integration, can contribute to the realism and therapeutic potential of these environments. The integration of various physical stimuli with VR holds promising potential for psychological therapies and highlights the need for further interdisciplinary research. In this pilot study, we tested the efficacy of a new system for triggering autobiographical memory retrieval. For this, we used images combined with odors in a congruent manner and offering participants the chance to interact with the VR environment by using two virtual hands. We evaluated the efficacy of this system using qualitative methods, with emphasis on the evaluation of the emotions associated with memory recollection and the ease of triggering memories. All participants in our pilot study experienced intense emotions related to childhood or adolescence, and the pleasant feelings they had during the experiment persisted even after it ended. This is an advancement to what exists currently and provides original research elements for our paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate factors associated with resilience in familial caregivers of children with developmental disabilities. The protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database, with the registration number CRD42018105180. Several electronic databases were searched for studies. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed on 26 selected studies that associated resilience to an array of other variables (i.e., psychological distress, social support, coping, perceived health, life satisfaction). Overall, the significant pooled effect sizes were small to medium, ranging from r = 0.291 for coping to r = 0.442 for social support. Although the literature on the topic has improved, there is a lot of study heterogeneity and the need for focusing on male caregivers becomes evident.

In the context of an increasingly egalitarian society, in which all genders are encouraged to be vocal about their goals and take equal growth opportunities, goal interdependence in couples has been repeatedly associated with relationship satisfaction. The aim of this meta-analysis was to provide evidence for the association between goal interdependence and relationship satisfaction in couples. We performed a random-effects analysis for the 32 reports and 49 independent samples that investigated three types of goal interdependence (goal support, goal congruence, and goal conflict) in association with relationship satisfaction. We found significant medium effect sizes between goal interdependence in general (r =.23) and relationship satisfaction, as well as between each type of goal interdependence and relationship satisfaction. The strongest effect size emerged for the association between goal congruence and relationship satisfaction (r =.43), followed by the association between goal support and relationship satisfaction (r =.28) and by the negative association between goal conflict and relationship satisfaction (r = −.29). From a theoretical standpoint, these results provide support for a key claim from the Transactive Goal Dynamics Theory that goal coordination between partners impacts relationship functioning. From a practical standpoint, they emphasize the need to consider goal interdependence in couples' therapy, particularly in the current sociocultural context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]