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Social Anxiety and Emotion Regulation in the Everyday Life of Adolescents
Get PDFTheoretical background: Social anxiety during adolescence is often linked to deficits in emotion regulation, which can contribute to heightened negative affect and diminished positive affect in everyday life. Objective: This study investigated whether three emotion-regulation strategies – acceptance, suppression, and rumination – mediate the relationship between social anxiety and daily affect in adolescents. Method: A sample of 47 adolescents completed ecological momentary assessments over 14 days. Social anxiety was assessed as a trait, while daily positive and negative affect as well as emotion regulation strategies were measured multiple times per day. Results: Multilevel structural equation models showed that social anxiety was significantly associated with lower acceptance of positive and negative emotions, higher suppression of negative emotions, and increased rumination. Acceptance of positive emotions mediated the link between social anxiety and reduced positive affect, while rumination mediated the link with negative affect. Discussion and conclusion: These findings underscore the importance of addressing both positive and negative emotional experiences and their regulation in the field of social anxiety in adolescents
Painkiller use in amateur football: high prevalence, but limited misuse
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The use of painkillers in football is a much-criticized topic, but there is hardly any scientific data at amateur level. The aim of the study is therefore to establish data on the prevalence of painkiller use in German amateur football. In addition, reasons for painkiller use and other influencing factors are investigated.
Methods
In a cross-sectional analysis, the painkiller use among German amateur footballers was surveyed through an online protocol, involving players from the 4th league to the lowest amateur divisions.
Results
Of the 604 participants, 489 were male (81.0%) and 115 were female (19.0%). The prevalence of painkiller use over the players’ entire careers in connection with football is approximately 77%. 75% of players report using painkillers only for acute injuries, with over two-thirds rarely or never taking them before a game. At 80%, female players report slightly higher painkiller use for acute injuries than male players (74.4%, p = 0.19). Age-related differences show that older players take painkillers more frequently than younger players (p < 0.001). Furthermore, league-specific differences show that higher playing levels (4th league) are associated with higher pain prevalence and higher painkiller use compared to the lowest five leagues (p < 0.001).
Conclusions
This is the first study to record the use of painkillers in amateur football from the players’ perspective with a large sample size. The lifetime prevalence of painkiller use among amateur football players in this study matches levels found in previous studies of amateur and professional sports. Most players take painkillers for medically justified reasons, with misuse being minimal. However, a minority of players show less responsible usage. Further research into the contextual factors influencing painkiller use is needed, and educational initiatives are important to improve awareness regarding pain management in football
The role of trimethylamine N-oxide in chronic kidney disease progression and mortality: insights from the GCKD study
No full textBackground and Aims
Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is a gut microbial metabolite derived from dietary phosphatidylcholine and carnitine. Recently, we have shown that TMAO accumulates in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), not only due to impaired kidney clearance, but also due to altered microbial production. Increasing evidence points to TMAO as an emerging contributor to cardiovascular disease. However, the prognostic impact of TMAO on adverse kidney outcomes in patients with established CKD remains unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and prognostic implications of TMAO in patients with CKD.
Method
We analyzed data from 4724 participants of the German Chronic Kidney Disease (GCKD) cohort, a prospective observational cohort of CKD patients with an eGFR of 30-60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or overt proteinuria in the presence of an eGFR>60 mL/min/1.73 m2 at enrollment. TMAO levels were quantified in plasma at baseline using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Creatinine and cystatin C measurements were obtained up to four times during follow-up, enabling the calculation of eGFR trajectories. The primary outcomes were all-cause mortality as well as the incidence of composite kidney endpoint (CKE), defined as eGFR decline >40% from baseline, eGFR <15 ml/min/1.73 m², initiation of kidney replacement therapy (dialysis or transplantation), or renal death, within 6.5 years. Time-to-event analyses were conducted using multivariate proportional hazards regression models.
Results
Median TMAO levels increased with higher CKD GFR and albuminuria categories. Over a median follow-up of 6.5 years, 479 deaths were recorded. Elevated TMAO concentrations at baseline (fourth versus first quartile) were significantly associated with increased all-cause mortality risk. This association remained robust after adjustment for traditional risk factors, history of cardiovascular disease, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and eGFR as well as albuminuria. Further, higher TMAO levels were consistently associated with increased incidence of CKE and after multivariate analyses independently predicted CKE risk, underscoring its potential as a prognostic kidney biomarker in CKD.
Conclusion
Among patients with CKD, TMAO levels were increased progressively with lower GFR and higher albuminuria. Elevated TMAO levels were independently associated with a greater risk of all-cause mortality and CKE. These findings emphasize the critical role of gut microbiota-derived metabolites in the progression and outcomes of CKD, highlighting TMAO as a potential biomarker for risk stratification and as a potential target for therapeutic intervention
Reinstating memories' temporal context at encoding causes Sisyphus-like memory rejuvenation
No full textAs memories age, their immediate retrievability decreases albeit, due to ongoing memory consolidation, their future rate of forgetting weakens. Here, we show in two experiments (N = 1.216 participants) that mentally traveling back in time to older memories’ temporal context at encoding reverses the two effects and makes the memories similar again to how they were at an earlier point in time. Mental time travel increased both the memories’ immediate retrievability and their future rate of forgetting when individuals attempted to reinstate context deliberately and actively and when they retrieved other memories sharing a similar temporal context. Intriguingly, the forgetting after mental time travel even followed the same trajectory as the forgetting after encoding. Attempts to reinstate memories’ encoding context thus rejuvenated memories, although the degree of rejuvenation decreased as temporal lag between encoding and the reinstatement attempts increased, which was mediated by the fact that, with increasing lag, decreasing proportions of the encoded memories were reactivated and reconsolidated in response to participants’ reinstatement attempts. Mentally traveling back in time creates rejuvenation cycles with enhanced retrievability followed by a restart of forgetting and consolidation processes. Recurring rejuvenation cycles may thus be key to maintain memories’ retrievability over longer periods of time, painting the picture of Sisyphus-like memory resurrection
Impairment in quality of life with different sport orthopaedic musculoskeletal injuries—A comprehensive analysis of the German arthroscopy register
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The aim of this study was to identify the impairment of quality of life (QoL) for different sport orthopaedic injuries prior to surgery in Germany and build a baseline dataset for these injuries.
Methods
Data from the German arthroscopy registry (DART) between November 2017 and January 2025 were used. EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire (EQ) value and EQ-visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) were analysed for shoulder, hip, knee and ankle injuries. The EQ index value was calculated using a time-trade-off value set for Germany. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and standardised mean differences (SMD) were calculated to assess between-group effects.
Results
A total of 9432 patients from the DART were included, predominantly with knee (75.5%) and shoulder (19.1%) pathologies. The highest EQ value was observed in shoulder patients (mean = 0.744 ± 0.22), while the lowest was reported in ankle patients (mean = 0.692 ± 0.26). EQ-VAS scores were highest in ankle (mean = 66.30 ± 22.1) and lowest in hip patients (mean = 62.41 ± 19.9). One-way ANOVA revealed significant differences between joint groups (p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed the highest EQ value in meniscus lesions with future resection (0.806 ± 0.17) and ACL re-rupture (0.785 ± 0.21), while patella instability (0.633 ± 0.28) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) rupture (0.641 ± 0.27) showed the lowest. EQ-VAS was highest for meniscus lesions with future resection (71.03 ± 19.8) and rotator cuff tear without biceps tendon pathology (68.20 ± 20.8), and lowest for PCL rupture (62.45 ± 18.4) and femoroacetabular impingement (62.20 ± 20.1).
Conclusion
Sport orthopaedic injuries cause a marked reduction in QoL, especially prior to surgical treatment. These findings highlight the need for greater integration of QoL assessment and mental health support in orthopaedic care and research to ensure more holistic, patient-centred treatment strategies.
Level of Evidence
Level II, prognostic prospective cohort stud
Teaching an Old Mouse New Tricks: User-Centered Development of a Gesture Set for Touch-Enabled Computer Mice
No full textTouch-sensitive surfaces offer an intuitive and flexible form of interaction, for example through gesture input. Despite being the primary input modality for mobile devices, they hardly find application in desktop settings. At the same time, the computer mouse is still the most efficient and accurate input device for pointing. Consequently, keeping the unmatched functionality of a mouse but extending it with new input options via a touch-sensitive surface, is a promising approach. While research prototypes and niche products for multi-touch mice exist, the concept has not yet become established. In this work, we follow a user-centered approach towards touch interaction on computer mice.
In a user study (n=12), we identified which areas on the mouse are suitable for touch input. Further, we explored potential usage scenarios in a diary study (n=11) and intuitive gestures in an elicitation study (n=10). We compile our findings into a gesture set which future research can build upon to implement touch interaction on computer mice
Kriterienbasierte Einschätzung von (fachspezifischer) Unterrichtsqualität mittels AMADEUS
No full textIm Forschungsprojekt FALKO-PV wurde mit AMADEUS eine Webapp zur kriterienbasierten Beurteilung von Unterrichtsqualität aus Schüler*innensicht entwickelt. Die enthaltenen 154 Items beziehen sich konzeptuell auf die sieben Dimensionen des Syntheseframeworks (Praetorius et al., 2020) sowie ergänzend auf einige fachspezifische Aspekte. Bei einer Erhebung an bayerischen Gymnasien im Schuljahr 2023/24 nutzten 170 Schüler*innen aus acht Klassen (8. Jgst.) AMADEUS zur Evaluation ihres Mathematikunterrichts. Im Vortrag werden erste Befunde zu psychometrischen Kriterien des Instruments vorgestellt
Retextualisierung und Innovation: Alt und Neu im Rappoltsteiner Parzifal
Get PDFMit seinem unvollendet gebliebenen Roman 'Perceval' ruft Chrétien de Troyes zahllose Fortsetzer und Bearbeiter auf den Plan, die den Artus-Gral Stoff unterschiedlich ausgestalten: In der französischen Tradition verbindet sich mit dem Gral das Ende der Artuswelt. Wolfram von Eschenbach dagegen, der mit seinem 'Parzival' den Gralsmythos in die deutsche Artusepik einführt, verleiht der Geschichte ein happy ending.
Diese beiden Traditionen führen Claus Wisse und Philipp Colin im Auftrag Ulrichs von Rappoltstein zusammen. Der 'Rappoltsteiner Parzifal' verbindet dabei Retextualisierung mit Innovation: Seine Autoren schaffen allein durch die sorgfältige Kombination von Texten und das methodische Hinzufügen von Paratext neuen Sinn.
Von entscheidender Bedeutung ist die Einteilung des Werks in einen 'alten' und einen 'neuen Parzifal'. Sie illustriert, wie sich aus den wolframschen Ambivalenzen eine Krise des Artusrittertums, schließlich aber auch die Überwindung dieser Krise durch die Gralsuche entwickelt
It’s in the Eye of the Passenger: A Psychological Perspective on the Acceptance and Intention to Use of Autonomous Shuttle Vehicles
Get PDFAutonomous vehicles (AVs) have the potential to revolutionize our daily mobility behavior in the coming years (Litman, 2022). One of the central questions is, from a psychological perspective, how human acceptance of AVs can be ensured. The influence of personality and socio-cognitive factors has been widely studied in this context. This research project sets out to complement and expand previous findings by focusing on three so far unexplored aspects that could be decisive for the successful adoption of AVs by humans: Identifying AV user groups, exploring the influence of trait anxiety, and exploring the role of psychological distance in relation to AVs. Accordingly, this dissertation aims to fill important research gaps to understand the preconditions for AV acceptance in these respects and to derive implications for the successful establishment of AVs. This goal was pursued in the context of three study projects.
Study 1 aimed to identify user groups in the context of autonomous driving, in particular autonomous shuttle buses, based on selected personality traits. Using latent profile analysis (N = 388) four user groups that could be clearly distinguished from each other were identified. Membership in a user group significantly predicted the acceptance of autonomous buses. The personality traits anxiety, self-confidence, and affinity for technology were found to be particularly predictive of user group membership. More specifically, profile 1 was characterized by high general anxiety with low technology affinity and ITU. Similarly, profile 2 was characterized by low ITU and high technology anxiety but also with low general anxiety. With average values across all variables, profile 3 showed average ITU. Profile 4 had the highest ITU with low anxiety and high technology affinity. The individual analysis steps were extensively validated to ensure the generalizability of the results. To the research team´s best knowledge, this study is the first to integrate previous findings on personality and acceptance of AVs in this way and to identify valid user groups for autonomous buses. The findings can be used by manufacturers and providers of autonomous buses to adapt autonomous driving in a more differentiated way to the person and the needs of potential users.
Since the user group with high general anxiety proved to be skeptical of AVs in study 1, in a further step in study 2 the focus was directed on trait anxiety and its influence on ITU. This was based on findings by Qu et al (2021), who found a positive relationship in this regard (and thus contrary to the results from study 1). They justified this by the explanation that more anxious individuals value the opportunity to hand over control in autonomous buses. In study 2 (N = 253), we took up the assumption and investigated whether the association between trait anxiety and ITU was mediated by fear of giving up control. We also quasi-experimentally explored the extent to which this mediation can also be found for traditional buses in which control is handed over to a human driver rather in a traditional bus than to the artificial intelligence (AI) in an autonomous bus. The results confirmed the positive association between trait anxiety and intention to use (ITU) in the overall sample, but not for the subsamples in the traditional and autonomous condition. The association was not mediated by fear of giving up control. Interestingly, the calculated mediation models for the autonomous and traditional condition did not differ significantly. The findings thus extend the understanding on the role of anxiety with respect to AV acceptance and provide suggestions for research based on these findings. However, the results of the first two studies seem to contradict each other: in study 1, the results indicate that the user group with above-average general anxiety was more critical of AVs, whereas in study 2, the positive relationship between trait anxiety and ITU showed an opposite picture. An explanation for this could be that the subjects in the online-based study, in contrast to the real-life driving situation of study 2, were not directly affected by AVs and therefore represented the technology on a more abstract psychological level. Study 3 was therefore devoted to AV acceptance from the perspective of this phenomenon, psychological distance. Previous studies have already shown in different contexts that psychological distance can influence the acceptance of modern technologies on a social level (e.g., "me" vs. " others) or on a temporal level (e.g., "today" vs. "in 10 years"). At the same time, psychological distance has also been shown to be a useful tool to specifically influence object representation. To date, however, the phenomenon of psychological distance has not been considered in relation to AVs. Study 3 addressed this research gap. In a large-scale 2x2x2 experimental design (N = 2,114), we investigated how psychological distance affects the acceptance of autonomous buses on a social and temporal level using a scenario-based design. For comparison purposes, driving modality (autonomous vs. traditional) was manipulated. The results highlight the role of psychological distance in AV perception: subjects attributed higher ITU to strangers than to themselves, especially when bus use was framed in temporally abstract terms. Autonomous buses were more readily adopted than traditional buses, with psychological distance having a similar effect on traditional buses. For AV providers, this promises a positive outlook: when implementing or marketing autonomous and traditional buses, the focus should be on temporal concreteness and tangibility of bus use.
Overall, the findings highlight the importance of the psychological perspective in the implementation of autonomous driving technology and provide important insights for the production, marketing, and establishment of AVs. Thus, this research project makes an important contribution to the successful introduction and implementation of autonomous buses. The question to what extent the results can be transferred to other autonomous transport modes (e.g., private cars, cabs) or other populations besides public transport in Germany requires research that further extends on these findings
The complex maternal brain: Behavioural and physiological consequences of dysregulated CRF and oxytocin systems transmission in lactating rats
No full textIn mammals, the peripartum period is characterized by complex changes within the maternal brain network, preparing for and ensuring the expression of adequate maternal responses towards the newborn. Among others, the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and the oxytocin (OXT) systems undergo finely balanced adaptations during the transition to motherhood. Consequently, perturbations of their homeostasis can impair maternal behaviour, potentially culminating in infant neglect. In this condition, the infant’s needs are not met, and this carries along severe consequences for the sufferer. However, the complex neurobiological basis of neglect only started to be studied in the past decade and, thus, is only at the beginning of being deciphered.
In my thesis, I aimed to expand the knowledge on maternal neglect, using lactating Sprague-Dawley rats as animal model. In three separate studies, I investigated the role of the CRF family members in the postpartum brain, focusing on the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) and the nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh), important regions of the maternal brain network. Furthermore, within the NAcSh, I characterized the contributions of the OXT system to different aspects of maternal behaviour, as well as the interactions of the CRF system with the OXT and dopaminergic systems.
In the first study, using acute and chronic pharmacological manipulations, I studied the role of the CRF binding protein (CRF-BP, a regulator of the CRF system) within the PVN in maternal behaviour as well as in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. The expression of CRF-BP mRNA was increased in the PVN of lactating versus virgin rats, hinting towards a specific functional role in the maternal brain. Indeed, acute CRF-BP inhibition reinstated HPA axis reactivity to an acute CRF-challenge in lactating rats only, as shown by increased plasma corticosterone levels. At a behavioural level, acute CRF-BP inhibition increased maternal aggression towards an intruder, while chronic inhibition impaired this behaviour.
The second study explored the role in the NAcSh of the CRF family members, i.e., CRF-receptor (CRF-R) 1 and 2 and their specific ligands CRF and UCN3, as well as OXT and its receptor (OXT-R) on different aspects of maternal behaviour and anxiety-like behaviour under non-stressed conditions. Acute pharmacological activation of CRF-R1, only, induced pup neglect and shifted the mother’s behaviour towards self-care, as shown by reduced nursing paralleled by increased self-grooming behaviour. On the other hand, acute inhibition of the CRF-R1 reduced pup retrieval, demonstrating that a certain level of CRF-R1 activity is necessary for maternal motivation. Furthermore, CRF-R activation modulated anxiety-like behaviour in a sex-specific manner, i.e., CRF-R1 acted anxiogenic in male rats whereas increased CRF-R2 signalling enhanced anxiety-like behaviour in female rats, regardless of the reproductive state. These findings were paralleled by increased Crh-r1 mRNA levels in lactating female and male rats and increased Crh-bp expression in male rats, only, compared to virgin female rats.
In the third study, I characterized the intra-NAcSh neuropeptidergic contribution to maternal aggression during the maternal defence test (MDT). Acute local pharmacological activation of CRF-R1 and -R2, and inhibition of OXT-R, impaired maternal aggression, while CRF-R1 activation, only, reduced nursing and increased self-grooming after the stressful MDT. In addition, MDT exposure increased the activity of CRF immunoreactive cells, regardless of pup presence. Furthermore, when experiencing the MDT, intra-NAc OXT release increased in lactating rats. Complementing this finding, the release of OXT in the NAc increased during local retrodialysis of CRF-R1, but not CRF-R2, agonist, whereas dopamine release increased in response to activation of both CRF-R1 and -R2 but with differing release patterns.
In conclusion, balanced CRF system activity in the PVN and in the NAcSh is a prerequisite for the dampened stress responses in lactation and the display of adequate maternal behaviour. Furthermore, neuropeptides in the NAcSh contribute differentially to maternal behaviour, with CRF being the primary driver of pup neglect