Search results for "Somatosensory amplification"
showing 7 items of 7 documents
Modern health worries and idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields are associated with paranoid ideation.
2021
Paranoid ideation is assumed to characterize worries about possible harmful effects of modern technologies (MHWs) and idiopathic environmental intolerances (IEIs), such as IEI attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF). Empirical evidence on these associations is scarce.In a cross-sectional on-line survey, participants of a community sample (n = 700; mean age: 28.4 ± 12.0; 434 females) completed the Somatosensory Amplification Scale, the Modern Health Worries Scale, and the Paranoid Ideation scale of the Symptom Checklist 90 Revised. They were considered IEI-EMF if (1) they categorized themselves so, (2) they had experienced symptoms that they attributed to the exposure to electromagnet…
Rasch scalability of the somatosensory amplification scale: a mixture distribution approach.
2012
Abstract Objective Somatosensory amplification refers to a person's tendency to experience somatic sensations as inappropriately intense and involves hypervigilance concerning bodily sensations. We applied the Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS) in an Internet sample of young adults (N = 3031) to test whether the SSAS is Rasch scalable. Methods We applied mixture distribution extensions of the partial credit and rating scale models to identify possible subgroups that use the response set of the SSAS in different ways. Results A partial credit model, with two latent classes, showed a superior fit to all other models. Still, one of the SSAS items had to be removed because it showed sever…
Somatosensory amplification - An old construct from a new perspective.
2017
The paper reviews and summarizes the history and the development of somatosensory amplification, a construct that plays a substantial role in symptom reports. Although the association with negative affect has been supported by empirical findings, another key elements of the original concept (i.e. body hypervigilance and the tendency of focusing on mild body sensations) have never been appropriately addressed. Recent findings indicate that somatosensory amplification is connected with phenomena that do not necessarily include symptoms (e.g. modern health worries, or expectations of symptoms and medication side effects), and also with the perception of external threats. In conclusion, somatos…
Is somatosensory amplification a risk factor for an increased report of side effects? Reference data from the German general population
2015
Abstract Objective The study investigates the association between somatosensory amplification and the reporting of side effects. It establishes a German version of the Somatosensory Amplification Scale and examines its psychometric properties in a representative sample of the German population. Methods Sample size was 2.469, with 51% taking any medication. Participants answered the Somatosensory Amplification Scale, Generic Assessment of Side Effects Scale, and indicated whether they were taking any medication and the type of medication. Correlational analysis and binary logistic regression were performed. Results When examining a subsample reporting both medication intake and general bodil…
Are media reports able to cause somatic symptoms attributed to WiFi radiation? An experimental test of the negative expectation hypothesis
2017
People suffering from idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF) experience numerous non-specific symptoms that they attribute to EMF. The cause of this condition remains vague and evidence shows that psychological rather than bioelectromagnetic mechanisms are at work. We hypothesized a role of media reports in the etiology of IEI-EMF and investigated how somatosensory perception is affected. 65 healthy participants were instructed that EMF exposure can lead to enhanced somatosensory perception. Participants were randomly assigned to watch either a television report on adverse health effects of EMF or a neutral report. During the following experiment…
Don't change a winning horse
2005
IntroductionThere is surprising excitement about the adequacy andfuture of the somatoform disorders (SFDs) as a circum-scribed diagnostic group [1–4]. Some authors wish to takethe forthcoming fifth revision of the Diagnostic andStatistical Manual (DSM) as a welcome occasion to removean unloved diagnostic term. However, eliminating the SFDswould devaluate the progress of research and clinicalpractice made during the past 25 years. It would lead toinsecurity and confusion in an interdisciplinary field whereclear terminology and common understanding is of highvalue. This contribution attempts to summarize some of themajor reasons why DSM-V should continue with the SFDs.Some suggestions will be…
Somatosensory amplification in hypochondriasis and panic disorder
1999
The aim of this study is to explore the differences and similarities of Somatic Amplification (SA) in both panic and hypochondriasis disorders. An additional objective is to validate the Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS) for use in our cultural context. For these purposes, 34 patients (17 with hypochondriasis and 17 with panic disorder; DSM-III-R criteria) completed the following questionnaires: SSAS, State–Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, MMPI Hypochondriasis Scale, Illness Attitude Scales and Illness Behaviour Questionnaire. The SSAS showed a satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0·83), and revealed two components: ‘Internal Stimulus Amplification’ and …