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Very little research has simultaneously explored the interactions between generalized problematic internet use (GPIU), problematic social media use (PSMU), problematic online gaming (POG), psychological distress, and emotional well-being among university students. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine (i) the associations between GPIU, PSMU, and POG symptoms, (ii) whether symptoms of these three problematic online behaviours form distinct entities, and (iii) whether there are associations between problematic online behaviours, psychological distress symptoms, and emotional role limitations using network analysis. A total of 807 Spanish university students participated (57.7% female; Mage = 21.22 years [SD = 3.68]). Two network models were computed. Network 1 showed a complex interaction of nodes, with particularly strong connections between analogous symptoms of GPIU and PSMU. Symptoms organised into distinct dimensions, featuring a unique dimension for POG symptoms, one that includes preoccupation and a conflict symptom of GPIU, and two other dimensions with symptoms of GPIU and PSMU. Network 2 showed significant connections between GPIU and depression, GPIU and emotional role limitations, PSMU and anxiety, PSMU and emotional role limitations, POG and depression, and POG and anxiety. The findings support the conceptualization of GPIU as a nonspecific disorder, the independence of PSMU and POG as distinct constructs, and aligning with perspectives that separate POG from the GPIU spectrum. The study reinforces the model of compensatory internet use and emphasizes the impact of problematic online behaviours on emotional well-being. The findings have practical implications for the assessment and intervention of problematic online behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problematic Internet use (PIU) is an emerging public health problem, and university students comprise a high-risk population. This systematic review aims to examine the terminology, assessment tools, prevalence, and predictive factors associated with PIU in university students. A literature review was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. We searched the Web of Science, Scopus, PsycInfo, and Medline databases to identify relevant empirical studies published between 2013 and 2021. A total of 76 studies were included. Quality assessment and narrative synthesis were conducted. Variability was found in terminology and assessment tools. The prevalence rates of PIU varied (4–51%). The quality of the articles was adequate. Ten predictive factors for PIU have been identified, divided into three categories (patterns of use, psychological variables, and lifestyles). Among these, nine were risk factors (time spent online, online gaming, depression, negative affect, life stress, maladaptive cognitions, impulsivity, poor sleep quality, substance use (alcohol and drugs)), and one was a protective factor (conscientiousness). The lack of consensus in the terminology, assessment tools, and diagnostic criteria of PIU was corroborated. Furthermore, the essential role of intrapsychic variables in PIU was demonstrated with important practical implications for developing preventive strategies. • Problematic Internet use is an umbrella term for a variety of maladaptive online behaviours. • Internet use is especially relevant among university students. • Fifty assessment tools was used to evaluate PIU. • Problematic Internet use and internet addiction could be different levels of severity on the same continuum. • Several patterns of use and psychological variables are found to be predictors of PIU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This article describes a cross-cultural adaptation of the Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS) to the adult Spanish population, and psychometric analysis of its validation and reliability. Methods: Convenience sampling by participant accessibility was used. The original version was adapted culturally and linguistically using the back-translation method, and a pilot study was done with 88 participants. Data processing and analysis was performed with the SPSS v.25 and LISREL v.9.2 statistical packages. The psychometric properties were studied in a sample of 8358 participants using exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, and examining factorial invariance and internal consistency. Results: The results confirmed a Spanish version with 27 items in five-dimensions: sensitivity to overstimulation (SOS), aesthetic sensitivity (AES), low sensory threshold (LST), fine psychophysiological discrimination (FPD) and harm avoidance (HA). Invariance across gender of this factor structure was demonstrated and reliability indices were good. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that the HSPS is an appropriate tool for evaluating high sensitivity in the adult Spanish population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We plan a scoping review aimed to synthesize what is known about the use of sensory-driven body illusion (BI) interventions for understanding and treating body image disturbance (BID) in people diagnosed with clinical eating disorders (EDs) and people with subclinical ED symptomatology. Our study will provide an outline of the current literature, identify gaps within the literature, and suggest novel directions for future research. Methods/design: The scoping review process will be guided by the methodological framework of Arksey and O'Malley, subsequent recommendations by Levac et al., and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis Protocols Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. The following electronic databases will be systematically searched: MEDLINE (via PubMed), Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Scopus. Furthermore, to identify additional studies, we will use a search engine such as Google Scholar, and for grey literature, we will include Proquest for Dissertations and Theses. A search strategy has been identified and agreed upon by the research team in conjunction with a research librarian. Two researchers will screen the titles and abstracts independently and then assess the full text of the selected citations for the inclusion criteria. A third reviewer will be involved in cases of disagreement. Data will be extracted, collated, and charted to summarize all the relevant methods, outcomes, and key findings in the articles. Discussion: A better understanding of this topic will aid in the development and refinement of current treatments aimed at treating BID in people with EDs. Implications and recommendations for research, policy, and practice in the context of the ED community will be discussed. Systematic review registration: https://osf.io/3bcm6/?view_only=83b2e8a2445d4266909992e3dfb51929 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to analyze the role of sensory processing sensitivity in the perception of stress under certain working conditions and its relationship with indicators of quality of professional life, in service sector workers. The participants (n = 3180) completed the Spanish versions of HSPS-S, CoPSoQ and ProQoL. The results show that exposure to certain working conditions represents a risk to the quality of professional life in workers of different fields, such as education, healthcare, hospitality and administration/management. The presence of high sensitivity is associated with poorer quality of professional life, specifically burnout and compassion fatigue. This study demonstrates the need to develop prevention programs aimed at managing stress by improving the working conditions, in order to adequately address sensory processing sensitivity and, consequently, promote the quality of professional life of service sector workers who present high sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bodily illusions can be used to investigate the experience of being in a body by manipulating the underlying processes of multisensory integration. Research suggests that people with eating disorders (EDs) may have impairments in visual, interoceptive, proprioceptive, and tactile bodily perception. Furthermore, people with EDs also show abnormalities in integrating multisensory visuo-tactile and visual-auditory signals related to the body, which may contribute to the development of body image disturbances. Visuo-auditory integration abnormalities have been observed also in people with subthreshold ED symptomatology. However, it remains unclear whether these impairments are specific to bodily signals or if they extend to any auditory signals. Methods: We will recruit 50 participants (aged 18–24; females assigned at birth) with ED symptomatology (subthreshold group) and 50 control participants. The Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire will be administered to screen for ED symptomatology and divide the sample into two groups accordingly (control and subthreshold group using a clinical cut-off score of 2.8). The strength of both illusions will be measured implicitly with estimations of body part position and size, and explicitly with self-report questionnaires. As a secondary aim, regression analysis will be run to test the predictive role of susceptibility for both illusions on interoceptive body awareness (measured by the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness Scale) and sensory-processing sensitivity (measured by the Highly Sensitive Person Scale). Discussion: Our study may contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms underlying body image disturbances. The results may pave the way for novel clinical interventions targeting early symptoms prior to the development of the disorder in young females. Plain English summary: This study aims to investigate whether individuals with subthreshold eating disorder (ED) symptoms show differences in the integration of proprioceptive and auditory cues in relation to body representation, as compared to healthy controls. This will be examined by focusing on two different body parts (finger and waist) with different levels of emotional significance for individuals with EDs. Participants will be screened for ED symptoms and divided into groups accordingly. The strength of the illusions will be measured using estimations of body part position and size, as well as self-report questionnaires. Regression analysis will be used to assess the predictive role of susceptibility to the body illusions on interoceptive body awareness and sensory-processing sensitivity. The results of this study may have implications for understanding the underlying mechanisms of body image disturbances in EDs, and inform the development of clinical interventions for individuals with subthreshold EDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in recent years, being the third cause of death in developed countries. Although bariatric surgery seems to be the most effective method, a significant percentage of patients have suboptimal results. As a preventive measure, patients are previously evaluated to determine if they are suitable for surgery. The present study examines if the story of childhood obesity, the attachment and the satisfaction in the romantic relationship, are related with the diagnosis orientation. The sample was composed by 411 patients with morbid obesity, candidates for bariatric surgery, from the Hospital Virgen del Rocío in Seville. The data were obtained through sociodemographic and clinical templates, the Adult Attachment Questionnaire (Melero & Cantero, 2008) and a escale of the relationship satisfaction. The study concluded that the unsuitable subjects had in a larger proportion a story of childhood obesity, have an insecure attachment style and a lower level of satisfaction in their relationship, being more notable in the case of women. Therefore, it is necessary to continue investigating the psychological variables related to obesity in order to address these aspects in the preoperative phase through psychological treatments, to ensure a greater effectiveness in the fight against the obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]