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Fri Nov 29 06:34:47 PST 2024

PsyPost – Psychology News Daily Digest (Unofficial)

(https://www.psypost.org/new-study-examines-psychological-drivers-of-suicidality-in-incel-forums/) New study examines psychological drivers of suicidality in incel forums
Nov 29th 2024, 08:00

Incel forum users’ suicidal expressions commonly cited six psychological stressors, including social isolation, appearance concerns, and mental health issues, as drivers of suicidality. This research was published in (https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-06748-1) Current Psychology.
(If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or (https://chat.988lifeline.org/) follow this link to their online chat.)
Incels, short for “involuntary celibates,” form an online subculture of men who struggle with a lack of romantic and sexual experiences, often expressing (https://www.psypost.org/incel-forums-reveal-persistent-widespread-misogyny-regardless-of-user-engagement/) misogynistic and fatalistic beliefs rooted in the “(https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Blackpill) Black Pill” ideology. This view, which describes the social world as structured to favor attractive individuals, reinforces feelings of (https://www.psypost.org/new-study-delves-into-the-mating-psychology-of-involuntarily-celibate-men/) hopelessness among incels, who often perceive their situations as unchangeable.
Previous research has documented a high prevalence of (https://www.psypost.org/incels-exhibit-reduced-psychological-well-being-and-a-greater-tendency-for-interpersonal-victimhood-study-finds/) suicidality within these forums, with themes like “suicide fuel” emerging as incels share suicidal ideation and receive reinforcement from others in the community. Stefan Stijelja and Brian L. Mishara investigated suicidal expressions in incel users when posting outside their typical forums, specifically in the r/SuicideWatch subreddit.
The research team identified 116,266 incel forum users on Reddit, filtering posts from those who also contributed to r/SuicideWatch, a subreddit for individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts. The analysis focused on 13,187 posts from 5,275 unique users.
Using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis approach, the researchers systematically coded and reviewed posts to identify recurring themes related to suicidal ideation. The study used an inductive approach, allowing themes to emerge from the data without relying on predetermined categories.
The study identified six overarching themes driving suicidal ideation among incel users. The most prominent theme was Social Isolation and Loneliness, with many users expressing profound feelings of solitude. Posts described a prolonged lack of close relationships and an overwhelming sense of being disconnected from others, which users often associated with their inability to socialize effectively. For some, loneliness was tied to personal traits like shyness, which they saw as fixed barriers to forming connections.
A second, closely related theme, Appearance Concerns, reflected the negative body image many users held. Numerous posts highlighted specific perceived physical flaws—such as height, weight, and facial features—that they believed made them unattractive to others, fueling their sense of social rejection.
The third theme, Mental Health Issues, highlighted users’ struggles with depression and anxiety, often discussed as long standing problems. Some users described experiencing both disorders simultaneously, with social anxiety frequently highlighted as an obstacle to interpersonal relationships.
Another key theme, Frustration with Involuntary Celibacy, captured users’ distress over their perceived inability to form romantic relationships. This frustration, often heightened by observing others in romantic situations, contributed to feelings of inadequacy.
Family Problems also emerged as a recurring theme, with users describing strained relationships, experiences of neglect, and even abuse. Finally, users also expressed Feelings of Worthlessness, frequently using highly self-critical language. This self-loathing was closely linked to other themes, as users saw their struggles with relationships, appearance, and social skills as evidence of their perceived inadequacy.
Of note is that the study’s focus on incels who actively posted on r/SuicideWatch means it may not capture the experiences of incels who avoid disclosing suicidal thoughts online, potentially limiting the generalizability of findings.
Overall, these findings underscore the deep psychological distress within the incel community, pointing to the need for targeted mental health interventions and support mechanisms.
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-06748-1) Common themes in suicidal expressions of incel forum users: a qualitative analysis,” was authored by Stefan Stijelja and Brian L. Mishara.

(https://www.psypost.org/neuroscience-research-shows-how-mindfulness-meditation-fosters-a-unique-state-of-relaxed-alertness/) Neuroscience research shows how mindfulness meditation fosters a unique state of relaxed alertness
Nov 29th 2024, 06:00

Mindfulness meditation promotes a unique state of relaxed alertness, characterized by specific changes in brain activity related to attention and awareness, according to a study published in the (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167876024001430) International Journal of Psychophysiology. By examining brain oscillations and physiological arousal, researchers found that mindfulness meditation induces neural patterns different from those seen during simple rest, challenging the view that its benefits are solely rooted in stress reduction.
Mindfulness meditation is a practice that encourages individuals to focus their attention on the present moment in a nonjudgmental way. Originating from ancient contemplative traditions, mindfulness has become increasingly popular in modern contexts for its ability to promote mental clarity, emotional balance, and overall well-being.
Despite its growing popularity, the precise mechanisms by which mindfulness benefits the brain and body remain unclear. Neuroscientific research has consistently shown that meditation induces changes in patterns of neural oscillations or “brain waves,” particularly theta and alpha waves.
Theta waves (4–8 Hz) are often associated with deep relaxation and meditative focus, while alpha waves (8–13 Hz) are linked to calmness, wakeful rest, and the brain’s ability to suppress distractions. These two bands are thought to underpin the sense of relaxed alertness that practitioners often experience during mindfulness meditation.
However, it is less understood whether these changes are primarily a result of relaxation, akin to what one might experience during simple rest, or if they represent a distinct mental state characterized by active engagement and heightened alertness. The motivation behind the study was to address these gaps in knowledge and clarify the mechanisms that underpin mindfulness meditation.
“There has been considerable growth in the popularity of mindfulness meditation, with trends highlighting its integration into healthcare, education, and corporate sectors,” said study author Alexander T. Duda, a PhD candidate at the Brain & Behaviour Research Institute and School of Psychology at the University of Wollongong.
“However, while its benefits for mental health and well-being are well-documented, the mechanisms underlying these effects remain underexplored. I have a personal interest in understanding how mindfulness influences brain activity and arousal, and this study provided an opportunity to investigate these questions using the research facilities at my institution.”
The research involved 52 healthy young adults aged 18 to 35, with varying levels of meditation experience, though most participants were novices. Before the study, participants were asked to abstain from substances like caffeine or alcohol to avoid any confounding effects. They provided written consent and completed demographic questionnaires before undergoing brainwave and physiological arousal measurements.
Participants first engaged in a resting task with their eyes closed while researchers recorded their brain activity using electroencephalography (EEG), which measures electrical signals in the brain to capture neural oscillations. Skin conductance level (SCL) was also measured to assess physiological arousal.
Participants then performed a 15-minute mindfulness meditation exercise based on a well-established guided breathing technique. During meditation, EEG and SCL data were continuously recorded. The researchers compared the brainwave patterns and arousal levels from the meditation session with those from the resting state.
To analyze the data, they employed both traditional EEG methods, which focus on predefined frequency bands (such as theta, alpha, beta, and gamma), and a data-driven approach called Frequency Principal Components Analysis. This advanced technique identifies natural groupings in brainwave data.
The researchers found that mindfulness meditation induces distinct changes in brainwave activity, supporting the idea that it creates a unique state of relaxed alertness rather than simply promoting relaxation. These changes were most evident in the theta and alpha frequency bands, which are associated with deep focus, attention, and a calm mental state.
The researchers observed increases in certain theta-related brainwave components during meditation, suggesting heightened awareness and internal focus. This supports previous findings that theta oscillations play a key role in mindfulness practices.
“Mindfulness meditation is associated with changes in brain activity that are distinct from simple relaxation, promoting a state of relaxed alertness,” Duda told PsyPost. “This suggests that its benefits go beyond stress reduction, which may include enhanced attention and awareness.”
Interestingly, the study also revealed a decrease in alpha oscillations during meditation, particularly in the lower-frequency alpha range. While alpha activity is typically associated with calmness and reduced sensory distractions, this decrease further supports the idea that meditation involves active engagement with the present moment rather than a passive state of rest.
“The significant decrease in alpha oscillations during mindfulness meditation was unexpected, as previous studies have often reported increases in this frequency band,” Duda said. “Additionally, these changes in alpha oscillations did not correlate with arousal, as measured by skin conductance level, which contrasts with prior research conducted in resting states that typically find such associations.
“This suggests that the neural mechanisms underlying mindfulness meditation may operate independently of the arousal-related changes traditionally linked to alpha oscillations, highlighting the unique nature of the meditative state.”
The findings shed light on the complexity of mindfulness meditation and its distinct neural effects. But as with all research, there are some limitations.
“The findings are limited to young, healthy, novice meditators, which may not generalize to experienced practitioners or diverse demographics,” Duda noted. “Additionally, the study focused on a single session of mindfulness meditation, without examining longitudinal changes or other meditation styles, which may yield different outcomes.”
“Future research should address these gaps by including diverse populations, exploring long-term effects, and incorporating complementary measures like heart rate variability to better understand the physiological mechanisms and broader impacts of mindfulness.”
“A key goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the role of arousal as a mechanism contributing to the benefits of mindfulness meditation,” Duda explained. “Investigating how changes in arousal and neural oscillations interact to enhance attention, awareness, and overall well-being will help refine mindfulness practices. Ultimately, this research aims to inform and improve the use of mindfulness meditation in clinical interventions, making them more effective and widely applicable.”
The research also highlights how advanced statistical approaches, such as Frequency Principal Components Analysis, allow for the identification of complex neural patterns.
“This study highlights the importance of employing data-driven and innovative methodologies, such as the fPCA used here, to uncover deeper insights into complex brain activities associated with mindfulness meditation,” Duda said. “These approaches allow for more precise and nuanced analyses compared to traditional methods.”
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2024.112439) Mindfulness meditation alters neural oscillations independently of arousal,” was authored by Alexander T. Duda, Adam R. Clarke, and Robert J. Barry.

(https://www.psypost.org/relationships-formed-on-dating-apps-are-as-strong-as-those-formed-in-person-study-finds/) Relationships formed on dating apps are as strong as those formed in person, study finds
Nov 28th 2024, 10:00

A recent study published in the journal (https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13100541) Social Sciences suggests that romantic relationships initiated through dating apps are not significantly different in quality compared to those formed in person. These findings challenge lingering societal perceptions that app-based relationships are inherently less genuine or meaningful.
Over the past decade, dating apps have surged in popularity, becoming one of the most common ways people meet potential partners. Despite this trend, online-initiated relationships have historically faced skepticism. Critics argue that such relationships may prioritize physical attraction over emotional connection or be hampered by issues like dishonesty in online profiles.
“Since earning my PhD, I have been fascinated by the integration of technology in relationships, families, and development,” said study author Mickey Langlais, an assistant professor in the Department of Human Sciences and Design at Baylor University.
“One facet that particularly caught my interest was the increased reliance on dating applications, often used to help form romantic relationships. When I began this research, dating applications carried a negative stigma, yet many of my students and friends mentioned meeting their partners through these platforms. Given this paradox, I wanted to compare how satisfied couples were based on whether they met in person or via a dating application.”
The study recruited 233 college students from a large university in the southern United States. The participants, all at least 18 years old, completed an online survey about their relationship experiences. Among them, 120 participants were currently in a romantic relationship, while 169 had experienced a previous romantic relationship. Thirty-four participants in current relationships met their partner through a dating app, while 86 met their partner in person. Similarly, 29 participants reported meeting their previous partner via a dating app, compared to 140 who met in person.
To measure relationship quality, the researchers used the Perceived Relationship Quality Components Inventory, which assesses aspects such as satisfaction, intimacy, and trust. Participants rated their current or past relationships on a scale from 1 to 7, with higher scores indicating better relationship quality. The research team then conducted statistical analyses to compare the relationship quality of those who met online versus in person.
The researchers found no significant differences in the quality of romantic relationships based on whether they were initiated online or face-to-face. For both current and past relationships, participants who met their partners through dating apps reported levels of satisfaction, commitment, and passion comparable to those who met in person.
“The results of this study show that there were no statistical differences in relationship satisfaction based on how people formed a relationship. Those who met their current (and former) romantic partner face-to-face experienced similar levels of satisfaction compared to those who met their partner on a dating application,” Langlais told PsyPost.
The researchers theorized that this parity might be due to declining stigmas around online dating and the increasing normalization of dating apps as a tool for finding partners. “During the process of revising this article, the negative stigma around dating applications seems to have diminished, and the results of this study contribute to why people are less likely to see dating applications as taboo or embarrassing,” Langlais said.
The study challenges the notion that relationships formed online are inherently less authentic or fulfilling than those initiated in person. However, there are some limitations.
“The sample for this study was college students from a single university, so we can’t generalize these results to other populations,” Langlais said. “More studies are needed to replicate this research with other demographic groups.”
Langlais and his colleagues are continuing to explore the role of dating applications in relationships. “I am currently collaborating with two other graduate students to learn more about dating applications. I am working with Ms. Hannah Grace Lee, a graduate student in Public Health at Duke University, to examine how using dating applications impacts individuals’ physiological health, such as heart rate and blood pressure.”
“I am also working with Ms. Celia Lee, a doctoral student in Human Development and Family Science at the University of Minnesota, to study how motivations for using dating applications influence whether they are perceived as helpful in forming romantic relationships,” Langlais added.
The study, “(https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/13/10/541) Dating Applications versus Meeting Face-to-Face: What Is Better for Romantic Relationship Quality?“, was authored by Mickey Langlais, Lyra Toohey, and Arielle Podberesky.

Forwarded by:
Michael Reeder LCPC
Baltimore, MD

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