@article{AustinGroppeElsner2014, author = {Austin, Gina and Groppe, Karoline and Elsner, Birgit}, title = {The reciprocal relationship between executive function and theory of mind in middle childhood: a 1-year longitudinal perspective}, series = {Frontiers in psychology}, volume = {5}, journal = {Frontiers in psychology}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1664-1078}, doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00655}, pages = {11}, year = {2014}, abstract = {There is robust evidence showing a link between executive function (EF) and theory of mind (ToM) in 3-to 5-year-olds. However, it is unclear whether this relationship extends to middle childhood. In addition, there has been much discussion about the nature of this relationship. Whereas some authors claim that ToM is needed for EF, others argue that ToM requires EF. To date, however, studies examining the longitudinal relationship between distinct sub components of EF [i.e., attention shifting, working memory (WM) updating, inhibition] and ToM in middle childhood are rare. The present study examined (1) the relationship between three EF subcomponents (attention shifting, WM updating, inhibition) and ToM in middle childhood, and (2) the longitudinal reciprocal relationships between the EF subcomponents and ToM across a 1-year period. EF and ToM measures were assessed experimentally in a sample of 1,657 children (aged 6-11 years) at time point one (t1) and 1 year later at time point two (t2). Results showed that the concurrent relationships between all three EF subcomponents and ToM pertained in middle childhood at t1 and t2, respectively, even when age, gender, and fluid intelligence were partialle dout. Moreover, cross-lagged structural equation modeling (again, controlling for age, gender, and fluid intelligence, as well as for the earlier levels of the target variables), revealed partial support for the view that early ToM predictslater EF, but stronger evidence for the assumption that early EF predictslater ToM. The latter was found for attention shifting and WM updating, but not for inhibition. This reveals the importance of studying the exact interplay of ToM and EF across childhood development, especially with regard to different EF subcomponents. Most likely, understanding others' mental states at different levels of perspective-taking requires specific EF subcomponents, suggesting developmental change in the relations between EF and ToM across childhood.}, language = {en} } @article{Risse2014, author = {Risse, Sarah}, title = {Effects of visual span on reading speed and parafoveal processing in eye movements during sentence reading}, series = {Journal of vision}, volume = {14}, journal = {Journal of vision}, number = {8}, publisher = {Association for Research in Vision and Opthalmology}, address = {Rockville}, issn = {1534-7362}, doi = {10.1167/14.8.11}, pages = {13}, year = {2014}, language = {en} } @article{GroppeElsner2014, author = {Groppe, Karoline and Elsner, Birgit}, title = {Executive function and food approach behavior in middle childhood}, series = {Frontiers in psychology}, volume = {5}, journal = {Frontiers in psychology}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1664-1078}, doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00447}, pages = {12}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Executive function (EF) has long been considered to be a unitary, domain-general cognitive ability. However, recent research suggests differentiating "hot" affective and "cool" cognitive aspects of EF. Yet, findings regarding this two-factor construct are still inconsistent. In particular, the development of this factor structure remains unclear and data on school-aged children is lacking. Furthermore, studies linking EF and overweight or obesity suggest that EF contributes to the regulation of eating behavior. So far, however, the links between EF and eating behavior have rarely been investigated in children and non-clinical populations. First, we examined whether EF can be divided into hot and cool factors or whether they actually correspond to a unitary construct in middle childhood. Second, we examined how hot and cool EF are associated with different eating styles that put children at risk of becoming overweight during development. Hot and cool EF were assessed experimentally in a non-clinical population of 1657 elementary-school children (aged 6-11 years). The "food approach" behavior was rated mainly via parent questionnaires. Findings indicate that hot EF is distinguishable from cool EF. However, only cool EF seems to represent a coherent functional entity, whereas hot EF does not seem to be a homogenous construct. This was true for a younger and an older subgroup of children. Furthermore, different EF components were correlated with eating styles, such as responsiveness to food, desire to drink, and restrained eating in girls but not in boys. This shows that lower levels of EF are not only seen in clinical populations of obese patients but are already associated with food approach styles in a normal population of elementary school-aged girls. Although the direction of effect still has to be clarified, results point to the possibility that EF constitutes a risk factor for eating styles contributing to the development of overweight in the long-term.}, language = {en} } @article{WarschburgerCalvanoBeckeretal.2014, author = {Warschburger, Petra and Calvano, Claudia and Becker, Sebastian and Friedt, Michael and Hudert, Christian and Posovszky, Carsten and Schier, Maike and Wegscheider, Karl}, title = {Stop the pain: study protocol for a randomized-controlled trial}, series = {Trials}, volume = {15}, journal = {Trials}, publisher = {BioMed Central}, address = {London}, issn = {1745-6215}, doi = {10.1186/1745-6215-15-357}, pages = {11}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Background: Functional abdominal pain (FAP) is not only a highly prevalent disease but also poses a considerable burden on children and their families. Untreated, FAP is highly persistent until adulthood, also leading to an increased risk of psychiatric disorders. Intervention studies underscore the efficacy of cognitive behavioral treatment approaches but are limited in terms of sample size, long-term follow-up data, controls and inclusion of psychosocial outcome data. Methods/Design: In a multicenter randomized controlled trial, 112 children aged 7 to 12 years who fulfill the Rome III criteria for FAP will be allocated to an established cognitive behavioral training program for children with FAP (n = 56) or to an active control group (focusing on age-appropriate information delivery; n = 56). Randomization occurs centrally, blockwise and is stratified by center. This study is performed in five pediatric gastroenterology outpatient departments. Observer-blind assessments of outcome variables take place four times: pre-, post-, 3- and 12-months post-treatment. Primary outcome is the course of pain intensity and frequency. Secondary endpoints are health-related quality of life, pain-related coping and cognitions, as well as selfefficacy. Discussion: This confirmatory randomized controlled clinical trial evaluates the efficacy of a cognitive behavioral intervention for children with FAP. By applying an active control group, time and attention processes can be controlled, and long-term follow-up data over the course of one year can be explored.}, language = {en} } @article{LaubrockKinder2014, author = {Laubrock, Jochen and Kinder, Annette}, title = {Incidental sequence learning in a motion coherence discrimination task: how response learning affects perception}, series = {Journal of experimental psychology : Human perception and performance}, volume = {40}, journal = {Journal of experimental psychology : Human perception and performance}, number = {5}, publisher = {American Psychological Association}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0096-1523}, doi = {10.1037/a0037315}, pages = {1963 -- 1977}, year = {2014}, abstract = {The serial reaction time task (SRTT) is a standard task used to investigate incidental sequence learning. Whereas incidental learning of motor sequences is well-established, few and disputed results support learning of perceptual sequences. Here we adapt a motion coherence discrimination task (Newsome \& Pare, 1988) to the sequence learning paradigm. The new task has 2 advantages: (a) the stimulus is presented at fixation, thereby obviating overt eye movements, and (b) by varying coherence a perceptual threshold measure is available in addition to the performance measure of RT. Results from 3 experiments show that action relevance of the sequence is necessary for sequence learning to occur, that the amount of sequence knowledge varies with the ease of encoding the motor sequence, and that sequence knowledge, once acquired, has the ability to modify perceptual thresholds.}, language = {en} } @article{MeckelmannDannenhauer2014, author = {Meckelmann, Viola and Dannenhauer, Nina Alice}, title = {Developmental Tasks for Contemporary Adolescents Significance and Coping}, series = {Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Soziologie der Erziehung und Sozialisation}, volume = {34}, journal = {Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Soziologie der Erziehung und Sozialisation}, number = {2}, publisher = {Juventa-Verl.}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1436-1957}, pages = {182 -- 197}, year = {2014}, language = {de} } @article{HenschelSchaffner2014, author = {Henschel, Sofie and Schaffner, Ellen}, title = {Differential relationships between components of reading motivation and comprehension of literary and expository texts}, series = {Psychologie in Erziehung und Unterricht : Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Forschung und Praxis}, volume = {61}, journal = {Psychologie in Erziehung und Unterricht : Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Forschung und Praxis}, number = {2}, publisher = {Reinhardt}, address = {M{\"u}nchen}, issn = {0342-183X}, doi = {10.2378/peu2014.art10d}, pages = {112 -- 126}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Studies on habitual reading motivation (RM) indicate positive relations between intrinsic RM and text comprehension. Extrinsic RM in contrast is not or negatively correlated with text comprehension. However, it is unknown on which sub-dimensions - in particular of intrinsic RM these relationships are based and whether they apply to the understanding of literary and expository texts equally. Therefore, we examined in a sample of 1500 9th graders whether there are differential relationships between single subdimensions of intrinsic RM (object- vs. experience-related) and extrinsic RM (competition- vs. achievement-related) and comprehension of literary and expository texts. Results indicate that both dimensions of extrinsic RM are negatively (competition-related RM) or not significantly (achievement-related RM) associated with comprehension of literary and expository texts. While object-related RM has equally strong positive effects on both types of text comprehension, experience-related RM is exclusively associated with literary, but not with expository text comprehension.}, language = {de} } @article{Muschalla2014, author = {Muschalla, Beate}, title = {Capacity-oriented behavior therapy in mental disorders}, series = {Verhaltenstherapie}, volume = {24}, journal = {Verhaltenstherapie}, number = {1}, publisher = {Karger}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1016-6262}, doi = {10.1159/000358737}, pages = {48 -- 55}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Capacity-Oriented Behavior Therapy in Mental Disorders Mental disorders come along with the impairment of activities and capacities of daily live. Behavior therapy often uses capacity trainings for improving compensatory behavior, beside symptom reduction as such. This article gives an overview on how behavior therapy techniques can be used to improve compensatory behavior in different capacity domains that were conceptually derived from the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and which are often impaired in mental disorders.}, language = {de} } @article{PaslakisBuchmannWestphaletal.2014, author = {Paslakis, Georgios and Buchmann, Arlette F. and Westphal, Sabine and Banaschewski, Tobias and Hohm, Erika and Zimmermann, Ulrich S. and Laucht, Manfred and Deuschle, Michael}, title = {Intrauterine exposure to cigarette smoke is associated with increased ghrelin concentrations in adulthood}, series = {Neuroendocrinology : international journal for basic and clinical studies on neuroendocrine relationships}, volume = {99}, journal = {Neuroendocrinology : international journal for basic and clinical studies on neuroendocrine relationships}, number = {2}, publisher = {Karger}, address = {Basel}, issn = {0028-3835}, doi = {10.1159/000363325}, pages = {123 -- 129}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Background: The appetite-stimulating hormone ghrelin is a fundamental regulator of human energy metabolism. A series of studies support the notion that long-term appetite and weight regulation may be already programmed in early life and it could be demonstrated that the intrauterine environment affects the ghrelin system of the offspring. Animal studies have also shown that intrauterine programming of orexigenic systems persists even until adolescence/adulthood. Methods: We hypothesized that plasma ghrelin concentrations in adulthood may be associated with the intrauterine exposure to cigarette smoke. We examined this hypothesis in a sample of 19-year-olds followed up since birth in the framework of the Mannheim Study of Children at Risk, an ongoing epidemiological cohort study of the long-term outcome of early risk factors. Results: As a main finding, we found that ghrelin plasma concentrations in young adults who had been exposed to cigarette smoke in utero were significantly higher than in those without prenatal smoke exposure. Moreover, individuals with intrauterine nicotine exposure showed a significantly higher prevalence of own smoking habits and lower educational status compared to those in the group without exposure. Conclusion: Smoking during pregnancy may be considered as an adverse intrauterine influence that may alter the endocrine-metabolic status of the offspring even until early adulthood.}, language = {en} } @article{FischerShaki2014, author = {Fischer, Martin H. and Shaki, Samuel}, title = {Spatial associations in numerical cognition-From single digits to arithmetic}, series = {The quarterly journal of experimental psychology}, volume = {67}, journal = {The quarterly journal of experimental psychology}, number = {8}, publisher = {Routledge, Taylor \& Francis Group}, address = {Abingdon}, issn = {1747-0218}, doi = {10.1080/17470218.2014.927515}, pages = {1461 -- 1483}, year = {2014}, abstract = {The literature on spatial associations during number processing is dominated by the SNARC (spatial-numerical association of response codes) effect. We describe spatial biases found for single digits and pairs of numbers, first in the "original" speeded parity task and then extending the scope to encompass different tasks, a range of measures, and various populations. Then we review theoretical accounts before surveying the emerging evidence for similar spatial associations during mental arithmetic. We conclude that the mental number line hypothesis and an embodied approach are useful frameworks for further studies.}, language = {en} } @article{PinhasShakiFischer2014, author = {Pinhas, Michal and Shaki, Samuel and Fischer, Martin H.}, title = {Heed the signs: Operation signs have spatial associations}, series = {The quarterly journal of experimental psychology}, volume = {67}, journal = {The quarterly journal of experimental psychology}, number = {8}, publisher = {Routledge, Taylor \& Francis Group}, address = {Abingdon}, issn = {1747-0218}, doi = {10.1080/17470218.2014.892516}, pages = {1527 -- 1540}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Mental arithmetic shows systematic spatial biases. The association between numbers and space is well documented, but it is unknown whether arithmetic operation signs also have spatial associations and whether or not they contribute to spatial biases found in arithmetic. Adult participants classified plus and minus signs with left and right button presses under two counterbalanced response rules. Results from two experiments showed that spatially congruent responses (i.e., right-side responses for the plus sign and left-side responses for the minus sign) were responded to faster than spatially incongruent ones (i.e., left-side responses for the plus sign and right-side responses for the minus sign). We also report correlations between this novel operation sign spatial association (OSSA) effect and other spatial biases in number processing. In a control experiment with no explicit processing requirements for the operation signs there were no sign-related spatial biases. Overall, the results suggest that (a) arithmetic operation signs can evoke spatial associations (OSSA), (b) experience with arithmetic operations probably underlies the OSSA, and (c) the OSSA only partially contributes to spatial biases in arithmetic.}, language = {en} } @article{WiemersBekkeringLindemann2014, author = {Wiemers, Michael and Bekkering, Harold and Lindemann, Oliver}, title = {Spatial interferences in mental arithmetic: Evidence from the motion-arithmetic compatibility effect}, series = {The quarterly journal of experimental psychology}, volume = {67}, journal = {The quarterly journal of experimental psychology}, number = {8}, publisher = {Routledge, Taylor \& Francis Group}, address = {Abingdon}, issn = {1747-0218}, doi = {10.1080/17470218.2014.889180}, pages = {1557 -- 1570}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Recent research on spatial number representations suggests that the number space is not necessarily horizontally organized and might also be affected by acquired associations between magnitude and sensory experiences in vertical space. Evidence for this claim is, however, controversial. The present study now aims to compare vertical and horizontal spatial associations in mental arithmetic. In Experiment 1, participants solved addition and subtraction problems and indicated the result verbally while moving their outstretched right arm continuously left-, right-, up-, or downwards. The analysis of the problem-solving performances revealed a motion-arithmetic compatibility effect for spatial actions along both the horizontal and the vertical axes. Performances in additions was impaired while making downward compared to upward movements as well as when moving left compared to right and vice versa in subtractions. In Experiment 2, instead of being instructed to perform active body movements, participants calculated while the problems moved in one of the four relative directions on the screen. For visual motions, only the motion-arithmetic compatibility effect for the vertical dimension could be replicated. Taken together, our findings provide first evidence for an impact of spatial processing on mental arithmetic. Moreover, the stronger effect of the vertical dimension supports the idea that mental calculations operate on representations of numerical magnitude that are grounded in a vertically organized mental number space.}, language = {en} } @article{ClahsenFleischhauer2014, author = {Clahsen, Harald and Fleischhauer, Elisabeth}, title = {Morphological priming in child German}, series = {Journal of child language}, volume = {41}, journal = {Journal of child language}, number = {6}, publisher = {Cambridge Univ. Press}, address = {New York}, issn = {0305-0009}, doi = {10.1017/S0305000913000494}, pages = {1305 -- 1333}, year = {2014}, language = {en} } @article{WangZhouShuetal.2014, author = {Wang, Aiping and Zhou, Wei and Shu, Hua and Yan, Ming}, title = {Reading proficiency modulates parafoveal processing efficiency: Evidence from reading Chinese as a second language}, series = {Acta psychologica : international journal of psychonomics}, volume = {152}, journal = {Acta psychologica : international journal of psychonomics}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0001-6918}, doi = {10.1016/j.actpsy.2014.07.010}, pages = {29 -- 33}, year = {2014}, abstract = {In the present study, we manipulated different types of information available in the parafovea during the reading of Chinese sentences and examined how native Korean readers who learned Chinese as a second language make use of the parafoveal information. Results clearly indicate that, only identical and orthographically similar previews facilitated processing of the target words when they were subsequently fixated. More critically, more parafoveal information was obtained by subjects with higher reading proficiency. These results suggest that, mainly low-level features of the parafoveal words are obtained by the non-native Chinese readers and less attentional resources are available for the readers with lower reading proficiency, thereby causing a reduction of the perceptual span.}, language = {en} } @article{Muschalla2014, author = {Muschalla, Beate}, title = {Work-related anxieties in research and practice}, series = {Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Arbeits- und Organisationspsychologie : german journal of work and organizational psychology}, volume = {58}, journal = {Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Arbeits- und Organisationspsychologie : german journal of work and organizational psychology}, number = {4}, publisher = {Hogrefe}, address = {G{\"o}ttingen}, issn = {0932-4089}, doi = {10.1026/0932-4089/a000166}, pages = {206 -- 214}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Workplaces contain by their very nature different anxiety-provoking characteristics. When workplace-related anxieties manifest, absenteeism, long-term-sick leave, and even disability pension can be the consequences. In medical-vocational rehabilitation about 30-60 \% of the patients suffer from workplace-related anxieties that are often a barrier for return to work. Even in mentally healthy employees, 5 \% said that they were prone to ask for a sick leave certificate due to workplace-related anxieties. Future research should focus on workplace-related anxieties not only in rehabilitation, but more earlier, i. e. in the workplace. The concept of workplace-related anxieties offers ideas which can be useful in mental-health-oriented work analysis, employee-workplace-fit, and job design.}, language = {de} } @article{BrandHeckZiegler2014, author = {Brand, Ralf and Heck, Philipp and Ziegler, Matthias}, title = {Illegal performance enhancing drugs and doping in sport: a picture-based}, series = {Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy}, volume = {9}, journal = {Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy}, publisher = {BioMed Central}, address = {London}, issn = {1747-597X}, doi = {10.1186/1747-597X-9-7}, pages = {11}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Method: Following a known-group differences validation strategy, the doping attitudes of 43 athletes from bodybuilding (representative for a highly doping prone sport) and handball (as a contrast group) were compared using the picture-based doping-BIAT. The Performance Enhancement Attitude Scale (PEAS) was employed as a corresponding direct measure in order to additionally validate the results. Results: As expected, in the group of bodybuilders, indirectly measured doping attitudes as tested with the picture-based doping-BIAT were significantly less negative (eta(2) = .11). The doping-BIAT and PEAS scores correlated significantly at r = .50 for bodybuilders, and not significantly at r = .36 for handball players. There was a low error rate (7\%) and a satisfactory internal consistency (r(dagger dagger) = .66) for the picture-based doping-BIAT. Conclusions: The picture-based doping-BIAT constitutes a psychometrically tested method, ready to be adopted by the international research community. The test can be administered via the internet. All test material is available "open source". The test might be implemented, for example, as a new effect-measure in the evaluation of prevention programs.}, language = {en} } @article{FischerHartmann2014, author = {Fischer, Martin H. and Hartmann, Matthias}, title = {Pushing forward in embodied cognition: may we mouse the mathematical mind?}, series = {Frontiers in psychology}, volume = {5}, journal = {Frontiers in psychology}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1664-1078}, doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01315}, pages = {4}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Freely available software has popularized "mousetracking" to study cognitive processing; this involves the on-line recording of cursor positions while participants move a computer mouse to indicate their choice. Movement trajectories of the cursor can then be reconstructed off-line to assess the efficiency of responding in time and across space. Here we focus on the process of selecting among alternative numerical responses. Several studies have recently measured the mathematical mind with cursor movements while people decided about number magnitude or parity, computed sums or differences, or simply located numbers on a number line. After some general methodological considerations about mouse tracking we discuss several conceptual concerns that become particularly evident when "mousing" the mathematical mind.}, language = {en} } @article{NikitopoulosZohselBlomeyeretal.2014, author = {Nikitopoulos, Joerg and Zohsel, Katrin and Blomeyer, Dorothea and Buchmann, Arlette F. and Schmid, Brigitte and Jennen-Steinmetz, Christine and Becker, Katja and Schmidt, Martin H. and Esser, G{\"u}nter and Brandeis, Daniel and Banaschewski, Tobias and Laucht, Manfred}, title = {Are infants differentially sensitive to parenting? Early maternal care, DRD4 genotype and externalizing behavior during adolescence}, series = {Journal of psychiatric research}, volume = {59}, journal = {Journal of psychiatric research}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0022-3956}, doi = {10.1016/j.jpsychires.2014.08.012}, pages = {53 -- 59}, year = {2014}, language = {en} } @article{HolzBoeckerSchlierBaumeisteretal.2014, author = {Holz, Nathalie E. and Boecker-Schlier, Regina and Baumeister, Sarah and Hohm, Erika and Zohsel, Katrin and Buchmann, Arlette F. and Blomeyer, Dorothea and Jennen-Steinmetz, Christine and Hohmann, Sarah and Wolf, Isabella and Plichta, Michael M. and Meyer-Lindenberg, Andreas and Banaschewski, Tobias and Brandeis, Daniel and Laucht, Manfred}, title = {Effect of prenatal exposure to tobacco smoke on inhibitory control neuroimaging results from a 25-Year prospective study}, series = {JAMA psychiatry}, volume = {71}, journal = {JAMA psychiatry}, number = {7}, publisher = {American Veterinary Medical Association}, address = {Chicago}, issn = {2168-622X}, doi = {10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.786}, pages = {786 -- 796}, year = {2014}, abstract = {IMPORTANCE: There is accumulating evidence relating maternal smoking during pregnancy to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) without elucidating specific mechanisms. Research investigating the neurobiological underpinnings of this disorder has implicated deficits during response inhibition. Attempts to uncover the effect of prenatal exposure to nicotine on inhibitory control may thus be of high clinical importance. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Functional magnetic resonance imaging response, morphometric data, lifetime ADHD symptoms, and novelty seeking. RESULTS: Participants prenatally exposed to nicotine exhibited a weaker response in the anterior cingulate cortex (t(168) = 4.46; peak Montreal Neurological Institute [MNI] coordinates x = -2, y = 20, z = 30; familywise error [FWE]-corrected P = .003), the right inferior frontal gyrus (t(168) = 3.65; peak MNI coordinates x = 44, y = 38, z = 12; FWE-corrected P = .04), the left inferior frontal gyrus (t(168) = 4.09; peak MNI coordinates x = -38, y = 36, z = 8; FWE-corrected P = .009), and the supramarginal gyrus (t(168) = 5.03; peak MNI coordinates x = 64, y = -28, z = 22; FWE-corrected P = .02) during the processing of the NoGo compared to neutral stimuli, while presenting a decreased volume in the right inferior frontal gyrus. These findings were obtained irrespective of the adjustment of confounders, ADHD symptoms, and novelty seeking. There was an inverse relationship between inferior frontal gyrus activity and ADHD symptoms and between anterior cingulate cortex activity and novelty seeking. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: These findings point to a functional involvement of prenatal exposure to tobacco smoke in neural alterations similar to ADHD, which underlines the importance of smoking prevention treatments.}, language = {en} } @article{MuschallaLinden2014, author = {Muschalla, Beate and Linden, Michael}, title = {Workplace phobia, workplace problems, and work ability among primary care patients with chronic mental disorders}, series = {Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine}, volume = {27}, journal = {Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine}, number = {4}, publisher = {American Board of Family Medicine}, address = {Lexington}, issn = {1557-2625}, doi = {10.3122/jabfm.2014.04.130308}, pages = {486 -- 494}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Purpose: Work-related anxieties are frequent and have a negative effect on the occupational performance of patients and absence due to sickness. Most important is workplace phobia, that is, panic when approaching or even thinking of the workplace. This study is the first to estimate the prevalence of workplace phobia among primary care patients suffering from chronic mental disorders and to describe which illness-related or workplace-specific context factors are associated with workplace phobia. Methods: A convenience sample of 288 primary care patients with chronic mental disorders (70\% women) seen by 40 primary care clinicians in Germany were assessed using a standardized diagnostic interview about mental disorders and workplace problems. Workplace phobia was assessed by the Workplace Phobia Scale and a structured Diagnostic and Statical Manual of Mental Disorders-based diagnostic interview. In addition, capacity and participation restrictions, illness severity, and sick leave were assessed. Results: Workplace phobia was found in 10\% of patients with chronic mental disorders, that is, approximately about 3\% of all general practice patients. Patients with workplace phobia had longer durations of sick leave than patients without workplace phobia and were impaired to a higher degree in work-relevant capacities. They also had a higher degree of restrictions in participation in other areas of life. Conclusions: Workplace phobia seems to be a frequent problem in primary care. It may behoove primary care clinicians to consider workplace-related anxiety, including phobia, particularly when patients ask for a work excuse for nonspecific somatic complaints.}, language = {en} }