This study tested the hypothesis that people scoring highly on hypocondriasis (measured by the Illness Attitude Scale; Kellner, 1986), perceive it most intensely (measured by the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire; Moss-Morris et al., 2002) when they receive a self-focused attention manipulation. One hundred and seventy students either received a treatment increasing their self-focused attention, or a neutral treatment. After that, they were exposed to a health-message about influenza. It was found that the hypothesis was not supported. Unexpectedly, self-focused people scoring high on hypocondriasis perceived the hypothetical influenza illness less intensively on some dimensions, whilst low scorers perceived symptoms more intensively under high self-focus. It is suggested that self-focused attention might activate a defence mechanism in people scoring high on hypocondriasis, where symptoms are perceived less intensely. In conclusion, this research should be replicated in order to verify the unexpected findings.
Contents
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
METHOD
DESIGN
PARTICIPANTS
MATERIALS
PROCEDURE
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES
Research Objectives and Themes
This study investigates the relationship between hypochondriac symptomatology, self-focused attention, and the perception of hypothetical illness symptoms. The primary research goal is to determine if self-focused attention acts as a moderator that influences how individuals with varying degrees of hypochondriasis interpret health-related information and symptoms.
- Impact of self-focused attention on hypochondriac responses
- Role of sub-clinical hypochondriasis in non-clinical populations
- Use of hypothetical symptoms to measure interpretative biases
- Application of the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R)
- Evaluation of cognitive-behavioral models of health anxiety
Excerpt from the Book
Hypocondriasis and Attention
Two explanatory models of hypochondriasis exist in the literature. One of them is Salkovskis’s & Warwick’s (1986, 1989, 1990) ‘Cognitive-Behavioural Model’ (cited in Salkovskis & Warwick, 2001; Owens, Asmundson, Hadjistavropoulos & Owens, 2004). The model postulates that individuals high in hypochondriasis attend to disease-related information in a biased manner, because of their selective attention. This results in increased concentration on information that gives the impression of having an illness and decreased perception of evidence indicating good health; the model was verified by Owens et al. (2004). This cognitive perspective underpins that hypochondriasis has got an attentional problem, inherent in the idea of the ‘attentional bias’. Furthermore, the Cognitive-Behavioural Model also talks about the ‘interpretive bias’. This means that hypochondriacs will attend to illness-related information in a biased style (Hadjistavropoulos, Craig & Hadjistavropoulos, 1998). That is to say, hypochondriacs selectively attend to information that seems to confirm the belief of having an illness and to neglect opposed information (Owens et al., 2004). Therefore, the Cognitive-Behavioural Model underpins that hypochondriasis has got an attentional problem.
The other relevant model in this context is Barsky’s & colleagues’ (1979, 1991) concept of ‘Somatosensory Amplification’ (cited in McClure & Lilienfeld, 2001; Stewart & Watt, 2001; Bleichhardt & Hiller, 2005; van den Heuvel et al., 2005). By this, one understands a perception style, which is specific for hypochondriasis. Concerned people tend to observe bodily sensations and interpret those in a catastrophic way (Rief, Hiller & Margraf, 1998). While attending more intensely to the perceived bodily symptoms, it is assumed that catastrophic interpretations of paresthesia symptoms are stabilised as signs of a severe illness in a vicious circle.
Summary of Chapters
INTRODUCTION: Provides a theoretical foundation by defining hypochondriasis, discussing its epidemiology, and outlining key psychological models regarding attention and health anxiety.
METHOD: Details the experimental design, participant recruitment process, and the specific instruments used, including the Illness Attitude Scale and the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire.
RESULTS: Presents the statistical findings of the study, including descriptive statistics, correlations, and hierarchical regression analyses regarding the experimental conditions.
DISCUSSION: Interprets the unexpected findings, suggesting that self-focused attention may trigger defense mechanisms in high-scoring individuals, and outlines implications for future research.
Keywords
hypochondriasis, self-focused attention, health anxiety, symptom perception, IPQ-R, cognitive-behavioral model, somatosensory amplification, interpretative bias, illness representation, sub-clinical hypochondriasis, psychological defense mechanisms, influenza, hierarchical regression, attentional bias, experimental psychology
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The study examines the influence of self-focused attention on how individuals with varying levels of hypochondriacal tendencies interpret hypothetical symptoms of influenza.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The main themes include the theoretical conceptualization of hypochondriasis, the role of attentional bias in symptom interpretation, and the use of hypothetical illness scenarios in psychological research.
What is the main hypothesis of the study?
The researchers hypothesized that self-focused attention would increase the perceived intensity of hypochondriac symptomatology, particularly in individuals who already score highly on such scales.
Which methodology was employed?
The study utilized a two-independent-groups experimental design, incorporating a self-focused attention manipulation, the Illness Attitude Scale (IAS), and the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R).
What is covered in the main section of the paper?
The main sections cover the background of hypochondriasis and attention, the study rationale and hypotheses, the experimental method, statistical results, and a comprehensive discussion of findings.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include hypochondriasis, self-focused attention, interpretative bias, somatosensory amplification, and illness representation.
Why did the study use hypothetical symptoms instead of actual ones?
Using hypothetical symptoms allowed the researchers to avoid confounding factors associated with individuals currently experiencing varying degrees of physical illness, ensuring a more controlled experimental environment.
What was an unexpected conclusion of the research?
Contrary to the initial hypothesis, the results suggest that for high-hypochondriasis scorers, self-focused attention might actually trigger a defense mechanism, leading them to report lower perceptions of the imagined illness.
- Quote paper
- Dipl.-Psych. (Univ.) - B.Sc. (F.C. Hon.) in Psych. Sebastian A. Wagner (Author), 2008, Self-focused attention and the relationship between hypochondriac symptomatology and the perception of hypothetical symptoms of influenza, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/170764
