Loneliness and Travel: The Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Mental Health and Touristic Travel Pattern

This two-part study had two aims: a) to define psychological markers for the future development of depression symptoms following the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 outbreak; b) to examine the impact of the COVID-19 mobility restrictions and vaccinations on people’s behavioral intentions to travel and their actual travel patterns. This study was conducted at four-time points, during and after general lockdowns in Israel, enabling examination of immediate as well as short-term influences of the lockdown on subjective well-being and travel intentions.

We found that subjective loneliness, rather than objective isolation, was a strong predictor for symptoms of depression five weeks after the first lockdown when controlling for depression levels during the lockdown. Younger age and health stress also predicted higher non-clinical levels of depression and emotional distress. Regarding touristic travel patterns, attitudes towards tourism were significant predictors of domestic and international travel intentions and actual domestic travel. Of the psychosocial factors examined (including intolerance of uncertainty, economic stress, and health risk factors) only depression levels were negatively correlated with domestic tourism.

Considering the global rise in mental health problems due to the COVID-19 outbreak, our results shed light on some of the predictive factors that contribute to the development of depression symptoms. At a global level, focusing on psychological factors rather than only objective measures is important for the efforts of identifying individuals at risk of developing depression, and for promoting new prevention strategies.

Can we train our pain?

My study comprehensively compares two training methods for pain reduction, aiming to change either attention to pain or perceptions about pain. I investigate the mechanisms underlying pain sensitivity reduction induced by these trainings, by employing multidimensional assessment including emotional, cognitive, and physiological measures. I will also use machine learning methods to evaluate whether individual characteristics can predict the beneficiaries of one specific training.

Learn More: https://dsrc.haifa.ac.il/index.php/component/content/article/101-research-blog/307-let-it-hurt-can-we-train-our-pain?Itemid=437

Exploring the Efficacy of Pain Acceptance Training in Addressing Somatic Symptoms in Mental Health

Somatic symptoms, such as physical pain, are very common among individuals struggling with mental health difficulties. Yet, current treatments often fall short in addressing these symptoms, partly because patients may struggle to recognize and express their emotional experiences. Our study introduces a novel intervention called Pain Acceptance Training, which draws on principles of dialectical thinking. Specifically, it encourages individuals to hold a dual perspective: acknowledging both the desire to end the pain and the ability to accept it as it is. This project aims to examine (1) the efficacy of pain acceptance training to alleviate somatic pain in patients suffering from somatic symptoms; (2) the role of dialectical thinking as a mediator of pain acceptance training efficacy. Our intervention consists of two assessment sessions. In the first session, participants undergo a comprehensive baseline assessment that includes self-report questionnaires, computerized task and short pain evaluation. Then, participants are introduced to the pain acceptance strategy and learn how to apply it to deal with their pain and somatic symptoms. Over the next two weeks, participants practice the strategy in their daily lives, and two weeks later, return for a final assessment session.