Are media warnings about the adverse health effects of modern life self-fulfilling? : An experimental study on idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF)

Publikationstyp:
Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Metadaten:
Autoren
  • Michael Witthöft
  • James G Rubin
Sammlungen
  • metadata
ISSN
0022-3999
Ausgabe der Veröffentlichung
3
Zeitschrift
Journal of psychosomatic research
Schlüsselwörter
  • 150 Psychologie
  • 150 Psychology
Sprache
eng
Paginierung
Seiten: 206 - 212
Datum der Veröffentlichung
2013
Herausgeber
Elsevier
Herausgeber URL
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2012.12.002
Datum der Datenerfassung
2020
Datum, an dem der Datensatz öffentlich gemacht wurde
2020
Zugang
Public
Titel
Are media warnings about the adverse health effects of modern life self-fulfilling? : An experimental study on idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF)
Ausgabe der Zeitschrift
74

Datenquelle: METADATA.UB

Andere Metadatenquellen:
Autoren
  • Michael Witthoeft
  • G James Rubin
Autoren-URL
https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=fis-test-1&SrcAuth=WosAPI&KeyUT=WOS:000315548600005&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=WOS_CPL
DOI
10.1016/j.jpsychores.2012.12.002
eISSN
1879-1360
Externe Identifier
  • Clarivate Analytics Document Solution ID: 098KQ
  • PubMed Identifier: 23438710
ISSN
0022-3999
Ausgabe der Veröffentlichung
3
Zeitschrift
JOURNAL OF PSYCHOSOMATIC RESEARCH
Schlüsselwörter
  • Electromagnetic hypersensitivity
  • Functional somatic syndromes
  • Idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF)
  • Media reports
  • Medically unexplained symptoms
  • Somatization
Paginierung
206 - 212
Datum der Veröffentlichung
2013
Status
Published
Titel
Are media warnings about the adverse health effects of modern life self-fulfilling? An experimental study on idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF)
Sub types
  • Article
Ausgabe der Zeitschrift
74

Datenquelle: Web of Science (Lite)

Autoren
  • Michael Witthöft
  • G James Rubin
DOI
10.1016/j.jpsychores.2012.12.002
ISSN
0022-3999
Ausgabe der Veröffentlichung
3
Zeitschrift
Journal of Psychosomatic Research
Sprache
en
Paginierung
206 - 212
Datum der Veröffentlichung
2013
Status
Published
Herausgeber
Elsevier BV
Herausgeber URL
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2012.12.002
Datum der Datenerfassung
2024
Titel
Are media warnings about the adverse health effects of modern life self-fulfilling? An experimental study on idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF)
Ausgabe der Zeitschrift
74

Datenquelle: Crossref

Abstract
<h4>Objective</h4>Medically unsubstantiated 'intolerances' to foods, chemicals and environmental toxins are common and are frequently discussed in the media. Idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF) is one such condition and is characterized by symptoms that are attributed to exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF). In this experiment, we tested whether media reports promote the development of this condition.<h4>Methods</h4>Participants (N=147) were randomly assigned to watch a television report about the adverse health effects of WiFi (n=76) or a control film (n=71). After watching their film, participants received a sham exposure to a WiFi signal (15 min). The principal outcome measure was symptom reports following the sham exposure. Secondary outcomes included worries about the health effects of EMF, attributing symptoms to the sham exposure and increases in perceived sensitivity to EMF.<h4>Results</h4>82 (54%) of the 147 participants reported symptoms which they attributed to the sham exposure. The experimental film increased: EMF related worries (β=0.19; P=.019); post sham exposure symptoms among participants with high pre-existing anxiety (β=0.22; P=.008); the likelihood of symptoms being attributed to the sham exposure among people with high anxiety (β=.31; P=.001); and the likelihood of people who attributed their symptoms to the sham exposure believing themselves to be sensitive to EMF (β=0.16; P=.049).<h4>Conclusion</h4>Media reports about the adverse effects of supposedly hazardous substances can increase the likelihood of experiencing symptoms following sham exposure and developing an apparent sensitivity to it. Greater engagement between journalists and scientists is required to counter these negative effects.
Addresses
  • King's College London, Department of Psychological Medicine, Weston Education Centre, United Kingdom. witthoef@uni-mainz.de
Autoren
  • Michael Witthöft
  • G James Rubin
DOI
10.1016/j.jpsychores.2012.12.002
eISSN
1879-1360
Externe Identifier
  • PubMed Identifier: 23438710
Open access
false
ISSN
0022-3999
Ausgabe der Veröffentlichung
3
Zeitschrift
Journal of psychosomatic research
Schlüsselwörter
  • Humans
  • Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
  • Somatoform Disorders
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Environmental Exposure
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Television
  • Mass Media
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Male
  • Electromagnetic Phenomena
Sprache
eng
Medium
Print-Electronic
Online publication date
2012
Paginierung
206 - 212
Datum der Veröffentlichung
2013
Status
Published
Datum der Datenerfassung
2013
Titel
Are media warnings about the adverse health effects of modern life self-fulfilling? An experimental study on idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF).
Sub types
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Journal Article
Ausgabe der Zeitschrift
74

Datenquelle: Europe PubMed Central

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Medically unsubstantiated 'intolerances' to foods, chemicals and environmental toxins are common and are frequently discussed in the media. Idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF) is one such condition and is characterized by symptoms that are attributed to exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF). In this experiment, we tested whether media reports promote the development of this condition. METHODS: Participants (N=147) were randomly assigned to watch a television report about the adverse health effects of WiFi (n=76) or a control film (n=71). After watching their film, participants received a sham exposure to a WiFi signal (15 min). The principal outcome measure was symptom reports following the sham exposure. Secondary outcomes included worries about the health effects of EMF, attributing symptoms to the sham exposure and increases in perceived sensitivity to EMF. RESULTS: 82 (54%) of the 147 participants reported symptoms which they attributed to the sham exposure. The experimental film increased: EMF related worries (β=0.19; P=.019); post sham exposure symptoms among participants with high pre-existing anxiety (β=0.22; P=.008); the likelihood of symptoms being attributed to the sham exposure among people with high anxiety (β=.31; P=.001); and the likelihood of people who attributed their symptoms to the sham exposure believing themselves to be sensitive to EMF (β=0.16; P=.049). CONCLUSION: Media reports about the adverse effects of supposedly hazardous substances can increase the likelihood of experiencing symptoms following sham exposure and developing an apparent sensitivity to it. Greater engagement between journalists and scientists is required to counter these negative effects.
Date of acceptance
2012
Autoren
  • Michael Witthöft
  • G James Rubin
Autoren-URL
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23438710
DOI
10.1016/j.jpsychores.2012.12.002
eISSN
1879-1360
Ausgabe der Veröffentlichung
3
Zeitschrift
J Psychosom Res
Schlüsselwörter
  • Adult
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Electromagnetic Phenomena
  • Environmental Exposure
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Media
  • Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Somatoform Disorders
  • Television
Sprache
eng
Country
England
Paginierung
206 - 212
PII
S0022-3999(12)00335-2
Datum der Veröffentlichung
2013
Status
Published
Datum, an dem der Datensatz öffentlich gemacht wurde
2013
Titel
Are media warnings about the adverse health effects of modern life self-fulfilling? An experimental study on idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF).
Sub types
  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Ausgabe der Zeitschrift
74

Datenquelle: PubMed

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