RESUMEN
Measuring trichotillomania is essential for understanding and treating it effectively. Using the Situated Assessment Method (SAM2), we developed a psychometric instrument to assess hair pulling in situations where it occurs. In two studies, pullers evaluated their pulling in relevant situations, along with how much they experience factors that potentially influence it (e.g., external triggers, reduction in negative emotion, negative self-thoughts). Individual measures of pulling, averaged across situations, exhibited high test reliability, construct validity, and content validity. Large differences between situations in pulling were observed, along with large individual-situation interactions (with limited evidence distinguishing focused versus automatic pulling subtypes). In linear regressions for individual participants, factors that influence pulling tended to correlate with pulling as predicted, explaining a median 74%-83% of its variance. By identifying factors that predict pulling for each individual across situations, the SAM2 Trichotillomania Assessment Instrument (TAI) offers a rich understanding of an individual's pulling experience, potentially supporting individualized pulling interventions.
RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: As social media platforms become commonplace in daily life, online peer support groups have become an increasingly popular resource for people living with physical and mental health issues. Although the benefits of using online peer support groups have been well documented, there can be also be significant risks associated with groups hosted on social media platforms. People living with obsessive-compulsive related disorders may be particularly vulnerable to negative experiences in such groups. METHOD: Using a mixed-methods approach, the aim of the current study was to identify the predictors of negative experiences among people who used social media peer support groups for obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. RESULTS: Results indicated that barriers to treatment and quality of "offline" interpersonal support predicted users' negative experiences in social media peer support groups for obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. Thematic analysis suggested that the contributing factors towards participants' negative experiences included: (1) confronting content; (2) misinformation; (3) preoccupation with symptoms; (4) social comparison; and (5) hopelessness about recovery prospects. DISCUSSION: It was concluded that using social media peer support groups for obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, without adequate support structures in place, can pose users at the risk of negative experiences. Further research is necessary to gain a deeper understanding of how to enhance positive experiences and protect against the possible risks for users of unmoderated online peer support groups.