Boredom proneness: Its relationship to psychological- and physical-health symptoms

Abstract

The relationship between boredom proneness and health-symptom reporting was examined. Undergraduate students (N ϭ 200) completed the Boredom Proneness Scale and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist. A multiple analysis of covariance indicated that individuals with high boredomproneness total scores reported significantly higher ratings on all five subscales of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (Obsessive-Compulsive, Somatization, Anxiety, Interpersonal Sensitivity, and Depression). The results suggest that boredom proneness may be an important element to consider when assessing symptom reporting. Implications for determining the effects of boredom proneness on psychological-and physical-health symptoms, as well as the application in clinical settings, are discussed.

Characterizing the psychophysiological signature of boredom

“…It was recently suggested that the cumulative effects of boredom may be associated with cardiovascular disease and early death (Britton & Shipley, 2010). Undoubtedly, there are other variables that may have contributed to this finding, including associations between boredom proneness and potentially harmful characteristics such as sensation-seeking, impulsivity, and addiction (Sommers & Vodanovich, 2000). Or, perhaps because activity is less appealing to those who are prone to experiencing boredom, they are more likely to lead a sedentary lifestyle, resulting in increased incidence of cardiovascular disease.…”

“…Sample items included "In situations where I have to wait, such as a line or queue, I get very restless" (situation) and "I find it easy to entertain myself" (personal characteristic). Responses on each item were summed to obtain a total score ranging from 28-196, with higher scores reflecting greater proneness to experiencing boredom (Sommers & Vodanovich, 2000;Vodanovich et al, 1991;Watt & Vodanovich, 1999). The original true/false version of the scale demonstrates adequate internal consistency (α = .79), and test-retest reliability over a duration of one week (r = .83; Farmer & Sundberg, 1986).…”

Nuda a praktyczna nauka języka angielskiego

“…trait boredom) dotyczy uczniów, u których występuje znacznie większe niż w przypadku grupy (A) prawdopodobieństwo ulegania negatywnym emocjom, co często pociąga za sobą wybuchy złości i agresji oraz trudności w zapanowaniu nad nimi. Ten typ nudy najczęściej dotyczy impulsywnie zachowujących się jednostek ekstrawertycznych i jest kojarzony z niskim poziomem osiągnięć, tendencją do opuszczania zajęć, uzależnieniami i zaburzeniami nawyków żywieniowych (Sommers i Vodanovich, 2000).…”

Everyday attention lapses and memory failures: The affective consequences of mindlessness

“…The data were insufficient, however, for developing a causal model of the relation between attention lapses and affective dysfunction as reflected in boredom. Nonetheless, we proposed the hypothesis that a potential consequence of a chronic inability to engage and sustain attention is a lack of interest in everyday events, as is typically experienced in boredom, leading to a loss of meaning in everyday tasks, a lack of motivation, and persistent negative affect (O'Hanlon, 1981;Sommers & Vodanovich, 2000).…”