level of preoccupation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "level of preoccupation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the extent or degree to which someone is preoccupied with a particular thought, concern, or issue. Example: "Her level of preoccupation with the project deadlines was affecting her overall well-being."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It is possible that the level of preoccupation in childhood SPD coupled with a tendency to experience unusual perceptions may contribute to preoccupations with fantasies.

BioMed Research International

The cognitive defusion techniques used in the Acceptance component of ACT provide an avenue for reducing the level of preoccupation and conviction with psychotic symptoms, but, in contrast to CBT, without requiring modification of the content of beliefs themselves.

BMC Psychiatry

There is also no way to determine the intensity of the body dissatisfaction, the level of preoccupation, and the degree to which the dissatisfaction interferes with the respondents' lives.

BMC Women's Health

The various dimensions of the psychotic experience include the degree of conviction with which the delusional belief or beliefs about auditory hallucinations are held, the level of preoccupation it engenders, the degree of distress experienced as well as the behavioural responses used to cope with the experience [ 4].

BMC Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The authors found than women in the long leaves group had better understanding of child development, had higher levels of preoccupation with their infant, and reported that motherhood had a better impact on their self-esteem and their marriage.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

The panel determined that John had many risk factors: he "self-identified as a 'pedophile,' " evinced a "level of deviant preoccupation," and had "never been married, thus he may have difficulty developing appropriate, intimate relationships with adults".

The New Yorker

Yet for the last three centuries, he argues, many politicians have mistakenly seen "the unconscious as [full of] primitive vestiges that need to be conquered in order to make wise decisions", and have instead concentrated on "the surface level" of human preoccupations, such as "wealth, prestige, worldly accomplishments".

The Guardian - Books

However, Asian patients who were English speaking showed significantly higher levels of anxious preoccupation compared with Caucasian patients (P=0.014), an effect not seen when English- and non-English-speaking subgroups were combined.

British Journal of Cancer

My main quest -- which has reached the level of full-time preoccupation -- is for shape and quality.

The New York Times - Magazine

Leaders and officials at every level will begin to relax after months if not years of preoccupation with this event.

The Economist

Thus, Pober and Dykens (1996) noted high levels of anxiety, worry, preoccupation, crying and fearfulness, as well as depressive symptoms, in Williams syndrome individuals, and Dykens (2003), Leyfer et al. (2006) and Meyer-Lindenberg et al. (2006) describe substantially elevated rates of anxiety and phobias.

Evolutionary Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's mental state, use "level of preoccupation" to indicate the intensity or degree to which they are absorbed in their thoughts or concerns.

Common error

Avoid overuse; it can sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "degree of absorption" or "intensity of focus" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "level of preoccupation" functions as a noun phrase that quantifies or describes the intensity or degree of someone's focus on a particular thought, subject, or concern. Ludwig shows how it measures the intensity of mental focus, whether healthy or unhealthy.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "level of preoccupation" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that describes the intensity or degree to which someone is absorbed in a thought or activity. Ludwig confirms this with examples from various sources. Predominantly found in science and news media, it serves to assess mental states, and although versatile, should be alternated with phrases like "degree of absorption" to avoid repetition. It's important to differentiate it from "degree of obsession", which carries a more negative connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

degree of absorption

This alternative focuses on the extent to which someone is engrossed or completely involved in something.

intensity of focus

This phrase highlights the strength and concentration of one's attention on a particular subject.

extent of concern

This alternative emphasizes the range and scope of worry or interest in a specific matter.

depth of immersion

This phrase suggests a deep level of involvement and engagement, similar to being deeply preoccupied.

magnitude of obsession

This alternative indicates a strong and persistent preoccupation, possibly to an unhealthy degree.

measure of absorption

This alternative refers to the degree to which someone is mentally engrossed in something.

level of involvement

This alternative describes the degree to which someone is actively participating or engaged in something.

degree of attentiveness

This phrase focuses on how carefully and closely someone is paying attention.

intensity of engagement

This alternative emphasizes the strength and enthusiasm of one's participation or involvement.

scope of preoccupation

This alternative highlights the breadth or range of the mental focus on a particular subject.

FAQs

How can I use "level of preoccupation" in a sentence?

You can use "level of preoccupation" to describe the intensity of someone's focus or concern. For example: "The study examined the "level of preoccupation" with social media among teenagers."

What's the difference between "level of preoccupation" and "degree of obsession"?

"Level of preoccupation" suggests a state of being thoughtfully engaged, while "degree of obsession" implies a more intense, potentially unhealthy focus. Obsession often carries a negative connotation.

Are there formal alternatives to "level of preoccupation"?

Yes, formal alternatives include "degree of engagement", "intensity of focus", or "extent of concern", which can be suitable for academic or professional writing.

Can "level of preoccupation" be used in both positive and negative contexts?

Yes, it can. It depends on the context. A high "level of preoccupation" with work might lead to success but could also result in burnout.