Misophonia symptoms among Chinese university students: Incidence, associated impairment, and clinical correlates

•There is high incidence of misophonia symptoms among Chinese college students.•Misophonia symptoms were associated with impairment and psychopathology.•Anxiety mediated the relationship between misophonia and anger attacks.

Individuals with misophonia present with sensitivity to selective sounds and, may experience negative psychological and physiological reactions when exposed to triggers. Previous studies have examined the clinical correlates and phenomenology of misophonia; however, further research is warranted to extend findings beyond samples from Western cultures. Accordingly, this study investigated the incidence and phenomenology of misophonia in a sample of Chinese college students (N =415; M age =19.81; SD =1.16) through the use of self-report measures. Approximately 6% of the sample exhibited clinically significant misophonia symptoms with associated impairment. In addition, misophonia symptoms were associated with impairment across work, school, social, and family domains. Medium to strong relationships were observed with general sensory sensitivities, obsessive-compulsive, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Anxiety significantly mediated the relationship between misophonia and anger outbursts. This study indicates that symptoms of misophonia are common and directly associated with multiple domains of psychopathology.