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Milas G, Ćavar F, Ribar M. How much stressful life events really matter? Conceptual and methodological difficulties in assessing the impact of self-reported events on adolescents' subjective stress. Stress Health 2024; 40:e3335. [PMID: 37861340 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Numerous studies have pointed to the strong impact of stressful life events on subjective stress and indirectly on the adolescents' mental health. However, the results of many such studies contain bias caused by the choice of measurement method or an incomplete theoretical framework. To estimate the extent of possible bias when using self-reports, we conducted research on a representative sample of 2201 Croatian adolescents aged 14-18 years. Using manipulation we examined the influence of measurement method and the number of constructs included in the model on the variance of subjective stress explained by stressful events. Structural equation modelling indicated that different measurement methods, occurrence-based and severity-based, provide a marked discrepancy in the impact size estimation. The occurrence-based method provided estimates of a much smaller proportion of the explained variance (6%-25%) compared to the severity-based approach, which estimated the explained variance in the range of 25%-55% depending on the model. The complexity of the tested models additionally contributed to the variation in the estimates. It is recommended that when using self-reports to measure stressful life events, occurrence-based and severity-based methods are used simultaneously and that impact estimates are expressed within intervals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goran Milas
- Institute of Social Sciences "Ivo Pilar", Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Filipa Ćavar
- Institute of Social Sciences "Ivo Pilar", Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Maja Ribar
- Institute of Social Sciences "Ivo Pilar", Zagreb, Croatia
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Page CE, Epperson CN, Novick AM, Duffy KA, Thompson SM. Beyond the serotonin deficit hypothesis: communicating a neuroplasticity framework of major depressive disorder. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02625-2. [PMID: 38816586 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02625-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
The serotonin deficit hypothesis explanation for major depressive disorder (MDD) has persisted among clinicians and the general public alike despite insufficient supporting evidence. To combat rising mental health crises and eroding public trust in science and medicine, researchers and clinicians must be able to communicate to patients and the public an updated framework of MDD: one that is (1) accessible to a general audience, (2) accurately integrates current evidence about the efficacy of conventional serotonergic antidepressants with broader and deeper understandings of pathophysiology and treatment, and (3) capable of accommodating new evidence. In this article, we summarize a framework for the pathophysiology and treatment of MDD that is informed by clinical and preclinical research in psychiatry and neuroscience. First, we discuss how MDD can be understood as inflexibility in cognitive and emotional brain circuits that involves a persistent negativity bias. Second, we discuss how effective treatments for MDD enhance mechanisms of neuroplasticity-including via serotonergic interventions-to restore synaptic, network, and behavioral function in ways that facilitate adaptive cognitive and emotional processing. These treatments include typical monoaminergic antidepressants, novel antidepressants like ketamine and psychedelics, and psychotherapy and neuromodulation techniques. At the end of the article, we discuss this framework from the perspective of effective science communication and provide useful language and metaphors for researchers, clinicians, and other professionals discussing MDD with a general or patient audience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe E Page
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - C Neill Epperson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Depression Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Andrew M Novick
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Korrina A Duffy
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Scott M Thompson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
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Lv W, Qiu H, Lu H, Yajuan Z, Yongjie M, Xing C, Zhu X. Moderating effect of negative emotion differentiation in chronic stress and fatigue among Chinese employees. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1358097. [PMID: 38845762 PMCID: PMC11153821 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1358097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction According to the reactivity hypothesis and the diathesis-stress model, repeated activation of the stress system has a negative effect on health, and this effect may differ because of individual characteristics. Thus, the present study explores the effect of chronic stress on fatigue and investigates its mechanism. Methods A questionnaire survey of 288 participants selected from the northwest part of China was conducted (13.89% females; ages ranged from 18 to 34 years, with M ± SD = 23.14 ± 3.79 years) on chronic stress, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and negative emotion differentiation. SPSS 28.0 was used to process descriptive statistics and correlation analysis and the PROCESS macro was used to analyze the moderated chained multi-mediation. Results Chronic stress was found to be positively correlated with fatigue, depression, and anxiety; depression and anxiety played a chained multi-mediating role between chronic stress and fatigue, and negative emotion differentiation played a moderating role in the chained multi-mediation model. Discussion Compared with depression, anxiety plays a more important role in the influence of chronic stress on fatigue. Therefore, it is necessary to pay more attention to anxiety symptoms and take appropriate intervention measures. Negative emotion differentiation plays a moderating role. Improving negative emotion differentiation through mindfulness and adaptive emotion regulation is an effective way to reduce the influence of chronic stress on fatigue.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Chen Xing
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xia Zhu
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
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Lorenzini JA, Wong-Parodi G, Garfin DR. Associations between mindfulness and mental health after collective trauma: results from a longitudinal, representative, probability-based survey. ANXIETY, STRESS, AND COPING 2024; 37:361-378. [PMID: 37885136 DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2023.2267454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Trait mindfulness (TM) may protect against post-trauma mental health ailments and related impairment. Few studies have evaluated this association in the context of collective traumas using representative samples or longitudinal designs. DESIGN/METHOD We explored relationships between TM and collective trauma-related outcomes in a prospective, representative, probability-based sample of 1846 U.S. Gulf Coast residents repeatedly exposed to catastrophic hurricanes, assessed twice during the COVID-19 outbreak (Wave 1: 5/14/20-5/27/20; Wave 2: 12/21/21-1/11/22). Generalized estimating equations examined longitudinal relationships between TM, COVID-19-related fear/worry, hurricane-related fear/worry, global distress, and functional impairment; ordinary least squares regression analyses examined the cross-sectional association between TM and COVID-19-related posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) at Wave 1. Event-related stressor exposure was explored as a moderator. RESULTS In covariate-adjusted models including pre-event mental health ailments and demographics, TM was negatively associated with COVID-19-related fear/worry, hurricane-related fear/worry, global distress, and functional impairment over time; in cross-sectional analyses, TM was negatively associated with COVID-19-related PTSS. TM moderated the relationship between COVID-19 secondary stressor exposure (e.g., lost job/wages) and both global distress and functional impairment over time. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest TM may buffer adverse psychosocial outcomes following collective trauma, with some evidence TM may protect against negative effects of secondary stressor exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay Andrew Lorenzini
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Gabrielle Wong-Parodi
- Department of Earth Systems Science, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Social Sciences Division, Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Dana Rose Garfin
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Sanwald S, Montag C, Kiefer M. Group differences in OXT methylation between patients with Major Depressive Disorder and healthy controls: A pre-registered replication study. Psychiatry Res 2024; 335:115855. [PMID: 38522151 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.115855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Depression is linked to stress which leaves traces in the epigenetic signature of genes. The oxytocin system is implicated in allostatic processes promoting adaption to environmental stressors. Interactions of the oxytocin system with the environment, e.g., methylation of the gene coding for oxytocin (OXT), are candidates for the investigation of the biological underpinnings of depression. Recently, we found hypomethylation of OXT in patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) compared to healthy controls (HC). Since the replicability of findings is a key point of criticism in (epi‑)genetic research, we aimed to confirm our previous findings in a pre-registered study (data was stored in a database prior to pre-registration) within a new sample of n = 85 patients with MDD and n = 85 HC. We investigated OXT DNA-methylation in peripheral blood samples, stressful life events and depression severity. In accordance with our previous study, we found hypomethylation of OXT in patients with MDD compared to HC. Methylation was not associated with stressful life events. Patients reported significantly more stressful life events compared to HC. Our study revealed that hypomethylation of OXT can be demonstrated in a reproducible fashion and provides further evidence for the involvement of the oxytocin system in depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Sanwald
- Ulm University, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy III, Germany.
| | - Christian Montag
- Ulm University, Department of Molecular Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Germany
| | - Markus Kiefer
- Ulm University, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy III, Germany
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Dong C, Wang Z, Jia F, Tian H, Zhang Y, Liu H, Yu X, Wang L, Fu Y. Gender differences in the association between childhood maltreatment and the onset of major depressive disorder. J Affect Disord 2024; 351:111-119. [PMID: 38286234 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.01.249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood maltreatment is widely acknowledged as a risk factor for developing major depressive disorders (MDDs) in adulthood. However, the influence of gender on age at MDD onset and the relationships between various forms of maltreatment remain unclear. AIMS This study aimed to evaluate the effect of gender on the relationship between childhood maltreatment and depressive disorder onset with regard to maltreatment severity, age at onset, and the correlation between different forms of maltreatment. METHODS Data for this study were derived from the Objective Diagnostic Marker and Personalized Intervention in MDD Patients (ODMPIM) study, a multi-center collaborative research project. The data used here include 1001 patients diagnosed with depressive disorder and 494 healthy participants. Childhood maltreatment levels were assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF). RESULTS Emotional abuse was correlated with physical abuse, and emotional neglect was correlated with physical neglect in the MDD patient population. Emotional abuse significantly contributed to early onset of MDD in both genders. Regarding gender differences, male patients with MDD experienced more severe physical abuse during childhood. The correlation between childhood sexual abuse and physical abuse was stronger among males than among females. Levels of physical abuse and neglect tended to be positively associated with the age of MDD onset. Gender is a moderator in the relationship between MDD onset age and childhood physical abuse or neglect. CONCLUSIONS Gender plays a role in certain aspects of the relationship between MDD and childhood maltreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuizhu Dong
- Tianjin Anding Hospital and Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300222, China.
| | - Zhe Wang
- Tianjin Anding Hospital and Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300222, China
| | - Feng Jia
- Tianjin Anding Hospital and Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300222, China
| | - Hongjun Tian
- Tianjin Fourth Center Hospital, Tianjin 300142, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Tianjin Anding Hospital and Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300222, China
| | - Hong Liu
- Tianjin Anding Hospital and Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300222, China
| | - Xin Yu
- Peking University Sixth Hospital and Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Lina Wang
- Tianjin Anding Hospital and Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300222, China.
| | - Yuan Fu
- Department of Pharmacology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammatory Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China.
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Gilbert LK, Matthews S, Dube SR, Annor FB. Approaches for measuring cumulative childhood adversity: A study of youth from 5 sub-Saharan African countries. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2024; 150:106542. [PMID: 37996356 PMCID: PMC10961201 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) include forms of abuse, neglect, and household stressors that are potentially early life traumatic experiences. A summed integer count of ACEs is often used to examine cumulative childhood adversity (CCA) but has limitations. OBJECTIVES The current study tests two additional methods for measuring CCA using large samples of youth in low- and middle-income countries. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Pooled data were analyzed from a multi-country, nationally representative sample of youth aged 18-24 years (N = 11,498) who completed the Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys (VACS) in Lesotho, Cote d'Ivoire, Kenya, Namibia, and Mozambique. METHODS ACE exposures included: physical, sexual, and emotional violence; witnessing interparental violence; witnessing community violence; orphanhood. CCA was operationalized using an ACE score, ACE impact (standardized regression coefficients from outcome severity), and ACE exposure context (household; intimate partner; peer; community). Associations between CCA with mental distress (MD) were examined by sex using p ≤ 0.05 as the significance level. RESULTS Exposure to ≥3 ACEs was associated with MD (p < 0.05) for both sexes. Among females, all contexts contributed to MD except peer ACEs (p < 0.05). Among males, household and community ACEs contributed to MD. High-impact ACEs were associated with MD both sexes. ACE context was the best-fitting model for these data. CONCLUSIONS The challenges operationalizing CCA warrant continued research to ensure adversity type, severity, and context lead to validly assessing ACEs impact on child wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah K Gilbert
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver Pediatric Trauma and Critical Illness Branch, National Institute for Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.
| | - Sarah Matthews
- Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Shanta R Dube
- Levine College of Health Sciences, Department of Public Health, Wingate University, Wingate, NC, United States
| | - Francis B Annor
- Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Mu W, Huang C, Yao N, Miao J, Perlman G, Watson D, Klein DN, Kotov R. Developmental pathway for first onset of depressive disorders in females: from adolescence to emerging adulthood. Psychol Med 2024; 54:753-762. [PMID: 37642178 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723002441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although risk markers for depressive disorders (DD) are dynamic, especially during adolescence, few studies have examined how change in risk levels during adolescence predict DD onset during transition to adulthood. We compared two competing hypotheses of the dynamic effects of risk. The risk escalation hypothesis posits that worsening of risk predicts DD onset beyond risk level. The chronic risk hypothesis posits that persistently elevated risk level, rather than risk change, predicts DD onset. METHODS Our sample included 393 girls (baseline age 13.5-15.5 years) from the adolescent development of emotions and personality traits project. Participants underwent five diagnostic interviews and assessments of risk markers for DD at 9-month intervals and were re-interviewed at a 6-year follow-up. We focused on 17 well-established risk markers. For each risk marker, we examined the prospective effects of risk level and change on first DD onset at wave six, estimated by growth curve modeling using data from the first five waves. RESULTS For 13 of the 17 depression risk markers, elevated levels of risk during adolescence, but not change in risk, predicted first DD onset during transition to adulthood, supporting the chronic risk hypothesis. Minimal evidence was found for the risk escalation hypothesis. CONCLUSIONS Participants who had a first DD onset during transition to adulthood have exhibited elevated levels of risk throughout adolescence. Researchers and practitioners should administer multiple assessments and focus on persistently elevated levels of risk to identify individuals who are most likely to develop DD and to provide targeted DD prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Mu
- Department of Psychology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Chuncheng Huang
- Department of Psychology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Nisha Yao
- School of Kinesiology and Health, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaju Miao
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Greg Perlman
- Department of Psychiatry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - David Watson
- Department of Psychology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Daniel N Klein
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Roman Kotov
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
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Zhukovsky P, Ironside M, Duda JM, Moser AD, Null KE, Dhaynaut M, Normandin M, Guehl NJ, El Fakhri G, Alexander M, Holsen LM, Misra M, Narendran R, Hoye JM, Morris ED, Esfand SM, Goldstein JM, Pizzagalli DA. Acute Stress Increases Striatal Connectivity With Cortical Regions Enriched for μ and κ Opioid Receptors. Biol Psychiatry 2024:S0006-3223(24)00106-9. [PMID: 38395372 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding the neurobiological effects of stress is critical for addressing the etiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). Using a dimensional approach involving individuals with differing degree of MDD risk, we investigated 1) the effects of acute stress on cortico-cortical and subcortical-cortical functional connectivity (FC) and 2) how such effects are related to gene expression and receptor maps. METHODS Across 115 participants (37 control, 39 remitted MDD, 39 current MDD), we evaluated the effects of stress on FC during the Montreal Imaging Stress Task. Using partial least squares regression, we investigated genes whose expression in the Allen Human Brain Atlas was associated with anatomical patterns of stress-related FC change. Finally, we correlated stress-related FC change maps with opioid and GABAA (gamma-aminobutyric acid A) receptor distribution maps derived from positron emission tomography. RESULTS Results revealed robust effects of stress on global cortical connectivity, with increased global FC in frontoparietal and attentional networks and decreased global FC in the medial default mode network. Moreover, robust increases emerged in FC of the caudate, putamen, and amygdala with regions from the ventral attention/salience network, frontoparietal network, and motor networks. Such regions showed preferential expression of genes involved in cell-to-cell signaling (OPRM1, OPRK1, SST, GABRA3, GABRA5), similar to previous genetic MDD studies. CONCLUSIONS Acute stress altered global cortical connectivity and increased striatal connectivity with cortical regions that express genes that have previously been associated with imaging abnormalities in MDD and are rich in μ and κ opioid receptors. These findings point to overlapping circuitry underlying stress response, reward, and MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Zhukovsky
- Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Maria Ironside
- Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Laureate Institute for Brain Research, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma
| | - Jessica M Duda
- Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Amelia D Moser
- Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Kaylee E Null
- Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Maeva Dhaynaut
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Marc Normandin
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nicolas J Guehl
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Georges El Fakhri
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Madeline Alexander
- Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Laura M Holsen
- Division of Women's Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Innovation Center on Sex Differences in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory of Sex Differences in the Brain, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Madhusmita Misra
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Rajesh Narendran
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Jocelyn M Hoye
- Yale Positron Emission Tomography Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Evan D Morris
- Yale Positron Emission Tomography Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Shiba M Esfand
- Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jill M Goldstein
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut; Division of Women's Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Innovation Center on Sex Differences in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory of Sex Differences in the Brain, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Departments of Psychiatry and Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Diego A Pizzagalli
- Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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Pastis I, Santos MG, Paruchuri A. Exploring the role of inflammation in major depressive disorder: beyond the monoamine hypothesis. Front Behav Neurosci 2024; 17:1282242. [PMID: 38299049 PMCID: PMC10829100 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1282242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder affects approximately 8.4% of the United States population. The World Health Organization estimates that 280 million adults worldwide are suffering from depression. They have estimated that by 2030 it will be the second most serious condition. Current treatment relies on the monoamine hypothesis, however, one-third of patients with MDD do not respond to monoamine-based antidepressants. For years, it was hypothesized that the primary pathway of MDD involved serotonin as the main neurotransmitter. The monoamine hypothesis, a widely accepted theory, sought to explain the biological basis of MDD as being caused by the depletion of monoamine neurotransmitters, namely norepinephrine and serotonin. This hypothesis regarding monoamines as the pathophysiological basis of MDD led to the design and widespread use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. However, given that only one-third of patients improve with SSRI it is reasonable to infer that the pathway involved is more complex than once hypothesized and there are more neurotransmitters, receptors, and molecules involved. The monoamine hypothesis does not explain why there is a delay in the onset of effect and action of SSRIs. Several studies have demonstrated that chronic stress is a risk factor for the development of MDD. Thus the monoamine hypothesis alone is not enough to fully account for the pathophysiology of MDD highlighting the need for further research involving the pathways of MDD. In this paper, we review the role of inflammation and cytokines on MDD and discuss other pathways involved in the development and persistence of depressive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Pastis
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Melody G. Santos
- Internal Medicine and Psychiatry Combined Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Akshita Paruchuri
- East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC, United States
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Katrinli S, Smith AK, Drury SS, Covault J, Ford JD, Singh V, Reese B, Johnson A, Scranton V, Fall P, Briggs-Gowan M, Grasso DJ. Cumulative stress, PTSD, and emotion dysregulation during pregnancy and epigenetic age acceleration in Hispanic mothers and their newborn infants. Epigenetics 2023; 18:2231722. [PMID: 37433036 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2023.2231722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy can exacerbate or prompt the onset of stress-related disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is associated with heightened stress responsivity and emotional dysregulation, as well as increased risk of chronic disorders and mortality. Further, maternal PTSD is associated with gestational epigenetic age acceleration in newborns, implicating the prenatal period as a developmental time period for the transmission of effects across generations. Here, we evaluated the associations between PTSD symptoms, maternal epigenetic age acceleration, and infant gestational epigenetic age acceleration in 89 maternal-neonatal dyads. Trauma-related experiences and PTSD symptoms in mothers were assessed during the third trimester of pregnancy. The MethylationEPIC array was used to generate DNA methylation data from maternal and neonatal saliva samples collected within 24 h of infant birth. Maternal epigenetic age acceleration was calculated using Horvath's multi-tissue clock, PhenoAge and GrimAge. Gestational epigenetic age was estimated using the Haftorn clock. Maternal cumulative past-year stress (GrimAge: p = 3.23e-04, PhenoAge: p = 9.92e-03), PTSD symptoms (GrimAge: p = 0.019), and difficulties in emotion regulation (GrimAge: p = 0.028) were associated with accelerated epigenetic age in mothers. Maternal PTSD symptoms were associated with lower gestational epigenetic age acceleration in neonates (p = 0.032). Overall, our results suggest that maternal cumulative past-year stress exposure and trauma-related symptoms may increase the risk for age-related problems in mothers and developmental problems in their newborns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyma Katrinli
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Alicia K Smith
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Stacy S Drury
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan Covault
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
- Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Julian D Ford
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Vijender Singh
- Computational Biology Core, University of Connecticut, School of Medicine, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Bo Reese
- Center for Genome Innovation, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Amy Johnson
- Obstetrics & Gynecology, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Victoria Scranton
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Pamela Fall
- Clinical Research Center Core Laboratory, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Margaret Briggs-Gowan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Damion J Grasso
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
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12
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Lee M, Kim Y, Yoon IY, Hong JK. Effects of cranial electrotherapy stimulation on improving depressive symptoms in people with stress: A randomized, double-blind controlled study. J Affect Disord 2023; 340:835-842. [PMID: 37598716 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.08.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) is a form of neurostimulation that delivers alternating microcurrent via electrodes on the head. We investigated the effectiveness of CES in reducing stress. METHODS Participants who experienced subjective stress combined with subclinical depression or insomnia were recruited based on interviews and questionnaires. The subjects were randomly assigned to the active CES or sham groups and asked to use the device for 30 min twice a day for three weeks. Psychological rating scales, quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG), and serial salivary cortisol levels were measured before and after the intervention. RESULTS Sixty-two participants (58 females, mean age = 47.3 ± 8.2 years) completed the trial. After intervention, the depression scores improved significantly to a nearly normal level (Beck depression inventory-II, 31.3 ± 11.6 to 10.8 ± 7.2, p < 0.001) in the CES group, which were greater improvement compared to the sham group (p = 0.020). There were significant group-by-visit interactions in absolute delta power in the temporal area (p = 0.033), and theta (p = 0.038), beta (p = 0.048), and high beta power (p = 0.048) in the parietal area. CES led to a flattening of the cortisol slope (p = 0.011) and an increase in bedtime cortisol (p = 0.036) compared to the sham group. LIMITATIONS Bias may have been introduced during the process because device use and sample collection were self-conducted by participants at home. CONCLUSIONS CES can alleviate depressive symptoms and stress response, showing a potential as an adjunctive therapy for stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minji Lee
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 13620, Republic of Korea
| | - Yuna Kim
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 13620, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Young Yoon
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 13620, Republic of Korea; Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Kyung Hong
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 13620, Republic of Korea; Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea.
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13
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Choi SL, Choi JM, McDonough IM, Jiang Z, Black SR. Aging alone and financial insecurity predict depression: a path analysis of objective and subjective indices. Aging Ment Health 2023; 27:2238-2247. [PMID: 37561077 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2023.2243446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study draws on conservation of resources theory and transactional stress theory to guide our understanding of how social isolation, financial insecurity, and social support serve as a balance of both risk and protection for late-life depression. METHODS Data were from the Leave-Behind Questionnaire in the 2016 (N = 4293) and 2018 (N = 4714) waves of the Health and Retirement Study. We conducted a cross-sectional path analysis via structural equation modeling, including objective and subjective perspectives. The same model was tested in both samples. RESULTS Both social isolation and financial insecurity were associated with depression. We found several mediating risks and protective factors of these relationships. Objective financial status affected depression through both perceived financial insecurity and perceived social isolation, whereas objective isolation affected depression through perceived social support. This mediation model was -significant after adjusting for confounders. CONCLUSION This study underscores the importance of investigating the balance between risk and protection for depression, in the rising number of older adults aging alone in society. Findings suggest that objective and perceived measures offer unique windows into psychological constructs. Considering both objective and subjective perspectives may provide alternative targets for subsequent interventions to improve mental health in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinae L Choi
- Department of Consumer Sciences, College of Human Environmental Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Jaimie M Choi
- Carruth Center for Counseling and Psychological Services, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Ian M McDonough
- Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Zhehan Jiang
- Institute of Medical Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Sheila R Black
- Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
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14
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Yao Z, Zhang BX, Chen H, Jiang XW, Qu WM, Huang ZL. Acute or Chronic Exposure to Corticosterone Promotes Wakefulness in Mice. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1472. [PMID: 37891839 PMCID: PMC10605150 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13101472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Elevated glucocorticoid levels triggered by stress potentially contribute to sleep disturbances in stress-induced depression. However, sleep changes in response to elevated corticosterone (CORT), the major glucocorticoid in rodents, remain unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of acute or chronic CORT administration on sleep using electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) recordings in freely moving mice. Acute CORT exposure rapidly promoted wakefulness, marked by increased episodes and enhanced EEG delta power, while simultaneously suppressing rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, with the latter marked by decreased mean duration and reduced delta power. Prolonged 28-day CORT exposure led to excessive wakefulness and REM sleep, characterized by higher episodes, and decreased NREM sleep, characterized by higher episodes and reduced mean duration. EEG theta activity during REM sleep and delta activity during NREM sleep were attenuated following 28-day CORT exposure. These effects persisted, except for REM sleep amounts, even 7 days after the drug withdrawal. Elevated plasma CORT levels and depressive phenotypes were identified and correlated with observed sleep changes during and after administration. Fos expression significantly increased in the lateral habenula, lateral hypothalamus, and ventral tegmental area following acute or chronic CORT treatment. Our findings demonstrate that CORT exposure enhanced wakefulness, suppressed and fragmented NREM sleep, and altered EEG activity across all stages. This study illuminates sleep alterations during short or extended periods of heightened CORT levels in mice, providing a neural link connecting insomnia and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Zhi-Li Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; (Z.Y.); (B.-X.Z.); (H.C.); (X.-W.J.); (W.-M.Q.)
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15
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Yang YC, Xie A, Kim S, Hair J, Al-Garadi M, Sarker A. Automatic Detection of Twitter Users Who Express Chronic Stress Experiences via Supervised Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing. Comput Inform Nurs 2023; 41:717-724. [PMID: 36445331 PMCID: PMC10510804 DOI: 10.1097/cin.0000000000000985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Americans bear a high chronic stress burden, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although social media have many strengths to complement the weaknesses of conventional stress measures, including surveys, they have been rarely utilized to detect individuals self-reporting chronic stress. Thus, this study aimed to develop and evaluate an automatic system on Twitter to identify users who have self-reported chronic stress experiences. Using the Twitter public streaming application programming interface, we collected tweets containing certain stress-related keywords (eg, "chronic," "constant," "stress") and then filtered the data using pre-defined text patterns. We manually annotated tweets with (without) self-report of chronic stress as positive (negative). We trained multiple classifiers and tested them via accuracy and F1 score. We annotated 4195 tweets (1560 positives, 2635 negatives), achieving an inter-annotator agreement of 0.83 (Cohen's kappa). The classifier based on Bidirectional Encoder Representation from Transformers performed the best (accuracy of 83.6% [81.0-86.1]), outperforming the second best-performing classifier (support vector machines: 76.4% [73.5-79.3]). The past tweets from the authors of positive tweets contained useful information, including sources and health impacts of chronic stress. Our study demonstrates that users' self-reported chronic stress experiences can be automatically identified on Twitter, which has a high potential for surveillance and large-scale intervention.
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16
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Yi JH, Jeon SJ, Kwon H, Cho E, Jeon J, Moon S, Park AY, Kwon HJ, Lee YH, Kwon KJ, Shin CY, Kim DH. Ethyl pyruvate prevents long-term stress-induced cognitive decline and modulates Akt/GSK-3β signaling. Life Sci 2023; 328:121901. [PMID: 37391067 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Stress is an inevitable part of life and, simultaneously, a stimulus that can trigger various neuropsychiatric disorders. Therefore, proper stress management is essential for maintaining a healthy life. In this study, we investigated the suppression of stress-induced cognitive deficit by controlling changes in synaptic plasticity caused by stress and confirmed that ethyl pyruvate (EP) has such an effect. Corticosterone, a stress hormone, suppresses long-term potentiation (LTP) in mouse acute hippocampal slices. EP blocked the LTP inhibitory effect of corticosterone by regulating GSK-3β function. Restraint stress for 2 weeks increased the anxiety levels and caused the cognitive decline in the experimental animals. Administration of EP for 14 days did not affect the increase in anxiety caused by stress but improved cognitive decline caused by stress. In addition, the decrease in neurogenesis and synaptic function deficits in the hippocampus, which cause of cognitive decline due to stress, were improved by EP administration. These effects appear via regulation of Akt/GSK-3β signaling, as in in vitro studies. These results suggest that EP prevents stress-induced cognitive decline through the modulation of Akt/GSK-3β-mediated synaptic regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jee Hyun Yi
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Jin Jeon
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Sahmyook University, Seoul 01795, Republic of Korea
| | - Huiyoung Kwon
- Department of Pharmacology, Department of Advanced Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunbi Cho
- Department of Pharmacology, Department of Advanced Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Jieun Jeon
- Department of Pharmacology, Department of Advanced Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Somin Moon
- Department of Pharmacology, Department of Advanced Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - A Young Park
- Department of Pharmacology, Department of Advanced Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Ji Kwon
- Department of Pharmacology, Department of Advanced Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Ye Hee Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, Department of Advanced Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung Ja Kwon
- Department of Pharmacology, Department of Advanced Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea; Institute of Biomedical Sciences & Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan Young Shin
- Department of Pharmacology, Department of Advanced Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea; Institute of Biomedical Sciences & Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Hyun Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Department of Advanced Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea; Institute of Biomedical Sciences & Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea.
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17
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Burani K, Brush CJ, Shields GS, Klein DN, Nelson B, Slavich GM, Hajcak G. Cumulative lifetime acute stressor exposure interacts with reward responsiveness to predict longitudinal increases in depression severity in adolescence. Psychol Med 2023; 53:4507-4516. [PMID: 37698514 PMCID: PMC10388334 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291722001386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Life stress and blunted reward processing each have been associated with the onset and maintenance of major depressive disorder. However, much of this work has been cross-sectional, conducted in separate lines of inquiry, and focused on recent life stressor exposure, despite the fact that theories of depression posit that stressors can have cumulative effects over the lifespan. To address these limitations, we investigated whether acute and chronic stressors occurring over the lifespan interacted with blunted reward processing to predict increases in depression over time in healthy youth. METHOD Participants were 245 adolescent girls aged 8-14 years old (Mage = 12.4, s.d. = 1.8) who were evaluated at baseline and two years later. The reward positivity (RewP), an event-related potential measure of reward responsiveness, was assessed at baseline using the doors task. Cumulative lifetime exposure to acute and chronic stressors was assessed two years later using the Stress and Adversity Inventory for Adolescents (Adolescent STRAIN). Finally, depressive symptoms were assessed at both baseline and follow-up using the Children's Depression Inventory. RESULTS As hypothesized, greater lifetime acute stressor exposure predicted increases in depressive symptoms over two years, but only for youth exhibiting a blunted RewP. This interaction, however, was not found for chronic stressors. CONCLUSIONS Lifetime acute stressor exposure may be particularly depressogenic for youth exhibiting a blunted RewP. Conversely, a robust RewP may be protective in the presence of greater acute lifetime stressor exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kreshnik Burani
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - C. J. Brush
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Grant S. Shields
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Daniel N. Klein
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Brady Nelson
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - George M. Slavich
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Greg Hajcak
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
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18
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Mu W, Li K, Tian Y, Perlman G, Michelini G, Watson D, Ormel H, Klein DN, Kotov R. Dynamic risk for first onset of depressive disorders in adolescence: does change matter? Psychol Med 2023; 53:2352-2360. [PMID: 34802476 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291721004190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Risk factors for depressive disorders (DD) change substantially over time, but the prognostic value of these changes remains unclear. Two basic types of dynamic effects are possible. The 'Risk Escalation hypothesis' posits that worsening of risk levels predicts DD onset above average level of risk factors. Alternatively, the 'Chronic Risk hypothesis' posits that the average level rather than change predicts first-onset DD. METHODS We utilized data from the ADEPT project, a cohort of 496 girls (baseline age 13.5-15.5 years) from the community followed for 3 years. Participants underwent five waves of assessments for risk factors and diagnostic interviews for DD. For illustration purposes, we selected 16 well-established dynamic risk factors for adolescent depression, such as depressive and anxiety symptoms, personality traits, clinical traits, and social risk factors. We conducted Cox regression analyses with time-varying covariates to predict first DD onset. RESULTS Consistently elevated risk factors (i.e. the mean of multiple waves), but not recent escalation, predicted first-onset DD, consistent with the Chronic Risk hypothesis. This hypothesis was supported across all 16 risk factors. CONCLUSIONS Across a range of risk factors, girls who had first-onset DD generally did not experience a sharp increase in risk level shortly before the onset of disorder; rather, for years before onset, they exhibited elevated levels of risk. Our findings suggest that chronicity of risk should be a particular focus in screening high-risk populations to prevent the onset of DDs. In particular, regular monitoring of risk factors in school settings is highly informative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Mu
- Department of Psychology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Kaiqiao Li
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Yuan Tian
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Greg Perlman
- Department of Psychiatry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Giorgia Michelini
- Department of Psychiatry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - David Watson
- Department of Psychology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Hans Ormel
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel N Klein
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Roman Kotov
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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19
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Griffith JM, Long EE, Young JF, Hankin BL. Co-occurring Stress Trajectories and the Longitudinal Coupling of Internalizing Symptoms in Parent-Adolescent Dyads. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2023; 51:885-903. [PMID: 36947315 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-023-01046-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Stress is one candidate mechanism posited to contribute to the intergenerational risk of psychopathology. However, the ways in which parent and child stress are related across adolescence, and the role that co-occurring parent and child stress may exert regarding bidirectional risk for internalizing symptoms, are not well understood. Using repeated measures data spanning 3-years, this study investigated (1) the extent to which trajectories of parent and child stress are related during adolescence, and (2) whether co-occurring parent and child stress trajectories mediate prospective, bidirectional associations between parent depression symptoms and child internalizing symptoms (depression, physical and social anxiety). Participants included 618 parent-adolescent dyads (age 8-16; 57% girls; 89% mothers). Parent depressive symptoms and child symptoms of depression, social anxiety, and physical anxiety were assessed via self-report questionnaire at baseline and 36 months later. Parent and child stress were assessed via self-report questionnaire every three months between 3- and 33-months (11 total assessments). Latent growth curve model (LGCM) analysis found that parent and child stress trajectories were positively related across development. Prospective LGCM mediation analysis showed that higher youth stress at 3-months partially mediated prospective relations between parental depressive symptoms at baseline and youth depressive, as well as physical and social anxiety symptoms at 36-months. Parent and child stress reinforce each other across adolescence and may lead to increased risk for psychopathology. Increases in child stress represent an important factor conferring transdiagnostic risk for internalizing among children of depressed parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julianne M Griffith
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA.
| | - Erin E Long
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Jami F Young
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Benjamin L Hankin
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
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20
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Ding X, Zheng L, Wu J, Liu Y, Fang H, Xin Y, Duan H. Performance monitoring moderates the relationship between stress and negative affect in response to an exam stressor. Int J Psychophysiol 2023; 185:11-18. [PMID: 36627042 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2023.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The present longitudinal study examined the role of performance monitoring in the relationships between stress (both stress change and chronic stress) and negative affect to a real-life stressor-final exam among 60 undergraduates. Participants firstly completed a Go/No-Go task in the laboratory with electroencephalogram recordings. At T1 (31 days before the final exam), participants reported their chronic perceived stress. Then, with the daily dairy method, their daily stress level and negative affect were collected for three consecutive days. At T2 (three days before the final exam), the 3-day daily dairy was repeated. Results showed that performance monitoring, as measured by behavioral adjustments and electrophysiological correlates, moderated the effects of stress change as well as chronic perceived stress on the negative emotional response to the final exam. More specifically, as the stress change from baseline to exam increases, individuals with shorter PES, lower PEAD or larger Pe amplitudes experienced less negative affect increases in response to exam. Additionally, individuals with shorter PES or larger Pe amplitudes showed no significant relationship between chronic stress and negative affect, whereas individuals with longer PES or smaller Pe amplitudes showed significant positive relationship between chronic stress and negative affect increases in response to exam. The results demonstrated that efficient performance monitoring is a protective factor for stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Ding
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Center for Brain Disorder and Cognitive Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Lin Zheng
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Center for Brain Disorder and Cognitive Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Jianhui Wu
- Center for Brain Disorder and Cognitive Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Shenzhen Institute of Neuroscience, Shenzhen 518057, China
| | - Yutong Liu
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Center for Brain Disorder and Cognitive Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Huihua Fang
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Center for Brain Disorder and Cognitive Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Department of Psychology, University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Yuanyuan Xin
- Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai 519087, China.
| | - Hongxia Duan
- Donders-Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Kapittelweg 29, 6525 EN Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
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21
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Margolis RHF, Shelef DQ, Gordish-Dressman H, Masur JE, Teach SJ. Stressful life events, caregiver depressive symptoms, and child asthma symptom-free days: a longitudinal analysis. J Asthma 2023; 60:508-515. [PMID: 35383524 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2022.2062674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine relationships among stressful life events (SLE), caregiver depression, and asthma symptom free days (SFDs) in publicly insured Black children aged 4-12 years with persistent asthma. METHODS Secondary analysis of longitudinal data from a clinical trial assessing the efficacy of a six-month parental stress management intervention. Using repeated measures Poisson regression, we constructed four models of SLE (Rochester Youth Development Stressful Life Events scale-Parent Items), caregiver depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale ≥ 11), and child asthma symptom-free days (SFDs) in the prior 14 days. RESULTS There was no association between SLE and child SFDs, but there was for caregiver depression (Incidence Rate Ratio [IRR]: 0.904; 95% CI 0.86-0.95). The interaction between SLE and caregiver depression was not significant. A specific SLE (recent serious family accident or illness) predicted fewer child SFDs (IRR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.85-0.98). In the interaction model between caregiver depression and recent accident/illness, caregiver depression was associated with fewer child SFDs (IRR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.91-0.99) as was the interaction between caregiver depression and recent accident/illness (IRR: 0.77, 95% CI 0.66-0.91); but the relationship between recent accident/illness and child SFDs was not (IRR: 1.00, 95% CI, 0.92-1.09), meaning accident/illness was only associated with fewer child SFDs among depressed caregivers. CONCLUSIONS In a sample of publicly insured Black children with persistent asthma, caregiver depression was negatively associated with child SFDs while overall SLE were not. A recent family accident or illness was negatively associated with child SFDs only when the caregiver was depressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel H F Margolis
- Center for Translational Research, Children's National Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Deborah Q Shelef
- Center for Translational Research, Children's National Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA.,School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | | | - Julia E Masur
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Stephen J Teach
- Center for Translational Research, Children's National Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA
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22
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Chai HW, Mernitz SE, Umberson DJ. Sexual Motives, Stress, and Depressive Symptoms Among Midlife Different-Sex and Same-Sex Couples. THE GERONTOLOGIST 2023; 63:261-273. [PMID: 36063367 PMCID: PMC9960013 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnac136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Within relationships, sexual motives and stress are independent determinants of psychological health, with notable gendered patterns. However, previous research largely focuses on young adults and different-sex couples. Both sexual motives and levels of stress may be uniquely important to psychological health in midlife, and in potentially different ways for same-sex and different-sex couples. This study examined how the associations between sexual motives, stress, and depressive symptoms differ for midlife men and women in same-sex and different-sex marriages. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Using dyadic data from same-sex and different-sex midlife married couples (N = 830 individuals; 415 couples), we examined the associations of intrinsic (e.g., sex for enjoyment and pleasure) and extrinsic (e.g., sex to please one's spouse) motives for having sex with depressive symptoms and tested whether these associations differed by levels of stress for same-sex and different-sex spouses. RESULTS Intrinsic sexual motives were associated with fewer depressive symptoms only for same-sex married couples under high stress. Extrinsic sexual motives were related to greater depressive symptoms for women in low-stress conditions and men in high-stress conditions, and this did not differ for same-sex compared to different-sex marriages. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS Results show that the interplay between sexual motives and stress varies for men and women in same-sex and different-sex marriages. These findings underscore the importance of considering both gender and sexuality in studying sexual motives in midlife and suggest sexual motives as a useful treatment focus for protecting the psychological health of midlife married couples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Won Chai
- Population Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Sara E Mernitz
- Population Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Debra J Umberson
- Population Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
- Department of Sociology, College of Liberal Arts, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
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Murphy MLM, Sichko S, Bui TQ, Libowitz MR, Shields GS, Slavich GM. Intergenerational transmission of lifetime stressor exposure in adolescent girls at differential maternal risk for depression. J Clin Psychol 2023; 79:431-448. [PMID: 35869956 PMCID: PMC9851932 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Adolescent girls who grow up with mothers who are depressed are themselves highly vulnerable to developing depression (i.e., "intergenerational transmission of depression"). Stressor exposure is a strong risk factor for depression, and the transmission of depression risk from mothers to daughters is partly due to mothers experiencing more stressors, increasing daughters' stressor burden. However, research in this area has only assessed recent stressors, making the role of cumulative lifetime stressors unclear. METHOD To address this issue, we recruited 52 dyads of mothers and adolescent daughters, of which 22 daughters were at high maternal risk for depression. Participants completed diagnostic interviews, and daughters additionally self-reported their depressive symptoms. Participants also completed the Stress and Adversity Inventory, a new-generation instrument for assessing cumulative lifetime history of acute and chronic stressors based on the contextual threat approach. We tested moderated mediation models evaluating the conditional indirect effects of mothers' lifetime stressors on high- versus low-risk daughters' depressive symptoms through daughters' lifetime stressors. RESULTS As hypothesized, mothers of high-risk (but not low-risk) adolescent daughters who reported more lifetime acute stressors had daughters who reported more lifetime acute stressors and current depressive symptoms. Moreover, this finding was driven specifically by mothers' stressors occurring after their daughters' births. There was also tentative evidence that high-risk daughters' lifetime chronic stressors potentiated the impact of daughters' acute stressors on their depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION These findings provide new insights into how stressful contexts are transmitted intergenerationally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L M Murphy
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Stassja Sichko
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Theresa Q Bui
- Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Mark R Libowitz
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Grant S Shields
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
| | - George M Slavich
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Wang Y, Farb NAS. Web-based training for post-secondary student well-being during the pandemic: a randomized trial. ANXIETY, STRESS, AND COPING 2023; 36:1-17. [PMID: 35615957 DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2022.2079637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has been a highly stressful period where post-secondary education moved to online formats. Coping skills like decentering and reappraisal appear to promote stress resilience, but limited research exists on cultivating these skills in online learning contexts.Methods: In a three-arm randomized trial design, we evaluated three-week, web-based interventions to gauge how to best cultivate mindfulness and stress-reappraisal skills and whether the proposed interventions led to improved mental health. Undergraduate participants (N = 183) were randomly assigned to stress mindset, mindfulness meditation, or mindfulness with choice conditions.Results: At the study level (baseline vs. post-intervention), decentering improved across all conditions. Mindfulness with choice significantly decreased negative affect and rumination compared to stress mindset, while stress mindset significantly enhanced stress mindset skills compared to both mindfulness groups. At the daily level (three sessions per week), stress mindset significantly increased positive affect compared to mindfulness meditation.Conclusions: Results suggest that student mental health can be remotely supported through brief web-based interventions. Mindfulness practices seem to be effective in improving students' negative mood and coping strategies, while stress mindset training can help students to adopt a stress-is-enhancing mindset. Additional work on refining and better matching students to appropriate interventions is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyi Wang
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Toronto, Canada
| | - Norman A S Farb
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychological Clinical Science, University of Toronto Scarborough, Scarborough, Canada
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25
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Landrum KR, Pence BW, Gaynes BN, Dussault JM, Hosseinipour MC, Kulisewa K, Malava JK, Masiye J, Akello H, Udedi M, Zimba CC. The cross-sectional association of stressful life events with depression severity among patients with hypertension and diabetes in Malawi. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0279619. [PMID: 36584142 PMCID: PMC9803137 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Depressive disorders are a leading cause of global morbidity and remain disproportionately high in low- and middle-income settings. Stressful life events (SLEs) are known risk factors for depressive episodes and worsened depressive severity, yet are under-researched in comparison to other depression risk factors. As depression is often comorbid with hypertension, diabetes, and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), research into this relationship among patients with NCDs is particularly relevant to increasing opportunities for integrated depression and NCD care. This study aims to estimate the cross-sectional association between SLEs in the three months preceding baseline interviews and baseline depressive severity among patients with at least mild depressive symptoms who are seeking NCD care at 10 NCD clinics across Malawi. SLEs were measured by the Life Events Survey and depressive severity (mild vs. moderate to severe) was measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. The study population (n = 708) was predominately currently employed, grand multiparous (5-8 children) women with a primary education level. Two thirds (63%) had mild depression while 26%, 8%, and 3% had moderate, moderately severe, and severe depression, respectively. Nearly all participants (94%) reported at least one recent SLE, with the most common reported SLEs being financial stress (48%), relationship changes (45%), death of a family member or friend (41%), or serious illness of a family member or friend (39%). Divorce/separation, estrangement from a family member, losing source of income, and major new health problems were significant predictors of greater (moderate or severe) depressive severity compared to mild severity. Having a major new health problem or experiencing divorce/separation resulted in particularly high risk of more severe depression. After adjustment, each additional SLE was associated with a 9% increased risk of moderate or worse depressive severity compared to mild depressive severity (RR: 1.09; (95% CI: 1.05, 1.13), p<0.0001). Among patients with NCDs with at least mild depressive symptoms, SLEs in the prior 3 months were associated with greater depressive severity. While many SLEs may not be preventable, this research suggests that assessment of SLEs and teaching of positive coping strategies when experiencing SLEs may play an important role in integrated NCD and depression treatment models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey R. Landrum
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Brian W. Pence
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Bradley N. Gaynes
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Psychiatry, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Josée M. Dussault
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Mina C. Hosseinipour
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- UNC Project Malawi, UNC Project, Tidziwe Centre, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Kazione Kulisewa
- Kamuzu University of Health, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | - Jones Masiye
- Malawi Ministry of Health, Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health Unit, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Harriet Akello
- UNC Project Malawi, UNC Project, Tidziwe Centre, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Michael Udedi
- Malawi Ministry of Health, Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health Unit, Lilongwe, Malawi
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Yan L, Kohn N, Yi W, Wang N, Duan H, Wu J. Blunted reward responsiveness prospectively predicts emotional distress when exposed to a naturalistic stressor. Br J Psychol 2022; 114:376-392. [PMID: 36573298 DOI: 10.1111/bjop.12625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Both stress and blunted reward responsiveness have been identified as core risk factors of depression. Whether blunted reward responsiveness increases psychological vulnerability to real-life stress from a dynamic perspective (from stress reactivity to recovery) has not been investigated. By utilizing a real-world stressful event (i.e. the final examination), this study aimed to explore the role of reward responsiveness in the stress-emotional distress relationship during stress reactivity and recovery phases. We followed 57 undergraduates with three assessments, from six weeks before examination weeks (T1, baseline), one day before the examinations (T2) to two weeks after the examinations (T3), therefore, covering stress reactivity (T1 to T2) and recovery (T2 to T3) phases. At baseline, reward responsiveness was measured as the Reward Positivity (RewP) in the doors task. Stress and emotional distress (anxiety and depression) were reported at T1, T2 and T3 to capture their dynamic changes. Results showed that self-report stress levels significantly increased from T1 to T2 (stress reactivity phase) and decreased from T2 to T3 (stress recovery phase). Furthermore, blunted reward responsiveness at baseline prospectively predicted emotional distress during the stress reactivity phase but not the recovery phase. Specifically, during the stress reactivity phase, higher perceived stress was associated with greater anxiety and depression only in participants with relatively smaller residual RewP amplitudes but not in participants with relatively larger residual RewP amplitudes. Our study demonstrated that a blunted reward responsiveness is a vulnerable factor of depression, especially when exposed to stress. Our findings provide insights into prevention and intervention for stress-related disturbance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Yan
- Center for Brain Disorder and Cognitive Science Shenzhen University Shenzhen China
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Nils Kohn
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Wei Yi
- Center for Brain Disorder and Cognitive Science Shenzhen University Shenzhen China
| | - Naiyi Wang
- Faculty of Education Beijing Normal University Beijing China
- Lab for Educational Neuroscience, Center for Educational Science and Technology Beijing Normal University Beijing China
| | - Hongxia Duan
- Center for Brain Disorder and Cognitive Science Shenzhen University Shenzhen China
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen The Netherlands
- Shenzhen Institute of Neuroscience Shenzhen China
| | - Jianhui Wu
- Center for Brain Disorder and Cognitive Science Shenzhen University Shenzhen China
- Shenzhen Institute of Neuroscience Shenzhen China
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Matić T, Pregelj P, Sadikov A, Rus Prelog P. Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Suicidality Levels in Young Adults Increased Two Years into the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:339. [PMID: 36612666 PMCID: PMC9819448 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The severity of both the COVID-19 clinical picture and confinement measures in Slovenia was higher during the initial phase of the pandemic in 2020 than during the Omicron wave in 2022. This could lead us to expect a higher level of distress during the initial phase. On the other hand, prolonged stress can have a detrimental effect on mental health. This study aimed to explore how the prolonged stress of the COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying changes affected the mental health of young adults in Slovenia. We analyzed and compared the levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and suicidal ideation in young adults during the initial phase of the pandemic and the Omicron wave, as well as between the COVID-19-infected and non-infected individuals. METHODS An online survey was used to survey 587 young adults in the first wave (July-December 2020) and 511 in the Omicron wave (January-February 2022). Levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and suicidal ideation were compared using Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS Results show that the Omicron wave significantly worsened depression, anxiety, stress, and suicidal ideation. Young adults who had tested positive for COVID-19 reported no worse or only slightly worse mental health than those who never tested positive. CONCLUSIONS The current study provides new evidence about the mental health of young adults during the Omicron wave. Our results show that two years into the pandemic, they expressed more negative emotions and suicidal thoughts than at the beginning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teodora Matić
- Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Faculty of Computer and Information Science, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Peter Pregelj
- Centre for Clinical Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Clinic Ljubljana, 1260 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Aleksander Sadikov
- Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Faculty of Computer and Information Science, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Polona Rus Prelog
- Centre for Clinical Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Clinic Ljubljana, 1260 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Bąk J, Bobula B, Hess G. Restraint Stress and Repeated Corticosterone Administration Differentially Affect Neuronal Excitability, Synaptic Transmission and 5-HT 7 Receptor Reactivity in the Dorsal Raphe Nucleus of Young Adult Male Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214303. [PMID: 36430779 PMCID: PMC9698125 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Exogenous corticosterone administration reduces GABAergic transmission and impairs its 5-HT7 receptor-dependent modulation in the rat dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), but it is largely unknown how neuronal functions of the DRN are affected by repeated physical and psychological stress. This study compared the effects of repeated restraint stress and corticosterone injections on DRN neuronal excitability, spontaneous synaptic transmission, and its 5-HT7 receptor-dependent modulation. Male Wistar rats received corticosterone injections for 7 or 14 days or were restrained for 10 min twice daily for 3 days. Repeated restraint stress and repeated corticosterone administration evoked similar changes in performance in the forced swim test. They increased the frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) recorded from DRN neurons. In contrast to the treatment with corticosterone, restraint stress-induced changes in sEPSC kinetics and decreased intrinsic excitability of DRN neurons did not modify inhibitory transmission. Repeated injections of the 5-HT7 receptor antagonist SB 269970 ameliorated the effects of restraint on excitability and sEPSC frequency but did not restore the altered kinetics of sEPSCs. Thus, repeated restraint stress and repeated corticosterone administration differ in consequences for the intrinsic excitability of DRN projection neurons and their excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs. Effects of repeated restraint stress on DRN neurons can be partially abrogated by blocking the 5-HT7 receptor.
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29
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Wang X, Luo R, Guo P, Shang M, Zheng J, Cai Y, Mo PKH, Lau JTF, Zhang D, Li J, Gu J. Positive Affect Moderates the Influence of Perceived Stress on the Mental Health of Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph192013600. [PMID: 36294184 PMCID: PMC9603543 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed a profound psychological impact on healthcare workers. However, the role of positive affect in moderating the effect of perceived stress on the psychological states of healthcare workers remains unknown. This study aimed to analyze the moderating effect of positive affect on the association between stress and the mental health of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study evaluated the relationships between perceived stress (the Perceived Stress Scale), positive affect (the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule), depression (the Patient Health Questionnaire-9), and anxiety (the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale) during the COVID-19 pandemic in 644 Chinese healthcare workers who completed online self-reports. The results revealed a significant negative association between positive affect and psychological problems, including stress, depression, and anxiety. At the total group level, multiple regression analysis showed that positive affect alleviated the influence of perceived stress on depression, but no significant moderating effect was found for anxiety. In the subgroups divided by perceived stress, the moderating effect of positive affect on depression was only significant in healthcare workers with a high level of perceived stress. These results suggested that positive affect played a moderative role in alleviating the effect of stress on depression among healthcare workers, particularly those with a high level of stress, thus emphasizing the importance of positive affect as an intervention strategy for promoting the mental health of healthcare workers in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Wang
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, No.74, Zhongshan Second Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Rui Luo
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, No.74, Zhongshan Second Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Pengyue Guo
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, No.74, Zhongshan Second Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Menglin Shang
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, No.74, Zhongshan Second Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jing Zheng
- Shenzhen Health Development Research and Data Management Center, Shenzhen 518028, China
| | - Yuqi Cai
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, No.74, Zhongshan Second Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Phoenix K. H. Mo
- Division of Behavioral Health and Health Promotion, The School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518172, China
| | - Joseph T. F. Lau
- Division of Behavioral Health and Health Promotion, The School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518172, China
- Centre for Medical Anthropology and Behavioral Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Dexing Zhang
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jinghua Li
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, No.74, Zhongshan Second Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
- Sun Yat-sen University Global Health Institute, School of Public Health, Institute of State Governance, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jing Gu
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, No.74, Zhongshan Second Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
- Sun Yat-sen University Global Health Institute, School of Public Health, Institute of State Governance, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
- Center for Health Information Research, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
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30
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Weinberg A. Pathways to depression: Dynamic associations between neural responses to appetitive cues in the environment, stress, and the development of illness. Psychophysiology 2022; 60:e14193. [PMID: 36256483 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This review focuses on research my colleagues and I have conducted on etiological pathways to depression. Much of this work has focused on the measurement of neural responses to appetitive cues, using two event-related brain potential (ERP) components, the Late Positive Potential (LPP) and the Reward Positivity (RewP). Reductions in each of these components have been associated with current symptoms of depression, and in some cases have been shown to differentiate anxious from depressive phenotypes. In this review, I will describe three broad and related approaches we have taken in our research to address a series of interdependent issuess. The first attempts to understand different sources of variation in the LPP and RewP, and how these sources interact with one another. The second tries to identify whether variation in the processes measured by these ERP components might reflect a latent vulnerability to depression and its symptoms, that is evident prior to illness onset. And the third examines the possibility that the processes reflected in the LPP and RewP might play a mechanistic role in the development of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Weinberg
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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31
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Attar ET. Review of electroencephalography signals approaches for mental stress assessment. NEUROSCIENCES (RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA) 2022; 27:209-215. [PMID: 36252972 PMCID: PMC9749579 DOI: 10.17712/nsj.2022.4.20220025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The innovation of electroencephalography (EEG) more than a century ago supports the technique to assess brain structure and function in clinical health and research applications. The EEG signals were identified on their frequency ranges as delta (from 0.5 to 4 Hz), theta (from 4 to 7 Hz), alpha (from 8 to 12 Hz), beta (from 16 to 31 Hz), and gamma (from 36 to 90 Hz). Stress is a sense of emotional tension caused by several life events. For example, worrying about something, being under pressure, and facing significant challenges are causes of stress. The human body is affected by stress in various ways. It promotes inflammation, which affects cardiac health. The autonomic nervous system is activated during mental stress. Posttraumatic stress disorder and Alzheimer's disease are common brain stress disorders. Several methods have been used previously to identify stress, for instance, magnetic resonance imaging, single-photon emission computed tomography and EEG. The EEG identifies the electrical activity in the human brain by applying small electrodes positioned on the scalp of the brain. It is a useful non-invasive method and collects feedback from stress hormones. In addition, it can serve as a reliable tool for measuring stress. Furthermore, evaluating human stress in real-time is complicated and challenging. This review demonstrates the power of frequency bands for mental stress and the behaviors of frequency bands based on medical and research experiencebands based on medical and research experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eyad T. Attar
- From the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, kingdom of Saudi Arabia,Address correspondence and reprint request to: Dr. Eyad T. Attar, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, kingdom of Saudi Arabia. E-mail: ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1898-854X
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Huberty JL, Espel-Huynh HM, Neher TL, Puzia ME. Testing the Pragmatic Effectiveness of a Consumer-Based Mindfulness Mobile App in the Workplace: Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2022; 10:e38903. [PMID: 36169991 PMCID: PMC9557765 DOI: 10.2196/38903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mental health and sleep problems are prevalent in the workforce, corresponding to costly impairment in productivity and increased health care use. Digital mindfulness interventions are efficacious in improving sleep and mental health in the workplace; however, evidence supporting their pragmatic utility, potential for improving productivity, and ability to reduce employer costs is limited. Objective This pragmatic, cluster randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the experimental effects of implementing a commercially available mindfulness app—Calm—in employees of a large, multisite employer in the United States. Outcomes included mental health (depression, anxiety, and stress), sleep (insomnia and daytime sleepiness), resilience, productivity impairment (absenteeism, presenteeism, overall work impairment, and non–work activity impairment), and health care use (medical visit frequency). Methods Employees were randomized at the work site to receive either the Calm app intervention or waitlist control. Participants in the Calm intervention group were instructed to use the Calm app for 10 minutes per day for 8 weeks; individuals with elevated baseline insomnia symptoms could opt-in to 6 weeks of sleep coaching. All outcomes were assessed every 2 weeks, with the exception of medical visits (weeks 4 and 8 only). Effects of the Calm intervention on outcomes were evaluated via mixed effects modeling, controlling for relevant baseline characteristics, with fixed effects of the intervention on outcomes assessed at weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8. Models were analyzed via complete-case and intent-to-treat analyses. Results A total of 1029 employees enrolled (n=585 in the Calm intervention group, including 101 who opted-in to sleep coaching, and n=444 in waitlist control). Of them, 192 (n=88 for the Calm intervention group and n=104 for waitlist) completed all 5 assessments. In the complete-case analysis at week 8, employees at sites randomized to the Calm intervention group experienced significant improvements in depression (P=.02), anxiety (P=.01), stress (P<.001), insomnia (P<.001), sleepiness (P<.001), resilience (P=.02), presenteeism (P=.01), overall work impairment (P=.004), and nonwork impairment (P<.001), and reduced medical care visit frequency (P<.001) and productivity impairment costs (P=.01), relative to the waitlist control. In the intent-to-treat analysis at week 8, significant benefits of the intervention were observed for depression (P=.046), anxiety (P=.01), insomnia (P<.001), sleepiness (P<.001), nonwork impairment (P=.04), and medical visit frequency (P<.001). Conclusions The results suggest that the Calm app is an effective workplace intervention for improving mental health, sleep, resilience, and productivity and for reducing medical visits and costs owing to work impairment. Future studies should identify optimal implementation strategies that maximize employee uptake and large-scale implementation success across diverse, geographically dispersed employers. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05120310; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05120310
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Huberty
- Calm.com, Inc., San Francisco, CA, United States
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | | | - Taylor L Neher
- Center for the Study of Aging, Boise State University, Boise, ID, United States
| | - Megan E Puzia
- Behavioral Research and Analytics, LLC, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
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Hicks O, McInerney SJ, Lam RW, Milev RV, Frey BN, Soares CN, Foster JA, Rotzinger S, Kennedy SH, Harkness KL. Acute and chronic stress predict anti-depressant treatment outcome and naturalistic course of major depression: A CAN-BIND report. J Affect Disord 2022; 313:8-14. [PMID: 35760190 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.06.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In treatment studies of major depressive disorder (MDD), exposure to major life events predicts less symptom improvement and greater likelihood of relapse. In contrast, the impact of minor life events has received less attention. We hypothesized that the impact of minor events on symptom improvement and risk of relapse would be heightened in the presence of concurrent chronic stress. We also hypothesized that major events would predict less symptom improvement and greater risk of relapse independently of chronic stress. METHODS Adult patients experiencing an episode of MDD were enrolled into a 16-week trial with antidepressant treatments (n = 156). Forty-three fully remitted patients agreed to participate in a naturalistic 18-month follow-up, and 30 had full data for analyses. Life events and chronic stressors were assessed using a contextual life stress interview. RESULTS Greater exposure to minor events predicted greater improvement in symptoms during acute treatment, but this relation was specific to those who reported greater severity of chronic stress. During follow-up, however, major life events predicted increased risk of relapse, and this effect was not moderated by chronic stress. LIMITATION High attrition rates led to a small sample size for the follow-up analyses. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to minor events may provide an opportunity to practice problem-solving skills, thereby facilitating symptom improvement. Nevertheless, acute treatment did not protect patients from relapse when they subsequently faced major events during follow-up. Therefore, adjunctive strategies may be needed to enhance outcomes during pharmacotherapy, consolidating benefits from acute treatment and providing skills to prevent relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Owen Hicks
- Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Canada
| | | | - Raymond W Lam
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Benicio N Frey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Canada; Mood Disorders Program and Women's Health Concerns Clinic, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Canada
| | | | - Jane A Foster
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Canada
| | - Susan Rotzinger
- Centre for Depression and Suicide Studies, St. Michael's Hospital, Canada
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Zhang Y, Dong Y, Zhu Y, Sun D, Wang S, Weng J, Zhu Y, Peng W, Yu B, Jiang Y. Microglia-specific transcriptional repression of interferon-regulated genes after prolonged stress in mice. Neurobiol Stress 2022; 21:100495. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2022.100495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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Ortega MA, Fraile-Martínez Ó, García-Montero C, Alvarez-Mon MA, Lahera G, Monserrat J, Llavero-Valero M, Gutiérrez-Rojas L, Molina R, Rodríguez-Jimenez R, Quintero J, De Mon MA. Biological Role of Nutrients, Food and Dietary Patterns in the Prevention and Clinical Management of Major Depressive Disorder. Nutrients 2022; 14:3099. [PMID: 35956276 PMCID: PMC9370795 DOI: 10.3390/nu14153099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a growing disabling condition affecting around 280 million people worldwide. This complex entity is the result of the interplay between biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, and compelling evidence suggests that MDD can be considered a disease that occurs as a consequence of an evolutionary mismatch and unhealthy lifestyle habits. In this context, diet is one of the core pillars of health, influencing multiple biological processes in the brain and the entire body. It seems that there is a bidirectional relationship between MDD and malnutrition, and depressed individuals often lack certain critical nutrients along with an aberrant dietary pattern. Thus, dietary interventions are one of the most promising tools to explore in the field of MDD, as there are a specific group of nutrients (i.e., omega 3, vitamins, polyphenols, and caffeine), foods (fish, nuts, seeds fruits, vegetables, coffee/tea, and fermented products) or dietary supplements (such as S-adenosylmethionine, acetyl carnitine, creatine, amino acids, etc.), which are being currently studied. Likewise, the entire nutritional context and the dietary pattern seem to be another potential area of study, and some strategies such as the Mediterranean diet have demonstrated some relevant benefits in patients with MDD; although, further efforts are still needed. In the present work, we will explore the state-of-the-art diet in the prevention and clinical support of MDD, focusing on the biological properties of its main nutrients, foods, and dietary patterns and their possible implications for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A. Ortega
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Alcala, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (Ó.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.A.-M.); (G.L.); (J.M.); (M.A.D.M.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Cancer Registry and Pathology Department, Hospital Universitario Principe de Asturias, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | - Óscar Fraile-Martínez
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Alcala, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (Ó.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.A.-M.); (G.L.); (J.M.); (M.A.D.M.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Cielo García-Montero
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Alcala, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (Ó.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.A.-M.); (G.L.); (J.M.); (M.A.D.M.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Angel Alvarez-Mon
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Alcala, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (Ó.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.A.-M.); (G.L.); (J.M.); (M.A.D.M.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor, 28031 Madrid, Spain; (M.L.-V.); (J.Q.)
| | - Guillermo Lahera
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Alcala, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (Ó.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.A.-M.); (G.L.); (J.M.); (M.A.D.M.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor, 28031 Madrid, Spain; (M.L.-V.); (J.Q.)
- Psychiatry Service, Center for Biomedical Research in the Mental Health Network, University Hospital Príncipe de Asturias, 28806 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | - Jorge Monserrat
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Alcala, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (Ó.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.A.-M.); (G.L.); (J.M.); (M.A.D.M.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Llavero-Valero
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor, 28031 Madrid, Spain; (M.L.-V.); (J.Q.)
| | - Luis Gutiérrez-Rojas
- Department of Psychiatry and CTS-549 Research Group, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain;
- Psychiatry Service, San Cecilio University Hospital, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Rosa Molina
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental, Health San Carlos University Hospital (HCSC), 28034 Madrid, Spain;
- Research Biomedical Fundation of HCSC Hospital, 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychology, Comillas University, Cantoblanco, 28015 Madrid, Spain
| | - Roberto Rodríguez-Jimenez
- Department of Legal Medicine, Psychiatry, and Pathology, Complutense University (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain;
- Institute for Health Research 12 de Octubre Hospital, (imas12)/CIBERSAM-ISCIII (Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Mental Health), 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Quintero
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor, 28031 Madrid, Spain; (M.L.-V.); (J.Q.)
- Department of Legal Medicine, Psychiatry, and Pathology, Complutense University (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Melchor Alvarez De Mon
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, University of Alcala, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain; (Ó.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.A.-M.); (G.L.); (J.M.); (M.A.D.M.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Immune System Diseases-Rheumatology, Oncology Service an Internal Medicine, University Hospital Príncipe de Asturias, (CIBEREHD), 28806 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
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Delli Colli C, Borgi M, Poggini S, Chiarotti F, Cirulli F, Penninx BWJH, Benedetti F, Vai B, Branchi I. Time moderates the interplay between 5-HTTLPR and stress on depression risk: gene x environment interaction as a dynamic process. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:274. [PMID: 35821204 PMCID: PMC9276704 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02035-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The serotonin-transporter-linked promoter region (5-HTTLPR) has been widely investigated as contributing to depression vulnerability. Nevertheless, empirical research provides wide contrasting findings regarding its involvement in the etiopathogenesis of the disorder. Our hypothesis was that such discrepancy can be explained considering time as moderating factor. We explored this hypothesis, exploiting a meta analytic approach. We searched PubMed, PsychoINFO, Scopus and EMBASE databases and 1096 studies were identified and screened, resulting in 22 studies to be included in the meta-analyses. The effect of the 5-HTTLPR x stress interaction on depression risk was found to be moderated by the following temporal factors: the duration of stress (i.e. chronic vs. acute) and the time interval between end of stress and assessment of depression (i.e. within 1 year vs. more than 1 year). When stratifying for the duration of stress, the effect of the 5-HTTLPR x stress interaction emerged only in the case of chronic stress, with a significant subgroup difference (p = 0.004). The stratification according to time interval revealed a significant interaction only for intervals within 1 year, though no difference between subgroups was found. The critical role of time interval clearly emerged when considering only chronic stress: a significant effect of the 5-HTTLPR and stress interaction was confirmed exclusively within 1 year and a significant subgroup difference was found (p = 0.01). These results show that the 5-HTTLPR x stress interaction is a dynamic process, producing different effects at different time points, and indirectly confirm that s-allele carriers are both at higher risk and more capable to recover from depression. Overall, these findings expand the current view of the interplay between 5-HTTLPR and stress adding the temporal dimension, that results in a three-way interaction: gene x environment x time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Delli Colli
- grid.416651.10000 0000 9120 6856Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy ,grid.7841.aPhD program in Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “Vittorio Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Borgi
- grid.416651.10000 0000 9120 6856Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Poggini
- grid.416651.10000 0000 9120 6856Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Chiarotti
- grid.416651.10000 0000 9120 6856Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Cirulli
- grid.416651.10000 0000 9120 6856Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Brenda W. J. H. Penninx
- grid.12380.380000 0004 1754 9227Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Francesco Benedetti
- grid.18887.3e0000000417581884Psychiatry & Clinical Psychobiology, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy ,grid.15496.3f0000 0001 0439 0892Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Benedetta Vai
- grid.18887.3e0000000417581884Psychiatry & Clinical Psychobiology, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy ,grid.15496.3f0000 0001 0439 0892Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Igor Branchi
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
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Dispositional pain catastrophising in non-clinical sample: The role of depression, perceived stress and social support. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-020-00956-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Mattioli AV, Coppi F, Nasi M, Gallina S. Stress and cardiovascular risk burden after the pandemic: current status and future prospects. Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther 2022; 20:507-513. [PMID: 35727895 DOI: 10.1080/14779072.2022.2092097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The recent COVID-19 pandemic has induced an increase in anxiety, stress, and depression in the world population, prompting a reevaluation of these well-known risk factors on cardiovascular burden. AREAS COVERED This short report analyzes the impact of the pandemic on stress and depression, highlighting how the phenomenon has particularly affected women and highlights the strategies that can be undertaken after the pandemic to reduce stress and depression. We have analyzed the pandemic because it has completely changed the scenario of cardiovascular risk factors with an important increase in socio-economic stressors. EXPERT OPINION It is still difficult to assess the damage produced on cardiovascular risk just as it is almost impossible to predict how the overwhelming and important increase in Long-Covid Syndromes will impact the population. Strong action is needed to support critical situations and to implement social campaigns aimed at restoring healthy lifestyles. Physical activity can be an easy and inexpensive tool to help cope with stress and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Vittoria Mattioli
- Surgical, Medical and Dental Department of Morphological Sciences related to Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | | | - Milena Nasi
- Surgical, Medical and Dental Department of Morphological Sciences related to Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Sabina Gallina
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
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Lee KH, Lee HY, Park I, Jeon JE, Kim N, Oh SM, Jeon S, Kim S, Lee YJ, Kim SJ. Life stress, sleep disturbance and depressive symptoms: The moderating role of prefrontal activation during emotion regulation. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2022; 56:709-720. [PMID: 34254527 DOI: 10.1177/00048674211025729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Evidence suggests that emotion regulation difficulty may play an important role in the association between life stress, sleep disturbance and depressive symptoms. We proposed two models depicting the possible moderating roles of prefrontal cortex activation during emotion regulation in the associations among these variables and tested them. We hypothesized that (1) the association between stress and sleep disturbance would differ across prefrontal cortex activation during emotion regulation (moderation model) and (2) the indirect effects of stress on depressive symptoms through sleep disturbance would depend on prefrontal cortex activation during emotion regulation (moderated mediation model). METHODS Forty-eight healthy adults without sleep disorders based on nocturnal polysomnography participated in this study. They received functional magnetic resonance imaging scans while performing an emotion regulation task. They also completed questionnaires assessing life stress, sleep disturbance and depressive symptoms. The proposed models were tested using the PROCESS macro for SPSS. RESULTS As hypothesized, there was a significant moderating effect of prefrontal cortex activation during emotion regulation on the association between life stress and sleep disturbance. Furthermore, right lateral prefrontal cortex activation had a moderating role in the indirect effect of life stress on depressive symptoms through sleep disturbance. CONCLUSION These findings highlight the important role of prefrontal cortex function during emotion regulation in the associations between stress, sleep disturbance and depressive symptoms. Increasing lateral prefrontal cortex recruitment when regulating the emotional response to negative life events may be critical for the prevention and intervention of depression as well as sleep problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Hwa Lee
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Sleep and Chronobiology, College of Medicine and Hospital, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ha Young Lee
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Sleep and Chronobiology, College of Medicine and Hospital, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Inkyung Park
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Jeong Eun Jeon
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Sleep and Chronobiology, College of Medicine and Hospital, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Nambeom Kim
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Min Oh
- Department of Psychiatry, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Ilsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Sehyun Jeon
- Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Soohyun Kim
- Department of Neurology, Gangneung Asan Hospital, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu Jin Lee
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Sleep and Chronobiology, College of Medicine and Hospital, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seog Ju Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Klopack ET, Wickrama KAS, Simons RL. Life course trajectories of chronic financial strain and acute stress reactivity: Steeling in response to recovery from strain. Stress Health 2022; 38:277-289. [PMID: 34379875 PMCID: PMC9190465 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The steeling hypothesis suggests experiencing moderate strain may improve an individual's ability to cope with future strain, whereas crisis theory suggests that experiencing temporary strain will reduce the effect of future strain. The current study improves on past research by utilizing data from two independent prospective panel studies (one of 553 white rural Midwesterner women and 451 men and one of 624 African American women) spanning 26 and 22 years, respectively. We utilize growth mixture modeling to identify latent groups based on trajectories of financial strain and test interactions between class membership and later acute stressful events on chronic illness and physical health using three subscales from the RAND SF-12. We find being a group that experienced a period of temporary strain weakened the effect of later acute stressors on physical health for both samples and chronic illness for the African American sample. Results support crisis theory and highlight the importance of considering chronic strain as a life course process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric T. Klopack
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California
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The Problem of Malnutrition Associated with Major Depressive Disorder from a Sex-Gender Perspective. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14051107. [PMID: 35268082 PMCID: PMC8912662 DOI: 10.3390/nu14051107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is an incapacitating condition characterized by loss of interest, anhedonia and low mood, which affects almost 4% of people worldwide. With rising prevalence, it is considered a public health issue that affects economic productivity and heavily increases health costs alone or as a comorbidity for other pandemic non-communicable diseases (such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, inflammatory bowel diseases, etc.). What is even more noteworthy is the double number of women suffering from MDD compared to men. In fact, this sex-related ratio has been contemplated since men and women have different sexual hormone oscillations, where women meet significant changes depending on the age range and moment of life (menstruation, premenstruation, pregnancy, postpartum, menopause…), which seem to be associated with susceptibility to depressive symptoms. For instance, a decreased estrogen level promotes decreased activation of serotonin transporters. Nevertheless, sexual hormones are not the only triggers that alter neurotransmission of monoamines and other neuropeptides. Actually, different dietary habits and/or nutritional requirements for specific moments of life severely affect MDD pathophysiology in women. In this context, the present review aims to descriptively collect information regarding the role of malnutrition in MDD onset and course, focusing on female patient and especially macro- and micronutrient deficiencies (amino acids, ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3 PUFAs), folate, vitamin B12, vitamin D, minerals…), besides providing evidence for future nutritional intervention programs with a sex-gender perspective that hopefully improves mental health and quality of life in women.
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The COVID-19 Pandemic Impacted Maternal Mental Health Differently Depending on Pregnancy Status and Trimester of Gestation. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19052926. [PMID: 35270623 PMCID: PMC8910614 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19052926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: We aimed to measure the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal mental health, stratifying on pregnancy status, trimester of gestation, and pandemic period/wave. Methods: Pregnant persons and persons who delivered in Canada during the pandemic, >18 years, were recruited, and data were collected using a web-based strategy. The current analysis includes data on persons enrolled between 06/2020−08/2021. Maternal sociodemographic indicators, mental health measures (Edinburgh Perinatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Generalized Anxiety Disorders (GAD-7), stress) were self-reported. Maternal mental health in pregnant women (stratified by trimester, and pandemic period/wave at recruitment) was compared with the mental health of women who had delivered; determinants of severe depression were identified with multivariate logistic regression models. Results: 2574 persons were pregnant and 626 had already delivered at recruitment. Participants who had delivered had significantly higher mean depressive symptom scores compared to those pregnant at recruitment (9.1 (SD, 5.7) vs. 8.4 (SD, 5.3), p = 0.009). Maternal anxiety (aOR 1.51; 95%CI 1.44−1.59) and stress (aOR 1.35; 95%CI 1.24−1.48) were the most significant predictors of severe maternal depression (EDPS ˃ 13) in pregnancy. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on maternal depression during pregnancy and in the post-partum period. Given that gestational depression/anxiety/stress has been associated with preterm birth and childhood cognitive problems, it is essential to continue following women/children, and develop strategies to reduce COVID-19′s longer-term impact.
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Kuhlman KR, Cole SW, Craske MG, Fuligni AJ, Irwin MR, Bower JE. Enhanced immune activation following acute social stress among adolescents with early life adversity. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 3:213-221. [PMID: 37124349 PMCID: PMC10140462 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2022.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Early-life adversity (ELA) has been linked to higher depression risk across the life span and chronic inflammatory conditions that contribute to earlier mortality. In this study, we characterized innate immune responses to acute social stress in a community sample of adolescents (mean age = 13.9 ± 1.6 years; 46.4% female) as a potential pathway linking ELA and depression pathogenesis. Methods Parents reported their child's exposure to 9 ELAs, and adolescents participated in the Trier Social Stress Test for Children, with blood collected immediately before and then at 60 and 90 minutes thereafter. Overall, 65 adolescents had complete data for analysis of stress-induced changes in gene expression and 84 adolescents had complete data for circulating inflammatory markers. Results Relative to adolescents exposed to no ELA (11.9%) or low ELA (ELA = 1-3; 67.9%), those exposed to high ELA (ELA = 4+; 20.2%) showed larger stress-associated increases in expression of both proinflammatory and innate antiviral gene transcripts in circulating blood. Consistent with a potential mediating role of sympathetic nervous system activity, promoter-based bioinformatics analyses implicated CREB transcription factor activity in structuring observed gene expression differences. These effects were accompanied by a smaller initial but protracted increase in circulating interleukin 6 in adolescents with high ELA. Conclusions Results are consistent with the hypothesis that ELA may enhance cellular and gene regulatory reactivity to stress, which may, in turn, increase vulnerability to depression and other inflammation-related disease processes.
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Defining the importance of stress reduction in managing cardiovascular disease - the role of exercise. Prog Cardiovasc Dis 2022; 70:84-93. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pcad.2022.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Rudenstine S, Schulder T, Ettman C, Galea S. Perceived coping mitigates anxiety symptoms in the context of COVID-19 stress in an urban university student sample. Psychol Rep 2022:332941221074038. [PMID: 35084273 PMCID: PMC8894909 DOI: 10.1177/00332941221074038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Perceived coping and its two subprocesses, trauma-focused coping (finding meaning in the details and memory of a potential trauma or stressor) and forward-focused coping (focusing on planning for the future) have been shown to be important in the context of potentially traumatic events. The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated stressors have negatively impacted population mental health, and preliminary investigations have demonstrated the importance of perceived abilities to cope during the pandemic. The current study sought to examine the potentially moderating role of each subprocess on the relationship between stress and anxiety symptoms in a low-income student sample during COVID-19 (N = 2364). We computed two hierarchical multiple linear regressions to assess for significant interactions between stress and perceived coping subprocess scores on anxiety outcomes. Our results demonstrated that both trauma-focused coping and forward-focused coping served as effect modifiers in the relationship between COVID-19related stress and anxiety. Such findings highlight the importance of interventions that incorporate both forms of coping for low-income students during a chronic stressor.
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Camilleri C, Fogle CS, O'Brien KG, Sammut S. The Impact of COVID-19 and Associated Interventions on Mental Health: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Sample of University Students. Front Psychiatry 2022; 12:801859. [PMID: 35153865 PMCID: PMC8825780 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.801859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mental health issues have continued to rise globally, including among university students. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the previously existing and concerning problem. Given that coping mechanisms have been proposed to mediate the relationship between stressors and mental health, the aim of our cross-sectional study was to investigate the mediation of coping mechanisms on the relationship between the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and mental health. METHODS University students (≥18 years old; N = 676; 31% male, 69% female) were administered an anonymous survey addressing current demographics, COVID-19 pandemic-related demographics, personal experiences, sources of stress and perceived effect on mental health, politics, sources of news/information, and various pre-validated scales addressing mental health (DASS-21), the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (IES-R) and coping strategies utilized (Brief COPE). RESULTS Our results indicate a substantial proportion of our sample reporting scores in the severe and extremely severe DASS-21 categories, in addition to ~50% reporting a perceived deterioration in mental health relative to pre-COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, a substantial proportion of students reported IES-R scores at levels where PTSD is of clinical concern. Alarmingly, a significant proportion of females (~15%) reported scores reflecting potential long-term PTSD-related implications. Females tended to be more severely impacted in all mental health measures. Mediation analysis indicated that while dysfunctional coping mediated the relationship between the impact of the event (COVID-19 pandemic) and all three mental health outcomes, overall, this was not the case with the positive coping strategies. CONCLUSION Our study appears to indicate a reduced buffering influence on negative mental health outcomes by the positive coping mechanisms investigated in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and secondary interventions implemented. While the findings of this study pertain specifically to university students, they corroborate the existing extensive body of research (from physiological to behavioral, preclinical to clinical) pertaining to the response associated with major stressful events at every level of society. In this regard, the findings imply the necessity for health and other authorities, tasked with safeguarding public well-being, to avoid reactive interventions that do not appropriately balance the risks and benefits, potentially exacerbating pre-existing psychopathologies and compromising social order.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Stephen Sammut
- Department of Psychology, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, OH, United States
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Kadil Y, Tabyaoui I, Badre L, Jouti NT, Filali H. Evaluation of the Antidepressant-like Effect of Chronic Administration of Nigella Fixed Oil Versus Fluoxetine in Rats. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS DRUG TARGETS 2022; 21:533-539. [PMID: 34852753 DOI: 10.2174/1871527320666211201160001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression is a group of syndromes characterized by notable and persistent mood disorders, and is one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders, while the existing treatments have an altered risk-benefit balance. The therapeutic properties of Nigella have been confirmed, suggesting the reliance on phytotherapy. OBJECTIVES The objective of the present paper is to investigate the antidepressive-like effect of Nigella sativa on rats exposed to the Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress procedure. METHODS Wistar rats were used to investigate the antidepressive-like effect. The stress procedure used in this study combined many stressful conditions. After 6 weeks of treatment, behavioral test (forced swim test) was conducted, and histological changes of the hippocampus were examined. RESULTS Treatment by nigella and fluoxetine significantly reduced the immobilization time. Histopathological analysis showed that control treatments result in more loosely arranged cells, significant apoptotic neurons characterized by an irregular appearance, and pyknotic hyperchromatic. CONCLUSION A preservation of the thickness of the pyramid layer was also observed in the groups treated with nigella and fluoxetine, suggesting that nigella could be used as a treatment or an adjuvant preventing depressive-like disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youness Kadil
- Laboratory of Pharmacology-Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Casablanca, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Imane Tabyaoui
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Inflammatory, Degenerative and Oncologic Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Casablanca, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Latifa Badre
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Inflammatory, Degenerative and Oncologic Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Casablanca, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Nadia Tahiri Jouti
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Inflammatory, Degenerative and Oncologic Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Casablanca, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Houda Filali
- Laboratory of Pharmacology-Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Casablanca, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco
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Harris A, Smith T. Monetary Sanctions as Chronic and Acute Health Stressors: The Emotional Strain of People Who Owe Court Fines and Fees. THE RUSSELL SAGE FOUNDATION JOURNAL OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES : RSF 2022; 8:36-56. [PMID: 37860787 PMCID: PMC10586471 DOI: 10.7758/rsf.2022.8.2.02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
In this article, we explore the experiences of people who carry monetary sanction (or penal) debt across eight U.S. states. Using 519 interviews with people sentenced to fines and fees, we analyze the mental and emotional aspects of their experiences. Situating our analysis within research on the social determinants of health and the stress universe, we suggest that monetary sanctions create an overwhelmingly palpable sense of fear, frustration, anxiety, and despair. We theorize the ways in which monetary sanctions function as both acute and chronic health stressors for people who are unable to pay off their debts, highlight the mechanisms linking penal debt with mental and emotional burdens, and generalize our findings using national data from the U.S. Federal Reserve. We find that the system of monetary sanctions generates a great deal of stress and strain that becomes an internalized punishment affecting many realms of people's lives.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tyler Smith
- Department of Sociology at the University of Washington, United States
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Negative affect, childhood adversity, and adolescents' eating following stress. Appetite 2022; 168:105766. [PMID: 34688730 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2021.105766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Obesity commonly emerges by adolescence and is associated with serious health consequences. Emotional eating (consuming calories, fats, and sugars in response to negative affect) may promote obesity; however, evidence is mixed as to whether negative affect increases obesogenic eating. Early-life adversity may shape malleable neurobiological systems that govern inhibitory control, physiological regulation, coping strategies, and eating behavior, contributing to greater obesogenic eating in response to negative affect. Therefore, this study tested whether childhood adversity moderates the association between negative affect and food consumption in a diverse sample of female adolescents. After completing a childhood adversity assessment, 157 female adolescents (13-17 years; 28.7% African American, 39.5% Hispanic/Latina, 31.8% Non-Hispanic White) rated their negative affect in response to a standard social stress paradigm before consuming a buffet lunch, which was evaluated for calories, added sugars, and solid fats consumed. Results did not support that negative affect exerted a main effect on eating behavior. However, negative affect and childhood adversity interacted to predict calories and solid fats consumed, such that negative affect was associated with more obesogenic eating for those with high adversity exposure but not for those with low adversity exposure. Adversity and affect did not interact to predict added sugars consumed. Findings support that eating patterns in response to negative affect may differ by childhood adversity history. Reducing children's adversity exposure and bolstering emotion regulation techniques for adolescents who have been exposed to adversity may provide pathways to protect health and well-being by reducing maladaptive eating patterns.
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Sobregrau Sangrà P, Aguiló Mir S, Castro Ribeiro T, Esteban-Sepúlveda S, García Pagès E, López Barbeito B, Pomar Moya-Prats JL, Pintor Pérez L, Aguiló Llobet J. Mental health assessment of Spanish healthcare workers during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. A cross-sectional study. Compr Psychiatry 2022; 112:152278. [PMID: 34678607 PMCID: PMC8501183 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2021.152278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak is posing unprecedented care scenarios, increasing the psychological distress among healthcare workers while reducing the efficiency of health systems. This work evaluated the psychological impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Spanish frontline healthcare workers of two tertiary hospitals. MATERIAL AND METHODS Healthcare workers were recruited from the medical units designated for the care of Covid-19 patients. The psychological assessment consisted of an individual, face-to-face session where gold-standard psychometric tests were administered to assess stress (VASS & PSS-10), anxiety (STAI), depression (PHQ-2) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PCL-5). Regression models were also fitted to identify predictors of psychological distress. RESULTS Overall, almost 13% of healthcare workers showed severe anxiety, while more than 26% had high levels of perceived stress. More than 23% presented severe posttraumatic stress symptoms, and another 13% had PHQ-2 scores equal to or above 3, compatible with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) diagnosis, respectively. Women, stress-related medication, overworking, performing in Covid-19 wards, and substance abuse were risk factors for increased psychological distress. Instead, practising exercise reduced the burden. CONCLUSION This study outlines the severe psychological impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Spanish frontline healthcare workers. The stress, depression and anxiety levels found were similar to those reported in similar works but much higher than in Wuhan healthcare workers. Knowledge of risk factors for increased psychological distress may help to develop comprehensive intervention strategies to prevent, control and reduce the mental health exacerbation of healthcare workers, thereby maintaining the effectiveness of health systems in critical scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pau Sobregrau Sangrà
- Emergency Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, 08036, Spain; Psychiatry Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain.
| | - Sira Aguiló Mir
- Emergency Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, 08036, Spain
| | - Thaís Castro Ribeiro
- Networking Biomedical Research Center: Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra 08193, Spain
| | - Silvia Esteban-Sepúlveda
- Research Group in Nursing Care (GRECI), Hospital del Mar Institute of Medical Research (IMIM), Barcelona 08003, Spain,Consorci Parc de Salut MAR de Barcelona, Hospital del Mar of Barcelona, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Esther García Pagès
- Networking Biomedical Research Center: Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra 08193, Spain
| | | | | | - Luís Pintor Pérez
- Psychiatry Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Jordi Aguiló Llobet
- Microelectronics and Electronic Systems Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra 08193, Spain
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