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Yu T, Hu J, Zhao J. Childhood emotional abuse and depression symptoms among Chinese adolescents: The sequential masking effect of ruminative thinking and deliberate rumination. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2024; 154:106854. [PMID: 38823333 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106854] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study delves into the relationship between childhood trauma and adolescent depression symptoms, specifically examining the distinct roles of ruminative thinking and deliberate rumination in mediating this connection. The focus is on exploring whether these cognitive processes, namely ruminative thinking and deliberate rumination, operate differently and sequentially in mediating the impact of childhood emotional abuse (CEA) on the development of depression symptoms among Chinese adolescents. METHODS The study involved gathering data from 489 adolescents, with a relatively balanced gender distribution (44.79 % males and 55.21 % females). The average age of the participants was 16.92 years, with a standard deviation of 0.67. Data collection took place in two Chinese high schools, and participants were tasked with completing assessments related to CEA, ruminative thinking, deliberate rumination, and depression symptoms. The interplay among these variables was then examined using a serial mediation model. RESULTS The findings of the study indicate that CEA not only exhibited a direct association with adolescent depression symptoms but also exerted indirect effects through distinct mediating mechanisms involving ruminative thinking and deliberate rumination. Specifically, ruminative thinking was identified as a mediator, whereas deliberate rumination emerged as a buffer in the relationship between CEA and depression. Additionally, ruminative thinking and deliberate rumination partially masked the effect of CEA on adolescent depression symptoms in a sequential pattern. CONCLUSIONS Regarding the link from CEA to adolescent depression symptoms, ruminative thinking is an adverse mediator while deliberate rumination appears to play a benign role. Consequently, the promotion of a shift from ruminative thinking to deliberate rumination is proposed as a promising strategy for alleviating the detrimental effects of CEA on adolescent depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tengxu Yu
- Department of Psychology, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian City 116029, China.
| | - Jinsheng Hu
- Department of Psychology, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian City 116029, China.
| | - Jiayin Zhao
- Department of Psychology, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian City 116029, China.
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Daghigh A. Beyond sleepless nights: Unraveling the complexity of alexithymia and suicide risk among university students. Brain Behav 2024; 14:e3476. [PMID: 38622877 PMCID: PMC11019149 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3476] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a solid relationship between alexithymia and suicide risk. Nonetheless, the specific impact of alexithymia's distinct subscales on suicide risk has received the attention it deserves. This article presents a comprehensive exploration of suicide risk among university students, focusing on the interconnections among alexithymia, insomnia, and suicidal behavior. Three components of alexithymia including difficulties in describing emotions or feelings (DDF), difficulties in identifying emotions or feelings (DIF), and the externally oriented thinking were considered. METHODS The study involved 208 participants from a Persian university sample, examining the significance of incorporating both alexithymia and insomnia in suicide risk assessment and intervention planning. Insomnia was positioned as a pivotal mediator. A secure electronic link in the Telegram application was employed to collect the data. Both linear and nonlinear prediction models were used to explore potential associations among alexithymia, insomnia, and suicide risk. RESULTS The study revealed substantial positive correlations between alexithymia and suicide risk, as well as between insomnia and suicide risk. Additionally, specific components of alexithymia exhibited noteworthy links to suicide risk. The inclusion of insomnia scores in suicide risk predictions is critical, as it greatly enhances the precision of risk assessments and facilitates the design of targeted and effective therapeutic interventions. The association between alexithymia and suicide risk showed a significant relationship (r = .29, p < .01). Moreover, a significant correlation was observed between alexithymia and insomnia (r = .32, p < .01). Additionally, insomnia exhibited a significant positive correlation with suicide (r = .35, p < .01). Interestingly, DDF and DIF showed positive correlations with suicide (r = .28, p < .01; r = .33, p < .01). CONCLUSION The findings carry profound implications for suicide prevention efforts, providing valuable insights to safeguard the well-being and resilience of university students facing suicide risk challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Daghigh
- Department of Brain, Mind, and EducationInstitute for Cognitive Science StudiesTehranIran
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Li M, Yuan Y, Cheng X, Wang Y, Xu Z. Childhood maltreatment and insomnia in college students: The role of alexithymia and psychological distress. Acta Psychol (Amst) 2024; 243:104149. [PMID: 38245937 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104149] [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: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Insomnia, which is highly prevalent among college students, has been identified as one of the negative consequences of childhood maltreatment. While prior studies have uncovered distinct correlations between childhood maltreatment, insomnia, and other variables, the potential underlying mechanisms need to be further explored. This study focused on the chain-mediating role of alexithymia and psychological distress in the relationship between childhood maltreatment and insomnia. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among Chinese college students, yielding 999 valid questionnaires that included demographic information, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21), and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). A chain-mediating model was then tested. The results revealed significant positive correlations between each pair of the four variables. Alexithymia and psychological distress separately mediated the link between childhood maltreatment and insomnia (effect of alexithymia was 0.06 with 95 % CI [0.03, 0.09]; effect of psychological distress was 0.24 with 95 % CI [0.19, 0.29]). Additionally, a chain-mediating effect of alexithymia and psychological distress was observed (chain-mediating effect was 0.12 with 95 % CI [0.09, 0.15]). The findings suggest that emotional interventions may mitigate the long-term effect of childhood maltreatment on sleep problems among college students, by improving the ability to recognize emotions and decreasing emotional problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Li
- Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China; Key Research Base of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education, Academy of Psychology and Behavior, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China; Tianjin Social Science Laboratory of Students' Mental Development and Learning, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Yidan Yuan
- Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Xinyue Cheng
- Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Yurou Wang
- Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Zhansheng Xu
- Faculty of Psychology, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China; Key Research Base of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education, Academy of Psychology and Behavior, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China; Tianjin Social Science Laboratory of Students' Mental Development and Learning, Tianjin 300387, China.
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Yang X, Liu L, Tian Y, Yang C, Ling C, Liu H. Insomnia and Alexithymia in Chinese Adolescents with Major Depressive Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Study of Sex Differences and Associations. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2024; 17:615-625. [PMID: 38404923 PMCID: PMC10893783 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s446788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Insomnia is related to alexithymia in adults, but the relationship between insomnia and alexithymia in adolescents with major depressive disorder remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the sex differences and the association between insomnia and alexithymia in adolescents with major depressive disorder. Patients and Methods From October 2020 to April 2022, adolescent patients with major depressive disorder were recruited from psychiatric departments of seven hospitals in Anhui Province, China. Their general demographic and clinical information were collected. The 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies of Depression Scale, and the Insomnia Severity Index Scale were used to assess their alexithymia, depression, and insomnia symptoms, respectively. The analysis of variance (ANOVA), Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test were used for continuous variables and chi-square tests for categorical variables. Pearson's correlation analysis and Spearman correlation analysis were used to examine the correlation between ISI and demographic and clinical variables. Multiple binary logistic regression analyses with the "Enter" method were carried out to explore the correlations of insomnia. Results The prevalence of insomnia in female adolescent patients was similar to that of male patients (χ2=1.84, p = 0.175). Compared with those without insomnia, patients with insomnia had worse family relationships (F = 7.71, p = 0.021), perceived heavier academic stress (F = 6.32, p = 0.012), more likely to take sedative-hypnotics (F = 5.51, p = 0.019), had higher levels of depression (F = 81.57, p < 0.001) and alexithymia (F = 28.57, p < 0.001). Correlation analysis showed that alexithymia was significantly associated with insomnia in adolescent patients (r = 0.360, p < 0.01). Binary logistic regression analyses showed that, alexithymia was significantly associated with insomnia in female patients (OR = 1.050, p < 0.05) but not male patients. Conclusion In female adolescent patients, alexithymia is a risk factor of insomnia, which is of great importance in the understanding of the psychopathological mechanisms, treatments and psychological interventions of insomnia in adolescents with major depressive disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxue Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, People's Republic of China
- Department of Psychiatry, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China
- Anhui Psychiatric Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lewei Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, People's Republic of China
- Department of Psychiatry, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China
- Anhui Psychiatric Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yinghan Tian
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, People's Republic of China
- Department of Psychiatry, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China
- Anhui Psychiatric Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Cheng Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, People's Republic of China
- Department of Psychiatry, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China
- Anhui Psychiatric Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chen Ling
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, People's Republic of China
- Department of Psychiatry, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China
- Anhui Psychiatric Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huanzhong Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China
- Anhui Psychiatric Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China
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Dong WL, Li YY, Zhang YM, Peng QW, Lu GL, Chen CR. Influence of childhood trauma on adolescent internet addiction: The mediating roles of loneliness and negative coping styles. World J Psychiatry 2023; 13:1133-1144. [PMID: 38186732 PMCID: PMC10768484 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v13.i12.1133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the information age, the use of the internet and multimedia tools has large effects on the life of middle school students. Improper use of the internet may result in internet addiction (IA). Thus, actively exploring the factors influencing adolescent and the mechanism of addiction as well as promoting adolescent physical and mental health and academic development are priorities that families, schools, and society urgently need to address. AIM To explore the effect of childhood trauma on adolescent IA and to consider the roles of loneliness and negative coping styles. METHODS A total of 11310 students from six junior high schools in Henan, China, completed the child trauma questionnaire, IA test, loneliness scale, and simple coping style questionnaire. In addition, data were collected from 1044 adolescents with childhood trauma for analysis with IBM SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 28.0; we examined the relationships among childhood trauma, IA, loneliness, and negative coping styles. RESULTS We found that childhood trauma not only directly affected adolescents' IA but also affected IA through loneliness and negative coping styles. CONCLUSION Therefore, this study has theoretical implications regarding adolescent mental health and may inform interventions for IA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang-Lin Dong
- College of Nursing and Health, Institute of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Kaifeng 475000, Henan Province, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Li
- College of Nursing and Health, Institute of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Kaifeng 475000, Henan Province, China
| | - Yi-Ming Zhang
- College of Nursing and Health, Institute of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Kaifeng 475000, Henan Province, China
| | - Qian-Wen Peng
- College of Nursing and Health, Institute of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Kaifeng 475000, Henan Province, China
| | - Guang-Li Lu
- School of Business, Institute of Business Administration, Henan University, Kaifeng 475000, Henan Province, China
| | - Chao-Ran Chen
- College of Nursing and Health, Institute of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Kaifeng 475000, Henan Province, China
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Cai F, Jiang H, Tong S, Zhou S, Wang M, Sun S, Liu J, Xu Y, Lin N, Dai J, Wang X, Wang W, Zhao K, Wu X. Alexithymia is associated with insomnia in Chinese patients with schizophrenia. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1252763. [PMID: 38161729 PMCID: PMC10757626 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1252763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Sleep disorders are prevalent among patients with schizophrenia and are associated with several negative consequences. Although, researchers have recently suggested that sleep disorders have a close correlation with alexithymia, and schizophrenia also has a strong correlation with alexithymia, there have been few studies on the relationships between schizophrenia, sleep disorders and alexithymia. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the relationships between psychiatric symptoms, alexithymia and sleep problems in patients with schizophrenia so as to provide a reference for the clinical treatment of this comorbidity. Methods In total, 977 patients with schizophrenia were recruited for this study. The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) was used to assess sleep disorders, and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS) were used to evaluate clinical symptoms, cognitive functions and the ability to express emotion, respectively. Results The results indicated that the PANSS subscales (G-subscore) and TAS group were risk factors for insomnia in schizophrenia patients (all p < 0.05). The mediation model showed the standardized path coefficients from schizophrenia to alexithymia (β = 0.104, p < 0.001) and from alexithymia to insomnia (β = 0.038, p < 0.001) were statistically significant. Conclusion The results of this study indicated that alexithymia is associated with sleep disturbance in patients with schizophrenia. These findings may provide a new avenue for the treatment of schizophrenia patients with sleep disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangfang Cai
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Huixia Jiang
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Siyu Tong
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Siyao Zhou
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Mengpu Wang
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Shiyu Sun
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jie Liu
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yao Xu
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Nankai Lin
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jiajing Dai
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xinyao Wang
- Renji College of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Wei Wang
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- The Affiliated Kangning Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ke Zhao
- Lishui Second People’s Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui, China
- The Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorder, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xixi Wu
- Wenzhou Lucheng District Third People’s Hospital, Wenzhou, China
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