Staying connected: An umbrella review of meta-analyses on the push-and-pull of social connection in depression

Dysfunctional attitudes, social support, and adolescent depression

Adolescent depressive symptoms represent a significant public health concern, with negative life events and dysfunctional attitudes playing pivotal roles in their development. A cross-sectional study by Yu et al assessed the interplay between dysfunctional attitudes, social support, and depressive symptoms in 795 Chinese adolescents (49.9% male, mean age 15.2 ± 1.8 years, age range 11-18 years) from five middle schools in Shandong Province. Using the Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale, Adolescent Life Events Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and Social Support Rating Scale, the study identified that dysfunctional attitudes, particularly over-autonomy and over-perfectionism, mediate the relationship between negative life events and depressive symptoms. Social support moderated this relationship, significantly reducing depressive symptoms. These findings underscore the need for preventive and therapeutic strategies targeting dysfunctional attitudes and enhancing social support to address adolescent depressive symptoms. In this article, we extend their findings to highlight the significance of culturally tailored interventions that incorporate familial and community dynamics in mitigating depressive symptoms, particularly in collectivist societies.

Association between occupational stress and depression among construction workers: The chain mediating of sleep disorders and anxiety

BackgroundDue to the unique nature of their work, construction workers are prone to mental health problems. However, few studies in China have explored the relationship between psychological variables about them.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between occupational stress and depression and to analyze the mediating role of sleep disorders and anxiety.MethodsA stratified cluster sampling method randomly selected 1871 construction workers in Chongqing, China. The survey was conducted as a questionnaire. SPSS 25.0 software was used for data analysis and statistical description. SPSS PROCESS macro version 4.0 was used for the chained mediation effect test.ResultsThe detection rates of occupational stress, sleep disorders, anxiety, and depression among construction workers were 26.4%, 89.8%, 30.2%, and 18.7%, respectively. Analysis showed that these factors were positively correlated with each other. Mediation effect analysis showed that occupational stress directly influenced depression (β = 0.156, p < 0.001) and also had an indirect effect through sleep disorders and anxiety, with respective mediation effects of 4.48% and 47.93%. Sleep disorders and anxiety played a chain-mediating role between occupational stress and depression, with a mediating effect of 3.69%.ConclusionsOccupational stress affects depression directly and also indirectly through sleep disorders and anxiety. These results indicate that reducing occupational stress, sleep disorders, and anxiety may be effective in preventing depression.

Dysfunctional attitudes, social support, negative life events, and depressive symptoms in Chinese adolescents: A moderated mediation model

BACKGROUND

Depression is a prevalent psychological issue in adolescents that is significantly related to negative life events (NLEs) and dysfunctional attitudes. High levels of social support can significantly buffer NLEs' effect on depression. Currently, there is limited research on how social support moderates the relationship between NLEs, dysfunctional attitudes, and depression in adolescents in China. It is imperative to investigate this moderating effect to mitigate dysfunctional attitudes in adolescent undergoing depressive mood, ultimately enhancing their overall mental health.

AIM

To investigate the relationship and underlying mechanisms between specific dysfunctional attitudes, social support, and depression among Chinese adolescents.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study which selected five middle schools in Shandong Province for investigation in March 2022. Participants included 795 adolescents (49.87% male, mage = 15.15, SD = 1.84, age range = 11-18 years old). All participants completed the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale, Adolescent Life Event Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and Social Support Rating Scale. A moderated mediation model was conducted to examine the relationship between specific dysfunctional attitudes, social support, and depression.

RESULTS

Results indicated that NLEs affected depression through the mediating role of specific dysfunctional attitudes (autonomy attitudes β = 0.21; perfectionism β = 0.25). Moreover, social support was found to moderate the mediating effect between NLEs, specific dysfunctional attitudes, and depressive symptoms (autonomy attitudes b2 = -0.08; perfectionism b2 = -0.09).

CONCLUSION

Dysfunctional attitudes mediated and social support moderated the relationship between NLEs and depression. Social support can buffer depression symptoms among adolescents with autonomy attitudes and perfectionism.

The closure of Wyoming's Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE): Qualitative analysis of the impact on social isolation and loneliness

Introduction

Social isolation and loneliness are global public health concerns experienced among older adults which are commonly associated with negative physical, psychological, and social outcomes. The healthcare system has an opportunity to identify and address social isolation and loneliness in older adults. The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) was developed to serve comprehensive social needs along with medical and behavioral needs of older adults who qualify for long-term care while still living in the community. In 2021, due to state budget reductions, Wyoming's only PACE program (WY PACE) closed, resulting in the discharge of all participants and loss of social engagement opportunities provided by this program. The objectives of this evaluation were to (1) examine the impact of the WY PACE closure on isolation and loneliness, (2) identify how older adults adapted to the loss of services addressing isolation and loneliness, and (3) identify needs for future interventions to address isolation among clients who experienced loss of supportive programs.

Methods

A mixed-methods design was used to facilitate understanding of qualitative findings while also conducting quantitative analyses to provide context for qualitative responses. Participants included 17 individuals who were either former PACE participants or their caregivers. Participants (n = 12; M = 74 years old) were predominantly non-Hispanic White (n = 8, 66%) and cisgender female (n = 7, 58%). Caregivers of participants (n = 5; M = 63 years old) were predominantly Hispanic, Latino, or of Spanish origin (n = 3, 60%) and cisgender female (n = 4, 80%).

Results

A mixed-methods design was used to facilitate understanding of qualitative findings while also conducting quantitative analyses to provide context for qualitative responses. Participants included 17 individuals who were either former PACE participants or their caregivers. Participants (n = 12; M = 74 years old) were predominantly non-Hispanic White (n = 8, 66%) and cisgender female (n = 7, 58%). Caregivers of participants (n = 5; M = 63 years old) were predominantly Hispanic, Latino, or of Spanish origin (n = 3, 60%) and cisgender female (n = 4, 80%).

Discussion

This evaluation provided preliminary insight into the impacts of the loss of programs like WY PACE on social isolation and loneliness. Creative solutions to maintain social engagement of this vulnerable population are needed.

Urbanization, loneliness and mental health model - A cross-sectional network analysis with a representative sample

With increasing urbanization, more people are exposed to mental health risk factors stemming from the urban social or physical environment. However, research on the relationship between urbanization and mental health is lacking. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the relationships of the physical environment (spatial cohesion and urban environment) and social factors (neighborhood cohesion) with mental health (stress, anxiety and depression symptoms) and physical health and the mediating role of loneliness based on the proposed theoretical model. The study was conducted in Metropolis GZM (Silesia, Poland) in a representative sample of 3296 residents (48% women). The measurements used were the PSS-10, GAD-7, PHQ-9, R-UCLA3 and neighborhood cohesion scale. ANOVA results showed that city residents had better mental health indices than residents of villages and small towns. The network approach revealed that urbanization was one of the most influential nodes and played the role of a bridge between all other nodes. The model was confirmed and showed that the relationships between the physical environment and mental health were consecutively mediated by neighborhood cohesion and loneliness. Spatial cohesion related to factors of the physical environment and physical health, while physical health was directly connected to sociodemographic factors and weakly to stress. Anxiety was the strongest risk factor. Mental health can be improved by social and architectural factors, such as strengthening neighborhood cohesion and improving neglected buildings.