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Bey GS, Pike JR, Palta P. Distinct moderating pathways for psychosocial risk and resilience in the association of neighborhood disadvantage with incident heart failure among Black persons. SSM Popul Health 2023; 24:101475. [PMID: 37736261 PMCID: PMC10509709 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2023.101475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To assess whether psychosocial factors moderate the associations between neighborhood disadvantage and incident heart failure (HF). Methods Among 1448 Non-Hispanic (NH) Black persons dually enrolled in two community-based cohorts in Jackson, Mississippi who were free of HF as of January 1, 2000, 336 HF events classified by reviewer panel accrued through December 31, 2017. Multilevel, multivariable Cox regression models were used to examine whether optimism and negative affect moderated the associations of two measures of neighborhood characteristics (the national Area Deprivation Index (ADI) and perceived neighborhood problems) on incident hospitalized HF. Results Optimism moderated the association of the ADI with incident HF. Compared to participants reporting the lowest tertile of optimism, those in the highest tertile of optimism had a 29% lower rate of HF associated with increasing ADI in fully adjusted models. We found no evidence for a moderating effect of negative affect. Conclusions This study supports optimism as a source of resilience to the detrimental effects of neighborhood disadvantage on HF risk. Population-level strategies to promote sociocultural antecedents to optimism may serve as a viable method of reducing the disproportionate burden of HF among NH Black persons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganga S. Bey
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Epidemiology, USA
| | - James R. Pike
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA
| | - Priya Palta
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, USA
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2
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Parra-Gaete C, Hermosa-Bosano C. A pilot exploration of the relationships between optimism, affect, and cardiovascular reactivity. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1233900. [PMID: 37908813 PMCID: PMC10613684 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1233900] [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: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cardiovascular reactivity refers to changes in blood pressure and heart rate in response to internal or external stimuli. Previous research has shown that excessively high and low cardiovascular reactivity are associated with an increased risk of cardiac problems. Dispositional optimism has been associated with numerous health benefits, including better cardiovascular responses to stressors, and reduced mortality risk. Conversely, pessimism has been associated with negative health outcomes and worse cardiovascular reactivity to stress. Mood, comprising positive and negative affect, can significantly impact psychological adjustment and physical health. Therefore, it is important to consider mood as a potential confounding variable in the link between optimism and cardiovascular reactivity. The study hypothesized that optimism and pessimism would still influence cardiovascular reactivity even when mood variables were controlled for. Methods A within-subjects correlational design with 107 young adult participants was used. Sociodemographic and clinical questionnaires were administered to collect information on participants' characteristics. The Dispositional Optimism Scale (LOT-R) and the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) were used to assess participants' levels of optimism, pessimism, and mood. Measures of cardiovascular reactivity, including systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR), were taken during a stressor task (PASAT). Results There is a moderate positive correlation between dispositional optimism and positive affect, while pessimism demonstrated a moderate positive association with negative affect. Linear regression analyses were conducted, controlling baseline reactivity variables, gender, and body mass index. The results showed that pessimism had a significant negative effect on SBP reactivity, suggesting that higher levels of pessimism decreased SBP response. Optimism had a significant positive effect on DBP reactivity, while pessimism had a significant negative effect. Discussion Overall, these results suggest that dispositional optimism and pessimism are related to cardiovascular reactivity, even after controlling for positive and negative affect. Pessimism was associated with lower SBP reactivity, while both optimism and pessimism influenced DBP reactivity. These findings are consistent with previous research indicating that optimism enables more effective stress management during challenging events, whereas pessimism can serve as a risk factor, heightening the likelihood of experiencing future cardiac issued caused by blunted cardiovascular reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar Parra-Gaete
- Grupo de Investigación Bienestar, Salud y Sociedad, Escuela de Psicología y Educación, Universidad de Las Américas, Quito, Ecuador
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3
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Baumgartner PhD JN, Schneider PhD TR. A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based stress reduction on academic resilience and performance in college students. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2023; 71:1916-1925. [PMID: 34398703 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2021.1950728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The transition into college can pose barriers for student success. We examined the impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) compared to an active and no treatment control group, respectively, on stressor appraisals, academic persistence, and performance in unversity students. PARTICIPANTS Students were randomly assigned to receive MBSR (n = 29), study skills active control (n = 27), or no treatment (n = 29). METHOD Participants reported stressor appraisals and academic persistence pre- and post-intervention. Semester grade point average (GPA) and enrollment was also obtained. RESULTS Academic stressor appraisals did not vary by group. MBSR was protective against depleted academic persistence, whereas academic persistence decreased in the control groups. Enrollment rates remained unchanged in the MBSR group, but increased in the active control relative to no treatment. Finally, GPA improved in the MBSR group, but not controls. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that MBSR confers some benefits for resilience in university students.
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4
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Bey GS. The Identity Vitality-Pathology model: A novel theoretical framework proposing "identity state" as a modulator of the pathways from structural to health inequity. Soc Sci Med 2022; 314:115495. [PMID: 36335704 PMCID: PMC10269584 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ganga S Bey
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 123 W. Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA.
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5
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Lee LO, Grodstein F, Trudel-Fitzgerald C, James P, Okuzono SS, Koga HK, Schwartz J, Spiro A, Mroczek DK, Kubzansky LD. Optimism, Daily Stressors, and Emotional Well-Being Over Two Decades in a Cohort of Aging Men. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2022; 77:1373-1383. [PMID: 35255123 PMCID: PMC9371455 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbac025] [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: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Growing evidence supports optimism as a health asset, yet how optimism influences well-being and health remains uncertain. We evaluated 1 potential pathway-the association of optimism with daily stress processes-and tested 2 hypotheses. The stressor exposure hypothesis posits that optimism would preserve emotional well-being by limiting exposure to daily stressors. The buffering hypothesis posits that higher optimism would be associated with lower emotional reactivity to daily stressors and more effective emotional recovery from them. METHODS Participants were 233 men from the Veterans Affairs Normative Aging Study who completed the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Revised Optimism-Pessimism scale in 1986/1991 and participated in up to three 8-day daily diary bursts in 2002-2010 (age at first burst: M = 76.7, SD = 6.5). Daily stressor occurrence, positive affect (PA), and negative affect (NA) were assessed nightly. We evaluated the hypotheses using multilevel structural equation models. RESULTS Optimism was unrelated to emotional reactivity to or recovery from daily stressors. Higher optimism was associated with higher average daily PA (B = 2.31, 95% Bayesian credible interval [BCI]: 1.24, 3.38) but not NA, independent of stressor exposure. Lower stressor exposure mediated the association of higher optimism with lower daily NA (indirect effect: B = -0.27, 95% BCI: -0.50, -0.09), supporting the stressor exposure hypothesis. DISCUSSION Findings from a sample of older men suggest that optimism may be associated with more favorable emotional well-being in later life through differences in stressor exposure rather than emotional stress response. Optimism may preserve emotional well-being among older adults by engaging emotion regulation strategies that occur relatively early in the emotion-generative process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lewina O Lee
- National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Francine Grodstein
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Claudia Trudel-Fitzgerald
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Peter James
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sakurako S Okuzono
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hayami K Koga
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joel Schwartz
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Avron Spiro
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Daniel K Mroczek
- Department of Psychology, Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Laura D Kubzansky
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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6
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Cabrera N, He M, Chen Y, Reich SM. Risks and Protective Factors of Hispanic Families and Their Young Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic. CHILDREN 2022; 9:children9060792. [PMID: 35740729 PMCID: PMC9221755 DOI: 10.3390/children9060792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
This study examines the risk-related factors during the pandemic and protective factors that might reduce its effects on family functioning in a sample of 161 low-income Hispanic parents in the United States, recruited from an ongoing longitudinal intervention study. They were surveyed about family functioning six months into the pandemic. We focused on the associations between social (e.g., exposure to the virus) and economic (e.g., job loss) pandemic-related risks on parental stress, parenting, and children’s socioemotional problems and skills, as well as the degree to which coparenting support, parents’ positivity, economic support, and access to services and information mitigated (protected) the negative effects of these stressors on family functioning. We found that increases in economic risk were associated with more child competence skills, whereas increases in social risk were associated with less parental engagement. Positivity and economic support moderated the effects of economic risk on parental stress and engagement. These findings show that to intervene effectively with low-income Hispanic families, we need to strengthen and support the resources for coping with adversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Cabrera
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA;
- Correspondence:
| | - Minxuan He
- Department of Psychology, Mount St. Mary’s University, Emmitsburg, MD 21727, USA;
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA;
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7
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Cui Y, Zhang X, Liu N, Liu Q, Zhang L, Zhang Y. A correlation study of military psychological stress, optimistic intelligence quotient, and emotion regulation of Chinese naval soldiers. SOCIAL BEHAVIOR AND PERSONALITY 2022. [DOI: 10.2224/sbp.11485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Psychological stress is closely related to the mental and physical health of soldiers. We explored the relationships between stress, optimistic intelligence, and emotion regulation in Chinese Navy personnel (N = 452), who completed the General Information Questionnaire, the Psychological
Stress Self-Evaluation Test, the Chinese Adult Optimistic Intelligence Quotient Questionnaire, and the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire in this cross-sectional study. Results show that stress was negatively correlated with perceived happiness and the ability to respond positively to negative
events, and positively correlated with emotional regulation, cognitive reappraisal, and expressive suppression. These findings indicate that comprehensive measures using positive psychology techniques should be taken to reduce stress among naval soldiers to enhance their well-being and the
military's combat readiness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Cui
- Department of Nursing, Air Force Medical University, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinchi Zhang
- School of Stomatology, Air Force Medical University, People's Republic of China
| | - Na Liu
- Department of Nursing, Air Force Medical University, People's Republic of China
| | - Qin Liu
- Department of Nursing, Air Force Medical University, People's Republic of China
| | - Lanfang Zhang
- Department of Nursing, Air Force Medical University, People's Republic of China
| | - Yinling Zhang
- Department of Nursing, Air Force Medical University, People's Republic of China
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8
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Agbaria Q, Abu-Mokh AJ. The use of religious and personal resources in coping with stress during COVID-19 for Palestinians. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 42:1-13. [PMID: 35035185 PMCID: PMC8741564 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-02669-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The Palestinian community in Israel has experienced significant stressors historically, yet little research has assessed the strategies these individuals cope with stress. The COVID-19 pandemic provided an opportunity to assess coping resources among Palestinian adults. The present study explored the religious and personal resources adopted by Palestinians living in Israel to cope with the stress caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, and whether differences in using these resources were attributed to selective demographic variables. The sample consisted of 985 Palestinian adults, 58% of whom are women and 42% are men. Participants' ages ranged from 18 to 50 years old (M = 35.8, SD =14.48), and they were chosen using convenience sampling from the Palestinian community living in Israel. Participants completed self-report questionnaires to report on their personal resources for coping with stress. Palestinian adults who participated in this study tended to rely more on faith in God, optimism, social and family support, having the self-control and self-efficacy, as well as subjective well-being, as resources for coping caused by crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, there were significant differences on these coping resources that attributed to selective demographic variables. The findings were discussed with relation to previous studies.
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9
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Zhang H, Yang Y, Zhao Y, Luo Y, Yao Z, Li K. Dispositional pessimism is related to reduced respiratory sinus arrhythmia reactivity to a psychosocial stressor. Neurosci Lett 2021; 771:136425. [PMID: 34968724 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The associations among dispositional optimism/pessimism, baseline RSA and RSA reactivity were investigated in the current study. Physiological data were collected from 102 young adults during baseline, social stress task (i.e., a public speaking task) and recovery periods in the laboratory. Dispositional optimism and pessimism were assessed using the revised Life Orientation Test. Results showed that higher dispositional pessimism is significantly related to lower levels of RSA reactivity to the social stress task. Finding highlight that individuals with higher levels of pessimism may be at elevated risk for physiological maladjustment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, Nanjing Normal University, Republic of china
| | - Yixiao Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, Nanjing Normal University, Republic of china
| | - Yunxin Zhao
- School of Foreign Studies, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Republic of china
| | - Yun Luo
- School of Education, Zhaoqing University, Republic of china
| | - Zhao Yao
- School of Foreign Studies, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Republic of china
| | - Kangkang Li
- College of Foreign Lauguages, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Republic of china
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10
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He M, Cabrera N, Renteria J, Chen Y, Alonso A, McDorman SA, Kerlow MA, Reich SM. Family Functioning in the Time of COVID-19 Among Economically Vulnerable Families: Risks and Protective Factors. Front Psychol 2021; 12:730447. [PMID: 34690887 PMCID: PMC8526846 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.730447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The ongoing COVID-19 crisis has been particularly harmful to economically vulnerable families with young children. We surveyed 247 low-income mothers and fathers from 142 families in the United States about changes in their family life following the economic and social restrictions imposed by the pandemic. We examined the associations between pandemic-related risk factors such as economic stressors (e.g., loss of job) and social stressors (e.g., exposure to the virus) on family functioning (e.g., parents' mental health, parent engagement, and children's socioemotional behaviors) and the degree to which coparenting support and parents' positivity protected families from the negative effects of these stressors on their wellbeing. We found both positive and negative associations. Mothers and fathers who reported more economic stressors since the pandemic also observed that their children behaved more prosocially and that fathers experienced more mental health difficulties during the pandemic. Mothers and fathers who reported more social stressors reported that they were less engaged with their children and their children exhibited more behavior problems compared to before the pandemic. We also found that mothers and fathers who reported feeling more positive also reported feeling less depressed and stressed during the pandemic and observed that their children had more prosocial behaviors compared to before the pandemic. Compared to before the pandemic, mothers and fathers who reported a more supportive coparenting relationship also reported more parent engagement and observed more prosocial behaviors in their children. In terms of protective factors, high levels of parent positivity during the pandemic protected mothers (less mental health difficulties) whereas high levels of coparenting support protected fathers (less mental health difficulties) from the negative effects of economic stress on their mental health during the pandemic. These findings highlight family processes that could promote resilience in mothers and fathers in the face of pandemic-related economic and social stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minxuan He
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Natasha Cabrera
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Jone Renteria
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Angelica Alonso
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
| | - S. Alexa McDorman
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Marina A. Kerlow
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Stephanie M. Reich
- School of Education, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
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11
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Syropoulos S, Wu DJ, Burrows B, Mercado E. Psychology Doctoral Program Experiences and Student Well-Being, Mental Health, and Optimism During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Front Psychol 2021; 12:629205. [PMID: 34566741 PMCID: PMC8460876 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.629205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In a sample of 916 doctoral students from 144 universities across the United States, we examined psychology graduate students’ experiences in their programs, as well as their mental health, well-being, and optimism during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a path model, we found that students’ psychological experiences in their programs (i.e., social belonging, threat, and challenge) were associated with better mental health and well-being, which in turn was associated with greater optimism about the future during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings were also corroborated in students’ open-ended responses regarding how COVID-19 has impacted their lives. Findings varied by racial, gender, and sexual identities, as racial minorities, LGBTQ+ students, and women expressed more negative psychological experiences in their programs. We outline suggestions for graduate programs to support their graduate students, which include facilitating social connection, providing encouragement, and emphasizing students’ well-being over their productivity as the current pandemic persists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stylianos Syropoulos
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Deborah J Wu
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Brooke Burrows
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Evelyn Mercado
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
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12
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Lecorps B, Weary DM, von Keyserlingk MAG. Negative expectations and vulnerability to stressors in animals. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 130:240-251. [PMID: 34454913 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Humans express stable differences in pessimism that render some individuals more vulnerable to stressors and mood disorders. We explored whether non-human animals express stable individual differences in expectations (assessed via judgment bias tests) and whether these differences relate to susceptibility to stressors. Judgment bias tests do not distinguish pessimism from sensitivity to reinforcers; negative expectations are likely driven by a combination of these two elements. The available evidence suggests that animals express stable individual differences in expectations such that some persistently perceive ambiguous situations in a more negative way. A lack of research prevents drawing firm conclusions on how negative expectations affect responses to stressors, but current evidence suggests a link between negative expectations and the adoption of avoidance coping strategies, stronger responses to uncontrollable stressors and risk of mood-related disorders. We explore implications for animals living in captivity and for research using animals as models for human disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Lecorps
- Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, 2357 Main Mall, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC V6T 1Z6, Canada
| | - Daniel M Weary
- Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, 2357 Main Mall, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC V6T 1Z6, Canada
| | - Marina A G von Keyserlingk
- Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, 2357 Main Mall, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC V6T 1Z6, Canada.
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Baumgartner JN, Quintana D, Leija L, Schuster NM, Bruno KA, Castellanos JP, Case LK. Widespread Pressure Delivered by a Weighted Blanket Reduces Chronic Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2021; 23:156-174. [PMID: 34425251 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2021.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Pleasant sensation is an underexplored avenue for modulation of chronic pain. Deeper pressure is perceived as pleasant and calming, and can improve sleep. Although pressure can reduce acute pain, its effect on chronic pain is poorly characterized. The current remote, double-blind, randomized controlled trial tested the hypothesis that wearing a heavy weighted blanket - providing widespread pressure to the body - relative to a light weighted blanket would reduce ratings of chronic pain, mediated by improvements in anxiety and sleep. Ninety-four adults with chronic pain were randomized to wear a 15-lb. (heavy) or 5-lb. (light) weighted blanket during a brief trial and overnight for one week. Measures of anxiety and chronic pain were collected pre- and post-intervention, and ratings of pain intensity, anxiety, and sleep were collected daily. After controlling for expectations and trait anxiety, the heavy weighted blanket produced significantly greater reductions in broad perceptions of chronic pain than the light weighted blanket (Cohen's f = .19, CI [-1.97, -.91]). This effect was stronger in individuals with high trait anxiety (P = .02). However, weighted blankets did not alter pain intensity ratings. Pain reductions were not mediated by anxiety or sleep. Given that the heavy weighted blanket was associated with greater modulation of affective versus sensory aspects of chronic pain, we propose that the observed reductions are due to interoceptive and social/affective effects of deeper pressure. Overall, we demonstrate that widespread pressure from a weighted blanket can reduce the severity of chronic pain, offering an accessible, home-based tool for chronic pain. The study purpose, targeted condition, study design, and primary and secondary outcomes were pre-registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04447885: "Weighted Blankets and Chronic Pain"). Perspective: This randomized-controlled trial showed that a 15-lb weighted blanket produced significantly greater reductions in broad perceptions of chronic pain relative to a 5-lb weighted blanket, particularly in highly anxious individuals. These findings are relevant to patients and providers seeking home-based, nondrug therapies for chronic pain relief.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer N Baumgartner
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego Health, La Jolla, California
| | - Desiree Quintana
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego Health, La Jolla, California
| | - Linda Leija
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego Health, La Jolla, California
| | - Nathaniel M Schuster
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego Health, La Jolla, California
| | - Kelly A Bruno
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego Health, La Jolla, California
| | - Joel P Castellanos
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego Health, La Jolla, California
| | - Laura K Case
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego Health, La Jolla, California.
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Koliouli F, Canellopoulos L. Dispositional optimism, stress, post-traumatic stress disorder and post-traumatic growth in Greek general population facing the COVID-19 crisis. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF TRAUMA & DISSOCIATION 2021; 5:100209. [PMID: 38620896 PMCID: PMC7881700 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejtd.2021.100209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to explore psychological and mental health implications of social distancing and lockdown, in Greece in order to gain a better understanding of the COVID-19 crisis. For the purposes of this article, quantitative measures are used: the Greek versions of "Life Orientation Scale-Revised" (LOT-R) (Lyrakos, Damigos, Mavreas, Georgia, & Dimoliatis, 2010) to investigate the presence of dispositional optimism tendencies, "Impact of Event scale" (Mystakidou, Tsilika, Parpa, Galanos, & Vlahos, 2007) to assess the traumatic evaluation of the current events, "Perceived Stress Scale" (Andreou et al., 2011) to measure the stress levels amongst population, and "Posttraumatic Growth Inventory" (Mystakidou, Tsilika, Parpa, Galanos, & Vlahos, 2008) to examine positive aspects of the situation, are used. Questionnaires were distributed online a month after social distancing measures and three weeks following lockdown. The survey is addressed to general adult population and data collection lasted until the end of curfew (May 4th 2020). Hundred and sixty-seven (N = 167) participants completed the survey. Main results show that women obtain higher scores than men on the Impact Event Scale and they identify social distancing and curfew as traumatic events. However, men exhibit higher levels of Posttraumatic growth comparing to women, as to subscales "life appreciation" and "spirituality". Stress and posttraumatic stress are highly correlated to PTG and enable its development in the context of COVID-19. Implications for research and practice will be recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora Koliouli
- Laboratory of Clinical Research, Subjectivity and Social Bond, Psychology Department, School of Philosophy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
| | - Lissy Canellopoulos
- Laboratory of Clinical Research, Subjectivity and Social Bond, Psychology Department, School of Philosophy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
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Agbaria Q, Mokh AA. Personal and Social Resources in Coping with Coronavirus Crisis Among Israeli-Palestinian Adults: Explanatory Study. Int J Ment Health Addict 2021; 20:1595-1610. [PMID: 33642958 PMCID: PMC7901795 DOI: 10.1007/s11469-020-00465-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aims to explore the personal and social resources that Israeli-Palestinian adults use while coping with stress in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The participant sample consisted of 985 Israeli-Palestinian adults, 58% of whom were females. Participants' ages ranged from 18 to 50 years old (M = 35.8, SD = 14.48), and they were recruited using a convenience sampling from the Israeli-Palestinian community living in Israel. Participants were asked to answer 16 questions about the coping resources they are adopting to deal with the coronavirus crisis. The findings of the study indicate that social and family support, self-control skills, self-efficacy, religious level, optimism, and subjective well-being are the most common resources the participants have to cope with the coronavirus crisis. These findings align with previous studies across the globe on the importance of these personal and social resources for coping with stressful events.
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Rao NM, Yi S, Yu D, Husain K, Sun Y, Munawar M, Hernandez V, Kamble SV, Chang EC. Coping styles as predictors of negative affective conditions in Asian Indians: does being optimistic still make a difference? The Journal of General Psychology 2021; 149:391-404. [PMID: 33397215 DOI: 10.1080/00221309.2020.1867495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The present study examined the role of optimism, as measured by the Life Orientation Test-Revised, and coping styles, as measured by the COPE scale, in predicting negative affective conditions (viz., depressive symptoms, stress, and negative affect) among 386 Asian Indian young adults (197 females and 189 males). Results from our hierarchical regression analyses indicated that coping styles accounted for a medium-large amount of variance in negative affective conditions, after controlling for demographic factors (i.e. age, gender, parent's education, and monthly income). Five coping styles were significant in predicting negative affective conditions across all three indices; mental disengagement, denial, and venting emotions were found to be maladaptive, while positive reinterpretation and humor were found to be adaptive among Asian Indian young adults. Furthermore, when optimism was included in the prediction model, optimism consistently accounted for additional variance in negative affective conditions, beyond coping styles. Due to the additional variance among negative affective conditions accounted for by optimism when compared to coping, we advise that mental health professionals consider prioritizing the reinforcement of positive expectancy in addition to enhancing adaptive coping styles and reducing the use of maladaptive coping among Asian Indians.
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Schwerdtfeger AR, Rominger C, Weber B, Aluani I. A brief positive psychological intervention prior to a potentially stressful task facilitates more challenge-like cardiovascular reactivity in high trait anxious individuals. Psychophysiology 2020; 58:e13709. [PMID: 33118206 PMCID: PMC8027824 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
When confronted with stress, anxious individuals tend to evaluate the demands of an upcoming encounter as higher than the available resources, thus, indicating threat evaluations. Conversely, evaluating available resources as higher than the demands signals challenge. Both types of evaluations have been related to specific cardiovascular response patterns with higher cardiac output relative to peripheral resistance indicating challenge and higher peripheral resistance relative to cardiac output signaling threat. The aim of this research was to evaluate whether a brief positive psychological exercise (best possible selves intervention) prior to a potentially stress‐evoking task shifted the cardiovascular profile in trait anxious individuals from a threat to a challenge type. We randomly assigned 74 participants to either a best possible selves or a control exercise prior to performing a sing a song stress task and assessed their level of trait anxiety. Cardiac output (CO) and total peripheral resistance (TPR) were continuously recorded through baseline, preparation, stress task, and recovery, respectively, as well as self‐reported affect. Trait anxiety was related to higher CO in the best possible selves group and lower CO in the control group. While high trait anxious individuals in the control group showed increasing TPR reactivity, they exhibited a nonsignificant change in the best possible selves group. Moreover, in the latter group a stress‐related decrease in positive affect in high trait anxious participants was prevented. Findings suggest that concentrating on strengths and positive assets prior to a potentially stressful encounter could trigger a more adaptive coping in trait anxious individuals. According to the biopsychosocial model anxious individuals may evaluate motivated performance tasks as threatening, resulting in stronger vascular than cardiac responding. We found that a positive writing exercise (best possible selves‐intervention) prior to a laboratory stress task led to a more challenge‐type response profile (i.e., higher cardiac output relative to peripheral resistance) in trait anxious individuals, suggesting that positive psychological micro‐interventions could foster more adaptive coping.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christian Rominger
- Health Psychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Bernhard Weber
- Health Psychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Isabella Aluani
- Health Psychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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Schermuly CC, Wach D, Kirschbaum C, Wegge J. Coaching of Insolvent Entrepreneurs and the Change in Coping Resources, Health, and Cognitive Performance. APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY-AN INTERNATIONAL REVIEW-PSYCHOLOGIE APPLIQUEE-REVUE INTERNATIONALE 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/apps.12244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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