Stable characteristics of mood and seasonality

Weather conditions and daily television use in the Netherlands, 1996-2005

This study examines the impact of daily atmospheric weather conditions on daily television use in the Netherlands for the period 1996-2005. The effects of the weather parameters are considered in the context of mood and mood management theory. It is proposed that inclement and uncomfortable weather conditions are associated with lower human mood, and that watching entertainment and avoiding informational programs may serve to repair such mood. We consequently hypothesize that people spend more time watching television if inclement and uncomfortable weather conditions (low temperatures, little sunshine, much precipitation, high wind velocity, less daylight) coincide with more airtime for entertainment programs, but that they view less if the same weather conditions coincide with more airtime devoted to information fare. We put this interaction thesis to a test using a time series analysis of daily television viewing data of the Dutch audience obtained from telemeters (T = 3,653), merged with meteorological weather station statistics and program broadcast figures, whilst controlling for a wide array of recurrent and one-time societal events. The results provide substantial support for the proposed interaction of program airtime and the weather parameters temperature and sunshine on aggregate television viewing time. Implications of the findings are discussed.

Perceptual Asymmetry for Chimeric Faces and Winter Disturbances in Mood and Behavior

Abstract. Different affective disturbances are related to brain activity, and, thus, to perceptual bias in very specific ways ( Keller et al., 2000 ). During the winter months, approximately 90% of people report lowered levels of mood and increased levels of anxiety to varying degrees (e.g., Magnusson, 2000 ). The current study examines the relationship between such winter mood disturbances and perceptual asymmetry on the chimeric-face task using a nonclinical sample (38 males and 92 females). Because of the suggested influence of symbolic light on cognitive processing of seasonal depressives ( Bouhuys, Meesters, Jansen, & Bloem, 1994 ), chimeric faces were presented on both symbolic bright and dark backgrounds. Face processing demonstrated the expected left hemifacial perceptual bias. However, the magnitude of individuals' perceptual bias bore no relation to subjectively reported seasonality, depressed mood, or anxiety. This was regardless of whether the faces were displayed on symbolic bright or dark backgrounds. Methodological factors must be considered. However, results are discussed in terms of the importance of clarifying the distinct nature of the psychological and neurobiological profile associated with winter disturbances in mood, and the possible influences of symbolic light on cognitive processing.

The relationship between whole-blood serotonin and subjective mood in apparently healthy postmenopausal women

The aim of this research has been to determine the degree to which biochemical indices of mood reflect subjective mood. Potential relationships between whole-blood (WB) serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) levels as determined by the positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS) have been explored in apparently healthy postmenopausal women (n=39). Partial correlations indicated that WB 5-HT was positively associated with positive affect (p=0.03). No association was apparent for negative affect. These findings indicate that WB 5-HT and positive affect are related in postmenopausal women.