Day-to-day reciprocal associations between depressive symptoms, cognitive performance, and sleep and the single-subject design

Associations between Sleep, Depression, and Cognitive Performance in Adolescence

The relevance of cognitive performance during adolescence requires further studies that analyze potential associated factors. This study aimed to analyze inductive reasoning, reading comprehension, and mathematical thinking (problem-solving and number and calculation) in relation to sleep and depression in 244 students aged 12-17 years (47.6% boys and 52.4% girls). Daytime sleepiness, sleep quality, dysthymia, and euthymia (state and trait) were assessed by self-reported questionnaires. Moreover, correlations between these variables and cognitive performance, and differences depending on sociodemographic variables (sex, age, or academic year) were analyzed using non-parametric tests. Robust regression models were also conducted to evaluate the predictive role of significant variables on cognitive performance. The results showed significant bidirectional relationships between sleep- and depression-related variables, and between the latter ones and cognitive performance. Depression-trait was more related to cognitive performance than depression-state, and euthymia more than dysthymia, but neither daytime sleepiness nor sleep quality significantly correlated with it. As for sociodemographic variables, girls reported worse sleep and more depressive symptoms than boys did, and younger students reported better sleep but performed worse than the older ones. Although these findings should be further explored in forthcoming studies adding other promising variables, they highlight the importance of promoting euthymia to improve cognitive performance in adolescents.

Strategies to support older adults' mental health during the transition into residential aged care: a qualitative study of multiple stakeholder perspectives

Background

The move from home into residential care is one of the most stressful life experiences for older adults. ‘Relocation stress’ is a significant risk factor for anxiety and/or depression in aged care residents. Whether long-term or recently diagnosed, these mood disorders are associated with a decline in overall well-being, daily functioning and independence. The mental health needs of older adults are often poorly recognised and supported, including during the transition into residential care. Despite growing interest in how to facilitate this major life transition, few studies have taken the perspective of multiple stakeholders. The aim of this study was to explore resident, relative and staff experiences of the transition into residential aged care, and to identify strategies to support the mental health of older adults at this time. The role of pastoral care practitioners to facilitate transitions and support residents’ mental health was also examined.

Methods

This phenomenological study involved individual interviews with 35 aged care residents, relatives and staff, between January and April 2021. Participants were selected using purposive sampling. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and supported by field notes. Data analysis followed Giorgi’s steps for qualitative data analysis.

Results

Results were distilled into three main categories related to the overall transition experience, recognising and responding to residents’ mental health needs, and tailoring support to individual needs. A novel contribution of this study relates to the need to address a broad misunderstanding of the role of pastoral care and subsequent under-utilisation of a potentially valuable resource.

Conclusions

By describing transition experiences and the resources to support residents’ mental health, findings of this study provide practical, ‘real world’ suggestions for reducing relocation stress. New resources developed from the findings include guides, checklists and short question-and-answer films, in which current residents and staff describe strategies to support mental health and overall quality of life. Similar resources could be used to support transitions in other care settings.