Social support and mental health in late adolescence are correlated for genetic, as well as environmental, reasons

Efficacy of a Mobile App-Based Intervention for Young Adults With Anxiety Disorders: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Anxiety disorders are prevalent and undertreated among young adults. Digital mental health interventions for anxiety are promising but limited by a narrow range of therapeutic components and low user engagement.

Objective

To investigate the efficacy of and engagement with Maya, a scalable, self-guided, comprehensive mobile cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention with embedded engagement features, comparing the effects of 3 incentive conditions.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This randomized clinical trial recruited young adults aged 18 to 25 years with anxiety disorders through online advertisements and outpatient psychiatry clinics at Weill Cornell Medicine. Enrollment was between June 16, 2021, and November 11, 2022. Data analysis was performed from December 21, 2022, to June 14, 2024.

Intervention

Participants received a 6-week program of the intervention and were randomized to 1 of 3 different text message-based incentive conditions (gain-framed, loss-framed, or gain-social support).

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was change in anxious symptoms from baseline to end of treatment, as measured by the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A). The Anxiety Sensitivity Index and the Leibowitz Social Anxiety Scale scores were secondary measures.

Results

The sample consisted of 59 participants (mean [SD] age, 23.1 [1.9] years; 46 [78%] female; 22 [37%] Asian, 3 [5%] Black, 5 [8%] Hispanic or Latino, 1 [2%] American Indian or Alaska Native, 25 [42%] White, and 6 [10%] >1 race; 32 [54%] college-educated and 12 [20%] graduate or professional school-educated; mean [SD] baseline HAM-A score, 15.0 [6.5]). Anxiety, measured by HAM-A, decreased across conditions from baseline to end of the intervention (mean difference, -5.64; 95% CI, -7.23 to -4.05), and symptomatic improvement was maintained at the week 12 follow-up (baseline to follow-up mean difference, -5.67; 95% CI, -7.29 to -4.04). However, there was no evidence that change in anxiety differed by incentive condition (loss-framed vs gain-social support mean difference, -1.40; 95% CI, -4.72 to 1.93; gain-framed vs gain-social support mean difference, 1.38; 95% CI, -1.19 to 3.96). Secondary anxiety measures (Anxiety Sensitivity Index and Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale scores) showed a similar pattern of improvement, with no evidence of differences between incentive conditions. Participants completed most of the 12 sessions (mean [SD], 10.8 [2.1]; 95% CI, 10.3-11.4), and User Mobile Application Rating Scale app quality ratings exceeded the published threshold for acceptability at all study visits. There was no evidence that either session completion or app quality ratings differed by incentive condition.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this randomized clinical trial of an app-based intervention for anxiety, the primary hypothesis that improvement in anxiety would be greatest in the condition using gain of points plus social incentives was not supported; however, the results suggest that a CBT application incorporating a full suite of CBT skills and embedded user engagement features was efficacious in improving symptoms in young adults with anxiety disorders. Given these findings, digital interventions represent a promising step toward wider dissemination of high-quality, evidence-based interventions.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05130281.

Bias in Gene-by-Environment Interaction Effects with Sum Scores; An Application to Well-being Phenotypes

In the current study, we investigated the influence of using skewed sum scores on estimated gene-by-environment interaction effects (GxE) for life satisfaction and happiness with perceived social support. To this end, we analyzed item-level data from a large adult twin sample (Ns between 3610 and 11,305) of the Netherlands Twin Register. Item response theory (IRT) models were incorporated in unmeasured (univariate) GxE models, and measured GxE models (with social support as moderator). We found that skewness introduced spurious GxE effects, with the largest effect for the most skewed variable (social support). Finally, in the IRT model for life satisfaction, but not for happiness, heritability estimates decreased with higher social support, while this was not observed when analyzing sum scores. Together, our results indicate that IRT can be used to address psychometric issues related to the use of sum scores, especially in the context of GxE, for complex traits like well-being.

Higher family and individual resilience and lower perceived stress alleviate psychological distress in female breast cancer survivors with fertility intention: a cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to explore how family resilience and individual resilience reduce perceived stress and psychological distress in young female breast cancer survivors with fertility intention.

METHODS

From June 2020 to June 2021, female breast cancer survivors were selected from the cancer centers of 10 tertiary Level A general hospitals in five cities of Sichuan Province. The survivors completed the Chinese versions of the Family Resilience Assessment Scale, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and a self-report distress thermometer. A multiple mediation effects test and structural equation modeling were used to explore the relationships among family resilience, individual resilience, perceived stress, and psychological distress.

RESULTS

The direct effect of family resilience on perceived stress was β = -0.320 (95% confidence interval -0.365, -0.271, P < 0.01). The direct effect of family resilience on psychological distress was β = -0.263 (95% confidence interval -0.363, -0.153, P < 0.001). The direct effect of family resilience on individual resilience was β = 0.593 (95% confidence interval 0.542-0.640, P < 0.001). The indirect effect of family resilience on psychological distress was β = -0.322 (95% confidence interval -0.373, -0.274, P < 0.001). Both perceived stress and individual resilience mediated the relationship between family resilience and psychological distress. Furthermore, a partial mediating effect of perceived stress and individual resilience on family resilience and psychological distress was observed.

CONCLUSION

Young female breast cancer survivors in China experience moderate levels of psychological distress.

Air pollution in association with mental and self-rated health and the mediating effect of physical activity

BACKGROUND

Recent studies showed that air pollution might play a role in the etiology of mental disorders. In this study we evaluated the association between air pollution and mental and self-rated health and the possible mediating effect of physical activity in this association.

METHODS

In 2008, 2013 and 2018 the Belgian Health Interview Survey (BHIS) enrolled 16,455 participants who completed following mental health dimensions: psychological distress, suboptimal vitality, suicidal ideation, and depressive and generalized anxiety disorder and self-rated health. Annual exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), particulate matter ≤ 2.5 µm (PM_2.5) and black carbon (BC) were estimated at the participants' residence by a high resolution spatiotemporal model. Multivariate logistic regressions were carried out taking into account a priori selected covariates.

RESULTS

Long-term exposure to PM_2.5, BC and NO₂ averaged 14.5, 1.4, and 21.8 µg/m³, respectively. An interquartile range (IQR) increment in PM_2.5 exposure was associated with higher odds of suboptimal vitality (OR = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.42), poor self-rated health (OR = 1.20; 95% CI: 1.09, 1.32) and depressive disorder (OR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.41). Secondly, an association was found between BC exposure and higher odds of poor self-rated health and depressive and generalized anxiety disorder and between NO₂ exposure and higher odds of psychological distress, suboptimal vitality and poor self-rated health. No association was found between long-term ambient air pollution and suicidal ideation or severe psychological distress. The mediation analysis suggested that between 15.2% (PM_2.5-generalized anxiety disorder) and 40.1% (NO₂-poor self-rated health) of the association may be mediated by a difference in physical activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term exposure to PM_2.5, BC or NO₂ was adversely associated with multiple mental health dimensions and self-rated health and part of the association was mediated by physical activity. Our results suggest that policies aiming to reduce air pollution levels could also reduce the burden of mental health disorders in Belgium.

The Meaning of Social Support in Nature-Based Services for Young Adults with Mental Health Problems

In previous studies, social context and social support have been found to be important in nature-based services. However, no studies have previously focused on the meaning of different dimensions of social support in these contexts. The aim of this study is therefore to uncover dimensions of social support in relation to mental health among young adults with mental health problems participating in nature-based services in Norway. This study applies data from a survey of 93 young adults participating in nature-based services; in addition, qualitative interview data from 20 interviews are also used. The data are analysed using qualitative content analysis, descriptive statistics, and correlation analysis. The results indicate that participants in nature-based services experience emotional, esteem, informational, and instrumental support in addition to social integration and opportunities for nurturance in these services. The service leader, other participants, and the animals are important contributors to these dimensions of social support. Nature-based services may be a helpful intervention for young adults with mental health problems. The unique context of these services, including nature and animals, adds special qualities to mental health and social work practices.

Post-weaning Social Isolation in Male and Female Prairie Voles: Impacts on Central and Peripheral Immune System

The socially monogamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) offers a unique opportunity to examine the impacts of adolescent social isolation on the brain, immune system, and behavior. In the current study, male and female prairie voles were randomly assigned to be housed alone or with a same-sex cagemate after weaning (i.e., on postnatal day 21-22) for a 6-week period. Thereafter, subjects were tested for anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors using the elevated plus maze (EPM) and Forced Swim Test (FST), respectively. Blood was collected to measure peripheral cytokine levels, and brain tissue was processed for microglial density in various brain regions, including the Nucleus Accumbens (NAcc), Medial Amygdala (MeA), Central Amygdala (CeA), Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis (BNST), and Paraventricular Nucleus of the Hypothalamus (PVN). Sex differences were found in EPM and FST behaviors, where male voles had significantly lower total arm entries in the EPM as well as lower latency to immobility in the FST compared to females. A sex by treatment effect was found in peripheral IL-1β levels, where isolated males had a lower level of IL-1β compared to cohoused females. Post-weaning social isolation also altered microglial density in a brain region-specific manner. Isolated voles had higher microglial density in the NAcc, MeA, and CeA, but lower microglial density in the dorsal BNST. Cohoused male voles also had higher microglial density in the PVN compared to cohoused females. Taken together, these data suggest that post-weaning social housing environments can alter peripheral and central immune systems in prairie voles, highlighting a potential role for the immune system in shaping isolation-induced alterations to the brain and behavior.

Gene-by-Crisis Interaction for Optimism and Meaning in Life: The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the restrictions to reduce the spread of the virus has had a large impact on daily life. We investigated the individual differences in the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and first lockdown on optimism and meaning in life in a sample from the Netherlands Twin Register. Participants completed surveys before (N = 9964, Mean age: 48.2, SD = 14.4) and during the first months of the pandemic (i.e. April–May 2020, N = 17,464, Mean age: 44.6 SD = 14.8), with a subsample completing both surveys (N = 6461, Mean age T1: 48.8, SD = 14.5). We applied genetic covariance structure models to twin data to investigate changes in the genetic architecture of the outcome traits due to the pandemic and the interaction of genes with the environmental exposure. Although 56% and 35% of the sample was negatively affected by the pandemic in their optimism and meaning in life, many participants were stable (32% and 43%) or even showed increased optimism and meaning in life (11% and 22%). Subgroups, specifically women, higher educated people, and people with poorer health, experienced larger negative effects. During the first months of the pandemic, slightly lower heritability estimates for optimism and meaning in life (respectively 20% and 25%) were obtained compared to pre-pandemic (respectively 26% and 32%), although confidence intervals overlap. The lower than unity genetic correlations across time (.75 and .63) suggest gene-environment interactions, where the expression of genes that influence optimism and meaning in life differs before and during the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic is a strong exposure that leads to imbalanced effects on the well-being of individuals. Some people decrease in well-being, while others get more optimistic and consider their lives as more meaningful during the pandemic. These differences are partly explained by individual differences in genetic sensitivity to extreme environmental change. More knowledge on the person-specific response to specific environmental variables underlying these individual differences is urgently needed to prevent further inequality.

Late-onset PTSD and coping strategies for frontline nurses during the COVID-19 epidemic in China

Aim

To evaluate the late‐onset post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) situation, coping strategies and social supports for frontline clinical nurses 6 months after involvement in fighting against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19) outbreak in China.

Design

A cross‐sectional design.

Methods

We recently randomly distributed a questionnaire online to Chinese nurses who had taken care of COVID‐19 patients since the end of January 2020. The questionnaire was made up of three professional scales, the impact of event scale‐revised, simplified coping style questionnaire and social support rating scale included.

Results

The general prevalence of late‐onset PTSD among frontline nurses was 88.19%. Nurses who worked in Hubei Province (the kindle place of the COVID‐19 outbreak) showed lower risk of late‐onset PTSD symptoms than those who did not. We also found that positive coping strategies were correlated with less late‐onset PTSD symptoms. Meanwhile, getting more social supports could help these nurses to obtain positive coping strategies.

The associations between polygenic risk, sensation seeking, social support, and alcohol use in adulthood

Genetic predispositions play an important role in alcohol use. Understanding the psychosocial mechanisms through which genetic risk unfolds to influence alcohol use outcomes is critical for identifying modifiable targets and developing prevention and intervention efforts. In this study, we examined the role of sensation seeking and social support from family and friends in linking genetic risk to alcohol use. We also examined the role of social support in moderating the associations between genetic risk and sensation seeking and alcohol use. Data were drawn from a sample of 2,836 European American adults from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (46% male, mean age = 35.65, standard deviation [SD] = 10.78). Results from path analysis indicated that genome-wide polygenic scores for alcohol consumption (alc-GPS) were associated with higher sensation seeking, which in turn was associated with higher levels of alcohol use. alc-GPS was also associated with higher alcohol use indirectly via lower levels of family support. In addition, high friend support attenuated the association between alc-GPS and sensation seeking and alcohol use. The pattern of associations was similar for males and females, with some differences in the associations between social support and alcohol use observed across age. Our findings highlight the important role of intermediate phenotypes and gene-environment interplay in the pathways of risk from genetic predispositions to complex alcohol use outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Transition in Smoking Stages and Its Relationship with Family Psychological Function and Perceived Social Support in Adolescents of Tabriz, Iran

BACKGROUND

There is limited information on the relationship between family psychological functions and perceived social support with progress in cigarette smoking stages in adolescents. This study was aimed to determine the relationship between family psychological function and perceived social support through a transition in different stages of cigarette smoking in adolescents of Tabriz, Iran.

METHODS

In this study, 4,216 students (14-19 years old) from high schools were selected by multistage cluster sampling method. Initially, we used valid and reliable questionnaires for demographic characteristics, risk factors, Iranian family psychological function, and perceived social support. The smoking status questionnaire was administered twice, with an interval of 6 months. Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Overall, 3,968 students with the mean (standard deviation) age of 15.96 (0.75) years completed the questionnaire in the first phase of the study. The results showed that lower levels of family psychosocial function (P < 0.001) and perceived social support (P < 0.001) in the univariate state were significantly associated with progress in cigarette smoking stages. By controlling the potential confounding factors, the weak and moderate family psychological function compared to the strong function increased the chance of progress in the cigarette smoking stages by almost 11 and 4 times, respectively (P < 0.001). The low and moderate level of perceived social support compared to the high level increased the chance of progress in cigarette smoking stages by almost 7 and 2 times, respectively (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

It is suggested to perform an organized, precise, and operational planning for strengthening the family psychological functions and providing an appropriate social support condition among adolescents to prevent the tendency toward cigarette smoking and its more advanced phases.

Peer victimisation during adolescence and its impact on wellbeing in adulthood: a prospective cohort study

Background

Peer victimisation is a common occurrence and has well-established links with a range of psychiatric problems in adulthood. Significantly less is known however, about how victimisation influences positive aspects of mental health such as wellbeing. The purpose of this study was therefore to assess for the first time, whether peer victimisation in adolescence is associated with adult wellbeing. We aimed to understand whether individuals who avoid a diagnosis of depression after victimisation, maintain good wellbeing in later life, and therefore display resilience.

Methods

Longitudinal data was taken from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, a prospective cohort study based in the UK. Peer victimisation was assessed at 13 years using a modified version of the bullying and friendship interview schedule, and wellbeing at age 23 using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale. The presence or absence of depression was diagnosed using the Clinical Interview Schedule–Revised at 18 years. A series of logistic and linear regression analyses were used to explore relationships between peer victimisation, depression, and wellbeing, adjusting for potentially confounding individual and family factors.

Results

Just over 15% of victims of frequent bullying had a diagnosis of depression at age 18. Victimisation also had a significant impact on wellbeing, with a one-point increase in frequent victimisation associated with a 2.71-point (SE = 0.46, p < 0.001) decrease in wellbeing scores aged 23. This finding remained after adjustment for the mediating and moderating effects of depression, suggesting that the burden of victimisation extends beyond depression to impact wellbeing. Results therefore show that individuals who remain partially resilient by avoiding a diagnosis of depression after victimisation have significantly poorer wellbeing than their non-victimised counterparts.

Conclusion

Overall, our study demonstrates for the first time that victimisation during adolescence is a significant risk factor for not only the onset of depression, but also poor wellbeing in adulthood. Such findings highlight the importance of investigating both dimensions of mental health to understand the true burden of victimisation and subsequent resilience. In addition to the need for interventions that reduce the likelihood of depression following adolescent victimisation, efforts should also be made to promote good wellbeing.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-10198-w.

Research on Psychological Scales Based on the Multitheory Fusion

Objective:

This study proposed an innovative approach to simplify the multiple psychological scales for children and adolescents by integrating statistical methods and item reflection theory into a structural equation model.

Methods:

First, a psychological scale for adolescents to replace the existing scales optimized for adults with the Delphi method has been developed. Second, the number of items in the current group of scales has been reduced.

Result and Conclusion:

A psychological scale for adolescents has been built up that comprehensively reflects their psychological characteristics in terms of mental state, behavioral status, emotion & feeling, relationship, and environmental adaptation. This psychological scale has been simplified and improved its reliability and validity.

Association of Social Support During Adolescence With Depression, Anxiety, and Suicidal Ideation in Young Adults

Importance

Mental health problems are common during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood. Although perceived social support and mental health problems have been shown to be concurrently associated, longitudinal studies are lacking to document the directionality of this association, especially in emerging adulthood (late teens to late 20s).

Objective

To test whether social support in emerging adulthood protects against later depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation and suicide attempts after adjusting for a range of confounders, including prior mental health problems and family characteristics.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This population-based cohort study included 1174 participants from the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development. Participants underwent yearly or biennial assessment (starting from age 5 months to age 20 years). Data were collected from March 16, 1998, through June 1, 2018.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Self-reported perceived social support was measured at age 19 years using the 10-item Social Provision Scale. Mental health problems, including depressive and anxiety symptoms as well as suicidal ideation and attempts, were measured at age 20 years. Social support and mental health problem raw scores were converted to z-scores to ease interpretation. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were categorized using validated cutoffs to determine clinical significance.

Results

The study consisted of 1174 participants (574 female [48.89%] and 600 male [51.11%] individuals). Emerging adults with higher levels of perceived social support at age 19 years reported fewer mental health problems 1 year later, even after adjusting for a range of mental health problems in adolescence at ages 15 and 17 years (eg, depressive and anxiety symptoms and suicidal ideation and attempts) and family characteristics (eg, socioeconomic status and family functioning and structure). Higher perceived social support was associated with fewer symptoms of depression (β = -0.23; 95% CI, -0.26 to -0.18; P = <.001 and odds ratio [OR], 0.53; 95% CI, 0.42-0.66 for severe depression) and anxiety (β = -0.10; 95% CI, -0.15 to -0.04; P < .001 and OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.62-0.98 for severe anxiety). Higher perceived social support was associated with a lower risk for suicide-related outcomes (OR, 0.59 [95% CI, 0.50-0.70] for suicidal ideation and OR, 0.60 [95% CI, 0.46-0.79] for suicide attempts).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study, emerging adults who perceived higher levels of social support reported experiencing fewer mental health problems 1 year later. These findings suggest that perceived social support may protect against mental health problems during the transition into adulthood, even in those who experience mental health problems in adolescence. Leveraging social support in prevention and treatment options may protect against mental health symptoms during this transition period.

Amplified Concern for Social Risk in Adolescence: Development and Validation of a New Measure

In adolescence, there is a heightened propensity to take health risks such as smoking, drinking or driving too fast. Another facet of risk taking, social risk, has largely been neglected. A social risk can be defined as any decision or action that could lead to an individual being excluded by their peers, such as appearing different to one’s friends. In the current study, we developed and validated a measure of concern for health and social risk for use in individuals of 11 years and over (N = 1399). Concerns for both health and social risk declined with age, challenging the commonly held stereotype that adolescents are less worried about engaging in risk behaviours, compared with adults. The rate of decline was steeper for social versus health risk behaviours, suggesting that adolescence is a period of heightened concern for social risk. We validated our measure against measures of rejection sensitivity, depression and risk-taking behaviour. Greater concern for social risk was associated with increased sensitivity to rejection and greater depressed mood, and this association was stronger for adolescents compared with adults. We conclude that social risks should be incorporated into future models of risk-taking behaviour, especially when they are pitted against health risks.

Interactions of OXTR rs53576 and emotional trauma on hippocampal volumes and perceived social support in adolescent girls

Oxytocin (OXT) is a neuropeptide involved in social behaviour and is sensitive to environmental influences to alter individual vulnerability or resilience to stress resulting in both negative and positive outcomes. The effects of the OXT receptor (OXTR) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs53576 on hippocampal and amygdala structure and functions in adults are differentially associated with susceptibility to adversity and social behaviours, but this evidence is lacking in healthy adolescents. Adolescence is a developmental period characterised by neurobiological and psychosocial changes resulting in higher susceptibility to mood disorders, particularly among girls. As the brain is highly plastic at this stage, to understand psychosocial and emotional development, clarity of the interactions between rs53576 and adversity on hippocampal and amygdala volumes and social behaviours is needed. In this study, we investigated the interactions between rs53576 and emotional trauma (ET) exposure on hippocampal and amygdala volumes of adolescent girls, and associations with parenting style, perceived social support and bullying behaviour. Based on an unbiased and corrected analytical approach, we found smaller left hippocampal volumes in higher (hET) compared to minimally (mET) exposed AA homozygotes, but no differences in G allele carriers nor in the amygdala. Within the mET AA group, larger volumes were associated with peer perceived social support, but in their hET counterparts, smaller volumes were associated with familial perceived social support. This evidence supports an important role for the hippocampus in social behaviours but extends current knowledge to suggest that hippocampal social behavioural features are contextually dependent on rs53576.

Social-relational exposures and well-being: Using multivariate twin data to rule-out heritable and shared environmental confounds

The aims of the present study were as follows: (1) Using a large sample of adults, estimate overlap between social-relational exposures measured at midlife and well-being measured at midlife and approximately 9-years later. (2) Using a subsample of twins, test for heritable variation in social-relational exposures, and (3) controlling for heritable and shared environmental variation, estimate overlap between social-relational exposures and well-being, both concurrently and approximately 9-years later. Results indicated small-to-moderate overlap between exposures and well-being (mean r = .29, range = .05 to .54). There was also evidence for heritable variation in exposures, and after accounting for these genetic factors, the degree of overlap between social-relational exposures and well-being decreased (mean r = .09, range = -.07 to .33).

Validation of a brief version of the Social Provisions Scale using Canadian national survey data

INTRODUCTION

The 10-item Social Provisions Scale (SPS-10) has been implemented to measure social support in a number of national surveys in Canada. The objective of this study was to reduce the SPS-10 to a brief, five-item scale (SPS-5), while maintaining adequate measurement properties.

METHODS

Data from individuals aged 18 years and older who responded to the Social Provisions Scale module in the Canadian Community Health Survey 2012 Mental Health Focus cycle (CCHS 2012 MH) and the Canadian Community Health Survey 2017 Annual cycle (CCHS 2017) were analyzed. We used exploratory factor analysis and item-to-total correlations from the CCHS 2012 MH data to choose items. A correlation analysis between the SPS-5, SPS-10 and related positive mental health (PMH) constructs were used to assess the criterion-related validity of the SPS-5 compared to the SPS-10. A confirmatory factor analysis using data from the CCHS 2017 was conducted to confirm the factor structure of the SPS‑5.

RESULTS

The SPS-5 showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha of 0.88) and similar correlations as the SPS-10 with related PMH constructs. The SPS-5 and SPS-10 were also very highly correlated (r = 0.97). The confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that a single factor model of the SPS-5 fit the data well. The SPS-5 and SPS-10 yield similar estimates of high social support, of 92.7 and 91.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The new SPS-5 demonstrated adequate measurement properties, and functioned in a similar manner to the SPS-10, supporting a reduced version of the Scale. The SPS-5 is a feasible and valid alternative to the SPS-10 that could be used to reduce respondent burden on national health surveys.

Genetics, personality and wellbeing. A twin study of traits, facets and life satisfaction

Human wellbeing is influenced by personality traits, in particular neuroticism and extraversion. Little is known about which facets that drive these associations, and the role of genes and environments. Our aim was to identify personality facets that are important for life satisfaction, and to estimate the contribution of genetic and environmental factors in the association between personality and life satisfaction. Norwegian twins (N = 1,516, age 50-65, response rate 71%) responded to a personality instrument (NEO-PI-R) and the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). Regression analyses and biometric modeling were used to examine influences from personality traits and facets, and to estimate genetic and environmental contributions. Neuroticism and extraversion explained 24%, and personality facets accounted for 32% of the variance in life satisfaction. Four facets were particularly important; anxiety and depression in the neuroticism domain, and activity and positive emotions within extraversion. Heritability of life satisfaction was 0.31 (0.22-0.40), of which 65% was explained by personality-related genetic influences. The remaining genetic variance was unique to life satisfaction. The association between personality and life satisfaction is driven mainly by four, predominantly emotional, personality facets. Genetic factors play an important role in these associations, but influence life satisfaction also beyond the effects of personality.

The Social Provisions Scale: psychometric properties of the SPS-10 among participants in nature-based services

PURPOSE

This article analyses the psychometric properties of the Social Provisions Scale 10-items version.

METHODS

The Social Provisions Scale was analysed by means of the polytomous Rasch model, applied to data on 93 young adults (16-30 years) out of school or work, participating in different nature-based services, due to mental or drug-related problems.

RESULTS

The psychometric analysis concludes that the original scale has difficulties related to targeting and construct validity. In order to improve the psychometric properties, the scale was modified to include eight items measuring functional support. The modification was based on theoretical and statistical considerations.

CONCLUSION

After modifications the scale showed not only satisfying psychometric properties, but it also clarified uncertainties regarding construct validity of the measure. However, further analysis on larger samples are required. Implications for Rehabilitation Social support is important for a variety of rehabilitation outcomes and for different patient groups in the rehabilitation context, including people with mental health or drug-related problems. Social Provisions Scale may be used as a screening tool to assess social support of participants in rehabilitation, and the scale may also be an important instrument in rehabilitation research. There might be issues measuring structural support using a 10-items version of the Social Provisions Scale but it seemed to work well as an 8-item scale measuring functional support.

Lost connections: Oxytocin and the neural, physiological, and behavioral consequences of disrupted relationships

In humans and rodent animal models, the brain oxytocin system is paramount for facilitating social bonds, from the formation and consequences of early-life parent-infant bonds to adult pair bond relationships. In social species, oxytocin also mediates the positive effects of healthy social bonds on the partners' well-being. However, new evidence suggests that the negative consequences of early neglect or partner loss may be mediated by disruptions in the oxytocin system as well. With a focus on oxytocin and its receptor, we review studies from humans and animal models, i.e. mainly from the biparental, socially monogamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster), on the beneficial effects of positive social relationships both between offspring and parents and in adult partners. The abundance of social bonds and benevolent social relationships, in general, are associated with protective effects against psycho- and physiopathology not only in the developing infant, but also during adulthood. Furthermore, we discuss the negative effects on well-being, emotionality and behavior, when these bonds are diminished in quality or are disrupted, for example through parental neglect of the young or the loss of the partner in adulthood. Strikingly, in prairie voles, oxytocinergic signaling plays an important developmental role in the ability to form bonds later in life in the face of early-life neglect, while disruption of oxytocin signaling following partner loss results in the emergence of depressive-like behavior and physiology. This review demonstrates the translational value of animal models for investigating the oxytocinergic mechanisms that underlie the detrimental effects of developmental parental neglect and pair bond disruption, encouraging future translationally relevant studies on this topic that is so central to our daily lives.