1
|
Jaltare KP, Manresa JB, Niwa S, Torta DM. Verbal Support From a Stranger Reduces the Development of Mechanical Hypersensitivity: Behavioral and Neurophysiological Evidence. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2024; 25:104599. [PMID: 38866120 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.104599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Hand-holding reduces experimentally induced acute pain and buffers against the development of mechanical secondary hypersensitivity, an indirect proxy of central sensitization. Here, we tested if verbal support from a stranger, a common occurrence in clinical contexts, exerts the same effects. In this preregistered study, 44 healthy female participants were assigned to an alone or support group whereby a supportive female stranger encouraged them through the painful procedure leading to secondary mechanical hypersensitivity. Mechanical hypersensitivity was measured via self-reports and by the size of the anteroposterior and mediolateral spread of mechanical hypersensitivity. We investigated the moderating role of attachment style on self-reports and the effects of support on skin conductance level, salivary cortisol, and pinprick-evoked potentials. We also tested whether theta/beta ratio in the resting-state electroencephalogram predicted mechanical hypersensitivity. Self-reported ratings and the late part of the pinprick-evoked potentials were reduced in the support group, but the spread of mechanical hypersensitivity was not. Attachment anxiety and avoidance moderated the self-reported intensity such that individuals with higher attachment anxiety and avoidance scores reported lower intensity ratings in the support group. No significant effect of the verbal support was observed on skin conductance level and salivary cortisol. The theta/beta ratio did not predict the extent of hypersensitivity. Our data indicate that, in women, verbal support during intense pain leading to hypersensitivity is effective on some behavioral outcomes, but altogether the lack of group differences in cortisol, self-reported stress, and skin conductance does not provide strong support for the stress-buffering hypothesis. PERSPECTIVE: Verbal support by a stranger during a painful procedure leading to secondary mechanical hypersensitivity attenuated the development of some measures of mechanical hypersensitivity and associated neural responses in healthy female participants. No evidence was found for the role of stress. DATA AVAILABILITY: The authors will make all data available upon request.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ketan Prafull Jaltare
- Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - José Biurrun Manresa
- Institute for Research and Development in Bioengineering and Bioinformatics (IBB-CONICET-UNER), Oro Verde, Argentina
| | - Saya Niwa
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Diana M Torta
- Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Murgueitio N, Tate M, Lurie L, Priddy Z, Boda S, Shipkova M, Rodriguez M, Machlin L, Furlong S, Mitchell A, McLaughlin K, Sheridan M. Testing a Conceptual Model of Early Adversity, Neural Function, and Psychopathology: Protocol for a Retrospective Observational Cohort Study. JMIR Res Protoc 2024; 13:e59636. [PMID: 39287225 PMCID: PMC11445632 DOI: 10.2196/59636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early adversity, broadly defined as a set of negative exposures during childhood, is extremely common and increases risk for psychopathology across the life span. Previous research suggests that separate dimensions of adversity increase risk through developmental plasticity mechanisms shaping unique neurobiological pathways. Specifically, research suggests that deprivation is associated with deficits in higher order cognition, while threat is associated with atypicality in fear learning and emotion dysregulation. However, most of this research has been conducted in adolescent and adult samples, long after exposure to adversity occurs and far from periods of peak developmental plasticity. OBJECTIVE The Wellness Health and Life Experiences (WHALE) study examines the neurobiological and behavioral mechanisms by which deprivation, threat, and unpredictability increase risk for psychopathology in early childhood (age 4-7 years) directly following periods of peak developmental plasticity. The objective of this study is to describe the study rationale and aims, the research design and procedures, and the analytical plan to test the study hypotheses. METHODS This is a retrospective cohort study that examines associations between exposure to deprivation and threat and their hypothesized neurobiological mechanisms, how these neurobiological mechanisms link early adversity and psychopathology, and associations between unpredictability, reward learning, and psychopathology. The sample was a convenience sample of children (aged 4-7 years) and their families, identified through flyers, email blasts to listserves, school-based advertising, and involvement in community events. Data were collected during a home visit, a subsequent laboratory visit, and a final neuroimaging visit. Planned analyses include linear regression, path analyses, and functional magnetic resonance imaging analyses to explore the role of neural function in the association between early adversity and psychopathology. RESULTS Participants (N=301) have been recruited into the study, and data collection has commenced. The expected results will be available in 2024. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study will help elucidate the neurobiological mechanisms by which early adversity increases risk for psychopathology in early childhood. This study represents the earliest test of an influential theory of biological embedding of early adversity. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/59636.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Murgueitio
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Maresa Tate
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Lucy Lurie
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Zoe Priddy
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Sneha Boda
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Michelle Shipkova
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Micaela Rodriguez
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Laura Machlin
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Sarah Furlong
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Amanda Mitchell
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Katie McLaughlin
- The Ballmer Institute for Children's Behavioral Health, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States
| | - Margaret Sheridan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Cobb-Lewis D, George A, Hu S, Packard K, Song M, Nikitah I, Nguyen-Lopez O, Tesone E, Rowden J, Wang J, Opendak M. The lateral habenula integrates age and experience to promote social transitions in developing rats. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114556. [PMID: 39096491 PMCID: PMC11444650 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Early caregiving adversity (ECA) is associated with social behavior deficits and later development of psychopathology. However, the infant neural substrates of ECA are poorly understood. The lateral habenula (LHb), a highly conserved brain region with consistent links to adult psychopathology, is understudied in development, when the brain is most vulnerable to environmental impacts. Here, we describe the structural and functional ontogeny of the LHb and its behavioral role in infant and juvenile rat pups. We show that the LHb promotes a developmental transition in social approach behavior under threat as typically reared infants mature. By contrast, we show that ECA disrupts habenular ontogeny, including volume, protein expression, firing properties, and corticohabenular connectivity. Furthermore, inhibiting a specific corticohabenular projection rescues infant social approach deficits following ECA. Together, these results identify immediate biomarkers of ECA in the LHb and highlight this region as a site of early social processing and behavior control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dana Cobb-Lewis
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Anne George
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Shannon Hu
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | | | - Mingyuan Song
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | | | - Oliver Nguyen-Lopez
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Emily Tesone
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jhanay Rowden
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Julie Wang
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Maya Opendak
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hornstein E, Lazar L, Eisenberger N. Loneliness and the persistence of fear: Perceived social isolation reduces evaluative fear extinction. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0303895. [PMID: 39159214 PMCID: PMC11333009 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Loneliness has been linked to a host of harmful physical and mental health outcomes, detrimental effects that may stem from increases in threat-responding caused by altered fear learning in lonely individuals. In particular, the heightened threat-vigilance that is a hallmark of loneliness may augment the processes by which fear learning occurs, ultimately resulting in a greater number of perceived threatening cues in the environment. However, almost no research has examined how loneliness alters fear learning processes in humans. Here, we investigated the effect of loneliness on fear learning during an evaluative learning procedure in which participants (n = 782) were taught to associate fearful, positive, or neutral control stimuli with neutral images. Results showed that reduced extinction of evaluative fear associations occurred in high (vs. low) lonely individuals, but there was no difference in extinction of evaluative appetitive (also known as positive or reward) associations, suggesting this effect is specific to fear learning. In addition to shedding light on the link between loneliness and poor health, these results represent an important step forward in the growing understanding of the powerful impact of social bonds on fear learning processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erica Hornstein
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Lee Lazar
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Naomi Eisenberger
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Billiau L, Bolliger L, Clays E, Eeckloo K, Ketels M. Flemish critical care nurses' experiences regarding the influence of work-related demands on their health: a descriptive interpretive qualitative study. BMC Nurs 2024; 23:387. [PMID: 38844928 PMCID: PMC11155134 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-024-02032-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Critical care nurses (CCNs) around the globe face other health challenges compared to their peers in general hospital nursing. Moreover, the nursing workforce grapples with persistent staffing shortages. In light of these circumstances, developing a sustainable work environment is imperative to retain the current nursing workforce. Consequently, this study aimed to gain insight into the recalled experiences of CCNs in dealing with the physical and psychosocial influences of work-related demands on their health while examining the environments in which they operate. The second aim was to explore the complex social and psychological processes through which CCNs navigate these work-related demands across various CCN wards. METHODS A qualitative study following Thorne's interpretive descriptive approach was conducted. From October 2022 to April 2023, six focus groups were organised. Data from a diverse sample of 27 Flemish CCNs engaged in physically demanding roles from three CCN wards were collected. The Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven was applied to support the constant comparison process. RESULTS Participants reported being exposed to occupational physical activity, emotional, quantitative, and cognitive work-related demands, adverse patient behaviour, and poor working time quality. Exposure to these work-related demands was perceived as harmful, potentially resulting in physical, mental, and psychosomatic strain, as well as an increased turnover intention. In response to these demands, participants employed various strategies for mitigation, including seeking social support, exerting control over their work, utilising appropriate equipment, recognising rewards, and engaging in leisure-time physical activity. CONCLUSIONS CCNs' health is challenged by work-related demands that are not entirely covered by the traditional quantitative frameworks used in research on psychologically healthy work. Therefore, future studies should focus on improving such frameworks by exploring the role of psychosocial and organisational factors in more detail. This study has important implications for workplace health promotion with a view on preventing work absenteeism and drop-out in the long run, as it offers strong arguments to promote sufficient risk management strategies, schedule flexibility, uninterrupted off-job recovery time, and positive management, which can prolong the well-being and sustainable careers of the CCN workforce.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Billiau
- Strategic Policy Cell, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium.
| | - Larissa Bolliger
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Els Clays
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Kristof Eeckloo
- Strategic Policy Cell, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Margo Ketels
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Farias CP, Leite AKO, Schmidt BE, de Carvalho Myskiw J, Wyse ATS. The 5-HT2A, 5-HT5A, and 5-HT6 serotonergic receptors in the medial prefrontal cortex behave differently in extinction learning: Does social support play a role? Behav Brain Res 2024; 463:114922. [PMID: 38408524 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.114922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Studies on the social modulation of fear have revealed that in social species, individuals in a distressed state show better recovery from aversive experiences when accompanied - referred to as social buffering. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown, hindering the understanding of such an approach. Our previous data showed that the presence of a conspecific during the extinction task inhibited the retrieval of fear memory without affecting the extinction memory in the retention test. Here, we investigate the role of serotonergic receptors (5-HTRs), specifically 5-HT2A, 5-HT5A, and 5-HT6 in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), In the retention of extinction after the extinction task, in the absence or presence of social support. Extinction training was conducted on 60-day-old male Wistar rats either alone or with a conspecific (a familiar cagemate, non-fearful). The antagonists for these receptors were administered directly into the mPFC immediately after the extinction training. The results indicate that blocking 5-HT5A (SB-699551-10 μg/side) and 5-HT6 (SB-271046A - 10 μg/side) receptors in the mPFC impairs the consolidation of CFC in the social support group. Interestingly, blocking 5-HT2A receptors (R65777 - 4 μg/side) in the mPFC led to impaired CFC specifically in the group undergoing extinction training alone. These findings contribute to a better understanding of brain mechanisms and neuromodulation associated with social support during an extinction protocol. They are consistent with previously published research, suggesting that the extinction of contextual fear conditioning with social support involves distinct neuromodulatory processes compared to when extinction training is conducted alone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clarissa Penha Farias
- Graduate Program in Translational Neuroscience, PGNET, National Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Neuroprotection and Neurometabolic Diseases Laboratory (Wyse´s Lab), Brazil
| | - Ana Karla Oliveira Leite
- Graduate Program in Translational Neuroscience, PGNET, National Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Neuroprotection and Neurometabolic Diseases Laboratory (Wyse´s Lab), Brazil
| | - Bianca Estefani Schmidt
- Graduate Program in Translational Neuroscience, PGNET, National Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Neuroprotection and Neurometabolic Diseases Laboratory (Wyse´s Lab), Brazil
| | - Jociane de Carvalho Myskiw
- Memory Center, Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Brazil
| | - Angela T S Wyse
- Graduate Program in Translational Neuroscience, PGNET, National Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Neuroprotection and Neurometabolic Diseases Laboratory (Wyse´s Lab), Brazil; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, ICBS, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Mpofu E, Zhan RF, Yin C, Brock K. Qualities of Older Adults' Family and Friendship Relationships and Their Association with Life Satisfaction. Geriatrics (Basel) 2024; 9:49. [PMID: 38667516 PMCID: PMC11050695 DOI: 10.3390/geriatrics9020049] [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: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
While family and friendship relationship qualities are associated with life satisfaction, evidence on how these types of relationships interact to contribute to older adults' life satisfaction is sparse. This study examined how family and friendship relationship qualities may be supportive of (compensatory) or conflict with (competing) older adults' life satisfaction. We adopted a cross-sectional design to analyze data from the Health and Retirement Study (n = 1178, females = 54.8%, mean age = 67.9 years, SD = 9.3 years) to examine compensatory (as in social support) and competing (as in social strain) qualities of family and friendship social relationships and their association with life satisfaction in older adults. For greater explanatory power, we also controlled for life satisfaction by sociodemographic variables of age, gender, education, self-reported general health, physical health and activity, depression, and personality traits. Our findings indicate that the spouse/partner support relationship contributes to older adults' life satisfaction overall and is associated with greater social support and less social strain. Friendship support is associated with improved life satisfaction for older adults reporting spouse/partner strain. Relationship support for the life satisfaction of older adults should consider their need for social support from their social network while minimizing the risk of social strain from adversarial relationships in life situations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elias Mpofu
- Department of Rehabilitation and Health Services, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #311456, Denton, TX 76203, USA; (R.-F.Z.); (C.Y.); (K.B.)
- School of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- Educational Psychology and Inclusive Education, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa
| | - Rong-Fang Zhan
- Department of Rehabilitation and Health Services, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #311456, Denton, TX 76203, USA; (R.-F.Z.); (C.Y.); (K.B.)
| | - Cheng Yin
- Department of Rehabilitation and Health Services, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #311456, Denton, TX 76203, USA; (R.-F.Z.); (C.Y.); (K.B.)
| | - Kaye Brock
- Department of Rehabilitation and Health Services, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #311456, Denton, TX 76203, USA; (R.-F.Z.); (C.Y.); (K.B.)
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wall EK, Teo JN, Roth A, Chan ME, Brandt J, Hibri M, Richardson R, Baker KD. Effects of social buffering on fear extinction in adolescent rats. Behav Res Ther 2024; 173:104457. [PMID: 38134498 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2023.104457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Across social species, the presence of another individual can reduce stress reactions to adverse stimuli, a phenomenon known as social buffering. The present study investigated whether social buffering influences the expression and extinction of learned fear in adolescence, a developmental period of diminished fear inhibition and increased social interaction. Quality of maternal care and degree of social investigation were examined as factors that may influence social buffering. In adolescence, male rats were fear conditioned and then given extinction training either in the presence of a same-age rat or alone. Animals were then tested alone for extinction retention. In two experiments, the presence of a conspecific robustly reduced conditioned fear responses during extinction training. Interestingly, a persistent social buffering effect was observed when the extinction and conditioning contexts had prominent differences in features (Experiment 1), but not when these contexts were relatively similar (Experiment 2). Neither quality of maternal care nor degree of social investigation predicted the effects of social buffering. These findings suggest that social buffering robustly dampens fear responses during adolescence when a peer is present and this suppression can persist, in some instances, even when the peer is absent.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily K Wall
- School of Psychology, UNSW Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Jia Ni Teo
- School of Psychology, UNSW Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | | | - Mei E Chan
- School of Psychology, UNSW Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | | | - Maya Hibri
- School of Psychology, UNSW Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Hornstein E, Leschak CJ, Parrish MH, Byrne-Haltom KE, Fanselow MS, Craske MG, Eisenberger NI. Social support and fear-inhibition: an examination of underlying neural mechanisms. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2024; 19:nsae002. [PMID: 38217103 PMCID: PMC10868130 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsae002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent work has demonstrated that reminders of those we are closest to have a unique combination of effects on fear learning and represent a new category of fear inhibitors, termed prepared fear suppressors. Notably, social-support-figure images have been shown to resist becoming associated with fear, suppress conditional-fear-responding and lead to long-term fear reduction. Due to the novelty of this category, understanding the underlying neural mechanisms that support these unique abilities of social-support-reminders has yet to be investigated. Here, we examined the neural correlates that enable social-support-reminders to resist becoming associated with fear during a retardation-of-acquisition test. We found that social-support-figure-images (vs stranger-images) were less readily associated with fear, replicating prior work, and that this effect was associated with decreased amygdala activity and increased ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) activity for social-support-figure-images (vs stranger-images), suggesting that social-support-engagement of the VMPFC and consequent inhibition of the amygdala may contribute to unique their inhibitory effects. Connectivity analyses supported this interpretation, showing greater connectivity between the VMPFC and left amygdala for social-support-figure-images (vs stranger-images).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E.A Hornstein
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - C J Leschak
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - M H Parrish
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - K E Byrne-Haltom
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - M S Fanselow
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - M G Craske
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - N I Eisenberger
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Cobb-Lewis D, George A, Hu S, Packard K, Song M, Nguyen-Lopez O, Tesone E, Rowden J, Wang J, Opendak M. The lateral habenula integrates age and experience to promote social transitions in developing rats. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.12.575446. [PMID: 38260652 PMCID: PMC10802604 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.12.575446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Social behavior deficits are an early-emerging marker of psychopathology and are linked with early caregiving quality. However, the infant neural substrates linking early care to social development are poorly understood. Here, we focused on the infant lateral habenula (LHb), a highly-conserved brain region at the nexus between forebrain and monoaminergic circuits. Despite its consistent links to adult psychopathology, this brain region has been understudied in development when the brain is most vulnerable to environmental impacts. In a task combining social and threat cues, suppressing LHb principal neurons had opposing effects in infants versus juveniles, suggesting the LHb promotes a developmental switch in social approach behavior under threat. We observed that early caregiving adversity (ECA) disrupts typical growth curves of LHb baseline structure and function, including volume, firing patterns, neuromodulatory receptor expression, and functional connectivity with cortical regions. Further, we observed that suppressing cortical projections to the LHb rescued social approach deficits following ECA, identifying this microcircuit as a substrate for disrupted social behavior. Together, these results identify immediate biomarkers of ECA in the LHb and highlight this region as a site of early social processing and behavior control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dana Cobb-Lewis
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore MD USA 21205
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD USA 21205
| | - Anne George
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore MD USA 21205
| | - Shannon Hu
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore MD USA 21205
| | | | - Mingyuan Song
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore MD USA 21205
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD USA 21205
| | - Oliver Nguyen-Lopez
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore MD USA 21205
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD USA 21205
| | - Emily Tesone
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore MD USA 21205
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD USA 21205
| | - Jhanay Rowden
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore MD USA 21205
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD USA 21205
| | - Julie Wang
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore MD USA 21205
| | - Maya Opendak
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore MD USA 21205
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD USA 21205
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Gurbuz IZ, Akin S. Relationship between quality of life, self-efficacy and social support in patients with multiple sclerosis. Int J Palliat Nurs 2023; 29:598-612. [PMID: 38085612 DOI: 10.12968/ijpn.2023.29.12.598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple sclerosis (MS) causes patients' perceptions of self-efficacy and social support to decline. Patients with MS have to change day-to-day activities and encounter various physical and psychosocial problems while adapting to the new lifestyle. AIMS The research aimed to define the quality of life, self-efficacy and social support in patients with MS and to determine the relationship between quality of life, perception of self-efficacy and perceived social support. It is descriptive and correlational research. Data were collected using surveys. METHODS The sample consisted of 116 patients with MS. Patients who applied at the neurology in-patient and outpatient clinics between March 2021 and September 2021 were assessed for inclusion criteria. Written and verbal consent was obtained. The patients read and answered the questionnaires. Their quality of life was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis Scale (FAMS). Self-efficacy perception was measured using the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE), and social support was assessed using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). RESULTS The study found that the other concerns, symptoms, thinking and fatigue were most negatively affected the quality of life subscales. Perception of self-efficacy was found to be moderate, while social support was high. Analyses revealed a positive correlation between MSPSS scores, FAMS scores and GSE scores (p<0.05). CONCLUSION Health professionals need to provide education and counselling to manage MS-related symptoms, use therapeutic communication techniques to improve self-efficacy, give positive reinforcement and cooperate with families to increase social support.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Semiha Akin
- Professor, University of Health Sciences, Mekteb-i Tibbiye-I Sahane (Haydarpasa) Kulliyesi, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Zhao Y, Wang R, Li H, Chen C, Zhou B, Weng X, Hua Y, Jia Y, Wu Y, Li Y. Impact of Easing COVID-19 Restrictions on Fear of COVID-19 and Social Support Among Chinese Students: A Longitudinal Analysis. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2023; 16:4685-4696. [PMID: 38024661 PMCID: PMC10674754 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s434765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction This longitudinal study aims to investigate the relationship between fear of COVID-19, support-seeking behaviors, and perceived social support among Chinese college students during two distinct periods of the COVID-19 pandemic: the period of strict control (time 1) and the period following a relaxation of restrictions (time 2). Methods A total of 408 Chinese college students participated in this study. Data collection included demographic information, measures of fear of COVID-19, support-seeking behaviors, and perceived social support. Results Fear of COVID-19 at time 1 showed a significant positive association with fear of COVID-19 at time 2. The relationship between support-seeking behavior at time 1 and fear of COVID-19 at time 2 was significantly mediated through a chain mediation effect of support-seeking behavior at time 1 and perceived social support at time 2. Discussion This study contributes to the growing body of evidence on the psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and underscores the significance of social support in mitigating fear of COVID-19. It calls for a re-evaluation of public health policies considering their potential psychological effects and introduces new opportunities for developing psychosocial interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhao
- Faculty of Law, Qingdao University, Qingdao, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ruizhe Wang
- HeXie Management Research Center, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hebin Li
- Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chong Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bowen Zhou
- Department of Social Work, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinying Weng
- Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yidi Hua
- School of Humanities and Social Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yaqi Jia
- Entrepreneurs College, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yajun Wu
- Department of Applied Psychology, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ying Li
- School of Urban Governance and Public Affairs, Suzhou City University, Suzhou, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Metts AV, Craske MG. Influence of social support on cognitive reappraisal in young adults elevated on neuroticism. Behav Res Ther 2023; 167:104355. [PMID: 37379609 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2023.104355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Social support offers protection from depression and anxiety, possibly through its beneficial effects upon cognitive reappraisal. The present study evaluates potential mechanisms of social support, utilizing a reappraisal task in 121 undergraduates elevated on neuroticism. Participants were instructed to reinterpret stressful images with (Social Condition) and without (Solo Condition) the reminder of a social support figure. Aversiveness, negative affect, and positive affect ratings, as well as written reappraisal responses, were collected trial-by-trial. Results indicated that participants reported lower aversiveness and negative affect and higher positive affect when reinterpreting images in the Social Condition compared to the Solo Condition. Analyses of adherence ratings of written reappraisals revealed that participants generated reinterpretations more in the Social Condition than in the Solo Condition. Exploratory mediation analyses indicated that Condition was indirectly associated with reappraisal efficacy as measured by aversiveness and affect ratings through reappraisal adherence. Results suggest that cognitive reappraisal with the influence of social support may be more effective than cognitive reappraisal without such social influence, and thus may be a suitable target for interventions for depression and anxiety.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Allison V Metts
- Department of Psychology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Michelle G Craske
- Department of Psychology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Ketlyn Lazzarim M, Luiza Paiva Krepel G, Zolet D, Fantin Sardi N, José Polato Gomes H, Jacson Martynhak B. Social buffering reduces fear expression in Wistar rats when tested in pairs, but not when retested alone. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2023:107798. [PMID: 37422207 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2023.107798] [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: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Social buffering is a phenomenon in which the stress response of an individual can be reduced by the presence of another individual. However, little is known about the effect of social buffering on aversive after memory extinction, especially when animals are tested alone afterwards. The aim of this study was to verify the social buffering effect in rats during the extinction session of the contextual fear conditioning model and the fear response when animals are tested alone in the following day. Animals were divided into subjects and associates, with the subjects undergoing the fear conditioning protocol and the associates paired with the subjects during the fear extinction session. Across five different experiments, we tested moderate and high intensity contextual fear conditioning protocols, as well four variations of pairs: (i) two conditioned subjects, (ii) a conditioned subject and a non-conditioned associate, (iii) a conditioned subject and an associate who observed the conditioning of the partner and (iv) two conditioned subjects, with one treated with diazepam. The social buffering effect was found efficient to reduce the fear memory expression during the fear extinction session. In the moderate intensity protocol, the reduction in freezing time occurred only in subjects accompanied by non-conditioned associates and observer associates. In the high intensity protocol, the social buffering effect occurred in subjects accompanied by either conditioned or non-conditioned associates, although the effect was more evident in the presence of non-conditioned subjects. Treatment of the conditioned associates with diazepam did not improve the social buffering effect. Moreover, social buffering effects were not correlated with self-grooming or prosocial behaviors, which indicates that the presence of another animal might decrease freezing by promotion of exploratory activity. Finally, the social buffering effect was not observed in the extinction test, either because the extinction was too effective in the moderate intensity protocol or because the extinction was equally ineffective in the high intensity protocol. Our results suggest that social buffering does not improve fear extinction consolidation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Daniela Zolet
- Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
| | - Natalia Fantin Sardi
- Department of Physiology, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Pinto AM, Luís M, Geenen R, Palavra F, Lumley MA, Ablin JN, Amris K, Branco J, Buskila D, Castelhano J, Castelo-Branco M, Crofford LJ, Fitzcharles MA, Häuser W, Kosek E, López-Solà M, Mease P, Marques TR, Jacobs JWG, Castilho P, da Silva JAP. Neurophysiological and Psychosocial Mechanisms of Fibromyalgia: A Comprehensive Review and Call for An Integrative Model. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023:105235. [PMID: 37207842 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Research into the neurobiological and psychosocial mechanisms involved in fibromyalgia has progressed remarkably in recent years. Despite this, current accounts of fibromyalgia fail to capture the complex, dynamic, and mutual crosstalk between neurophysiological and psychosocial domains. We conducted a comprehensive review of the existing literature in order to: a) synthesize current knowledge on fibromyalgia; b) explore and highlight multi-level links and pathways between different systems; and c) build bridges connecting disparate perspectives. An extensive panel of international experts in neurophysiological and psychosocial aspects of fibromyalgia discussed the collected evidence and progressively refined and conceptualized its interpretation. This work constitutes an essential step towards the development of a model capable of integrating the main factors implicated in fibromyalgia into a single, unified construct which appears indispensable to foster the understanding, assessment, and intervention for fibromyalgia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Margarida Pinto
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Rua do Colégio Novo, s/n, 3000-115 Coimbra, Portugal; University of Coimbra, University Clinic of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Rua Larga - FMUC, Pólo I - Edifício Central, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; University of Coimbra, Psychological Medicine Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Rua Larga - FMUC, Pólo I - Edifício Central, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Mariana Luís
- Rheumatology Department, Coimbra Hospital and University Centre, Praceta Mota Pinto, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Rinie Geenen
- Department of Psychology, Utrecht University, Martinus J. Langeveldgebouw, Heidelberglaan 1, 3584 CS Utrecht, the Netherlands; Altrecht Psychosomatic Medicine Eikenboom, Vrijbaan 2, 3705 WC Zeist, the Netherlands.
| | - Filipe Palavra
- Centre for Child Development, Neuropediatric Unit. Pediatric Hospital, Coimbra Hospital and University Centre, Avenida Afonso Romão, 3000-602 Coimbra, Portugal; Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (i.CBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Mark A Lumley
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, 5057 Woodward Ave., Suite 7908, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
| | - Jacob N Ablin
- Internal Medicine H, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizmann Street, Tel Aviv 6423906, Israel; Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv 69978, Israel.
| | - Kirstine Amris
- The Parker Institute, Department of Rheumatology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Nordre Fasanvej 57, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark.
| | - Jaime Branco
- Rheumatology Department, Egas Moniz Hospital - Lisboa Ocidental Hospital Centre (CHLO-EPE), R. da Junqueira 126, 1349-019 Lisbon, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), Chronic Diseases Research Centre (CEDOC), NOVA Medical School, NOVA University Lisbon (NMS/UNL), Campo Mártires da Pátria 130, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Dan Buskila
- Ben Gurion University of the Negev Beer-Sheba, Israel.
| | - João Castelhano
- University of Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), ICNAS, Edifício do ICNAS, Polo 3, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal, Portugal.
| | - Miguel Castelo-Branco
- University of Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), ICNAS, Edifício do ICNAS, Polo 3, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal, Portugal.
| | - Leslie J Crofford
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1211 Medical Center Drive, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
| | - Mary-Ann Fitzcharles
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, McGill University, 1650 Cedar Ave, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3G 1A4.
| | - Winfried Häuser
- Department Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Straße 22, 81675 Munich, Germany.
| | - Eva Kosek
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm 171 77, Sweden; Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Marina López-Solà
- Serra Hunter Programme, Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona.
| | - Philip Mease
- Swedish Medical Center/Providence St. Joseph Health, Seattle, WA, USA; University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Tiago Reis Marques
- Psychiatric Imaging Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London SW7 2BU, UK; Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS, UK.
| | - Johannes W G Jacobs
- Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, Netherlands.
| | - Paula Castilho
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Rua do Colégio Novo, s/n, 3000-115 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - José A P da Silva
- University of Coimbra, University Clinic of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Rua Larga - FMUC, Pólo I - Edifício Central, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Rheumatology Department, Coimbra Hospital and University Centre, Praceta Mota Pinto, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal; Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (i.CBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Ferrara NC, Opendak M. Amygdala circuit transitions supporting developmentally-appropriate social behavior. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2023; 201:107762. [PMID: 37116857 PMCID: PMC10204580 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2023.107762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Social behaviors dynamically change throughout the lifespan alongside the maturation of neural circuits. The basolateral region of the amygdala (BLA), in particular, undergoes substantial maturational changes from birth throughout adolescence that are characterized by changes in excitation, inhibition, and dopaminergic modulation. In this review, we detail the trajectory through which BLA circuits mature and are influenced by dopaminergic systems to guide transitions in social behavior in infancy and adolescence using data from rodents. In early life, social behavior is oriented towards approaching the attachment figure, with minimal BLA involvement. Around weaning age, dopaminergic innervation of the BLA introduces avoidance of novel peers into rat pups' behavioral repertoire. In adolescence, social behavior transitions towards peer-peer interactions with a high incidence of social play-related behaviors. This transition coincides with an increasing role of the BLA in the regulation of social behavior. Adolescent BLA maturation can be characterized by an increasing integration and function of local inhibitory GABAergic circuits and their engagement by the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Manipulation of these transitions using viral circuit dissection techniques and early adversity paradigms reveals the sensitivity of this system and its role in producing age-appropriate social behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole C Ferrara
- Discipline of Physiology and Biophysics, Department of Foundational Sciences and Humanities, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, USA; Center for Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Maya Opendak
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA; Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Johns Hopkins Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Camerman E, Scheveneels S, Bosmans G. In safe hands: Attachment figures' safety properties and the link with attachment style. Behav Res Ther 2023; 163:104274. [PMID: 36803742 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2023.104274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
According to the Learning Theory of Attachment, naturalistic learning experiences about others' responsiveness during distress are an underlying mechanism in the development of attachment. Previous studies have demonstrated attachment figures' unique safety-inducing effects in highly controlled conditioning procedures. Yet, neither have studies examined the presumed influence of safety learning on state attachment, nor have they examined how attachment figures' safety-inducing effects relate to attachment styles. To address these gaps, a differential fear conditioning paradigm was used in which pictures of participants' attachment figure and two control stimuli served as safety cues (CS-). US-expectancy and distress ratings were measured as indicators of fear responding. Results indicate that attachment figures evoked enhanced safety responding compared to control safety cues at the start of acquisition, which was maintained throughout acquisition and when presented together with a danger cue. Attachment figures' safety-inducing effects were reduced in individuals with higher attachment avoidance, although attachment style did not affect the rate of new safety learning. Finally, safe experiences with the attachment figure in the fear conditioning procedure resulted in diminished anxious state attachment. Adding to previous work, these findings underscore the importance of learning processes for attachment development and attachment figures' provision of safety.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eline Camerman
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Sara Scheveneels
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Guy Bosmans
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Khaing NEE, Quah C, Png GK, Wong J, Tee A, Oh HC. Association between proximity to COVID-19 and the quality of life of healthcare workers. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0283424. [PMID: 36952485 PMCID: PMC10035903 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects almost all countries in the world and it impacts every aspect of people’s life-physically, mentally, and socio-economically. There are several research studies examining the impact of this pandemic on health, however, very few studies examining the impact of this pandemic on quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the association between proximity to the COVID-19 and quality of life of healthcare workers and identify factors influencing quality of life. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among hospital staff in a tertiary hospital in Singapore. Data on demographic, medical history, lifestyle factors, psychosocial factors, and quality of life were collected using online self-administered questionnaire. Quality of life (QoL) was measured by the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Robust linear regression was used to determine factors associated with quality of life. Results A total of 1911 participants were included in the analysis. The average age of participants was 38.25 (SD = 11.28) years old. 26.90% of participants had been quarantined, hospitalised, being suspected or diagnosed of having COVID-19 infection and they were found to have the lowest levels of QoL across all four domains (physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains). Participants who were singles or nurses, worked in shifts or worked longer hours, had chronic diseases were likely to have lower QoL scores compared to participants in other categories. Healthy lifestyle, social connectivity, resilience, social and workplace support were associated with higher QoL scores. Conclusions In planning of measures which aim to improve QoL of healthcare workers, priority should be given to individuals who have been quarantined, hospitalised, being suspected, or diagnosed of having COVID-19 infection. In addition to the proximity of the COVID, lifestyle and psychosocial factors contribute to QoL of healthcare workers. Hence, multifaceted interventions are needed to improve QoL of healthcare workers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nang Ei Ei Khaing
- Health Services Research, Changi General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- * E-mail:
| | - Claire Quah
- General Medicine, Changi General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gek Kheng Png
- Nursing, Changi General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joanna Wong
- Allied Health, Changi General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Augustine Tee
- Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine, Changi General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hong Choon Oh
- Health Services Research, Changi General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Centre for Population Health Research and Implementation, SingHealth Office of Regional Health, Singapore, Singapore
- Health Services and Systems Research, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Morato C, Guerra P, Bublatzky F. A partner's smile is not per se a safety signal: Psychophysiological response patterns to instructed threat and safety. Psychophysiology 2023; 60:e14273. [PMID: 36812132 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies on fear conditioning and pain perception suggest that pictures of loved ones (e.g., a romantic partner) may serve as a prepared safety cue that is less likely to signal aversive events. Challenging this view, we examined whether pictures of smiling or angry loved ones are better safety or threat cues. To this end, 47 healthy participants were verbally instructed that specific facial expressions (e.g., happy faces) cue threat of electric shocks and others cue safety (e.g., angry faces). When facial images served as threat cues, they elicited distinct psychophysiological defensive responses (e.g., increased threat ratings, startle reflex, and skin conductance responses) compared to viewing safety cues. Interestingly, instructed threat effects occurred regardless of the person who cued shock threat (partner vs. unknown) and their facial expression (happy vs. angry). Taken together, these results demonstrate the flexible nature of facial information (i.e., facial expression and facial identity) to be easily learned as signals for threat or safety, even when showing loved ones.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Morato
- Department of Personality, Assessment, and Psychological Treatment, Faculty of Psychology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Pedro Guerra
- Department of Personality, Assessment, and Psychological Treatment, Faculty of Psychology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Florian Bublatzky
- Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Bryant RA. Attachment processes in posttraumatic stress disorder: A review of mechanisms to advance theories and treatments. Clin Psychol Rev 2023; 99:102228. [PMID: 36493729 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2022.102228] [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: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Current conceptualisations of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are driven by biological, learning, and cognitive models that have shaped current treatments of the disorder. The strong influence of these models has resulted in a relative neglect of social mechanisms that can influence traumatic stress. There is abundant evidence from experimental, observational, and clinical studies that social factors can moderate many of the mechanisms articulated in prevailing models of PTSD. In this review it is proposed that attachment theory provides a useful framework to complement existing models of PTSD because it provides explanatory value for social factors can interact with biological, learning, and cognitive processes that shape traumatic stress response. The review provides an overview of attachment theory in the context of traumatic stress, outlines the evidence for how attachment factors can moderate stress responses and PTSD, and considers how harnessing attachment processes may augment recovery from and treatment of PTSD. This review emphasizes that rather than conceptualizing attachment theory as an independent theory of traumatic stress, there is much to gain by integrating attachment mechanisms into existing models of PTSD to accommodate the interactions between cognitive, biological, and attachment processes.
Collapse
|
21
|
Diotaiuti P, Corrado S, Mancone S, Cavicchiolo E, Chirico A, Siqueira TC, Andrade A. A psychometric evaluation of the Italian short version of the Fear of Pain Questionnaire-III: Psychometric properties, measurement invariance across gender, convergent, and discriminant validity. Front Psychol 2023; 13:1087055. [PMID: 36726497 PMCID: PMC9886064 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1087055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The Fear of Pain Questionnaire-III (FPQ-III) is a self-assessment instrument developed specifically to measure fear based on various pain stimuli converging on three factors: severe pain, medical pain, and minor pain. It actually remains the most studied and internationally used tool even in its short versions. The aim of this work was to propose a new validation study oriented to confirm the good psychometric properties of a short model of the FPQ-III for the Italian context. Methods A large sample of participants was recruited (n = 1,064) and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) as well as Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were performed. Measurement invariance of the FPQ-III across gender was also evaluated. In order to examine convergent validity, a further convenient sample (n = 292) was used and variables related to the individual's pain experience, locus of control and coping orientations were assessed. A final discriminant assessment using experimental manipulation through fear eliciting videos was performed. Results The three factors structure of the 13-item version of the questionnaire was confirmed (χ2 = 148.092, CFI = 0.971, TLI = 0.962, RMSEA = 0.046, RMSEA 90% CI = 0.037-0.056) as well as the measurement invariance across gender. Item internal reliability was satisfactory. The results provided evidence of the good predictive validity of the FPQ-III and the discriminant assessment demonstrated that the instrument is suitable in detecting changes in fear of pain induced by specific situational conditions. Discussion The scale in this short version is suitable for quickly and efficiently gathering information about the perceived intensity of such anticipatory fears that might affect even the healthy person dysfunctionally.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pierluigi Diotaiuti
- Department of Human Sciences, Society and Health, University of Cassino and Lazio, Cassino, Italy,*Correspondence: Pierluigi Diotaiuti,
| | - Stefano Corrado
- Department of Human Sciences, Society and Health, University of Cassino and Lazio, Cassino, Italy
| | - Stefania Mancone
- Department of Human Sciences, Society and Health, University of Cassino and Lazio, Cassino, Italy
| | - Elisa Cavicchiolo
- Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Chirico
- Department of Psychology of Development and Socialization Processes, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Thais Cristina Siqueira
- Health and Sports Science Center, Department of Physical Education, CEFID, Santa Catarina State University, Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Alexandro Andrade
- Health and Sports Science Center, Department of Physical Education, CEFID, Santa Catarina State University, Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Tesfaye M, Wu J, Biedrzycki RJ, Grantz KL, Joseph P, Tekola-Ayele F. Prenatal social support in low-risk pregnancy shapes placental epigenome. BMC Med 2023; 21:12. [PMID: 36617561 PMCID: PMC9827682 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-022-02701-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Poor social support during pregnancy has been linked to inflammation and adverse pregnancy and childhood health outcomes. Placental epigenetic alterations may underlie these links but are still unknown in humans. METHODS In a cohort of low-risk pregnant women (n = 301) from diverse ethnic backgrounds, social support was measured using the ENRICHD Social Support Inventory (ESSI) during the first trimester. Placental samples collected at delivery were analyzed for DNA methylation and gene expression using Illumina 450K Beadchip Array and RNA-seq, respectively. We examined association between maternal prenatal social support and DNA methylation in placenta. Associated cytosine-(phosphate)-guanine sites (CpGs) were further assessed for correlation with nearby gene expression in placenta. RESULTS The mean age (SD) of the women was 27.7 (5.3) years. The median (interquartile range) of ESSI scores was 24 (22-25). Prenatal social support was significantly associated with methylation level at seven CpGs (PFDR < 0.05). The methylation levels at two of the seven CpGs correlated with placental expression of VGF and ILVBL (PFDR < 0.05), genes known to be involved in neurodevelopment and energy metabolism. The genes annotated with the top 100 CpGs were enriched for pathways related to fetal growth, coagulation system, energy metabolism, and neurodevelopment. Sex-stratified analysis identified additional significant associations at nine CpGs in male-bearing pregnancies and 35 CpGs in female-bearing pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that prenatal social support is linked to placental DNA methylation changes in a low-stress setting, including fetal sex-dependent epigenetic changes. Given the relevance of some of these changes in fetal neurodevelopmental outcomes, the findings signal important methylation targets for future research on molecular mechanisms of effect of the broader social environment on pregnancy and fetal outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT00912132 ( ClinicalTrials.gov ).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Markos Tesfaye
- Section of Sensory Science and Metabolism (SenSMet), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism & National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Jing Wu
- Glotech, Inc., contractor for Division of Population Health Research, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Richard J Biedrzycki
- Glotech, Inc., contractor for Division of Population Health Research, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Katherine L Grantz
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Population Health Research, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, MD, Bethesda, USA
| | - Paule Joseph
- Section of Sensory Science and Metabolism (SenSMet), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism & National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Fasil Tekola-Ayele
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Population Health Research, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, MD, Bethesda, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Pinto AM, Geenen R, Wager TD, Lumley MA, Häuser W, Kosek E, Ablin JN, Amris K, Branco J, Buskila D, Castelhano J, Castelo-Branco M, Crofford LJ, Fitzcharles MA, López-Solà M, Luís M, Marques TR, Mease PJ, Palavra F, Rhudy JL, Uddin LQ, Castilho P, Jacobs JWG, da Silva JAP. Emotion regulation and the salience network: a hypothetical integrative model of fibromyalgia. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2023; 19:44-60. [PMID: 36471023 DOI: 10.1038/s41584-022-00873-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances and other symptoms, and has a substantial socioeconomic impact. Current biomedical and psychosocial treatments are unsatisfactory for many patients, and treatment progress has been hindered by the lack of a clear understanding of the pathogenesis of fibromyalgia. We present here a model of fibromyalgia that integrates current psychosocial and neurophysiological observations. We propose that an imbalance in emotion regulation, reflected by an overactive 'threat' system and underactive 'soothing' system, might keep the 'salience network' (also known as the midcingulo-insular network) in continuous alert mode, and this hyperactivation, in conjunction with other mechanisms, contributes to fibromyalgia. This proposed integrative model, which we term the Fibromyalgia: Imbalance of Threat and Soothing Systems (FITSS) model, should be viewed as a working hypothesis with limited supporting evidence available. We hope, however, that this model will shed new light on existing psychosocial and biological observations, and inspire future research to address the many gaps in our knowledge about fibromyalgia, ultimately stimulating the development of novel therapeutic interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Margarida Pinto
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Coimbra, Portugal
- University of Coimbra, University Clinic of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal
- University of Coimbra, Psychological Medicine Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rinie Geenen
- Department of Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Altrecht Psychosomatic Medicine Eikenboom, Zeist, The Netherlands
| | - Tor D Wager
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Mark A Lumley
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Winfried Häuser
- Department Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Eva Kosek
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jacob N Ablin
- Internal Medicine H, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel
| | - Kirstine Amris
- The Parker Institute, Department of Rheumatology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Jaime Branco
- Rheumatology Department, Egas Moniz Hospital - Lisboa Ocidental Hospital Centre (CHLO-EPE), Lisbon, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), Chronic Diseases Research Centre (CEDOC), NOVA Medical School, NOVA University Lisbon (NMS/UNL), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Dan Buskila
- Ben Gurion University of the Negev Beer-Sheba, Beersheba, Israel
| | - João Castelhano
- University of Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), ICNAS, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel Castelo-Branco
- University of Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), ICNAS, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Leslie J Crofford
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Mary-Ann Fitzcharles
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Marina López-Solà
- Serra Hunter Programme, Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mariana Luís
- Rheumatology Department, Coimbra Hospital and University Centre, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Tiago Reis Marques
- Psychiatric Imaging Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Philip J Mease
- Swedish Medical Center/Providence St. Joseph Health, Seattle, WA, USA
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Filipe Palavra
- Centre for Child Development, Neuropediatric Unit, Paediatric Hospital, Coimbra Hospital and University Centre, Coimbra, Portugal
- University of Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (i.CBR), Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Jamie L Rhudy
- Department of Psychology, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Lucina Q Uddin
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Paula Castilho
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Johannes W G Jacobs
- Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - José A P da Silva
- University of Coimbra, University Clinic of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal.
- Rheumatology Department, Coimbra Hospital and University Centre, Coimbra, Portugal.
- University of Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (i.CBR), Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Ketels M, Belligh T, De Bacquer D, Clays E. Are Psychosocial Resources Buffering the Relation Between Physical Work Behaviors and Need for Recovery? Int J Public Health 2022; 67:1604787. [PMID: 36589477 PMCID: PMC9800507 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2022.1604787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: We investigate whether job control and/or social support at work play a buffering role in the relation between various physical work behaviors and Need for Recovery (NFR) among employees with physically demanding jobs. Methods: Our findings are based on data from 332 workers. The Job Content Questionnaire was used to assess job control, social support and specific physically demanding tasks. General physical work behaviors were measured by two Axivity AX3 accelerometers. The NFR Scale (0-11) was used to assess NFR. We used multiple linear regression models. Results: Sitting at work turned out to be negatively associated with NFR, whereas physically demanding tasks were associated positively with NFR. Our results show a significant buffering role for job control on the correlation between sitting, physically demanding tasks and NFR, but not for social support. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that higher job control might be beneficial to reduce high NFR and eventually may help to reduce early drop-out and sickness absence. Further research is called for to confirm the buffering role of job control and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margo Ketels
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium,*Correspondence: Margo Ketels,
| | - Thomas Belligh
- Department of Linguistics, Faculty of Arts and Philosophy, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dirk De Bacquer
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Els Clays
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Packard K, Opendak M. Rodent models of early adversity: Impacts on developing social behavior circuitry and clinical implications. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:918862. [PMID: 35990728 PMCID: PMC9385963 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.918862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Flexible and context-appropriate social functioning is key for survival across species. This flexibility also renders social behavior highly plastic, particularly during early development when attachment to caregiver can provide a template for future social processing. As a result, early caregiving adversity can have unique and lasting impacts on social behavior and even confer vulnerability to psychiatric disorders. However, the neural circuit mechanisms translating experience to outcome remain poorly understood. Here, we consider social behavior scaffolding through the lens of reward and threat processing. We begin by surveying several complementary rodent models of early adversity, which together have highlighted impacts on neural circuits processing social cues. We next explore these circuits underlying perturbed social functioning with focus on dopamine (DA) and its role in regions implicated in social and threat processing such as the prefrontal cortex (PFC), basolateral amygdala (BLA) and the lateral habenula (LHb). Finally, we turn to human populations once more to examine how altered DA signaling and LHb dysfunction may play a role in social anhedonia, a common feature in diagnoses such as schizophrenia and major depressive disorder (MDD). We argue that this translational focus is critical for identifying specific features of adversity that confer heightened vulnerability for clinical outcomes involving social cue processing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Packard
- Department of Neuroscience, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Maya Opendak
- Department of Neuroscience, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Goh SN, Fan G, Cheng S, Khaing N. COVID 19 pandemic: Impact of changes experienced on social workers' professional quality of life in Singapore. SOCIAL WORK IN HEALTH CARE 2022; 61:298-322. [PMID: 35819057 DOI: 10.1080/00981389.2022.2092582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 has impacted all spheres of life massively. Among the emerging studies on the psychosocial impact of the pandemic, few studies look specifically at how social workers are impacted. To understand this gap, this study surveyed 337 social workers. The findings showed that changes experienced in the workplace were enormous and caused secondary traumatic stress while engendering compassion satisfaction among social workers, but the presence of social support moderated to keep the secondary traumatic stress at bay. Resilience mediated association between social and workplace support and compassion fatigue. Social support seemed to have the largest effect on reducing stress through resilience. Workplace support also helped mitigate burnout. In conclusion, continued social and workplace support will be key to supporting social workers during a pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S N Goh
- Medical Social Services, Changi General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - G Fan
- Psychosocial Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - S Cheng
- Medical Social Services, Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nee Khaing
- Health Services Research, Changi General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Espinosa L, Bonsall MB, Becker N, Holmes EA, Olsson A. Pavlovian threat conditioning can generate intrusive memories that persist over time. Behav Res Ther 2022; 157:104161. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2022.104161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
|
28
|
Hornstein EA, Eisenberger NI. Exploring the effect of loneliness on fear: Implications for the effect of COVID-19-induced social disconnection on anxiety. Behav Res Ther 2022; 153:104101. [PMID: 35490455 PMCID: PMC9013316 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2022.104101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in many disruptions to daily life, including an abrupt increase in social disconnection. As measures were put in place to combat the spread of COVID-19, people across the globe began living in states of limited social contact, fostering feelings of social isolation and loneliness. Previous literature suggests that these increases in social disconnection can have profound effects on both physical and mental health, perhaps especially in the case of fear disorders. The combination of feeling disconnected from others and the high level of daily threat experienced due to COVID-19 created conditions under which dysfunctional and persistent fears were especially likely to develop. Building on current understanding of the harmful effects of social disconnection on well-being in general as well as specific implications for fear, here we present findings from three preliminary investigations that are the first to directly examine the effects of loneliness on how fears are learned and maintained. The Results of this work show that loneliness impairs the process by which fears are extinguished, which is central to both the regulation of fear and treatment of fear disorders, and provide insight into potential avenues to mitigate such effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erica A Hornstein
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles 1285 Franz Hall, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Naomi I Eisenberger
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles 1285 Franz Hall, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Hornstein EA, Craske MG, Fanselow MS, Eisenberger NI. Reclassifying the Unique Inhibitory Properties of Social Support Figures: A Roadmap for Exploring Prepared Fear Suppression. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 91:778-785. [PMID: 35063185 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Recent work has revealed that social support cues are powerful inhibitors of the fear response. They are endowed with a unique combination of inhibitory properties, enabling them to both inhibit fear in the short term and reduce fear in the long term. While these findings had previously been thought to suggest that social support cues belong to a category of prepared safety stimuli, mounting evidence clearly shows that the mechanisms underlying safety signaling cannot account for the unique effects of social support cues. Here, we propose a reclassification of social support cues as members of a prepared fear suppressor category. We present an argument for the prepared fear suppressor classification, discuss potential mechanisms underlying the unique effects of prepared fear suppressors, and outline next steps to build an understanding of this category and its clinical implications. This review is meant to serve as a roadmap for exploring this novel category of prepared fear suppressors, whose never-before-seen range of inhibitory effects makes them an important and impactful discovery with implications for both fear learning theory and clinical application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erica A Hornstein
- Department of Psychology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
| | - Michelle G Craske
- Department of Psychology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Michael S Fanselow
- Department of Psychology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Naomi I Eisenberger
- Department of Psychology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Khaing NEE, Lim CS, Soon SP, Oh HC. Prevalence and correlates of psychological distress and coronavirus anxiety among hospital essential services workers in Singapore. ANNALS OF THE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE, SINGAPORE 2022; 51:283-291. [PMID: 35658151 DOI: 10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.202219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic has affected almost all populations, with frontline workers experiencing a higher risk of mental health effects compared to other groups. Although there are several research studies focusing on the mental health effects of the pandemic on healthcare workers, there is little research about its impact on workers in outsourced hospital essential services. This study aims to examine the prevalence and correlates of psychological distress and coronavirus anxiety among staff working in 3 outsourced hospital essential services-housekeeping, porter service and maintenance services. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among outsourced hospital essential services workers in a tertiary hospital. Data on demographics, medical history, lifestyle factors, psychosocial factors and mental well-being were collected using self-administered questionnaires. Robust logistic regression was used to determine risk factors associated with psychological distress and dysfunctional anxiety related to COVID-19. RESULTS A total of 246 hospital essential services workers participated in the study. The prevalence of psychological distress was 24.7%, and dysfunctional anxiety related to COVID-19 was 13.4%. Social support and workplace support were found to be independently associated with a lower risk of psychological distress, and social connectivity was associated with a lower risk of dysfunctional anxiety related to COVID-19. CONCLUSION These findings highlight the crucial roles of communities and workplaces in combating the mental health consequences of the pandemic. Public health programmes that aim to tackle the emerging mental health crisis in hospital essential services workers should incorporate strategies to address psychosocial factors, in addition to traditional self-care approaches.
Collapse
|
31
|
Yang Q, Kanjanarat P, Wongpakaran T, Ruengorn C, Awiphan R, Nochaiwong S, Wongpakaran N, Wedding D. Fear of COVID-19 and Perceived Stress: The Mediating Roles of Neuroticism and Perceived Social Support. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:812. [PMID: 35627949 PMCID: PMC9141688 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10050812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Fear of COVID-19 leads to stress and may result in various kinds of mental health problems. Many factors are associated with an individual’s perception of stress, including neuroticism and perceived social support. This study aimed to examine the role of neuroticism and perceived social support as mediators of fear of COVID-19 on perceived stress. Methods: Data from 3299 participants aged ≥18 years from the HOME-COVID-19 survey in 2020 were used for analysis. Measurements used included the Fear of COVID-19 and Impact on Quality of Life Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale-10, the Neuroticism inventory and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support-12. A parallel mediation model within a structural equation modeling framework with 5000 bootstrapping sampling was used to test the mediating effect. Results: Fear of COVID-19 had a direct effect on perceived stress (B = 0.100, 95% CI = 0.080−0.121, p < 0.001), whereas neuroticism, but not perceived social support, partially mediated the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and perceived stress (B = 0.018, 95% CI = 0.000−0.036). Among all types of social support, only perceived support from friends was a significant mediator (B = 0.016, 95% CI = 0.006−0.025). Conclusions: Neuroticism and perceived support from friends are critical factors in the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and perceived stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyi Yang
- Master of Science (Mental Health), Graduate School, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (Q.Y.); (C.R.); (R.A.); (N.W.); (D.W.)
| | - Penkarn Kanjanarat
- Master of Science (Mental Health), Graduate School, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (Q.Y.); (C.R.); (R.A.); (N.W.); (D.W.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Care, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Suthep Road, T. Suthep, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand;
| | - Tinakon Wongpakaran
- Master of Science (Mental Health), Graduate School, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (Q.Y.); (C.R.); (R.A.); (N.W.); (D.W.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, 110 Intawaroros Rd., T. Sriphum, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Chidchanok Ruengorn
- Master of Science (Mental Health), Graduate School, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (Q.Y.); (C.R.); (R.A.); (N.W.); (D.W.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Care, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Suthep Road, T. Suthep, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand;
| | - Ratanaporn Awiphan
- Master of Science (Mental Health), Graduate School, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (Q.Y.); (C.R.); (R.A.); (N.W.); (D.W.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Care, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Suthep Road, T. Suthep, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand;
| | - Surapon Nochaiwong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Care, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Suthep Road, T. Suthep, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand;
| | - Nahathai Wongpakaran
- Master of Science (Mental Health), Graduate School, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (Q.Y.); (C.R.); (R.A.); (N.W.); (D.W.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, 110 Intawaroros Rd., T. Sriphum, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Danny Wedding
- Master of Science (Mental Health), Graduate School, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (Q.Y.); (C.R.); (R.A.); (N.W.); (D.W.)
- Department of Clinical and Humanistic Psychology, Saybrook University, Pasadena, CA 91103, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Missouri-Saint Louis, St. Louis, MO 63121, USA
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Power Distance Belief and Workplace Communication: The Mediating Role of Fear of Authority. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19052932. [PMID: 35270627 PMCID: PMC8910159 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19052932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Power distance is the degree of acceptance of unequal distribution of power in societies. In a high power distance context, the acceptance of inequality conflicts with the operation of modern organizations, which causes obstacles to workplace communication or even triggers workplace accidents due to ineffective communication. We conducted four studies (N = 1063) to explore the relations between and mechanisms of power distance belief and workplace communication. In Study 1, the participants with high power distance belief had ineffective workplace communication—specifically ineffective communication with superiors—but no difference in communication with subordinates and colleagues. We further focused on the mechanism underlying the relationship between power distance belief and communication with superiors. A questionnaire study (Study 2) was conducted in three stages over a three-month period, and an experimental study (Study 3) indicated that fear of authority mediated the negative effect of high power distance on communication with superiors. A cross-culture study (Study 4) re-tested the hypotheses among Chinese and U.S. participants. This research provides insight into the mechanisms that explain the relationship between power distance belief and workplace communication, indicating that fear of authority is significant. Organizations should pay attention to power distance belief and fear of authority, as they may lead to workplace accidents due to communication disasters.
Collapse
|
33
|
Uwadiale A, Cordaro M, Brunett K, Stern M, Howard K. Lessons Learned about the Need for Early Screening for Depression during the First Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States. Issues Ment Health Nurs 2022; 43:272-281. [PMID: 34529543 DOI: 10.1080/01612840.2021.1975333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
A nationwide survey assessed the prevalence and pandemic-related risk factors of major depressive disorder (MDD) at the initial onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings showed a significant increase in the prevalence of MDD (22.7%) compared to the pre-pandemic 12-month estimate (10.4%). Specific pandemic-related concerns, along with significant increases in stress, loneliness, fatigue, and substance use behaviors are noted for those with the provisional diagnosis of MDD. Early screening and detection for potential MDD cases can reduce the severity and duration of maladaptive symptoms, decreasing the risk for future depression episodes and the potential loss of quality of life and productivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akuekegbe Uwadiale
- Department of Psychology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, USA
| | - Millie Cordaro
- Department of Psychology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, USA
| | - Kaitlin Brunett
- Department of Psychology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, USA
| | - Mark Stern
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Krista Howard
- Department of Psychology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Bublatzky F, Schellhaas S, Guerra P. The mere sight of loved ones does not inhibit psychophysiological defense mechanisms when threatened. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2515. [PMID: 35169193 PMCID: PMC8847570 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06514-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Looking at pictures of loved ones, such as one's romantic partner or good friends, has been shown to alleviate the experience of pain and reduce defensive reactions. However, little is known about such modulatory effects on threat and safety learning and the psychophysiological processes involved. Here, we explored the hypothesis that beloved faces serve as implicit safety cues and attenuate the expression of fear responses and/or accelerate extinction learning in a threatening context. Thirty-two participants viewed pictures of their loved ones (romantic partner, parents, and best friend) as well as of unknown individuals within contextual background colors indicating threat-of-shock or safety. Focusing on the extinction of non-reinforced threat associations (no shocks were given), the experiment was repeated on two more test days while the defensive startle-EMG, SCR, and threat ratings were obtained. Results confirmed pronounced defensive responding to instructed threat-of-shock relative to safety context (e.g., threat-enhanced startle reflex and SCR). Moreover, threat-potentiated startle response slowly declined across test days indicating passive extinction learning in the absence of shocks. Importantly, neither a main effect of face category (loved vs. unknown) nor a significant interaction with threat/safety instructions was observed. Thus, a long-term learning history of beneficial relations (e.g., with supportive parents) did not interfere with verbal threat learning and aversive apprehensions. These findings reflect the effects of worries and apprehensions that persist despite the repeated experience of safety and the pictorial presence of loved ones. How to counter such aversive expectations is key to changing mal-adaptive behaviors (e.g., avoidance or stockpiling), biased risk perceptions, and stereotypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florian Bublatzky
- Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, J5, 68159, Mannheim, Germany. .,Department of Personality, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
| | - Sabine Schellhaas
- Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, J5, 68159, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Pedro Guerra
- Department of Personality, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Hu S, Packard K, Opendak M. Social Regulation of Negative Valence Systems During Development. Front Syst Neurosci 2022; 15:828685. [PMID: 35126064 PMCID: PMC8811468 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2021.828685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to sense, perceive, and respond appropriately to aversive cues is critical for survival. Conversely, dysfunction in any of these pathway components can lead to heightened avoidance of neutral or rewarding cues, such as social partners. The underlying circuitry mediating both negative valence processing and social behavior is particularly sensitive to early life experience, but mechanisms linking experience to pathology remain elusive. Previous research in humans, rodents, and non-human primates has highlighted the unique neurobiology of the developing infant and the role of the caregiver in mediating the infant’s negative valence circuitry, and the importance of this early social relationship for scaffolding lasting social behavior. In this review, we summarize the current literature on the development of negative valence circuits in the infant and their social regulation by the caregiver following both typical and adversity-rearing. We focus on clinically-relevant research using infant rodents which highlights the amygdala and its interface with the mesolimbic dopamine system through innervation from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) as a locus of dysfunction following early-life adversity. We then describe how these circuits are recruited to perturb life-long social behavior following adversity and propose additional therapeutic targets in these circuits with an eye toward developing age-appropriate interventions.
Collapse
|
36
|
Boakye E, Kwapong YA, Obisesan O, Ogunwole SM, Hays AG, Nasir K, Blumenthal RS, Douglas PS, Blaha MJ, Hong X, Creanga AA, Wang X, Sharma G. Nativity-Related Disparities in Preeclampsia and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Among a Racially Diverse Cohort of US Women. JAMA Netw Open 2021; 4:e2139564. [PMID: 34928357 PMCID: PMC8689384 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.39564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Preeclampsia is an independent risk factor for future cardiovascular disease and disproportionally affects non-Hispanic Black women. The association of maternal nativity and duration of US residence with preeclampsia and other cardiovascular risk factors is well described among non-Hispanic Black women but not among women of other racial and ethnic groups. OBJECTIVE To examine differences in cardiovascular risk factors and preeclampsia prevalence by race and ethnicity, nativity, and duration of US residence among Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, and non-Hispanic White women. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cross-sectional analysis of the Boston Birth Cohort included a racially diverse cohort of women who had singleton deliveries at the Boston Medical Center from October 1, 1998, to February 15, 2016. Participants self-identified as Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, or non-Hispanic White. Data were analyzed from March 1 to March 31, 2021. EXPOSURES Maternal nativity and duration of US residence (<10 vs ≥10 years) were self-reported. MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES Diagnosis of preeclampsia, the outcome of interest, was retrieved from maternal medical records. RESULTS A total of 6096 women (2400 Hispanic, 2699 non-Hispanic Black, and 997 non-Hispanic White) with a mean (SD) age of 27.5 (6.3) years were included in the study sample. Compared with Hispanic and non-Hispanic White women, non-Hispanic Black women had the highest prevalence of chronic hypertension (204 of 2699 [7.5%] vs 65 of 2400 [2.7%] and 28 of 997 [2.8%], respectively), obesity (658 of 2699 [24.4%] vs 380 of 2400 [15.8%] and 152 of 997 [15.2%], respectively), and preeclampsia (297 of 2699 [11.0%] vs 212 of 2400 [8.8%] and 71 of 997 [7.1%], respectively). Compared with their counterparts born outside the US, US-born women in all 3 racial and ethnic groups had a significantly higher prevalence of obesity (Hispanic women, 132 of 556 [23.7%] vs 248 of 1844 [13.4%]; non-Hispanic Black women, 444 of 1607 [27.6%] vs 214 of 1092 [19.6%]; non-Hispanic White women, 132 of 776 [17.0%] vs 20 of 221 [9.0%]), smoking (Hispanic women, 98 of 556 [17.6%] vs 30 of 1844 [1.6%]; non-Hispanic Black women, 330 of 1607 [20.5%] vs 53 of 1092 [4.9%]; non-Hispanic White women, 382 of 776 [49.2%] vs 42 of 221 [19.0%]), and severe stress (Hispanic women, 76 of 556 [13.7%] vs 85 of 1844 [4.6%]; non-Hispanic Black women, 231 of 1607 [14.4%] vs 120 of 1092 [11.0%]; non-Hispanic White women, 164 of 776 [21.1%] vs 26 of 221 [11.8%]). After adjusting for sociodemographic and cardiovascular risk factors, birth status outside the US (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.74 [95% CI, 0.55-1.00]) and shorter duration of US residence (aOR, 0.62 [95% CI, 0.41-0.93]) were associated with lower odds of preeclampsia among non-Hispanic Black women. However, among Hispanic and non-Hispanic White women, maternal nativity (aOR for Hispanic women, 1.07 [95% CI, 0.72-1.60]; aOR for non-Hispanic White women, 0.98 [95% CI, 0.49-1.96]) and duration of US residence (aOR for Hispanic women <10 years, 1.04 [95% CI, 0.67-1.59]; aOR for non-Hispanic White women <10 years, 1.20 [95% CI, 0.48-3.02]) were not associated with preeclampsia. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Nativity-related disparities in preeclampsia persisted among non-Hispanic Black women but not among Hispanic and non-Hispanic White women after adjusting for sociodemographic and cardiovascular risk factors. Further research is needed to explore the interplay of factors contributing to nativity-related disparities in preeclampsia, particularly among non-Hispanic Black women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Boakye
- Ciccarone Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases, Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Yaa Adoma Kwapong
- Ciccarone Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases, Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - S. Michelle Ogunwole
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Allison G. Hays
- Ciccarone Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases, Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Khurram Nasir
- DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center and Center for Outcomes Research, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Roger S. Blumenthal
- Ciccarone Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases, Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Pamela S. Douglas
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Michael J. Blaha
- Ciccarone Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases, Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Xiumei Hong
- Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Andreea A. Creanga
- Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Xiaobin Wang
- Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Garima Sharma
- Ciccarone Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases, Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Toumbelekis M, Liddell BJ, Bryant RA. Secure attachment priming protects against relapse of fear in Young adults. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:584. [PMID: 34775464 PMCID: PMC8590684 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01715-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that activating the attachment system attenuates fear learning. This study aimed to explore whether attachment priming can also impact on fear extinction processes, which underpin the management of anxiety disorders. In this study, 81 participants underwent a standard fear conditioning and extinction protocol on day 1 and returned 24 h later for an extinction recall and reinstatement test. Half the participants were primed to imagine their closest attachment figure prior to undergoing extinction training, while the other half were instructed to imagine a positive situation. Fear-potentiated startle and subjective expectancies of shock were measured as the primary indicators of fear. Attachment priming led to less relapse during the reinstatement test at the physiological but not subjective levels. These findings have translational potential to imply that activating awareness of attachment figures might augment long-term safety memories acquired in existing treatments to reduce relapse of fear.
Collapse
|
38
|
Chen Y, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Li Z, Zhou T. The Effect of Fear of the COVID-19 on Depression Among Chinese Outbound Students Studying Online in China Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic Period: The Role of Resilience and Social Support. Front Psychol 2021; 12:750011. [PMID: 34721231 PMCID: PMC8554294 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.750011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: The present study focused on examining fear of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is correlated with depression and explored the potential role of resilience and social support on the association between fear of the COVID-19 (FoC) and depression among Chinese outbound students studying online in China amid the COVID-19 pandemic period. Methods: A total of 476 Chinese outbound students from different universities worldwide, currently studying via online mode in China, completed an online survey including measures on FoC, resilience, social support, and depression. Results: (1) Fear of the COVID-19 was positively correlated with depression and negatively correlated with resilience and social support. Both resilience and social support were negatively correlated with depression. Social support showed a positive correlation with resilience. (2) The effect of FoC on depression mainly occurred through two paths: the mediating effect of resilience and the moderating effect of resilience. However, the moderating effect of social support on the association between FoC and depression was not sustained in this study. Conclusion: This study indicated the mediating and moderating effects of resilience on the association between FoC and depression among Chinese outbound students studying online in China during the COVID-19 pandemic period. The current findings confirmed that resilience has significant implications in preventing negative mental states under the COVID-19 context among this particular group.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yikang Chen
- Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, SAR China
| | - Yifan Liu
- Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, SAR China
| | - Yuxuan Zhang
- Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, SAR China
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, SAR China
| | - Tianshu Zhou
- Department of Asian and International Studies, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, SAR China
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Toumbelekis M, Liddell BJ, Bryant RA. Secure attachment primes reduce fear consolidation. Depress Anxiety 2021; 38:1078-1086. [PMID: 33949748 DOI: 10.1002/da.23166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies have found that attachment security primes can inhibit fear acquisition. This current study aimed to examine whether a brief imaginal prime of one's attachment figure could impact on fear consolidation. METHODS A total of 75 participants underwent fear conditioning on Day 1 and fear recall was tested on Day 2. Immediately following conditioning, half the participants were instructed to imagine an attachment figure while the other half imagined a nonattachment positive situation. Fear-potentiated startle and subjective expectancy of shock ratings were used as the measures of fear learning across trials. RESULTS The attachment group showed significantly lower levels of fear recall on Day 2 at both physiological and subjective levels. Furthermore, this effect was moderated by attachment anxiety, such that it was greatest for individuals who were securely attached. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that attachment relationships are protective during the consolidation of fear memories, and may have implications for how social attachments may impact how anxiety disorders can develop.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Metaxia Toumbelekis
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Belinda J Liddell
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Richard A Bryant
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Social reward and support effects on exercise experiences and performance: Evidence from parkrun. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256546. [PMID: 34525097 PMCID: PMC8443045 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
There is growing academic, civic and policy interest in the public health benefits of community-based exercise events. Shifting the emphasis from competitive sport to communal activity, these events have wide appeal. In addition to physical health benefits, regular participation can reduce social isolation and loneliness through opportunities for social connection. Taking a broad evolutionary and social psychological perspective, we suggest that social factors warrant more attention in current approaches to physical (in)activity and exercise behavior. We develop and test the hypothesis that social reward and support in exercise are associated with positive exercise experiences and greater performance outputs. Using a repeated-measures design, we examine the influence of social perceptions and behavior on subjective enjoyment, energy, fatigue, effort, and objective performance (run times) among a UK sample of parkrun participants. Social factors were associated with greater subjective enjoyment and energy. Higher subjective energy, in turn, was associated with faster run times, without any corresponding increase in perceived effort. No significant main effects of social factors on fatigue, performance or effort were detected. The role of social structural factors has long been recognized in public health approaches to physical activity. Our results indicate that there should be greater research attention on how positive and rewarding social behaviors and experiences-particularly subjective enjoyment and energy, and perceptions of community social support and belonging-influence exercise-related behavior, psychology and physiology, and promote health through collective physical activity. The research also supplements traditional emphases on social facilitation and team sport that have dominated sport and exercise psychology and offers new avenues for understanding the deep connections among psychological, social and physical function in everyday health.
Collapse
|
41
|
Vila J. Social Support and Longevity: Meta-Analysis-Based Evidence and Psychobiological Mechanisms. Front Psychol 2021; 12:717164. [PMID: 34589025 PMCID: PMC8473615 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.717164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past 60 years, evidence has accumulated on the fundamental role of supportive social relationships in individual health and longevity. This paper first summarizes the results of 23 meta-analyses published between 1994 and 2021, which include 1,187 longitudinal and cross-sectional studies with more than 1,458 million participants. The effect sizes reported in these meta-analyses are highly consistent with regard to the predicted link between social support and reduced disease and mortality; the meta-analyses also highlight various theoretical and methodological issues concerning the multi-dimensionality of the social support concept and its measurements, and the need to control potential confounding and moderator variables. This is followed by an analysis of the experimental evidence from laboratory studies on psychobiological mechanisms that may explain the effect of social support on health and longevity. The stress-buffering hypothesis is examined and extended to incorporate recent findings on the inhibitory effect of social support figures (e.g., the face of loved ones) on fear learning and defensive reactions alongside evidence on the effect of social support on brain networks that down-regulate the autonomic nervous system, HPA axis, and immune system. Finally, the paper discusses the findings in the context of three emerging research areas that are helping to advance and consolidate the relevance of social factors for human health and longevity: (a) convergent evidence on the effects of social support and adversity in other social mammals, (b) longitudinal studies on the impact of social support and adversity across each stage of the human lifespan, and (c) studies that extend the social support framework from individual to community and societal levels, drawing implications for large-scale intervention policies to promote the culture of social support.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Vila
- Human Psychophysiology and Health Laboratory, Mind, Brain, and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Gable SL, Bedrov A. Social isolation and social support in good times and bad times. Curr Opin Psychol 2021; 44:89-93. [PMID: 34600413 DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.08.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
People who are socially isolated or lonely report having lower levels of social support. Supportive social networks help buffer individuals against the deleterious effects of negative events and stressors. Supportive social networks also help individuals maximize the benefits of positive events and accomplishments. In short, those who are socially isolated suffer more when bad things happen and gain less when good things happen than those who are more socially connected.
Collapse
|
43
|
Packard K, Opendak M, Soper CD, Sardar H, Sullivan RM. Infant Attachment and Social Modification of Stress Neurobiology. Front Syst Neurosci 2021; 15:718198. [PMID: 34483852 PMCID: PMC8415781 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2021.718198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Decades of research have informed our understanding of how stress impacts the brain to perturb behavior. However, stress during development has received specific attention as this occurs during a sensitive period for scaffolding lifelong socio-emotional behavior. In this review, we focus the developmental neurobiology of stress-related pathology during infancy and focus on one of the many important variables that can switch outcomes from adaptive to maladaptive outcome: caregiver presence during infants' exposure to chronic stress. While this review relies heavily on rodent neuroscience research, we frequently connect this work with the human behavioral and brain literature to facilitate translation. Bowlby's Attachment Theory is used as a guiding framework in order to understand how early care quality impacts caregiver regulation of the infant to produce lasting outcomes on mental health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Packard
- Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, United States
| | - Maya Opendak
- Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, United States
- Child Study Center, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Caroline Davis Soper
- Child Study Center, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Haniyyah Sardar
- Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, United States
- Child Study Center, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Regina M. Sullivan
- Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, United States
- Child Study Center, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Bibi S, Shah M, Malik MO, Goosens KA. T3 is linked to stress-associated reduction of prolactin in lactating women. J Neuroendocrinol 2021; 33:e13003. [PMID: 34241933 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The relationship between stress responses and lactation is bidirectional. Breastfeeding confers many benefits to maternal health, including attenuated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis responsiveness to stress. However, increased stress burden can impair lactation. The mechanisms that underlie these relationships are poorly understood. The present study aimed to compare breastfeeding habits, as well as subjective and objective measures of stress, in employed and non-employed lactating women and assess the relationships between these measures and prolactin (PRL), thyroid hormones (thyroid-stimulating hormone, triiodothyronine [T3] and thyroxine), vasopressin and cortisol levels. A dexamethasone suppression test was also administered to determine the sensitivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to negative-feedback. We report that lactating employed women had lower breastfeeding rates and lower PRL than lactating non-employed women. They also had a significantly higher stress burden, indicated by elevations in blood pressure and evening cortisol, relative to lactating non-employed women. In regression analyses that controlled for feeding modality and breastfeeding duration, we found these factors differentially affected PRL in the two groups and there were significant differences in PRL across groups that were not accounted for by these factors. A mediation regression analysis suggested that group differences in PRL were best explained by differences in T3 and income levels, rather than breastfeeding duration or other variables. Our data fit a speculative model in which elevated maternal stress increases cortisol, which suppresses T3, leading to decreased PRL. The decreases in PRL are associated with higher rates of bottlefeeding, which may further contribute to decreased PRL.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Safia Bibi
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Mohsin Shah
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Omar Malik
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Ki Ann Goosens
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Affective Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Delgado J, Siow S, de Groot J, McLane B, Hedlin M. Towards collective moral resilience: the potential of communities of practice during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS 2021; 47:medethics-2020-106764. [PMID: 33762300 PMCID: PMC7992383 DOI: 10.1136/medethics-2020-106764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
This paper proposes communities of practice (CoP) as a process to build moral resilience in healthcare settings. We introduce the starting point of moral distress that arises from ethical challenges when actions of the healthcare professional are constrained. We examine how situations such as the current COVID-19 pandemic can exponentially increase moral distress in healthcare professionals. Then, we explore how moral resilience can help cope with moral distress. We propose the term collective moral resilience to capture the shared capacity arising from mutual engagement and dialogue in group settings, towards responding to individual moral distress and towards building an ethical practice environment. Finally, we look at CoPs in healthcare and explore how these group experiences can be used to build collective moral resilience.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janet Delgado
- NICU, University Hospital of the Canary Islands, La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
- University Institute of Women's Studies, University of La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
| | - Serena Siow
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Janet de Groot
- Department of Psychiatry, Oncology and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Brienne McLane
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Margot Hedlin
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Eder SJ, Steyrl D, Stefanczyk MM, Pieniak M, Martínez Molina J, Pešout O, Binter J, Smela P, Scharnowski F, Nicholson AA. Predicting fear and perceived health during the COVID-19 pandemic using machine learning: A cross-national longitudinal study. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247997. [PMID: 33705439 PMCID: PMC7951840 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
During medical pandemics, protective behaviors need to be motivated by effective communication, where finding predictors of fear and perceived health is of critical importance. The varying trajectories of the COVID-19 pandemic in different countries afford the opportunity to assess the unique influence of 'macro-level' environmental factors and 'micro-level' psychological variables on both fear and perceived health. Here, we investigate predictors of fear and perceived health using machine learning as lockdown restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic were introduced in Austria, Spain, Poland and Czech Republic. Over a seven-week period, 533 participants completed weekly self-report surveys which measured the target variables subjective fear of the virus and perceived health, in addition to potential predictive variables related to psychological factors, social factors, perceived vulnerability to disease (PVD), and economic circumstances. Viral spread, mortality and governmental responses were further included in the analysis as potential environmental predictors. Results revealed that our models could accurately predict fear of the virus (accounting for approximately 23% of the variance) using predictive factors such as worrying about shortages in food supplies and perceived vulnerability to disease (PVD), where interestingly, environmental factors such as spread of the virus and governmental restrictions did not contribute to this prediction. Furthermore, our results revealed that perceived health could be predicted using PVD, physical exercise, attachment anxiety and age as input features, albeit with smaller effect sizes. Taken together, our results emphasize the importance of 'micro-level' psychological factors, as opposed to 'macro-level' environmental factors, when predicting fear and perceived health, and offer a starting point for more extensive research on the influences of pathogen threat and governmental restrictions on the psychology of fear and health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Josephine Eder
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - David Steyrl
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Michał Pieniak
- Institute of Psychology, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
| | | | - Ondra Pešout
- Department of Psychology, Jan Evangelista Purkyne University, Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Binter
- Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Humanities, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Patrick Smela
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Frank Scharnowski
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zürich, University of Zürich and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich, Switzerland
- Zürich Center for Integrative Human Physiology (ZIHP), University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Andrew A. Nicholson
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Morato C, Guerra P, Bublatzky F. Verbal threat learning does not spare loved ones. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5469. [PMID: 33750850 PMCID: PMC7970900 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84921-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Significant others provide individuals with a sense of safety and security. However, the mechanisms that underlie attachment-induced safety are hardly understood. Recent research has shown beneficial effects when viewing pictures of the romantic partner, leading to reduced pain experience and defensive responding. Building upon this, we examined the inhibitory capacity of loved face pictures on fear learning in an instructed threat paradigm. Pictures of loved familiar or unknown individuals served as signals for either threat of electric shocks or safety, while a broad set of psychophysiological measures was recorded. We assumed that a long-term learning history of beneficial relations interferes with social threat learning. Nevertheless, results yielded a typical pattern of physiological defense activation towards threat cues, regardless of whether threat was signaled by an unknown or a loved face. These findings call into question the notion that pictures of loved individuals are shielded against becoming threat cues, with implications for attachment and trauma research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Morato
- Department of Personality, Assessment, and Psychological Treatment, Faculty of Psychology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Pedro Guerra
- Department of Personality, Assessment, and Psychological Treatment, Faculty of Psychology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
| | - Florian Bublatzky
- Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, J5, 68159, Mannheim, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Odriozola P, Gee DG. Learning About Safety: Conditioned Inhibition as a Novel Approach to Fear Reduction Targeting the Developing Brain. Am J Psychiatry 2021; 178:136-155. [PMID: 33167673 PMCID: PMC7951569 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.20020232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Adolescence is a peak time for the onset of psychiatric disorders, with anxiety disorders being the most common and affecting as many as 30% of youths. A core feature of anxiety disorders is difficulty regulating fear, with evidence suggesting deficits in extinction learning and corresponding alterations in frontolimbic circuitry. Despite marked changes in this neural circuitry and extinction learning throughout development, interventions for anxious youths are largely based on principles of extinction learning studied in adulthood. Safety signal learning, based on conditioned inhibition of fear in the presence of a cue that indicates safety, has been shown to effectively reduce anxiety-like behavior in animal models and attenuate fear responses in healthy adults. Cross-species evidence suggests that safety signal learning involves connections between the ventral hippocampus and the prelimbic cortex in rodents or the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex in humans. Particularly because this pathway follows a different developmental trajectory than fronto-amygdala circuitry involved in traditional extinction learning, safety cues may provide a novel approach to reducing fear in youths. In this review, the authors leverage a translational framework to bring together findings from studies in animal models and humans and to bridge the gap between research on basic neuroscience and clinical treatment. The authors consider the potential application of safety signal learning for optimizing interventions for anxious youths by targeting the biological state of the developing brain. Based on the existing cross-species literature on safety signal learning, they propose that the judicious use of safety cues may be an effective and neurodevelopmentally optimized approach to enhancing treatment outcomes for youths with anxiety disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Dylan G. Gee
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, Conn
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
An Argument for Reconsidering the Role of Social Support in Treating Anxiety Disorders. JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY AND BRAIN SCIENCE 2021; 6. [PMID: 34307897 PMCID: PMC8298022 DOI: 10.20900/jpbs.20210010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Reminders of loved ones have long been avoided during extinction-based treatments because of their assumed status as safety signals, which, by inhibiting fear in the moment, impair the long-term outcomes of fear extinction. Yet, recent work has demonstrated that in contrast to standard safety signals, social support reminders actually enhance fear extinction and lead to lasting reduction of fear, suggesting that they may have beneficial effects during exposure therapy that have before-now been overlooked. Here, we argue for a revision of the assumption that social support is detrimental to fear extinction processes and propose that future work should focus on the potential of social support reminders to improve treatment outcomes in those with anxiety disorders.
Collapse
|
50
|
Gee DG. Caregiving influences on emotional learning and regulation: Applying a sensitive period model. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2020; 36:177-184. [PMID: 33718534 DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2020.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Early caregiving experiences play a central role in shaping corticolimbic development and emotional learning and regulation. Given dynamic changes in corticolimbic maturation, the effects of caregiving experiences are likely to depend on the developmental timing of exposure. Cross-species evidence has identified timing-related differences in the effects of caregiving adversity. However, the extent to which developmental differences in associations between caregiving adversity and corticolimbic circuitry align with a sensitive period model has remained unclear. Converging evidence from studies of caregiver deprivation points to a sensitive period for caregiving influences on corticolimbic circuitry and emotional development during infancy. By contrast, differential associations between maltreatment and corticolimbic circuitry at specific ages in childhood and adolescence may reflect experience-dependent mechanisms of plasticity. Delineating sensitive periods of development and the precise experience-related mechanisms by which caregiving experiences influence corticolimbic development is essential for refining conceptual models and understanding risk and resilience following early adversity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dylan G Gee
- Yale University, Department of Psychology, 2 Hillhouse Avenue, New Haven, CT 06511
| |
Collapse
|