Personality traits, dieting self-efficacy and health behaviors in emerging adult women: implications for health promotion and education

Exploring the relationship between distress rumination, resilience, depression, and self-injurious behaviors among Chinese college athletes infected with COVID-19: a cross-sectional study

Objectives

Distress rumination is a cause of suicidality and self-injurious behavior (SSIB) among individuals. Although previous studies have shown that distress rumination, SSIB, resilience, and depression are significantly related, the interaction mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate resilience and depression as mediators of the relationship between distress rumination and SSIB among Chinese college athletes infected with COVID-19.

Methods

Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants from the National College Football Championship in Guangxi City, China from January to February 2023. Participants completed the Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS), a subscale of the Health-Risk Behavior Inventory (HBI), the Mental Toughness Index (MTI) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). We used the PROCESS macro for SPSS to determine the mediating effect of resilience and depression between distress rumination and SSIB.

Results

A total of 350 Chinese college athletes participated in this study and completed the questionnaire survey. 289 (81.7% boys; Mage = 20.31 years, SD = 1.60) of them have been infected with COVID-19. 59.9% (n = 173) participants were from urban areas and 15.6% (n = 45) of participants have engaged in self-injurious behaviors or suicidal ideation. College athletes' distress rumination was significantly negatively correlated with resilience (r = - 0.28, p < 0.01), and was significantly positively correlated with depression (r = 0.49, p < 0.01) and SSIB (r = - 0.18, p < 0.01). Resilience was significantly negatively correlated with depression (r = - 0.35, p < 0.01) and SSIB (r = - 0.30, p < 0.01). Finally, depression was significantly positively correlated with SSIB (r = - 0.38, p < 0.01). Resilience and depression played a mediating role of the total effects of distress rumination and SSIB, respectively. Meanwhile, the chain mediating effect of resilience and depression was also significant.

Conclusion

This study found that distress rumination can directly predict SSIB, and indirectly predict SSIB through the mediating effect of resilience and depression, and the chain mediating effect of resilience-depression. Therefore, reducing the degree of distress rumination of college athletes infected by COVID-19 and improving their resilience, as well as reducing their depression may help prevent SSIB.

Helicopter Parenting Among Socio-Economically and Ethnically/Racially Diverse Emerging Adults: Associations with Weight-Related Behaviors

Helicopter parenting, a parenting style defined by over-involvement, may lead to poor health outcomes. However, research has primarily focused on children and adolescents from White, high socio-economic families, with little research examining weight-related health or with emerging adult children. The current study examined associations with emerging adult diet, physical activity, and body mass index (BMI) among a diverse population-based sample of parent and emerging adult dyads (n = 919). Helicopter parenting was highest among lower socioeconomic households and those identifying as Black, Indigenous, or people of color. Helicopter parenting was associated with both healthy and less healthy dietary behaviors across ethnic/racial groups, but was not associated with physical activity or BMI. Greater consideration of the cultural context related to helicopter parenting is needed before making conclusions about its benefits or harms.

Sex-Specific Dietary Patterns and Social Behaviour in Low-Risk Individuals

Dietary and social behaviour are non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. Non-communicable diseases are related to dietary patterns. To date, little is known about how social behaviour is associated with health-related dietary patterns, and, in particular, we lack information about the role of sex within this possible relation. Our cross-sectional study investigated associations between dietary patterns and social behaviour including personality traits (self-control, risk taking), political preferences (conservative, liberal, ecological, social) and altruism (willingness to donate, club membership, time discounting) in men and women. We performed sex-specific correlation analyses to investigate relationships between dietary patterns based on self-reported protocols from the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) and the validated Healthy Eating Index (HEI) from the EPIC Study and a self-reported social behaviour questionnaire. In linear regression models, we analysed associations between dietary and social behaviour patterns. Sex differences were measured by interaction analysis for each social behaviour item. The study sample consisted of N = 102 low-risk individuals. The median age of the study participants was 62.4 (25th/75th percentile 53.6, 69.1) years, and 26.5% were women. Analyses showed that a lower HEI score was correlated with a higher BMI in both women and men. MEDAS and HEI showed a positive correlation with each other in men. In men, a higher MEDAS showed a positive correlation when they estimated their ability as high, with the same for self-control and preference for ecological politics and MEDAS. A weak negative correlation has been shown between men with a preference for conservative politics and MEDAS. HEI showed a positive significant correlation with age in men. Male participants without club membership scored significantly higher in the HEI compared to non-members. A negative correlation was shown for time discounting in men. Linear regression models showed positive associations between preferences for ecological-oriented politics and nutrition for both HEI and MEDAS. No sex interactions were observed. We faced a few limitations, such as a small sample size, particularly for women, and a limited age spectrum in a European cohort. However, assuming that individuals with a preference for ecological-oriented politics act ecologically responsibly, our findings indicate that ecological behaviour in low-risk individuals might determine, at least in part, a healthy diet. Furthermore, we observed dietary patterns such as higher alcohol consumption in men or higher intake of butter, margarine and cream in women that indicate that women and men may have different needs for nutritional improvement. Thus, further investigations are needed to better understand how social behaviour affects nutrition, which could help to improve health. Our findings have the potential to inform researchers and practitioners who investigate the nature of the relationship between social behaviour and dietary patterns to implement strategies to create first-stage changes in health behaviour for individuals with a low cardiovascular risk profile.

Relationship between personality traits and sexual function in symptomatic postmenopausal women

INTRODUCTION

Female sexual function relies on a complex interplay of physical, psychosocial, and neurobiological factors. Over the last decades, increasing attention has been paid to the influence of personality traits on general health and many aspects of quality of life, including sexuality.

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether dimensions of the personality are related to the domains of sexual function (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain) in symptomatic postmenopausal women. Mood was also investigated to explore its association with female sexual dysfunction (FSD).

METHODS

Validated questionnaires to assess sexual function [the Female Sexual Functioning Index (FSFI)], mood [the State-Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Zung Self Rating Depression Scale (SDS)], and personality traits [the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ)] were filled in by 130 early postmenopausal women experiencing hot flushes (≥30/week).

RESULTS

61.5 % (n = 80) of the women had an FSFI total score lower than 26.55, the standard cut-off for FSD. A clinical state of anxiety was present in 53.8 % (n = 70), whereas only 12.3 % (n = 16) showed clinically relevant depressive symptoms. According to the FSFI cut-off score, women with sexual disorders had statistically significantly higher levels of anxiety, depression (p < 0.001 for both), and harm avoidance (HA) (p = 0.004) than women without such disorders. Significantly higher levels of anxiety were found in women in the lower quartile (LQ) of the distribution of the total FSFI score than in women in both the interquartile range (IQR) and in the upper quartile (UQ) (p < 0.05). Moreover, women in the UQ had a lower grade of depression and HA than others (p < 0.05). The Sobel test showed that the personality trait HA significantly mediated the relationship between anxiety and FSFI total score (Z = -2.19, p < 0.05) and between depression and FSFI total score (Z = -2.35, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The present data suggest the personality trait HA is relevant to sexual function and mediates the impact of mood on FSD in symptomatic menopausal women. In clinical practice, the use of validated psychometric tools for mood screening is useful to establish appropriate diagnosis and treatment of sexual disorders in menopausal women. Moreover, the assessment of personality traits could provide additional information that directs clinicians towards an increasingly tailored and multidimensional treatment of FSD.

Association of grit and overall survival in patients undergoing nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma

Background

Quantifying grit with the Short Grit Scale (Grit-S) has shown ability to predict success in various academic and professional domains. Grit has yet to be analyzed in patients with cancer.

Methods

This study is a longitudinal analysis of prospectively distributed Grit-S surveys to patients undergoing radical or partial nephrectomy. Patients who completed a preoperative Grit-S survey with confirmed renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were included in the analysis. The relationship between preoperative grit scores and overall survival (OS) was determined using Cox proportional-hazard models and Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Results

A total of 323 patients with RCC that completed the Grit-S survey prior to nephrectomy were included in the study. Median Grit score was 3.9. Most patients were male (67.5%), White (69.3%), and greater than 60 years old (57.0%) with a median age of 62 at the time of surgery. Patients scoring above or below the median grit score had similar baseline characteristics. As a binary variable, lower preoperative grit was significantly associated with shorter OS [hazard ratio (HR) =2.02, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.12-3.63, P=0.019] on multivariable analysis. Unit changes in grit were not significantly associated with OS (HR =0.77, 95% CI: 0.53-1.14, P=0.193).

Conclusions

Lower grit scores may predict decreased OS in RCC patients undergoing nephrectomy. The Grit-S survey may have utility in preoperative evaluation. Further research assessing grit in other malignancies and how to psychologically optimize patients prior to surgery are needed.

Big Five Traits as Predictors of a Healthy Lifestyle during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of a Russian Cross-Sectional Study

The healthy lifestyle of people around the world has changed dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. The personality risk factors for these processes from around the world remain understudied. This study aimed to examine the associations of the Big Five traits with a healthy lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a cross-sectional study, data from 1215 Russian university students were analyzed. Participants completed the Big Five Inventory-10 and Short Multidimensional Inventory Lifestyle Evaluation. The results showed that personality traits predicted many dimensions of a healthy lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic. Diet and nutrition were positively predicted by extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness, and it was negatively predicted by neuroticism. Substance abuse was positively predicted by agreeableness and conscientiousness, and it was negatively predicted by extraversion. Physical activity was positively predicted by extraversion and conscientiousness, and it was negatively predicted by neuroticism. Stress management was positively predicted by extraversion and conscientiousness, and it was negatively predicted by neuroticism. Restorative sleep was positively predicted by extraversion and conscientiousness, and it was negatively predicted by neuroticism. Social support for healthy practices was positively predicted by extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. Environmental exposures were positively predicted by extraversion, and neuroticism was positively and negatively predicted by conscientiousness. Our findings may be useful for further exploration of personality risk factors for healthy practices in challenging life circumstances.

A 2.5-Year Weight Management Program Using Noom Health: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Overweight and obesity are serious public health concerns. As the prevalence of excess weight among individuals continues to increase, there is a parallel need for inexpensive, highly accessible, and evidence-based weight loss programs.

OBJECTIVE

This weight loss trial will aim to examine the efficacy of the Noom weight loss program in comparison to a digital control after a 6-month intervention phase and a 24-month maintenance phase, with assessments continuing for 2 years beyond the intervention (to 30 months-after the baseline). The secondary outcomes include quality of life, psychosocial functioning, sleep quality, physical activity, diet, and health status. This trial will also examine the severity of obesity-related functional impairment, weight loss history, and demographic moderators, along with adherence and self-efficacy as mediators of the outcome.

METHODS

A total of 600 participants were randomized in a parallel-group, controlled trial to either Noom Healthy Weight Program (intervention) or Noom Healthy Weight Control (control) for a 6-month intervention. Both intervention and control groups include diet and exercise recommendations, educational content, daily logging capabilities, and daily weigh-in entries. The Noom Healthy Weight Program also includes a coach support for weight loss. Remote follow-up assessments of eating, physical activity, psychosocial factors, app use data, and weight will be conducted at 1, 4, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 months after baseline. Weight is measured at each follow-up point during a Zoom call using the participants' scales.

RESULTS

Enrollment began in March 2021 and the 6-month intervention phase ended in March 2022. Data collection for the final assessment will be completed in March 2024.

CONCLUSIONS

This study tests commercially available digital lifestyle interventions for individuals with overweight and obesity seeking weight loss support. Data obtained from the study will evaluate whether the Noom Healthy Weight Control Program can help individuals overcome weight loss, achieve long-term maintenance, adhere to lifestyle changes, and feature use barriers that are present in other traditional weight loss treatments.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04797169; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04797169.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/37541.

Global Impact of COVID-19 on Weight and Weight-Related Behaviors in the Adult Population: A Scoping Review

Objective: To provide an overview of what is known about the impact of COVID-19 on weight and weight-related behaviors. Methods: Systematic scoping review using the Arksey and O’Malley methodology. Results: A total of 19 out of 396 articles were included. All studies were conducted using online self-report surveys. The average age of respondents ranged from 19 to 47 years old, comprised of more females. Almost one-half and one-fifth of the respondents gained and lost weight during the COVID-19 pandemic, respectively. Among articles that examined weight, diet and physical activity changes concurrently, weight gain was reported alongside a 36.3% to 59.6% increase in total food consumption and a 67.4% to 61.4% decrease in physical activities. Weight gain predictors included female sex, middle-age, increased appetite, snacking after dinner, less physical exercise, sedentary behaviors of ≥6 h/day, low water consumption and less sleep at night. Included articles did not illustrate significant associations between alcohol consumption, screen time, education, place of living and employment status, although sedentary behaviors, including screen time, did increase significantly. Conclusions: Examining behavioral differences alone is insufficient in predicting weight status. Future research could examine differences in personality and coping mechanisms to design more personalized and effective weight management interventions.