1
|
Krastev S, Krajden O, Vang ZM, Pérez-Gay Juárez F, Solomonova E, Goldenberg M, Weinstock D, Smith MJ, Turk L, Lin X, Gold I. Navigating the uncertainty: A novel taxonomy of vaccine hesitancy in the context of COVID-19. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0295912. [PMID: 38127862 PMCID: PMC10734916 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccine hesitancy remains a significant and evolving public health challenge. The COVID-19 pandemic has created a unique decision context with significant uncertainty caused by the novelty of the disease being targeted, unfamiliarity with the vaccines being offered, misinformation, and strong handed government measures. In an effort to extend our understanding of vaccine hesitancy to the high uncertainty decision environment presented by COVID-19, we present a novel taxonomy of the determinants of vaccine hesitancy, based on an inductive analysis of qualitative data gathered during the COVID-19 pandemic. We report on focus group data from a purposive sample of 18 Canadians with varying sociodemographic characteristics and COVID-19 vaccination attitudes. An inductive thematic analysis of this data reveals eight core themes related to vaccine hesitancy: values, trust, social environment, personal anecdotes, environmental fluctuation, prior knowledge, perceived risk & systems of care. We explore these core themes as well as 25 sub-themes, contrasting them with previous models of vaccine hesitancy and suggesting potential strategies for public health professionals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sekoul Krastev
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Oren Krajden
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Zoua M. Vang
- Civil Society and Community Studies, School of Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | | | - Elizaveta Solomonova
- Neurophilosophy Lab, Division of Social and Transcultural Psychiatry, Department of Philosophy, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Maya Goldenberg
- Department of Philosophy, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Maxwell J. Smith
- School of Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lindsey Turk
- Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Xingyan Lin
- Goldman School of Public Policy, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, States of America
| | - Ian Gold
- Neurophilosophy Lab, Division of Social and Transcultural Psychiatry, Department of Philosophy, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Krastev S, Krajden O, Vang ZM, Juárez FPG, Solomonova E, Goldenberg MJ, Weinstock D, Smith MJ, Dervis E, Pilat D, Gold I. Institutional trust is a distinct construct related to vaccine hesitancy and refusal. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2481. [PMID: 38082287 PMCID: PMC10714562 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17345-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vaccine hesitancy is driven by a heterogeneous and changing set of psychological, social and historical phenomena, requiring multidisciplinary approaches to its study and intervention. Past research has brought to light instances of both interpersonal and institutional trust playing an important role in vaccine uptake. However, no comprehensive study to date has specifically assessed the relative importance of these two categories of trust as they relate to vaccine behaviors and attitudes. METHODS In this paper, we examine the relationship between interpersonal and institutional trust and four measures related to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and one measure related to general vaccine hesitancy. We hypothesize that, across measures, individuals with vaccine hesitant attitudes and behaviors have lower trust-especially in institutions-than those who are not hesitant. We test this hypothesis in a sample of 1541 Canadians. RESULTS A deficit in both interpersonal and institutional trust was associated with higher levels of vaccine hesitant attitudes and behaviors. However, institutional trust was significantly lower than interpersonal trust in those with high hesitancy scores, suggesting that the two types of trust can be thought of as distinct constructs in the context of vaccine hesitancy. CONCLUSIONS Based on our findings, we suggest that diminished institutional trust plays a crucial role in vaccine hesitancy. We propose that this may contribute to a tendency to instead place trust in interpersonally propagated belief systems, which may be more strongly misaligned with mainstream evidence and thus support vaccine hesitancy attitudes. We offer strategies rooted in these observations for creating public health messages designed to enhance vaccine uptake.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sekoul Krastev
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Oren Krajden
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Zoua M Vang
- Department of Sociology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Elizaveta Solomonova
- Neurophilosophy Lab, Department of Philosophy, Division of Social and Transcultural Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | | | - Maxwell J Smith
- School of Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Esme Dervis
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Dan Pilat
- The Decision Lab, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Ian Gold
- Department of Philosophy & Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Witkowski O, Doctor T, Solomonova E, Duane B, Levin M. Toward an ethics of autopoietic technology: Stress, care, and intelligence. Biosystems 2023; 231:104964. [PMID: 37394111 DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2023.104964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
The relationship between humans and technology has attracted increasing attention with the advent of ever stronger models of artificial intelligence. Humans and technology are intertwined within multiple autopoietic loops of stress, care, and intelligence. This paper suggests that technology should not be seen as a mere tool serving humans' needs, but rather as a partner in a rich relationship with humans. Our model for understanding autopoietic systems applies equally to biological, technological, and hybrid systems. Regardless of their substrates, all intelligent agents can be understood as needing to respond to a perceived mismatch between what is and what should be. We take this observation, which is evidence of intrinsic links between ontology and ethics, as the basis for proposing a stress-care-intelligence feedback loop (SCI loop for short). We note that the SCI loop provides a perspective on agency that does not require recourse to explanatorily burdensome notions of permanent and singular essences. SCI loops can be seen as individuals only by virtue of their dynamics, and are thus intrinsically integrative and transformational. We begin by considering the transition from poiesis to autopoiesis in Heidegger and the subsequent enactivist tradition, and on this basis formulate and explain the SCI loop. In an acknowledgment of Maturana's and Varela's project, our findings are considered against the backdrop of a classic Buddhist model for the cultivation of intelligence, known as the bodhisattva. We conclude by noting that SCI loops of human and technological agency can be seen as mutually integrative by noticing the stress-transfers between them. The loop framework thus acknowledges encounters and interactions between humans and technology in a way that does not relegate one to the subservience of the other (neither in ontological nor in ethical terms), suggesting instead integration and mutual respect as the default for their engagements. Moreover, an acknowledgment of diverse, multiscale embodiments of intelligence suggests an expansive model of ethics not bound by artificial, limited criteria based on privileged composition or history of an agent. The implications for our journey into the future appear numerous.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olaf Witkowski
- Cross Labs, Cross Compass Ltd., Kyoto, 604-8206, Japan; College of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-8654, Japan; Center for the Study of Apparent Selves, Kathmandu, 44600, Nepal.
| | - Thomas Doctor
- Rangjung Yeshe Institute, Kathmandu University, Kathmandu, 44600, Nepal; Center for the Study of Apparent Selves, Kathmandu, 44600, Nepal
| | - Elizaveta Solomonova
- Center for the Study of Apparent Selves, Kathmandu, 44600, Nepal; Neurophilosophy Lab, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Bill Duane
- Center for the Study of Apparent Selves, Kathmandu, 44600, Nepal
| | - Michael Levin
- Allen Discovery Center, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Little C, Solomonova E, Jordan M, Klein N, Jennings B, Schmidtmann G, Leos H, Gold I. The discrimination of self from other as a component of empathy. Emotion 2023; 23:1773-1780. [PMID: 36548053 DOI: 10.1037/emo0001193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Despite the centrality of empathy in human social life, there is no widely agreed definition or characterization of the concept of empathy. A common thread in many of the proposed definitions, however, is that empathy presupposes the discrimination of self and other on the grounds that, to empathize with another individual, the mental state of the target individual must first be distinguished from the empathizer's own mental state. The purpose of this study is to investigate this proposal empirically. We employed a paradigm in which participants rated the emotional valence and degree of arousal of 93 facial expressions of mental states. We asked participants to infer the mental state represented by each facial expression (the Other condition) as well as to describe the effect of the expression on their own mental state (the Self condition). An absolute difference score between the Other and the Self conditions was used as an index of a capacity for self-other discrimination. Empathy was measured using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index. Results show that individuals high in trait empathy discriminate between self and other to a significantly greater degree when judging mental states than individuals low in trait empathy. This suggests that the capacity for self-other discrimination may be a component of the capacity for empathy and that future investigations of the concept of empathy ought to retain it. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Little
- Neurophilosophy Lab, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University
| | | | | | - Natalie Klein
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
| | - Ben Jennings
- Centre for Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London
| | - Gunnar Schmidtmann
- Eye and Vision Research Group, Faculty of Health, Peninsula Allied Health Centre, School of Health Professions, University of Plymouth
| | - Héctor Leos
- Neurophilosophy Lab, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University
| | - Ian Gold
- Neurophilosophy Lab, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Garel N, Thibault Lévesque J, Sandra DA, Lessard-Wajcer J, Solomonova E, Lifshitz M, Richard-Devantoy S, Greenway KT. Imprinting: expanding the extra-pharmacological model of psychedelic drug action to incorporate delayed influences of sets and settings. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 17:1200393. [PMID: 37533588 PMCID: PMC10390742 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1200393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Psychedelic drug experiences are shaped by current-moment contextual factors, commonly categorized as internal (set) and external (setting). Potential influences of past environments, however, have received little attention. Aims To investigate how previous environmental stimuli shaped the experiences of patients receiving ketamine for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), and develop the concept of "imprinting" to account for such time-lagged effects across diverse hallucinogenic drugs. Methods Recordings of treatment sessions and phenomenological interviews from 26 participants of a clinical trial investigating serial intravenous ketamine infusions for TRD, conducted from January 2021 to August 2022, were retrospectively reviewed. A broad literature search was undertaken to identify potentially underrecognized examples of imprinting with both serotonergic and atypical psychedelics, as well as analogous cognitive processes and neural mechanisms. Results In naturalistic single-subject experiments of a 28-year-old female and a 34-year-old male, subjective ketamine experiences were significantly altered by varying exposures to particular forms of digital media in the days preceding treatments. Higher levels of media exposure reduced the mystical/emotional qualities of subsequent psychedelic ketamine experiences, overpowering standard intention-setting practices and altering therapeutic outcomes. Qualitative data from 24 additional patients yielded eight further spontaneous reports of past environmental exposures manifesting as visual hallucinations during ketamine experiences. We identified similar examples of imprinting with diverse psychoactive drugs in past publications, including in the first-ever report of ketamine in human subjects, as well as analogous processes known to underly dreaming. Conclusions/interpretation Past environmental exposures can significantly influence the phenomenology and therapeutic outcomes of psychedelic experiences, yet are underrecognized and understudied. To facilitate future research, we propose expanding the contextual model of psychedelic drug actions to incorporate imprinting, a novel concept that may aid clinicians, patients, and researchers to better understand psychedelic drug effects. Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04701866.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Garel
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Dasha A. Sandra
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Elizaveta Solomonova
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Neurophilosophy Lab, Department of Philosophy, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Michael Lifshitz
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Stéphane Richard-Devantoy
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, LaSalle, QC, Canada
| | - Kyle T. Greenway
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Solomonova E, Pérez Gay Juárez FF, Gold I. Distressing nightmares and bad dreams during the COVID-19 pandemic are associated with depressive symptoms, somatic symptoms, and delusional ideation. Sleep Med 2022. [PMCID: PMC9300190 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2022.05.093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
|
7
|
Solomonova E, Picard-Deland C, Rapoport IL, Pennestri MH, Saad M, Kendzerska T, Veissiere SPL, Godbout R, Edwards JD, Quilty L, Robillard R. Stuck in a lockdown: Dreams, bad dreams, nightmares, and their relationship to stress, depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259040. [PMID: 34818346 PMCID: PMC8612516 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An upsurge in dream and nightmare frequency has been noted since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and research shows increases in levels of stress, depression and anxiety during this time. Growing evidence suggests that dream content has a bi-directional relationship with psychopathology, and that dreams react to new, personally significant and emotional experiences. The first lockdown experience was an acute event, characterized by a combination of several unprecedent factors (new pandemic, threat of disease, global uncertainty, the experience of social isolation and exposure to stressful information) that resulted in a large-scale disruption of life routines. This study aimed at investigating changes in dream, bad dream and nightmare recall; most prevalent dream themes; and the relationship between dreams, bad dreams, nightmares and symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety during the first COVID-19 lockdown (April-May 2020) through a national online survey. METHODS 968 participants completed an online survey. Dream themes were measured using the Typical Dreams Questionnaire; stress levels were measured by the Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale; symptoms of anxiety were assessed by Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale; and symptoms of depression were assessed using the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology. RESULTS 34% (328) of participants reported increased dream recall during the lockdown. The most common dream themes were centered around the topics of 1) inefficacy (e.g., trying again and again, arriving late), 2) human threat (e.g., being chased, attacked); 3) death; and 4) pandemic imagery (e.g., being separated from loved ones, being sick). Dream, bad dream and nightmare frequency was highest in individuals with moderate to severe stress levels. Frequency of bad dreams, nightmares, and dreams about the pandemic, inefficacy, and death were associated with higher levels of stress, as well as with greater symptoms of depression and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS Results support theories of dream formation, environmental susceptibility and stress reactivity. Dream content during the lockdown broadly reflected existential concerns and was associated with increased symptoms of mental health indices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizaveta Solomonova
- Neurophilosophy Lab, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Division of Social and Transcultural Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Culture, Mind and Brain research group, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Claudia Picard-Deland
- Dream and Nightmare Laboratory, Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Marie-Hélène Pennestri
- Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Sleep Laboratory and Clinic, Hôpital en Santé Mentale Rivière-des-Prairies, CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Mysa Saad
- The Royal’s Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Tetyana Kendzerska
- Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Samuel Paul Louis Veissiere
- Division of Social and Transcultural Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Culture, Mind and Brain research group, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Roger Godbout
- Sleep Laboratory and Clinic, Hôpital en Santé Mentale Rivière-des-Prairies, CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Jodi D. Edwards
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Lena Quilty
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Rebecca Robillard
- The Royal’s Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, Canada
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Robillard R, Daros AR, Phillips JL, Porteous M, Saad M, Pennestri MH, Kendzerska T, Edwards JD, Solomonova E, Bhatla R, Godbout R, Kaminsky Z, Boafo A, Quilty LC. Emerging New Psychiatric Symptoms and the Worsening of Pre-existing Mental Disorders during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Canadian Multisite Study: Nouveaux symptômes psychiatriques émergents et détérioration des troubles mentaux préexistants durant la pandémie de la COVID-19: une étude canadienne multisite. Can J Psychiatry 2021; 66:815-826. [PMID: 33464115 PMCID: PMC8504288 DOI: 10.1177/0706743720986786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused global disruptions with serious psychological impacts. This study investigated the emergence of new psychiatric symptoms and the worsening of pre-existing mental disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic, identified factors associated with psychological worsening, and assessed changes in mental health service use. METHODS An online survey was circulated between April 3 and June 23, 2020. Respondents were asked to complete mental health questionnaires based on 2 time referents: currently (i.e., during the outbreak) and in the month preceding the outbreak. A total of 4,294 Canadians between 16 and 99 years of age were subdivided based on the presence of self-reported psychiatric diagnoses. RESULTS The proportion of respondents without prior psychiatric history who screened positive for generalized anxiety disorder and depression increased by 12% and 29%, respectively, during the outbreak. Occurrences of clinically important worsening in anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation symptoms relative to pre-outbreak estimates were significantly higher in those with psychiatric diagnoses. Furthermore, 15% to 19% of respondents reported increased alcohol or cannabis use. Worse psychological changes relative to pre-outbreak estimate were associated with female sex, younger age, lower income, poorer coping skills, multiple psychiatric comorbidities, previous trauma exposure, deteriorating physical health, poorer family relationships, and lower exercising. Reductions in mental health care were associated with increased suicidal ideation. CONCLUSION The worsening in mental health symptoms and the decline in access to care call for the urgent development of adapted interventions targeting both new mental disorders and pre-existing psychiatric conditions affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Robillard
- The Royal’s Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Jennifer L. Phillips
- The Royal’s Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Meggan Porteous
- The Royal’s Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mysa Saad
- The Royal’s Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marie-Helene Pennestri
- Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Hopital en santé mentale Rivières-des-Prairies, CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’Ile-de-Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Tetyana Kendzerska
- The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jodi D. Edwards
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elizaveta Solomonova
- Mind and Brain research group, Division of Social and Transcultural Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Rajiv Bhatla
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Roger Godbout
- Hopital en santé mentale Rivières-des-Prairies, CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’Ile-de-Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of PSychiatry, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Zachary Kaminsky
- The Royal’s Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Addo Boafo
- The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lena C. Quilty
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Robillard R, Dion K, Pennestri M, Solomonova E, Lee E, Saad M, Murkar A, Godbout R, Edwards JD, Quilty L, Daros AR, Bhatla R, Kendzerska T. Profiles of sleep changes during the COVID-19 pandemic: Demographic, behavioural and psychological factors. J Sleep Res 2021; 30:e13231. [PMID: 33200477 PMCID: PMC7744844 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.13231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Revised: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate changes in sleep during the COVID-19 outbreak, and used data-driven approaches to identify distinct profiles of changes in sleep-related behaviours. Demographic, behavioural and psychological factors associated with sleep changes were also investigated. An online population survey assessing sleep and mental health was distributed between 3 April and 24 June 2020. Retrospective questions were used to estimate temporal changes from before to during the outbreak. In 5,525 Canadian respondents (67.1% females, 16-95 years old: Mean ± SD = 55.6 ± 16.3 years), wake-up times were significantly delayed relative to pre-outbreak estimates (p < .001, ηp2 = 0.04). Occurrences of clinically meaningful sleep difficulties significantly increased from 36.0% before the outbreak to 50.5% during the outbreak (all p < .001, g ≥ 0.27). Three subgroups with distinct profiles of changes in sleep behaviours were identified: "Reduced Time in Bed", "Delayed Sleep" and "Extended Time in Bed". The "Reduced Time in Bed" and "Delayed Sleep" subgroups had more adverse sleep outcomes and psychological changes during the outbreak. The emergence of new sleep difficulties was independently associated with female sex, chronic illnesses, being employed, family responsibilities, earlier wake-up times, higher stress levels, as well as heavier alcohol use and television exposure. The heterogeneity of sleep changes in response to the pandemic highlights the need for tailored interventions to address sleep problems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Robillard
- Sleep Research UnitThe Royal’s Institute of Mental Health ResearchOttawaONCanada,School of PsychologyUniversity of OttawaOttawaONCanada
| | - Karianne Dion
- Sleep Research UnitThe Royal’s Institute of Mental Health ResearchOttawaONCanada,School of PsychologyUniversity of OttawaOttawaONCanada
| | - Marie‐Helene Pennestri
- Department of Educational & Counselling PsychologyMcGill UniversityMontréalQCCanada,Hôpital en santé mentale Rivières‐des‐PrairiesCIUSSS du Nord‐de‐l'Île‐de‐MontréalMontréalQCCanada
| | - Elizaveta Solomonova
- Culture, Mind and Brain Research GroupDivision of Social and Transcultural PsychiatryMcGill UniversityMontréalQCCanada
| | - Elliott Lee
- Sleep Research UnitThe Royal’s Institute of Mental Health ResearchOttawaONCanada,The Royal Ottawa Mental Health CentreOttawaONCanada
| | - Mysa Saad
- Sleep Research UnitThe Royal’s Institute of Mental Health ResearchOttawaONCanada
| | - Anthony Murkar
- Sleep Research UnitThe Royal’s Institute of Mental Health ResearchOttawaONCanada
| | - Roger Godbout
- Hôpital en santé mentale Rivières‐des‐PrairiesCIUSSS du Nord‐de‐l'Île‐de‐MontréalMontréalQCCanada
| | | | - Lena Quilty
- Centre for Addiction and Mental HealthTorontoONCanada,Department of PsychiatryUniversity of TorontoTorontoONCanada
| | | | - Raj Bhatla
- The Royal Ottawa Mental Health CentreOttawaONCanada,Department of PsychiatryUniversity of OttawaOttawaONCanada
| | - Tetyana Kendzerska
- The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute/University of OttawaOttawaONCanada
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Robillard R, Saad M, Edwards J, Solomonova E, Pennestri MH, Daros A, Veissière SPL, Quilty L, Dion K, Nixon A, Phillips J, Bhatla R, Spilg E, Godbout R, Yazji B, Rushton C, Gifford WA, Gautam M, Boafo A, Swartz R, Kendzerska T. Social, financial and psychological stress during an emerging pandemic: observations from a population survey in the acute phase of COVID-19. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e043805. [PMID: 33310814 PMCID: PMC7735085 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The negative impacts of COVID-19 have rippled through every facet of society. Understanding the multidimensional impacts of this pandemic is crucial to identify the most critical needs and to inform targeted interventions. This population survey study aimed to investigate the acute phase of the COVID-19 outbreak in terms of perceived threats and concerns, occupational and financial impacts, social impacts and stress between 3 April and 15 May 2020. METHODS 6040 participants are included in this report. A multivariate linear regression model was used to identify factors associated with stress changes (as measured by the Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)) relative to pre-outbreak retrospective estimates. RESULTS On average, PSS scores increased from low stress levels before the outbreak to moderate stress levels during the outbreak (p<0.001). The independent factors associated with stress worsening were: having a mental disorder, female sex, having underage children, heavier alcohol consumption, working with the general public, shorter sleep duration, younger age, less time elapsed since the start of the outbreak, lower stress before the outbreak, worse symptoms that could be linked to COVID-19, lower coping skills, worse obsessive-compulsive symptoms related to germs and contamination, personalities loading on extraversion, conscientiousness and neuroticism, left wing political views, worse family relationships and spending less time exercising and doing artistic activities. CONCLUSION Cross-sectional analyses showed a significant increase from low to moderate stress during the COVID-19 outbreak. Identified modifiable factors associated with increased stress may be informative for intervention development. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04369690; Results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Robillard
- Sleep Research Unit, The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mysa Saad
- Sleep Research Unit, The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jodi Edwards
- Brain and Heart Nexus Research Program, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elizaveta Solomonova
- Culture, Mind and Brain Research Group, Division of Social and Transcultural Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marie-Hélène Pennestri
- Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Laboratoire et Clinique du sommeil, Hôpital en santé mentale Rivières-des-Prairies, CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'Ile-de-Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alexander Daros
- Addictions and Psychology Division, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Samuel Paul Louis Veissière
- Culture, Mind and Brain Research Group, Division of Social and Transcultural Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Lena Quilty
- Addictions and Psychology Division, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Karianne Dion
- Sleep Research Unit, The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ashley Nixon
- Sleep Research Unit, The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jennifer Phillips
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Mood Disorders Research Unit, The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Raj Bhatla
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Corporate Leadership, Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Edward Spilg
- Physician Wellness, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Roger Godbout
- Laboratoire et Clinique du sommeil, Hôpital en santé mentale Rivières-des-Prairies, CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'Ile-de-Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Bashour Yazji
- Clinical Investigation Unit, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cynda Rushton
- Clinical Ethics, Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Wendy A Gifford
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mamta Gautam
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Addo Boafo
- Mental Health Program, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rick Swartz
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tetyana Kendzerska
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Picard-Deland C, Pastor M, Solomonova E, Paquette T, Nielsen T. Flying dreams stimulated by an immersive virtual reality task. Conscious Cogn 2020; 83:102958. [DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2020.102958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
|
12
|
Picard-Deland C, Pastor M, Solomonova E, Paquette T, Nielsen T. 0088 Gravity Dreams Following a Virtual Reality Flight Simulation. Sleep 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsaa056.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
Flying is a prevalent but infrequent experience in dreams. Despite a broad interest in such unique dream experiences, there is still no experimental procedure for reliably inducing them. Our study aimed 1) to induce flying dreams in the laboratory using virtual reality (VR), 2) to examine phenomenological correlates of flying dreams, such as lucidity and emotions and 3) to investigate the dynamics of dreamed gravity imagery in relation to participant state and trait factors.
Methods
A total of 137 healthy participants (24.01±4.03 y.o.; 85 F; 52 M) took part in a custom-built immersive VR task in which they learn how to ‘fly’ as precisely and quickly as possible, engaging vestibular, motor and visuo-spatial systems. Dreams were collected a) from home dream journals for 5 days before and 10 days after the laboratory VR task and b) after a 90-min morning nap in laboratory. Dream reports were scored by 2 independent judges for flying and other gravity-related imagery. Linear mixed models statistics were used to compare dreams from this cohort with a separate control cohort (N=52) that followed a similar protocol in the same lab but did not undertake a virtual flying task.
Results
The VR task successfully increased the likelihood of experiencing flying in dreams from both the laboratory nap (7.1%) and the following night (10.6%) compared to baseline (1.3%) and the control cohort on those days (Lab: 2.4%; following night: 0%). In contrast, the occurrence of other gravity imagery showed no differences. Flying dreams were altered qualitatively, exhibiting higher levels of lucid-control and emotional intensity after VR exposure. Moreover, various factors such as sex, prior dream experiences and sensory immersion in VR differentially modulated flying dream induction.
Conclusion
Our findings provide both quantitative and qualitative insights into flying dreams that may facilitate understanding of these typical dream experiences and future developments in dream flight-induction technologies.
Support
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Picard-Deland
- Université de Montréal, Neuroscience Department, Montreal, QC, CANADA
| | - M Pastor
- Dream & Nightmare Laboratory; Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, Montreal, QC, CANADA
| | - E Solomonova
- McGill University; Department of Psychiatry, Montreal, QC, CANADA
| | - T Paquette
- Dream & Nightmare Laboratory; Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, Montreal, QC, CANADA
| | - T Nielsen
- Dream & Nightmare Laboratory; Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, Montreal, QC, CANADA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Solomonova E, MacKinnon AL, Gold I, Robins S, Wunderlich S, Feeley N, Hayton B, Libman E, Zelkowitz P. Disordered sleep is related to delusional ideation and depression during the perinatal period. Sleep Health 2020; 6:179-184. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sleh.2020.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
|
14
|
Solomonova E, Dubé S, Blanchette-Carrière C, Sandra DA, Samson-Richer A, Carr M, Paquette T, Nielsen T. Different Patterns of Sleep-Dependent Procedural Memory Consolidation in Vipassana Meditation Practitioners and Non-meditating Controls. Front Psychol 2020; 10:3014. [PMID: 32038390 PMCID: PMC6989470 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.03014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, and sleep spindles are all implicated in the consolidation of procedural memories. Relative contributions of sleep stages and sleep spindles were previously shown to depend on individual differences in task processing. However, no studies to our knowledge have focused on individual differences in experience with Vipassana meditation as related to sleep. Vipassana meditation is a form of mental training that enhances proprioceptive and somatic awareness and alters attentional style. The goal of this study was to examine a potential role for Vipassana meditation experience in sleep-dependent procedural memory consolidation. Methods Groups of Vipassana meditation practitioners (N = 22) and matched meditation-naïve controls (N = 20) slept for a daytime nap in the laboratory. Before and after the nap they completed a procedural task on the Wii Fit balance platform. Results Meditators performed slightly better on the task before the nap, but the two groups improved similarly after sleep. The groups showed different patterns of sleep-dependent procedural memory consolidation: in meditators, task learning was positively correlated with density of slow occipital spindles, while in controls task improvement was positively associated with time in REM sleep. Sleep efficiency and sleep architecture did not differ between groups. Meditation practitioners, however, had a lower density of occipital slow sleep spindles than controls. Conclusion Results suggest that neuroplastic changes associated with meditation practice may alter overall sleep microarchitecture and reorganize sleep-dependent patterns of memory consolidation. The lower density of occipital spindles in meditators may mean that meditation practice compensates for some of the memory functions of sleep.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizaveta Solomonova
- Dream and Nightmare Laboratory, Centre for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, CIUSSS NÎM - HSCM, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Culture, Mind and Brain Research Group, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Simon Dubé
- Dream and Nightmare Laboratory, Centre for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, CIUSSS NÎM - HSCM, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Cloé Blanchette-Carrière
- Dream and Nightmare Laboratory, Centre for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, CIUSSS NÎM - HSCM, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Dasha A Sandra
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Arnaud Samson-Richer
- Dream and Nightmare Laboratory, Centre for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, CIUSSS NÎM - HSCM, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Michelle Carr
- Dream and Nightmare Laboratory, Centre for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, CIUSSS NÎM - HSCM, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Sleep Laboratory, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Tyna Paquette
- Dream and Nightmare Laboratory, Centre for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, CIUSSS NÎM - HSCM, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Tore Nielsen
- Dream and Nightmare Laboratory, Centre for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, CIUSSS NÎM - HSCM, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Lecompte V, Robins S, King L, Solomonova E, Khan N, Moss E, Nagy C, Feeley N, Gold I, Hayton B, Turecki G, Zelkowitz P. Examining the role of mother-child interactions and DNA methylation of the oxytocin receptor gene in understanding child controlling attachment behaviors. Attach Hum Dev 2020; 23:37-55. [DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2019.1708422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- V. Lecompte
- Institut Universitaire Jeunes en Difficulté, CIUSSS Centre-Sud-de-l’île-de-Montréal , Montreal, Canada
| | - S. Robins
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital , Montreal, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital , Montreal, Canada
| | - L. King
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University , Montreal, Canada
| | - E. Solomonova
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital , Montreal, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital , Montreal, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University , Montreal, Canada
| | - N. Khan
- Department of Medicine, McGill University , Montreal, Canada
| | - E. Moss
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal , Montréal, Canada
| | - C. Nagy
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute , Montreal, Canada
| | - N. Feeley
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital , Montreal, Canada
- Center for Nursing Research, Jewish General Hospital , Montreal, Canada
- Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University , Montreal, Canada
| | - I. Gold
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University , Montreal, Canada
- Department of Philosophy, McGill University , Montreal, Canada
| | - B. Hayton
- Department of Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital , Montreal, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University , Montreal, Canada
| | - G. Turecki
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University , Montreal, Canada
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute , Montreal, Canada
| | - P. Zelkowitz
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital , Montreal, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital , Montreal, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University , Montreal, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Solomonova E, MacKinnon A, Gold I, Robins S, Wunderlich S, Feeley N, Hayton B, Libman E, Zelkowitz P. Disordered sleep is associated with delusional ideation and depression during pregnancy and postpartum. Sleep Med 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2019.11.1007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
17
|
Solomonova E, Lee YEA, Robins S, King L, Feeley N, Gold I, Hayton B, Libman E, Nagy C, Turecki G, Zelkowitz P. Sleep quality is associated with vasopressin methylation in pregnant and postpartum women with a history of psychosocial stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 107:160-168. [PMID: 31132568 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relationship between disturbed sleep and stress is well-documented. Sleep disorders and stress are highly prevalent during the perinatal period, and both are known to contribute to a number of adverse maternal and foetal outcomes. Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is a hormone and a neuropeptide that is involved in stress response, social bonding and circadian regulation of the sleep-wake cycle. Whether the AVP system is involved in regulation of stress response and sleep quality in the context of the perinatal mental health is currently unknown. The objective of the present study was to assess the relationship between levels of cumulative and ongoing psychosocial risk, levels of disordered sleep and AVP methylation in a community sample of pregnant and postpartum women. METHODS A sample of 316 participants completed a battery of questionnaires during the second trimester of pregnancy (PN2, 12-14 weeks gestation), third trimester (PN3, 32-34 weeks gestation), and at 7-9 weeks postpartum (PP). Disordered sleep was measured using the Sleep Symptom Checklist at PN2, PN3 and PP; cumulative psychosocial risk was assessed with the Antenatal Risk Questionnaire (ANRQ) at PN2; salivary DNA was collected at the follow-up (FU, 2.9 years postpartum); and % methylation were calculated for AVP and for two of the three AVP receptor genes (AVPR1a and AVPR1b). Women were separated into high (HighPR) and low (LowPR) psychosocial risk groups, based on their scores on the ANRQ. RESULTS Women in the HighPR group had significantly worse sleep disturbances during PN2 (p < .001) and PN3 (p < .001), but not at PP (p = .146) than women in the LowPR group. In HighPR participants only, methylation of AVP at intron 1 negatively correlated with sleep disturbances at PN2 (rs=-.390, p = .001), PN3 (rs=-.384, p = .002) and at PP (rs= -.269, p = .032). There was no association between sleep disturbances and AVPR1a or AVPR1b methylation, or between sleep disturbances and any of the AVP methylation for the LowPR group. Lastly, cumulative psychosocial stress was a moderator for the relationship between AVP intron 1 methylation and disordered sleep at PN2 (p < .001, adjusted R2 = .105), PN2 (p < .001, adjusted R2 = .088) and PP (p = .003, adjusted R2 = .064). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that cumulative psychosocial stress exacerbates sleep disorders in pregnant women, and that salivary DNA methylation patterns of the AVP gene may be seen as a marker of biological predisposition to stress and sleep reactivity during the perinatal period. Further research is needed to establish causal links between AVP methylation, sleep and stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Solomonova
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Canada; Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital, Canada
| | - Y E A Lee
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Canada
| | - S Robins
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital, Canada
| | - L King
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital, Canada
| | - N Feeley
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Canada; Center for Nursing Research, Jewish General Hospital, Canada; Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University, Canada
| | - I Gold
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Canada; Department of Philosophy, McGill University, Canada
| | - B Hayton
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital, Canada
| | - E Libman
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital, Canada
| | - C Nagy
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Canada; McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Canada; Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Canada
| | - G Turecki
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Canada; McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Canada; Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Canada
| | - P Zelkowitz
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Canada; Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Solomonova E, Dubé S, Samson-Richer A, Blanchette-Carrière C, Paquette T, Nielsen T. Dream content and procedural learning in Vipassana meditators and controls. Dreaming 2018. [DOI: 10.1037/drm0000081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
|
19
|
Solomonova E, Stenstrom P, Schon E, Duquette A, Dubé S, O'Reilly C, Nielsen T. Sleep-dependent consolidation of face recognition and its relationship to REM sleep duration, REM density and Stage 2 sleep spindles. J Sleep Res 2017; 26:318-321. [DOI: 10.1111/jsr.12520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elizaveta Solomonova
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine; University of Montreal; Montreal Canada
- Biomedical Sciences; University of Montreal; Montreal Canada
| | - Philippe Stenstrom
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine; University of Montreal; Montreal Canada
| | - Emilie Schon
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine; University of Montreal; Montreal Canada
- Institut d'Enseignement à Distance de l'Université Paris 8; Saint-Denis France
| | - Alexandra Duquette
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine; University of Montreal; Montreal Canada
- Institut d'Enseignement à Distance de l'Université Paris 8; Saint-Denis France
| | - Simon Dubé
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine; University of Montreal; Montreal Canada
- Psychology; Concordia University; Montreal Canada
| | - Christian O'Reilly
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine; University of Montreal; Montreal Canada
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne; Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Tore Nielsen
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine; University of Montreal; Montreal Canada
- Psychiatry; University of Montreal; Montreal Canada
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Nielsen T, Carr M, Blanchette-Carrière C, Marquis LP, Dumel G, Solomonova E, Julien SH, Picard-Deland C, Paquette T. NREM sleep spindles are associated with dream recall. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1556/2053.1.2016.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tore Nielsen
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, CIUSSS-NÎM – Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Michelle Carr
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, CIUSSS-NÎM – Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Cloé Blanchette-Carrière
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, CIUSSS-NÎM – Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Louis-Philippe Marquis
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, CIUSSS-NÎM – Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Gaëlle Dumel
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, CIUSSS-NÎM – Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Elizaveta Solomonova
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, CIUSSS-NÎM – Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Sarah-Hélène Julien
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, CIUSSS-NÎM – Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Claudia Picard-Deland
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, CIUSSS-NÎM – Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Tyna Paquette
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, CIUSSS-NÎM – Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Solomonova E. First-person experience and yoga research: studying neural correlates of an intentional practice. Front Hum Neurosci 2015; 9:85. [PMID: 25762918 PMCID: PMC4340189 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2015.00085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2014] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
|
22
|
Solomonova E, Fox KCR, Nielsen T. Methodological considerations for the neurophenomenology of dreaming: commentary on Windt's "Reporting dream experience". Front Hum Neurosci 2014; 8:317. [PMID: 24904360 PMCID: PMC4033080 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2014.00317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2014] [Accepted: 04/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Elizaveta Solomonova
- Dream and Nightmare Laboratory, Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, University of Montreal Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Kieran C R Fox
- Cognitive Neuroscience of Thought Lab, Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Tore Nielsen
- Dream and Nightmare Laboratory, Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal Montreal, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Fox KCR, Nijeboer S, Solomonova E, Domhoff GW, Christoff K. Dreaming as mind wandering: evidence from functional neuroimaging and first-person content reports. Front Hum Neurosci 2013; 7:412. [PMID: 23908622 PMCID: PMC3726865 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2013.00412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2013] [Accepted: 07/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Isolated reports have long suggested a similarity in content and thought processes across mind wandering (MW) during waking, and dream mentation during sleep. This overlap has encouraged speculation that both “daydreaming” and dreaming may engage similar brain mechanisms. To explore this possibility, we systematically examined published first-person experiential reports of MW and dreaming and found many similarities: in both states, content is largely audiovisual and emotional, follows loose narratives tinged with fantasy, is strongly related to current concerns, draws on long-term memory, and simulates social interactions. Both states are also characterized by a relative lack of meta-awareness. To relate first-person reports to neural evidence, we compared meta-analytic data from numerous functional neuroimaging (PET, fMRI) studies of the default mode network (DMN, with high chances of MW) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (with high chances of dreaming). Our findings show large overlaps in activation patterns of cortical regions: similar to MW/DMN activity, dreaming and REM sleep activate regions implicated in self-referential thought and memory, including medial prefrontal cortex (PFC), medial temporal lobe structures, and posterior cingulate. Conversely, in REM sleep numerous PFC executive regions are deactivated, even beyond levels seen during waking MW. We argue that dreaming can be understood as an “intensified” version of waking MW: though the two share many similarities, dreams tend to be longer, more visual and immersive, and to more strongly recruit numerous key hubs of the DMN. Further, whereas MW recruits fewer PFC regions than goal-directed thought, dreaming appears to be characterized by an even deeper quiescence of PFC regions involved in cognitive control and metacognition, with a corresponding lack of insight and meta-awareness. We suggest, then, that dreaming amplifies the same features that distinguish MW from goal-directed waking thought.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kieran C R Fox
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Solomonova E, Paquette T, Stenstrom P, Nielsen T. W-O-116 DIFFERENT 10-DAY TEMPORAL PATTERNS OF DREAMS ABOUT SLEEP LABORATORY AND VIRTUAL REALITY MAZE EXPERIENCES: ASSOCIATIONS WITH TEMPORALLY PATTERNED CHANGES IN DREAMED LOCUS OF CONTROL. Sleep Med 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/s1389-9457(11)70463-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
|
25
|
|
26
|
Nielsen T, Paquette T, Solomonova E, Lara-Carrasco J, Colombo R, Lanfranchi P. Changes in cardiac variability after REM sleep deprivation in recurrent nightmares. Sleep 2010; 33:113-22. [PMID: 20120628 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/33.1.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES To assess whether dysfunctional autonomic regulation during REM sleep as indexed by heart rate variability (HRV) is a pathophysiological factor in frequent nightmares (NMs). DESIGN Monitoring with polysomnography (PSG) and electrocardiography (ECG) for 3 consecutive nights: Night 1 (N1), adaptation night; N2, administration of partial REM sleep deprivation; N3, recovery night. Differences between NM and control (CTL) groups assessed for ECG measures drawn from wakefulness, REM sleep, and Stage 2 sleep on both N1 and N3. SETTING Hospital-based sleep laboratory. PARTICIPANTS Sixteen subjects with frequent NMs (> or = 1 NM/week; mean age = 26.1 +/- 8.7 years) but no other medical or psychiatric disorders and 11 healthy comparison subjects ( < 1 NM/month; mean age = 27.1+/- 5.6 years). RESULTS NM and CTL groups differed on 2 REM sleep measures only on N1; the NM group had longer REM latencies and REM/NREM cycle durations than did the CTL group. No differences were found on time domain and absolute frequency domain ECG measures for either N1 or N3. However, altered HRV for the NM group was suggested by significantly higher LFnu, lower HFnu, and higher LF/HF ratio than for the CTL group. CONCLUSIONS Results are consistent with a higher than normal sympathetic drive among NM subjects which is unmasked by high REM sleep propensity. Results also support a growing literature linking anxiety disorders of several types (panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder) to altered HR variability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tore Nielsen
- Sleep Research Center, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Québec, Canada.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Nielsen TA, Paquette T, Solomonova E, Lara-Carrasco J, Popova A, Levrier K. REM sleep characteristics of nightmare sufferers before and after REM sleep deprivation. Sleep Med 2009; 11:172-9. [PMID: 20005773 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2008.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2008] [Revised: 12/09/2008] [Accepted: 12/12/2008] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine whether disrupted regulation of REM sleep propensity is implicated in nightmare (NM) pathophysiology. BACKGROUND Heightened REM propensity induced by REM sleep deprivation is belied by increases in REM %, REM density and the dream-like quality of dream mentation during post-deprivation recovery sleep. Compromised regulation of REM sleep propensity may be a contributing factor in the pathophysiology of frequent NMs. METHODS A preliminary study of 14 subjects with frequent NMs (> or = 1 NM/week; 27.6+/-9.9 years) and 11 healthy control subjects (<1 NM/month; 24.3+/-5.3 years) was undertaken. Subjects completed home sleep/dream logs and underwent three nights of polysomnographic recording with REM sleep deprivation on night 2. Group differences were assessed for a battery of REM sleep and dream measures on nights 1 and 3. RESULTS Several measures, including #skipped early-night REM periods, REM latency, REM/NREM cycle length, early/late REM density, REM rebound, late-night REM% and dream vividness, suggested that REM sleep propensity was abnormally low for the frequent NM group throughout the 3-day study. CONCLUSIONS Findings raise the possibility that REM anomalies recorded from NM sufferers sleeping in the laboratory environment reflect a disruption of one or more endogenous regulators of REM sleep propensity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tore A Nielsen
- Dream and Nightmare Laboratory, Centre détude du sommeil, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, 5400 boul. Gouin Ouest, Montréal, Que., Canada H4J1C5.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Lara-Carrasco J, Nielsen TA, Solomonova E, Levrier K, Popova A. Overnight emotional adaptation to negative stimuli is altered by REM sleep deprivation and is correlated with intervening dream emotions. J Sleep Res 2009; 18:178-87. [PMID: 19645964 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2869.2008.00709.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Lara-Carrasco
- Sleep Research Center, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur, Université de Montréal, Montréal H4J 1C5, Canada
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Solomonova E, Nielsen T, Stenstrom P, Simard V, Frantova E, Donderi D. Sensed presence as a correlate of sleep paralysis distress, social anxiety and waking state social imagery. Conscious Cogn 2007; 17:49-63. [PMID: 17574867 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2007.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2006] [Revised: 04/25/2007] [Accepted: 04/26/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Isolated sleep paralysis (ISP) is a common parasomnia characterized by an inability to move or speak and often accompanied by hallucinations of a sensed presence nearby. Recent research has linked ISP, and sensed presence more particularly, with social anxiety and other psychopathologies. The present study used a large sample of respondents to an internet questionnaire (N=193) to test whether these associations are due to a general personality factor, affect distress, which is implicated in nightmare suffering and hypothesized to involve dysfunctional social imagery processes. A new measure, ISP distress, was examined in relation to features of ISP experiences, to self-reported psychopathological diagnosis, to scores on the Leibowitz Social Anxiety Scale and to scores on a new questionnaire subscale assessing social imagery in a variety of waking states. Three main results were found: (1) ISP experiences are only weakly associated with a prior diagnosis of mental disorder, (2) sensed presence during ISP is associated preferentially with ISP distress, and (3) ISP distress is associated with dysfunctional social imagery. A general predisposition to affective distress may influence the distress associated with ISP experiences; overly passive social imagery may, in turn, be implicated in this affect distress influence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizaveta Solomonova
- Dream and Nightmare Laboratory, Centre d'étude du sommeil, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, 5400 Boul. Gouin Ouest, Montreal, Que., Canada H4J 1C5
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Nielsen T, Stenstrom P, Takeuchi T, Saucier S, Lara-Carrasco J, Solomonova E, Martel E. Partial REM-Sleep Deprivation Increases the Dream-Like Quality of Mentation From REM Sleep and Sleep Onset. Sleep 2005; 28:1083-9. [PMID: 16268377 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/28.9.1083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES Sleep onset (SO) is cognitively and physiologically similar to rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, supporting the notion that REM sleep-related processes are 'covertly' active at this time. The objective was to determine if SO mentation is sensitive to REM sleep deprivation. DESIGN Two-group cross-sectional design; sleep recordings for 3 nights. SETTING Standard sleep laboratory with 24-channel polysomnography recording. PARTICIPANTS Fourteen female, 13 male healthy volunteers (18-41 yrs, mean=24.8 +/- 6.07). INTERVENTIONS On Night 2, half were and half were not partially REM sleep-deprived (REMD), recalled REM mentation, and rated it for dream-like quality (DLQ), sleepiness, and sensory attributes. On Night 3, all were awakened from SO substages 4 and 5 for mentation reports and further ratings. REMD measures were derived from scored sleep tracings. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS REMD produced increases in DLQ for both REM and SO reports (P < .05); DLQ scores were higher for REM than for SO mentation (P < .001). Covarying sleepiness preserved the (REMD) effect but abolished the REM/SO difference. Whereas 2 sensory attributes (presence of self, visual intensity) tended to distinguish the REM-mentation reports of REMD and control subjects, only 1, self-movement, distinguished their SO mentation reports (P < .06). Multiple regression revealed that increased DLQ of both REM and SO mentation was associated with increased sleepiness and decreased REM sleep time on Night 2. CONCLUSIONS SO mentation responds to REMD much like REM mentation does, a finding consistent with other work supporting the notion of covert REM-sleep processes at SO. DLQ may be mediated by both increases in REM-sleep propensity and a circadian process indexed by sleepiness ratings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tore Nielsen
- Sleep Research Centre, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Québec, Canada.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|