1
|
Laufer S, Schulze L, Engel S, Klusmann H, Skoluda N, Nater UM, Knaevelsrud C, Schumacher S. Corrigendum to "The effect of an internet-based intervention for depression on cortisol and alpha-amylase" [Psychoneuroendocrinology 152 (2023) 106082]. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 164:107028. [PMID: 38538445 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- S Laufer
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universit ̈at Berlin, Schwendener Straße 27, Berlin 14195, Germany; Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute for Mental Health and Behavioral Medicine, Faculty of Health, HMU Health and Medical University, Olympischer Weg1, Potsdam 14471, Germany.
| | - L Schulze
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universit ̈at Berlin, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, Berlin 14195, Germany
| | - S Engel
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universit ̈at Berlin, Schwendener Straße 27, Berlin 14195, Germany
| | - H Klusmann
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universit ̈at Berlin, Schwendener Straße 27, Berlin 14195, Germany
| | - N Skoluda
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, Vienna 1010, Austria; Research Platform the Stress of Life (SOLE) - Processes and Mechanisms Underlying Everyday Life Stress, Austria
| | - U M Nater
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, Vienna 1010, Austria; Research Platform the Stress of Life (SOLE) - Processes and Mechanisms Underlying Everyday Life Stress, Austria
| | - C Knaevelsrud
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universit ̈at Berlin, Schwendener Straße 27, Berlin 14195, Germany
| | - S Schumacher
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universit ̈at Berlin, Schwendener Straße 27, Berlin 14195, Germany; Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute for Mental Health and Behavioral Medicine, Faculty of Health, HMU Health and Medical University, Olympischer Weg1, Potsdam 14471, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Heming M, Angerer P, Apolinário-Hagen J, Liszio S, Nater UM, Skoluda N, Weber J. Hair cortisol concentration and its association with acute stress responses and recovery in a sample of medical students in Germany. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 163:106986. [PMID: 38367529 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.106986] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Experiencing acute and chronic stress can contribute to adverse health outcomes. Responses to acute stress differ between individuals (i.e., stress reactivity) and the experience of chronic stress has been discussed to be associated with acute stress responses and stress recovery. This study thus aims to investigate whether hair cortisol concentration (HCC), being an indicator for hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity over a prolonged period of time, is associated with acute stress responses and recovery in a sample of medical students. MATERIAL AND METHODS From July 2020 to July 2021, medical students (n = 54) underwent a virtual-reality Trier Social Stress Test in which their blood pressure and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured, and hair samples were taken to determine HCC. Piecewise linear growth analyses were used to investigate whether HCC (categorized into low, medium and high levels) is associated with acute stress responses and recovery regarding blood pressure and HRV. RESULTS Significant interaction effects in piecewise linear growth analyses showed that participants with higher levels of HCC had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure responses compared to participants with medium levels of HCC. No significant interaction effects were observed for HRV responses or for recovery measures. CONCLUSIONS The study suggests that higher levels of HCC are associated with a lower cardiovascular response in terms of blood pressure to an acute stressor in medical students. Therefore, long-term HPA-axis activity may contribute to different magnitudes of acute stress responses in the autonomic nervous system. As the shown lower blood pressure responses to acute stress in individuals with increased long-term HPA-axis activity may represent inadequate stress responses, these should be further studied in order to find out more about their interaction and potential subsequent disease risks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meike Heming
- Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Peter Angerer
- Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jennifer Apolinário-Hagen
- Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Stefan Liszio
- Center for Virtual and Extended Reality in Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Germany
| | - Urs Markus Nater
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010 Vienna, Austria; University Research Platform "The Stress of Life (SOLE) - Processes and Mechanisms underlying Everyday Life Stress", University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010 Vienna, Austria; University Research Platform "The Stress of Life (SOLE) - Processes and Mechanisms underlying Everyday Life Stress", University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jeannette Weber
- Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Broadbent E, Nater U, Skoluda N, Gasteiger N, Jia R, Chalder T, Law M, Vedhara K. Changes in hair cortisol in a New Zealand community sample during the Covid-19 pandemic. Compr Psychoneuroendocrinol 2024; 17:100228. [PMID: 38404507 PMCID: PMC10884750 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2024.100228] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Evidence suggests that countries with higher Covid-19 infection rates experienced poorer mental health. This study examined whether hair cortisol reduced over time in New Zealand, a country that managed to eliminate the virus in the first year of the pandemic due to an initial strict lockdown. Methods A longitudinal cohort study assessed self-reported stress, anxiety and depression and collected hair samples that were analyzed for cortisol, across two waves in 2020. The sample consisted of 44 adults who each returned two 3 cm hair samples and completed self-reports. Hair cortisol was assessed per centimetre. Results Hair cortisol reduced over time (F (5, 99.126) = 10.15, p < .001, partial eta squared = 0.19), as did anxiety and depression. Higher hair cortisol was significantly associated with more negative life events reported at wave two (r = 0.30 segment 1, r = 0.34 segment 2, p < .05), but not anxiety or depression. Conclusions Strict virus control measures may not only reduce infection rates, but also reduce psychological distress, and hair cortisol over time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Broadbent
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Urs Nater
- University Research Platform “The Stress of Life (SOLE) – Processes and Mechanisms Underlying Everyday Life Stress”, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- University Research Platform “The Stress of Life (SOLE) – Processes and Mechanisms Underlying Everyday Life Stress”, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010, Vienna, Austria
| | - Norina Gasteiger
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
- School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Ru Jia
- Centre for Academic Primary Care, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, UK
| | - Trudie Chalder
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, 16, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Mikaela Law
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kavita Vedhara
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Tower Building, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pauli-Pott U, Skoluda N, Nater UM, Becker K, Derz F, Kaspar E, Kasperzack D, Kehm K, Kött M, Mann C, Schurek P, Pott W, Schloß S. Long-term cortisol secretion in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: roles of sex, comorbidity, and symptom presentation. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2024; 33:569-579. [PMID: 36917355 PMCID: PMC10869441 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-023-02180-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Low activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) has been found in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The condition may be related to the reduced attention regulation capacity and/or to comorbid oppositional defiant or conduct disorder (ODD/CD). Sex differences are probable but not sufficiently studied. We analyzed the HPAA activity and sympathetic nervous system reactivity (SR) in children with ADHD while accounting for ADHD symptom presentation, comorbidity, and sex differences. The sample comprised 205 children, 98 (61 boys, 37 girls) with ADHD and 107 (48 boys, 59 girls) healthy controls. DSM-5 phenotypic symptom presentation and comorbid ODD/CD were assessed using clinical interviews. Hair cortisol concentration (HCC) was used to assess the long-term, cumulative activity of the HPAA. SR was assessed via skin conductance response (SCR). For control purposes, comorbid internalizing symptoms and indicators of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) were assessed. Children were medication naive. Boys presenting with predominantly inattentive symptoms (ADHD-I) showed lower HCC than healthy boys. Girls presenting with combined symptoms (ADHD-C) showed higher HCC than did healthy girls (p's < 0.05, sex-by-group interaction, F (2,194) = 4.09, p = 0.018). Boys with ADHD plus ODD/CD showed a blunted SR (p < 0.001, sex-by-group interaction, F (2,172) = 3.08, p = 0.048). Adjustment for ACE indicators led to non-significant differences in HCC but did not affect differences in SR. HCC constitutes an easily assessable, reliable, and valid marker of phenotypic ADHD-related features (i.e. symptom presentation and comorbidity). It indicates more homogenous subgroups of ADHD and might point to specifically involved pathophysiological processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ursula Pauli-Pott
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Schützenstrasse 45, 35039, Marburg, Germany.
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Clinical Psychology, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010, Vienna, Austria
- Research Platform The Stress of Life (SOLE)-Processes and Mechanisms underlying Everyday Life Stress, Vienna, Austria
| | - Urs M Nater
- Clinical Psychology, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010, Vienna, Austria
- Research Platform The Stress of Life (SOLE)-Processes and Mechanisms underlying Everyday Life Stress, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katja Becker
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Schützenstrasse 45, 35039, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg Justus Liebig University Giessen, Hans-Meerwein-Straße 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Friederike Derz
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Schützenstrasse 45, 35039, Marburg, Germany
| | - Elena Kaspar
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Schützenstrasse 45, 35039, Marburg, Germany
| | - Daria Kasperzack
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Schützenstrasse 45, 35039, Marburg, Germany
| | - Kira Kehm
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Schützenstrasse 45, 35039, Marburg, Germany
| | - Marie Kött
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Schützenstrasse 45, 35039, Marburg, Germany
| | - Christopher Mann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Schützenstrasse 45, 35039, Marburg, Germany
| | - Pia Schurek
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Schützenstrasse 45, 35039, Marburg, Germany
| | - Wilfried Pott
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Schützenstrasse 45, 35039, Marburg, Germany
| | - Susan Schloß
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Schützenstrasse 45, 35039, Marburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Song Y, Mewes R, Skoluda N, Nater UM. How is music listening purpose related to stress recovery? - two preliminary studies in men and women. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1108402. [PMID: 37901088 PMCID: PMC10603188 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1108402] [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: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Studies have suggested that listening to music can reduce psychological and biological responses to a stressor. However, it is unclear whether music has the same effect on stress recovery. According to field studies, people commonly use music in daily life for the specific purpose of relaxation. We explored whether individuals who generally use music for relaxation purposes show improved recovery from an acute stressor. Methods In two independent studies, twenty-seven healthy female participants (Mage = 24.07) (Study 1) and twenty-one healthy male participants (Mage = 23.52) (Study 2) were separated into two groups based on their frequency of using music for relaxation purposes (low vs. high). All participants underwent a lab-based psychosocial stress test. Subjective stress levels were measured using visual analogue scales. Salivary cortisol and salivary alpha-amylase were measured to assess endocrine and autonomic stress responses, respectively. Subjective stress levels and saliva samples were measured nine times throughout the stress induction and recovery procedure. Chronic stress levels were assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale and the Screening Scale of Chronic Stress. Results No significant differences were observed in subjective stress levels, salivary alpha-amylase activity, or cortisol concentration between the two groups in either of the two studies. Further analyses revealed that among male participants, increased use of music for relaxation purposes was related to more chronic stress levels (t (10.46) = 2.45, p = 0.03, r = 0.60), whereas female participants exhibited a trend in the opposite direction (t (13.94) = -1.92, p = 0.07, r = 0.46). Discussion Contrary to our expectations, the results indicate that habitual music listening for relaxation purposes is not associated with improved recovery from a stressor. However, due to the small sample size, future exploration is necessary to enhance the statistical power of the results of the study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yichen Song
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- University Research Platform “The Stress of Life (SOLE) – Processes and Mechanisms Underlying Everyday Life Stress”, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ricarda Mewes
- University Research Platform “The Stress of Life (SOLE) – Processes and Mechanisms Underlying Everyday Life Stress”, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Outpatient Unit for Research, Teaching and Practice, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- University Research Platform “The Stress of Life (SOLE) – Processes and Mechanisms Underlying Everyday Life Stress”, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Urs M. Nater
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- University Research Platform “The Stress of Life (SOLE) – Processes and Mechanisms Underlying Everyday Life Stress”, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Doerr JM, Juenemann M, Hakel L, Schmidt L, Menzler K, Krause K, Linka L, Skoluda N, Nater UM, Knake S. Effect of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation on stress-reactive neuroendocrine measures in a sample of persons with temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsia Open 2023; 8:1013-1020. [PMID: 37310988 PMCID: PMC10472404 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12774] [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: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Dysregulation of stress-reactive neuroendocrine measures, as well as subjective stress, have been found to worsen epilepsy. Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) is a relatively new treatment option for epilepsy. We were interested in its effect on the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and autonomic nervous system (ANS) as well as subjective stress and tiredness in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). METHODS Twenty patients (age 44 ± 11 years, 13 women) were enrolled in the study. They were free of seizures for more than 1 year. All took part in two sessions with 4 h of stimulation (tVNS vs. sham) in a randomized order. Saliva samples and subjective stress and tiredness levels were measured at five time points each session (before and after stimulation and three time points every hour in between). Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance as well as paired t-tests. RESULTS There was a dampened salivary cortisol (sCort) decrease during tVNS (time × condition effect: F[2.38, 38.15] = 6.50, P = 0.002, partial η2 = 0.29). Furthermore, we detected a dampened increase in salivary flow rate during tVNS (time × condition effect: F[3.28, 55.67] = 2.82, P = 0.043, partial η2 = 0.14). There was neither a difference in overall sCort or salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) levels nor in subjective stress or tiredness levels between conditions. sAA levels at the last measurement point were slightly higher during tVNS (t(19) = 2.26, P = 0.035, d = 0.51), but this effect failed to reach significance when controlled for multiple comparisons. SIGNIFICANCE Our results partially support that tVNS influences the regulation of stress-reactive neuroendocrine systems (namely the HPA axis and ANS) in epilepsy. More research with larger samples is needed on the difference between short-term and repeated long-term stimulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johanna M. Doerr
- Department of NeurologyUniversity Hospital Gießen and MarburgGießenGermany
| | - Martin Juenemann
- Department of NeurologyUniversity Hospital Gießen and MarburgGießenGermany
| | - Lukas Hakel
- Epilepsy Center Hessen, Department of NeurologyPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
| | - Laura Schmidt
- Epilepsy Center Hessen, Department of NeurologyPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
| | - Katja Menzler
- Epilepsy Center Hessen, Department of NeurologyPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
| | - Kristina Krause
- Epilepsy Center Hessen, Department of NeurologyPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
| | - Louise Linka
- Epilepsy Center Hessen, Department of NeurologyPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of PsychologyUniversity of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Urs M. Nater
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of PsychologyUniversity of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Susanne Knake
- Epilepsy Center Hessen, Department of NeurologyPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB)Philipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Heming M, Angerer P, Apolinário-Hagen J, Nater UM, Skoluda N, Weber J. The association between study conditions and hair cortisol in medical students in Germany - a cross-sectional study. J Occup Med Toxicol 2023; 18:7. [PMID: 37254201 DOI: 10.1186/s12995-023-00373-7] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medical students often experience high levels of stress due to adverse study conditions, which may have adverse health consequences. Hair cortisol concentration (HCC) has been described as a physiological marker for chronic stress and might thus help to identify students under stress and examine the study conditions being responsible for long-term physiological stress responses. This study therefore investigated the association between study conditions and HCC in a sample of medical students. METHODS Fifty-five students from a medical school in Germany completed a paper-based questionnaire and had hair samples collected between May 2020 and July 2021. Study conditions were assessed with student versions of questionnaires based on the Job-Demand-Control-Support model (StrukStud, 25 items) and Effort-Reward Imbalance model (Student ERI, nine items). HCC of two centimeters closest to the scalp were determined by a cortisol luminescence immunoassay. Linear multiple regression analyses were performed to examine associations between study conditions and HCC. RESULTS Demands (B = 0.23, p = 0.002), effort (B = 0.12, p = 0.029) and the effort-reward-ratio (B = 0.28, p = 0.007) were positively associated with HCC in separate regression analyses, adjusted for age and sex. Only the association between demands and HCC remained significant when all components of the respective questionnaire were considered in the same model (B = 0.22, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION The results suggest that adverse study conditions may be associated with activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis stress response as reflected by increased HCC. Longitudinal research is needed to confirm these cross-sectional results and examine effects of more prolonged stress due to adverse study conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meike Heming
- Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Peter Angerer
- Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jennifer Apolinário-Hagen
- Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Urs Markus Nater
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010, Vienna, Austria
- Research Platform The Stress of Life (SOLE) - Processes and Mechanisms underlying Everyday Life Stress, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010, Vienna, Austria
- Research Platform The Stress of Life (SOLE) - Processes and Mechanisms underlying Everyday Life Stress, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jeannette Weber
- Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Stijovic A, Forbes PAG, Tomova L, Skoluda N, Feneberg AC, Piperno G, Pronizius E, Nater UM, Lamm C, Silani G. Homeostatic Regulation of Energetic Arousal During Acute Social Isolation: Evidence From the Lab and the Field. Psychol Sci 2023; 34:537-551. [PMID: 36976885 DOI: 10.1177/09567976231156413] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that social contact is a basic need governed by a social homeostatic system. Little is known, however, about how conditions of altered social homeostasis affect human psychology and physiology. Here, we investigated the effects of 8 hr of social isolation on psychological and physiological variables and compared this with 8 hr of food deprivation in a lab experiment (N = 30 adult women). Social isolation led to lowered self-reported energetic arousal and heightened fatigue, comparable with food deprivation. To test whether these findings would extend to a real-life setting, we conducted a preregistered field study during a COVID-19 lockdown (N = 87 adults; 47 women). The drop in energetic arousal after social isolation observed in the lab replicated in the field study for participants who lived alone or reported high sociability, suggesting that lowered energy could be part of a homeostatic response to the lack of social contact.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Stijovic
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna
| | - Paul A G Forbes
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna
| | - Livia Tomova
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna
| | - Anja C Feneberg
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna
| | - Giulio Piperno
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome
| | - Ekaterina Pronizius
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna
| | - Urs M Nater
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna
- University of Vienna Research Platform "The Stress of Life (SOLE) - Processes and Mechanisms Underlying Everyday Life Stress"
| | - Claus Lamm
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna
- University of Vienna Research Platform "The Stress of Life (SOLE) - Processes and Mechanisms Underlying Everyday Life Stress"
| | - Giorgia Silani
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna
- University of Vienna Research Platform "The Stress of Life (SOLE) - Processes and Mechanisms Underlying Everyday Life Stress"
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Laufer S, Schulze L, Engel S, Klusmann H, Skoluda N, Nater UM, Knaevelsrud C, Schumacher S. The effect of an internet-based intervention for depression on cortisol and alpha-amylase. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 152:106082. [PMID: 36989562 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106082] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Psychotherapeutic interventions for major depressive disorder (MDD) have been suggested to be associated with a normalization of biological stress system (i.e., the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the autonomic nervous system) dysregulation. Furthermore, pre-intervention cortisol parameters have been identified as prescriptive biological markers of treatment success. However, evidence of treatment effects on the biological stress systems is still sparse, and results are heterogeneous. The current study examined the effect of an internet-based intervention for MDD on salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase as well as hair cortisol concentrations. Moreover, the prescriptive capacity of pre-intervention cortisol and alpha-amylase concentrations on treatment response was explored. METHODS Thirty-eight participants suffering from mild to moderate MDD collected saliva and hair samples throughout the intervention. Biological outcome parameters were salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase (awakening response, total diurnal output, diurnal slope) and hair cortisol concentrations. Treatment response was indicated by change in depression severity and perceived chronic stress. RESULTS Treatment response on depression scores or chronic stress was not associated with changes in any of the cortisol or alpha-amylase parameters. Exploratory analysis indicated that non-responders showed a steeper alpha-amylase slope pre-intervention. DISCUSSION The results indicate that changes in depressive symptoms did not correspond to changes of the biological stress systems, contradicting the suggested normalization of dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis or autonomic nervous system activity through a psychotherapeutic intervention. However, the results point to a potential role of pre-intervention alpha-amylase slope as a prescriptive marker of treatment response for depression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Laufer
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Schwendener Straße 27, 14195 Berlin, Germany; Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute for Mental Health and Behavioral Medicine, Faculty of Health, HMU Health and Medical University, Olympischer Weg 1, 14471 Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Lars Schulze
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sinha Engel
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Schwendener Straße 27, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Hannah Klusmann
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Schwendener Straße 27, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010 Vienna, Austria; Research Platform the Stress of Life (SOLE) - Processes and Mechanisms underlying Everyday Life Stress, Austria
| | - Urs M Nater
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010 Vienna, Austria; Research Platform the Stress of Life (SOLE) - Processes and Mechanisms underlying Everyday Life Stress, Austria
| | - Christine Knaevelsrud
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Schwendener Straße 27, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sarah Schumacher
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Schwendener Straße 27, 14195 Berlin, Germany; Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute for Mental Health and Behavioral Medicine, Faculty of Health, HMU Health and Medical University, Olympischer Weg 1, 14471 Potsdam, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Pauli-Pott U, Cosan AS, Schloß S, Skoluda N, Nater UM, Tumala S, Kruse J, Peters EMJ. Hair brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as predictor of developing psychopathological symptoms in childhood. J Affect Disord 2023; 320:428-435. [PMID: 36208686 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.10.007] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dysregulation in the expression of neurotrophins is implicated in the pathophysiology of several mental disorders. Peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can be measured in hair and might represent a marker of adequate neuroplasticity regulation. In early developmental periods, neuroplasticity regulation might be particularly important, but BDNF markers have not yet been analyzed in this regard. We used the hair-BDNF concentration (HBC) to investigate the prediction of emerging symptoms of anxiety/depressive and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the developmentally crucial period from preschool to school age. METHODS 117 children (58 girls, 59 boys) participated in a longitudinal study at the ages of 4-5 (T1) and 8 (T2) years. At T1, HBC was measured in a 3 cm hair segment. At T1 and T2, symptom domains were assessed using a multi-method (clinical interview, questionnaire) and multi-informant approach. RESULTS T1 HBC was significantly negatively associated with T1 anxiety/depressive symptoms (r = -0.27) and predicted T2 anxiety disorder symptoms (r = -0.34) after controlling for the T1 symptoms. T1 HBC also predicted T2 depressive disorder symptoms (r = -0.18) but was not associated with ADHD symptom development. LIMITATIONS BDNF hair analysis is a new method with a not yet large number of studies on methodological issues. Our study adds evidence to the validity of the method. CONCLUSIONS Prediction of anxiety/depressive symptom development by HBC was shown. As this study was the first to use HBC in this context, cross-validation is necessary and worthwhile. HBC might prove to constitute a useful, non-invasive early marker of risk for anxiety/depressive disorders in childhood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ursula Pauli-Pott
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
| | - Alisa Susann Cosan
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Susan Schloß
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Urs M Nater
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Susanne Tumala
- Psychoneuroimmunology Laboratory, Justus-Liebig-University of Gießen, Gießen, Germany
| | - Johannes Kruse
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Justus-Liebig-University of Gießen, Gießen, Germany
| | - Eva M J Peters
- Psychoneuroimmunology Laboratory, Justus-Liebig-University of Gießen, Gießen, Germany; Charité Center 12 for Internal Medicine and Dermatology, Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Universitätsmedizin-Charité, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Heming M, Angerer P, Nater UM, Skoluda N, Weber J. Selbstberichteter Stress und Haarkortisol bei Medizinstudierenden in
Deutschland – eine Querschnittsstudie. Das Gesundheitswesen 2022. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1753603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M Heming
- Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Institut
für Arbeits-, Sozial- und Umweltmedizin, Universität
Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
| | - P Angerer
- Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Institut
für Arbeits-, Sozial- und Umweltmedizin, Universität
Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
| | - UM Nater
- Universität Wien, Institut für Klinische und
Gesundheitspsychologie, Wien, Österreich
| | - N Skoluda
- Universität Wien, Institut für Klinische und
Gesundheitspsychologie, Wien, Österreich
| | - J Weber
- Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Institut
für Arbeits-, Sozial- und Umweltmedizin, Universität
Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Goreis A, Nater UM, Skoluda N, Mewes R. Psychobiological effects of chronic ethnic discrimination in Turkish immigrants: Stress responses to standardized face-to-face discrimination in the laboratory. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 142:105785. [PMID: 35523028 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105785] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Ethnic discrimination negatively affects the health of ethnic minorities. The dysregulation of psychobiological stress systems, such as the autonomic nervous system (ANS) or the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, might be an intermediary in this association and chronicity of ethnic discrimination may matter. We studied stress responses to a standardized discriminatory event in Turkish immigrants living in Austria. BACKGROUND Seventy-two male Turkish immigrants were recruited; n = 35 had experienced high levels of ethnic discrimination (high), n = 37 infrequent ethnic discrimination (low). During a two-hour laboratory appointment, they underwent a previously validated 10-minute ethnic discrimination paradigm, i.e., a simulated physician's consultation with verbal and non-verbal discriminatory cues. Perceived stress, perceived discrimination, salivary cortisol, and alpha-amylase were assessed seven times, and ANS measures (heart rate, heart rate variability, and electrodermal activity) were measured continuously. In addition, hair cortisol concentrations were determined. RESULTS The ethnic discrimination paradigm elicited stress responses across all outcomes in both groups. Compared to the low group, the high group reported higher levels of perceived stress and discrimination, exhibited a less steep increase in cortisol in response to the paradigm, and showed higher hair cortisol concentrations. No group differences were found regarding ANS measures. CONCLUSIONS The combination of high subjective stress, flattened cortisol responses, and relatively high hair cortisol concentrations may indicate a dysregulation of the HPA axis in chronic ethnic discrimination. A better understanding of the psychobiological effects of chronic ethnic discrimination is crucial given that alterations in stress response systems may, over time, lead to illness and ultimately to substantial health inequities in ethnic minorities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Goreis
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Outpatient Unit for Research, Teaching and Practice, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; University Research Platform "The Stress of Life - Processes and Mechanisms Underlying Everyday Life Stress", University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Urs M Nater
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; University Research Platform "The Stress of Life - Processes and Mechanisms Underlying Everyday Life Stress", University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; University Research Platform "The Stress of Life - Processes and Mechanisms Underlying Everyday Life Stress", University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ricarda Mewes
- Outpatient Unit for Research, Teaching and Practice, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; University Research Platform "The Stress of Life - Processes and Mechanisms Underlying Everyday Life Stress", University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Wuttke-Linnemann A, Palm S, Geschke K, Skoluda N, Bischoff T, Nater UM, Endres K, Fellgiebel A. Psychobiological Evaluation of Day Clinic Treatment for People Living With Dementia – Feasibility and Pilot Analyses. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:866437. [PMID: 35847670 PMCID: PMC9279127 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.866437] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hospitalization is often stressful and burdensome for people living with dementia (PwD) and their informal caregivers (ICs). Day clinic treatment may provide a suitable alternative, but is often precluded by a diagnosis of dementia. Furthermore, it is often caregiver-based ratings that measure treatment success as the validity of self-reports in PwD is critically discussed. We therefore set out to examine the feasibility of psychobiological stress measures in PwD and ICs and to evaluate treatment trajectories considering both the day clinic context and the daily life of the dyads. Method A total of 40 dyads of PwD (mean age: 78.15 ± 6.80) and their ICs (mean age: 63.85 ± 13.09) completed paper-and-pencil questionnaires (covering stress, depressive symptoms, and caregiver burden among others) in addition to the measurement of hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) at admission, discharge, and follow-up 6 months after day clinic treatment. As part of an ambulatory assessment, for 2 days at the beginning and 2 days at the end of the day clinic treatment, PwD and ICs collected six saliva samples per day for the analysis of salivary cortisol (sCort) and alpha-amylase (sAA). Results Paper-and-pencil questionnaires and HCC assessments were more feasible than the ambulatory assessment. We found discrepancies between subjective and physiological markers of stress in PwD. Whereas HCC decreased over time, self-reported stress increased. Child–parent dyads reported decreases in neuropsychiatric symptoms, associated burden, and self-reported stress from admission to follow-up. In daily life, both PwD and ICs showed characteristic diurnal profiles of sAA and sCort, however, we found no differences in summary indicators of salivary stress markers over time. Discussion The psychobiological evaluation was feasible and added informative value, underlining the potential of physiological stress markers to complement self-reports on stress in PwD and to objectively evaluate treatment trajectories. In this sample, HCC was more feasible and acceptable as biological marker of stress compared to saliva samples. Concerning treatment trajectories, differential effects on the dyads were found, with child–parent dyads benefiting more from day clinic treatment compared to spousal dyads.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Wuttke-Linnemann
- Center for Mental Health in Old Age, Landeskrankenhaus (AöR), Mainz, Germany
- *Correspondence: Alexandra Wuttke-Linnemann,
| | - Svenja Palm
- Center for Mental Health in Old Age, Landeskrankenhaus (AöR), Mainz, Germany
| | - Katharina Geschke
- Center for Mental Health in Old Age, Landeskrankenhaus (AöR), Mainz, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Katharina Geschke,
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- University Research Platform “The Stress of Life (SOLE) – Processes and Mechanisms Underlying Everyday Life Stress”, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Theresa Bischoff
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Urs M. Nater
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- University Research Platform “The Stress of Life (SOLE) – Processes and Mechanisms Underlying Everyday Life Stress”, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kristina Endres
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Andreas Fellgiebel
- Center for Mental Health in Old Age, Landeskrankenhaus (AöR), Mainz, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Hospital for Psychiatry, Psychosomatic and Psychotherapy, Agaplesion Elisabethenstift, Darmstadt, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Sperl MFJ, Panitz C, Skoluda N, Nater UM, Pizzagalli DA, Hermann C, Mueller EM. Alpha-2 Adrenoreceptor Antagonist Yohimbine Potentiates Consolidation of Conditioned Fear. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2022; 25:759-773. [PMID: 35748393 PMCID: PMC9515133 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyac038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hyperconsolidation of aversive associations and poor extinction learning have been hypothesized to be crucial in the acquisition of pathological fear. Previous animal and human research points to the potential role of the catecholaminergic system, particularly noradrenaline and dopamine, in acquiring emotional memories. Here, we investigated in a between-participants design with 3 groups whether the noradrenergic alpha-2 adrenoreceptor antagonist yohimbine and the dopaminergic D2-receptor antagonist sulpiride modulate long-term fear conditioning and extinction in humans. METHODS Fifty-five healthy male students were recruited. The final sample consisted of n = 51 participants who were explicitly aware of the contingencies between conditioned stimuli (CS) and unconditioned stimuli after fear acquisition. The participants were then randomly assigned to 1 of the 3 groups and received either yohimbine (10 mg, n = 17), sulpiride (200 mg, n = 16), or placebo (n = 18) between fear acquisition and extinction. Recall of conditioned (non-extinguished CS+ vs CS-) and extinguished fear (extinguished CS+ vs CS-) was assessed 1 day later, and a 64-channel electroencephalogram was recorded. RESULTS The yohimbine group showed increased salivary alpha-amylase activity, confirming a successful manipulation of central noradrenergic release. Elevated fear-conditioned bradycardia and larger differential amplitudes of the N170 and late positive potential components in the event-related brain potential indicated that yohimbine treatment (compared with a placebo and sulpiride) enhanced fear recall during day 2. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that yohimbine potentiates cardiac and central electrophysiological signatures of fear memory consolidation. They thereby elucidate the key role of noradrenaline in strengthening the consolidation of conditioned fear associations, which may be a key mechanism in the etiology of fear-related disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthias F J Sperl
- Correspondence: Matthias F. J. Sperl, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Department of Psychology, Otto-Behaghel-Str. 10F, 35394 Giessen, Germany ()
| | - Christian Panitz
- Department of Psychology, Personality Psychology and Assessment, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany,Department of Psychology, Experimental Psychology and Methods, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany,Center for the Study of Emotion and Attention, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Urs M Nater
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Diego A Pizzagalli
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, & Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christiane Hermann
- Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Erik M Mueller
- Department of Psychology, Personality Psychology and Assessment, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Wuttke-Linnemann A, Henrici C, Skoluda N, Nater UM, Endres K, Fellgiebel A. Psychobiological Monitoring of a Home-Based Dyadic Intervention for People Living with Dementia and Their Caregivers: Added Value to Evaluate Treatment Success and Understand Underlying Mechanisms. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 87:1725-1739. [PMID: 35527544 DOI: 10.3233/jad-210618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research concerning people living with dementia (PwD) and their informal caregivers (ICs) has recently begun to focus on dyadic aspects of psychosocial interventions. OBJECTIVE We adapted a dyadic psychosocial intervention and examined its effects on psychobiological stress in daily life. METHODS Twenty-four PwD-caregiver dyads were visited seven times at home by specialized nursing staff. Momentary subjective stress, salivary cortisol (sCort), and salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) were measured in PwD and ICs before and after each home visit as well as six times per day at two days each at the beginning and end of the intervention as part of an ambulatory assessment. Hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) were measured twice. RESULTS After each home visit session, ICs reported lower subjective stress. sCort was lower in both ICs and PwD, whereas sAA did not change. In daily life, area under the curve (AUCg) concerning sCort secretion indicated that PwD had lower sCort daily output at the end of the intervention, and AUCg concerning subjective stress indicated that both PwD and ICs reported lower subjective stress than at the beginning of the intervention. AUCg concerning sAA did not change over time in either group. HCC did not vary over time but increased with disease severity. CONCLUSION The psychosocial intervention reduced psychobiological stress but affected psychobiological stress measures differently in PwD and ICs. In particular, the discrepancy between subjective and physiological markers of stress in PwD emphasizes the added value to evaluate treatment success and understand underlying mechanisms as a complement to self-reports.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Clara Henrici
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,University Research Platform 'The Stress of Life - Processes and Mechanisms Underlying Everyday Life Stress', University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Urs M Nater
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,University Research Platform 'The Stress of Life - Processes and Mechanisms Underlying Everyday Life Stress', University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kristina Endres
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Andreas Fellgiebel
- Center for Mental Health in Old Age, Landeskrankenhaus (AöR), Mainz, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany.,Hospital for Psychiatry, Psychosomatic and Psychotherapy, Agaplesion Elisabethenstift, Darmstadt, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Schumacher S, Engel S, Klusmann H, Niemeyer H, Küster A, Burchert S, Skoluda N, Rau H, Nater UM, Willmund GD, Knaevelsrud C. Trauma-related but not PTSD-related increases in hair cortisol concentrations in military personnel. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 150:17-20. [PMID: 35344923 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.02.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning has been associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The current literature is inconsistent regarding this association, possibly due to confounding influences. Hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) allow for retrospective assessment of cumulative HPA axis secretion over several weeks and are considered a trait-like marker of HPA axis activity. Three groups of active and former German Armed Forces service members, comprising PTSD patients (n = 19), healthy controls with deployment-related trauma exposure (n = 10), and non-deployed healthy controls (n = 10) provided samples for HCC analysis. We observed significantly higher HCC in the PTSD and the deployed compared to the non-deployed group. HCC was neither significantly correlated with perceived chronic stress, nor with PTSD severity within patients. The results suggest a differential impact of trauma exposure on HPA axis activity and highlight the notion of cumulative, retrospective cortisol secretion as a psychobiological indicator of trauma exposure. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12616000956404).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Schumacher
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Health, HMU Health and Medical University, Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Sinha Engel
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hannah Klusmann
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Helen Niemeyer
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annika Küster
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Burchert
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heinrich Rau
- Psychotrauma Centre, German Armed Forces Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Urs M Nater
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Christine Knaevelsrud
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Feneberg AC, Forbes PAG, Piperno G, Pronizius E, Stijovic A, Skoluda N, Lamm C, Nater UM, Silani G. Diurnal dynamics of stress and mood during COVID-19 lockdown: a large multinational ecological momentary assessment study. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20212480. [PMID: 35611528 PMCID: PMC9130787 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.2480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in severe disruption to people's lives as governments imposed national 'lockdowns'. Several large surveys have underlined the detrimental short- and long-term mental health consequences resulting from this disruption, but survey findings are only informative of individuals' retrospectively reported psychological states. Furthermore, knowledge on psychobiological responses to lockdown restrictions is scarce. We used smartphone-based real-time assessments in 731 participants for 7 days and investigated how individuals' self-reported stress and mood fluctuated diurnally during lockdown in spring 2020. We found that age, gender, financial security, depressive symptoms and trait loneliness modulated the diurnal dynamics of participants' momentary stress and mood. For example, younger and less financially secure individuals showed an attenuated decline in stress as the day progressed, and similarly, more lonely individuals showed a diminished increase in calmness throughout the day. Hair collected from a subsample (n = 140) indicated a decrease in cortisol concentrations following lockdown, but these changes were not related to any of the assessed person-related characteristics. Our findings provide novel insights into the psychobiological impact of lockdown and have implications for how, when and which individuals might benefit most from interventions during psychologically demanding periods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anja C. Feneberg
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Paul A. G. Forbes
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Giulio Piperno
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ekaterina Pronizius
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ana Stijovic
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria,Research Platform The Stress of Life (SOLE)—Processes and Mechanisms underlying Everyday Life Stress, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claus Lamm
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria,Research Platform The Stress of Life (SOLE)—Processes and Mechanisms underlying Everyday Life Stress, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Urs M. Nater
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria,Research Platform The Stress of Life (SOLE)—Processes and Mechanisms underlying Everyday Life Stress, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Giorgia Silani
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria,Research Platform The Stress of Life (SOLE)—Processes and Mechanisms underlying Everyday Life Stress, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Schumacher S, Engel S, Niemeyer H, Küster A, Burchert S, Skoluda N, Rau H, Nater UM, Willmund GD, Knaevelsrud C. Salivary Cortisol and Alpha-Amylase in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Their Potential Role in the Evaluation of Cognitive Behavioral Treatment Outcomes. J Trauma Stress 2022; 35:78-89. [PMID: 34022094 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Alterations in HPA-axis and autonomic nervous system activity have been associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) development and maintenance and are potentially associated with trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) outcomes. We examined the role of salivary cortisol (sCort) and alpha-amylase (sAA) in PTSD and TF-CBT outcomes in German Armed Forces service members (N = 100). Participants categorized as PTSD patients (n = 39), previously deployed healthy controls (n = 33), and nondeployed healthy controls (n = 28) provided diurnal profiles of sCort and sAA; PTSD patients provided samples before, immediately after, and 3 months after an internet-based TF-CBT intervention. No group differences emerged regarding total daily sCort and sAA output or daily slopes, ps = .224-.897, fs = 0.05-0.24. Participants with PTSD demonstrated a significantly attenuated sCort awakening response compared to deployed, p = .021, d = 0.59, but not nondeployed controls, p = .918, d = 0.08. Moreover, a significantly steeper sAA awakening response emerged in PTSD patients, p = .034, d = 0.67, and deployed controls, p = .014, d = 0.80, compared to nondeployed controls. From pretreatment to posttreatment (n = 21) and posttreatment to follow-up (n = 14), stable sCort, ps = .282-.628, fs = 0.34-0.49, and sAA concentrations, ps = .068-.758, fs = 0.24-1.13 paralleled a nonsignificant treatment effect. Both PTSD and trauma exposure were associated with alterations in awakening responses, but further investigation is needed to determine whether the observed correspondence remains when PTSD symptoms significantly decline.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Schumacher
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Health, HMU Health and Medical University Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Sinha Engel
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Helen Niemeyer
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annika Küster
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Burchert
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Department of Clinical Psychology of Adulthood, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heinrich Rau
- Psychotrauma Centre, German Armed Forces Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Urs M Nater
- Department of Clinical Psychology of Adulthood, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Christine Knaevelsrud
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Fischer S, Skoluda N, Ali N, Nater UM, Mewes R. Hair cortisol levels in women with medically unexplained symptoms. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 146:77-82. [PMID: 34954363 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.12.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Stress has been demonstrated to be involved in the development of medically unexplained symptoms. A key underlying mechanism could be lower levels of cortisol, which can contribute to symptoms such as fatigue or pain. However, the literature is highly equivocal, which may be due to methodological limitations inherent in short-term cortisol assessment. The aim of this case-control study was to investigate, for the first time, whether individuals with different forms of medically unexplained symptoms show altered hair cortisol concentrations, a long-term marker of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal functioning. Two groups of women with medically unexplained symptoms were recruited. The first had a functional somatic syndrome, characterised by specific medically unexplained symptoms (i.e., chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, or irritable bowel syndrome, n = 33). The second had somatic symptom disorder, characterised by excessive thoughts, feelings, and behaviours devoted to various medically unexplained symptoms (n = 23). These groups were contrasted with healthy controls (n = 30), and women with depression (n = 27). Cortisol representing the previous three months was extracted from hair. Chronic stress and childhood trauma were assessed (retrospectively). Women with somatic symptom disorder had lower hair cortisol than healthy controls and women with functional somatic syndromes. No differences in hair cortisol were found between healthy controls, functional somatic syndromes, and depression. Neither childhood trauma nor chronic stress was correlated with hair cortisol. Provided that our findings are replicated, they may suggest that hypocortisolism is found in a specific subgroup of individuals with medically unexplained symptoms, and potentially in those characterised by excessive thoughts, feelings, and behaviours about symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Fischer
- University of Zurich, Institute of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Switzerland.
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- University of Vienna, Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Austria
| | - Nida Ali
- University of Vienna, Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Austria
| | - Urs M Nater
- University of Vienna, Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Austria
| | - Ricarda Mewes
- University of Vienna, Department of Psychology, Outpatient Unit for Research, Teaching and Practice, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Grebosz-Haring K, Schuchter-Wiegand AK, Feneberg AC, Skoluda N, Nater UM, Schütz S, Thun-Hohenstein L. The Psychological and Biological Impact of "In-Person" vs. "Virtual" Choir Singing in Children and Adolescents: A Pilot Study Before and After the Acute Phase of the COVID-19 Outbreak in Austria. Front Psychol 2022; 12:773227. [PMID: 35058843 PMCID: PMC8764148 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.773227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychobiological responses to music have been examined previously in various naturalistic settings in adults. Choir singing seems to be associated with positive psychobiological outcomes in adults. However, evidence on the effectiveness of singing in children and adolescents is sparse. The COVID-19 outbreak is significantly affecting society now and in the future, including how individuals engage with music. The COVID-19 pandemic is occurring at a time when virtual participation in musical experiences such as singing in a virtual choir has become more prevalent. However, it remains unclear whether virtual singing leads to different responses in comparison with in-person singing. We evaluated the psychobiological effects of in-person choral singing (7 weeks, from January to March 2020, before the COVID-19 outbreak) in comparison with the effects of virtual choral singing (7 weeks, from May to July 2020, after schools partly re-opened in Austria) in a naturalistic pilot within-subject study. A group of children and young adolescents (N = 5, age range 10-13, female = 2) from a school in Salzburg, Austria were recruited to take part in the study. Subjective measures (momentary mood, stress) were taken pre- and post-singing sessions once a week. Additionally, salivary biomarkers (cortisol and alpha-amylase) and quantity of social contacts were assessed pre- and post-singing sessions every second week. Psychological stability, self-esteem, emotional competences, and chronic stress levels were measured at the beginning of in-person singing as well as at the beginning and the end of the virtual singing. We observed a positive impact on mood after both in-person and virtual singing. Over time, in-person singing showed a pre-post decrease in salivary cortisol, while virtual singing showed a moderate increase. Moreover, a greater reduction in stress, positive change in calmness, and higher values of social contacts could be observed for the in-person setting compared to the virtual one. In addition, we observed positive changes in psychological stability, maladaptive emotional competences, chronic stress levels, hair cortisol, self-contingency and quality of life. Our preliminary findings suggest that group singing may provide benefits for children and adolescents. In-person singing in particular seems to have a stronger psychobiological effect.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Grebosz-Haring
- Department of Musicology and Dance Studies, Faculty of Art History, Musicology and Dance Studies, Paris Lodron University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- Programme Area (Inter)Mediation. Music – Mediation – Context, Interuniversity Institution Knowledge and the Arts, Paris Lodron University Salzburg, University Mozarteum Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Anna K. Schuchter-Wiegand
- Department of Musicology and Dance Studies, Faculty of Art History, Musicology and Dance Studies, Paris Lodron University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- Programme Area (Inter)Mediation. Music – Mediation – Context, Interuniversity Institution Knowledge and the Arts, Paris Lodron University Salzburg, University Mozarteum Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Anja C. Feneberg
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- University Research Platform ‘The Stress of Life – Processes and Mechanisms Underlying Everyday Life Stress’, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- University Research Platform ‘The Stress of Life – Processes and Mechanisms Underlying Everyday Life Stress’, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Urs M. Nater
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- University Research Platform ‘The Stress of Life – Processes and Mechanisms Underlying Everyday Life Stress’, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sebastian Schütz
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Paris Lodron University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Leonhard Thun-Hohenstein
- University Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Christian-Doppler-Clinik, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Cosan AS, Schloß S, Vasen Z, Hausner M, Christiansen H, Becker K, Skoluda N, Nater UM, Pauli-Pott U. Mother's hair cortisol and symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in her preschool child. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 131:105279. [PMID: 34087522 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105279] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) require increased caregiver assistance and supervision, and their parents have shown high perceived parenting stress. Hence, physiological adjustment processes in the caregivers, involving the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, seem plausible. We analyzed the association between maternal hair cortisol concentration (HCC) and symptoms of ADHD in preschool-aged children. 150 mothers of 4-5-year-old children participated in the study. To determine the HCC, the first scalp-near 3 cm hair segment was used. ADHD symptoms of the child were measured using teacher- and parent-report questionnaires and a clinical interview with the mother. When controlling for several putative confounders, teacher-reported ADHD symptoms were significantly positively associated with mothers' HCC. No associations of HCC with the mother-reported ADHD symptoms of the child emerged. It is possible that teacher-reported ADHD symptoms of the child reflect relevant ADHD symptoms more validly. As our study is the first on this issue, cross-validation is needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alisa Susann Cosan
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Hans Sachs Str. 6, D-35039 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Susan Schloß
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Hans Sachs Str. 6, D-35039 Marburg, Germany
| | - Zoe Vasen
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Hans Sachs Str. 6, D-35039 Marburg, Germany
| | - Miriam Hausner
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Hans Sachs Str. 6, D-35039 Marburg, Germany
| | - Hanna Christiansen
- Department of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology & Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenbergstr 18, D-35037 Marburg, Germany
| | - Katja Becker
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Hans Sachs Str. 6, D-35039 Marburg, Germany; Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Hans-Meerwein-Straße 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010 Vienna, Austria
| | - Urs M Nater
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ursula Pauli-Pott
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Hans Sachs Str. 6, D-35039 Marburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Mann C, Schloß S, Cosan A, Becker K, Skoluda N, Nater UM, Pauli-Pott U. Hair cortisol concentration and neurocognitive functions in preschool children at risk of developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 131:105322. [PMID: 34175557 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Sex differences have been shown in the relation between hair cortisol concentration (HCC) and ADHD symptoms. As an extension of these findings, we analyze whether a child's sex modulates the associations between HCC and ADHD-related neurocognitive functions. METHODS A community-based sample of 122 children was tested at age 4-5 (T1) and 8 (T2) years. At T1 and T2, ADHD symptoms were assessed with clinical parent interviews and parent and teacher questionnaires. Neurocognitive functions (i.e. T1: inhibitory control, working memory (WM), T2: verbal and performance intelligence (IQ-p)) were assessed using (neuro-)psychological tests. At T1, HCC was analyzed in the most proximal 3 cm scalp hair segment using luminescence immunoassay. RESULTS Exclusively in boys, low HCC correlated with low WM and IQ-p. The sex-by-HCC interaction effect on WM was significant. In boys, HCC completely explained the links of ADHD inattention symptoms with WM and IQ-p, respectively. CONCLUSION Results suggest a specific neurocognitive/endocrine profile in preschool boys at risk of developing ADHD, comprising hypocortisolism combined with memory and attention deficits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Mann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Hans Sachs Str. 6, D-35039 Marburg, Germany
| | - Susan Schloß
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Hans Sachs Str. 6, D-35039 Marburg, Germany
| | - Alisa Cosan
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Hans Sachs Str. 6, D-35039 Marburg, Germany
| | - Katja Becker
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Hans Sachs Str. 6, D-35039 Marburg, Germany; Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Hans-Meerwein-Straße 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010 Vienna, Austria
| | - Urs M Nater
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ursula Pauli-Pott
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Hans Sachs Str. 6, D-35039 Marburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Kuhn L, Noack H, Skoluda N, Wagels L, Röhr AK, Schulte C, Eisenkolb S, Nieratschker V, Derntl B, Habel U. The association of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and the response to different stressors in healthy males. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2021; 128:1347-1359. [PMID: 34374855 PMCID: PMC8423678 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-021-02390-4] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The experience of stress is related to individual wellbeing and vulnerability to psychopathology. Therefore, understanding the determinants of individual differences in stress reactivity is of great concern from a clinical perspective. The functional promotor polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR/rs25531) is such a factor, which has been linked to the acute stress response as well as the adverse effect of life stressors. In the present study, we compared the impact of two different stress induction protocols (Maastricht Acute Stress Test and ScanSTRESS) and the respective control conditions on affective ratings, salivary cortisol levels and cognitive performance. To this end, 156 healthy young males were tested and genotyped for the 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 polymorphism. While combined physiological and psychological stress in the MAST led to a greater cortisol increase compared to control conditions as well as the psychosocial ScanSTRESS, subjective stress ratings were highest in the ScanSTRESS condition. Stress induction in general affected working memory capacity but not response inhibition. Subjective stress was also influenced by 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 genotype with the high expression group showing lower stress ratings than lower expression groups. In line with previous research, we identified the low expression variant of the serotonin transporter gene as a risk factor for increased stress reactivity. While some dimensions of the human stress response may be stressor specific, cognitive outcomes such as working memory performance are influenced by stress in general. Different pathways of stress processing and possible underlying mechanisms are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leandra Kuhn
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Hannes Noack
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Clinical Psychology of Adulthood, Faculty for Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lisa Wagels
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine: JARA-Institute Brain Structure Function Relationship (INM 10), Research Center Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Ann-Kristin Röhr
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Christina Schulte
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sana Eisenkolb
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Vanessa Nieratschker
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Birgit Derntl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Lead Research Network, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ute Habel
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine: JARA-Institute Brain Structure Function Relationship (INM 10), Research Center Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Szép A, Skoluda N, Schloß S, Becker K, Pauli-Pott U, Nater UM. The impact of preschool child and maternal attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms on mothers' perceived chronic stress and hair cortisol. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2021; 128:1311-1324. [PMID: 34228219 PMCID: PMC8423631 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-021-02377-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Providing care for a child with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with parenting stress. Moreover, adults with elevated ADHD symptoms report increased perceived stress. Despite this, it has rarely been examined whether and how child and maternal ADHD symptoms may affect maternal perceived stress and the stress-sensitive hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. This study therefore investigated the possible impact of child and maternal ADHD symptoms on mothers' perceived chronic stress and hair cortisol concentration (HCC), while simultaneously considering the effects of child oppositional defiant/conduct disorder (ODD/CD) and maternal depressive symptomatology. In total, 124 mothers (35.96 ± 5.21 years) of preschool children were included. Maternal perceived stress, ADHD and depressive symptoms were assessed using self-report measures. Child ADHD symptoms were assessed using an interview and questionnaires completed by mothers and teachers. Additionally, mothers provided information about their children’s ODD/CD symptoms. Hair samples were taken from mothers to assess HCC. Child and maternal ADHD, child ODD/CD, and maternal depressive symptoms accounted for 50% of the variance in perceived chronic stress (F(4, 119) = 30.24; p < 0.01), with only maternal ADHD (β = 0.52, p < 0.01) and depressive symptoms (β = 0.49, p < 0.01) being uniquely significant. Maternal ADHD symptoms did not moderate the relationship between child ADHD symptoms and maternal perceived chronic stress (b = − 0.01; SE b = 0.17; t(5, 118) = − 0.05; p = 0.96). Mother’s age became the only significant predictor of maternal HCC (β = 0.29; p < 0.01). Based on these findings, practitioners are advised to be aware of and take into account possible maternal ADHD and depressive symptomatology and perceived chronic stress when treating children diagnosed with ADHD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Szép
- Clinical Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence, Department of Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenbergstraße 18, 35032, Marburg, Germany
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010, Vienna, Austria
| | - Susan Schloß
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Hans Sachs Str. 6, 35039, Marburg, Germany
| | - Katja Becker
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Hans Sachs Str. 6, 35039, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ursula Pauli-Pott
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Hans Sachs Str. 6, 35039, Marburg, Germany
| | - Urs M Nater
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010, Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Skoluda N, Dhrami I, Nater UM. Factors contributing to stability and instability in alpha-amylase activity in diluted saliva samples over time. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2020; 121:104847. [PMID: 32889490 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
For the measurement of salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) activity, saliva samples first have to be diluted. There is some evidence for instability, that is, a decline of sAA activity in diluted samples. It is not clear which factors during dilution may contribute to this phenomenon and how quickly this decline of sAA activity occurs. Several experiments were conducted to investigate whether and how the material of the container (polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), glass; experiment 1) and the diluent (saline (NaCl) solution, phosphate buffer saline (PBS), ultra-pure water; experiment 2) may affect sAA stability in diluted samples over a broad time window of up to 5 h. To study the velocity of the phenomenon in a fine-grained temporal resolution, sAA activity during the dilution process was studied (experiment 3). The results suggest that the (in)stability of sAA activity in diluted samples is determined by the interaction of material, diluent, and time. The sAA activity was relatively stable if saliva samples were diluted with a NaCl solution or PBS in glass tubes. However, sAA activity in diluted samples decreased in plastic containers (PS, PP), or if ultra-pure water was used as the diluent. There was a clear time effect on this decline. However, the decline appears to require some time to evolve and may not occur immediately during the dilution process. To conclude, the dilution of saliva samples should preferably be conducted with NaCl solution or PBS in glass containers. If glass containers are not available, PS and PP containers can be used if the dilution is processed quickly (within 25 min) and the measurement is initiated immediately upon dilution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Skoluda
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Ina Dhrami
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010, Vienna, Austria
| | - Urs M Nater
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010, Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Massaccesi C, Korb S, Skoluda N, Nater UM, Silani G. Effects of Appetitive and Aversive Motivational States on Wanting and Liking of Interpersonal Touch. Neuroscience 2020; 464:12-25. [PMID: 32949673 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Social rewards represent a strong driving force behind decisions and behaviors. Previous research suggests that the processing of a reward depends on the initial state of the individual. However, empirical research in humans on the influence of motivational states on reward processing is scant, especially for rewards of social nature. In the present study, we aimed at investigating how aversive and appetitive motivation affects the processing of social rewards, such as interpersonal touch. Participants (n = 102) were assigned to an appetitive (positive) or aversive (negative) motivational state condition (via modified versions of the Trier Social Stress Test) or to a control condition. After the state induction, their (a) self-reports of wanting and liking, (b) effort, and (c) hedonic facial reactions during anticipation and consumption of interpersonal touch, were measured. Participants in the aversive group showed higher subjective wanting of interpersonal touch, but no changes in subjective liking, compared to the control group. The aversive group also showed stronger positive hedonic facial reactions during reward anticipation, reflecting stronger anticipatory pleasure. No significant effects were found for the appetitive group. The results indicate that, after being exposed to an aversive experience, the motivation to obtain interpersonal touch, as well as the associated anticipatory pleasure, increase, without a corresponding change in liking during or after its consumption. The findings point to differential state-dependent effects on the processing of social rewards, possibly due to the action of different neurobiological systems regulating reward anticipation and consumption.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Massaccesi
- Faculty of Psychology, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Austria.
| | - Sebastian Korb
- Faculty of Psychology, Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna, Austria; Faculty of Psychology, University of Essex, Colchester, UK
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Faculty of Psychology, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Urs M Nater
- Faculty of Psychology, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Giorgia Silani
- Faculty of Psychology, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Fischer S, Schumacher S, Skoluda N, Strahler J. Fingernail cortisol - State of research and future directions. Front Neuroendocrinol 2020; 58:100855. [PMID: 32730860 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The extraction of cortisol from fingernails represents a recent advancement in the retrospective, long-term assessment of hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal (HPA) axis activity: Fingernail cortisol has the potential to overcome some of the major disadvantages of established HPA axis markers. However, the introduction of any novel methodology also raises certain caveats. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the current state of research on fingernail cortisol. It identifies a number of strengths of his novel methodology (e.g., its high feasibility), while also pointing out open questions which currently challenge the interpretability of fingernail findings, in particular regarding the time period of cortisol secretion reflected in fingernail samples, as well as regarding potential determinants or confounders of fingernail cortisol (e.g. sociodemographic, lifestyle, or health characteristics). Clarification of these issues in the context of further methodological studies is necessary to validate the use of fingernail cortisol as a retrospective marker of HPA axis activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Fischer
- University of Zurich, Institute of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Sarah Schumacher
- Freie Universität Berlin, Department of Education and Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- University of Vienna, Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jana Strahler
- University of Giessen, Department of Psychology and Sport Sciences, Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Giessen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Law M, Jarrett P, Nater UM, Skoluda N, Broadbent E. The effects of environmental enrichment on skin barrier recovery in humans: a randomised trial. Sci Rep 2020; 10:9829. [PMID: 32555211 PMCID: PMC7299948 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66687-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated whether environmental enrichment (EE) could reduce stress and improve wound healing in humans. 120 participants underwent a standardised tape-stripping procedure and were then randomised to interact for 30 minutes with one of three EE interventions (comfort blankets as tactile enrichment, music as auditory enrichment or a Paro robot as multi-sensory enrichment) or to a control group. Skin barrier recovery (SBR) was measured using transepidermal water loss at baseline, after tape-stripping and after the intervention. Psychological variables, cortisol and alpha-amylase were measured at the three time-points. SBR did not significantly differ between the EE conditions and the control condition. The music condition had higher stimulation levels than the control condition, and the comfort condition had significantly lower relaxation levels than the control condition after the intervention. The EE interventions tested were not beneficial for wound healing compared to a control group. Limitations were that the sample were not stressed and an active control condition was used.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mikaela Law
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Paul Jarrett
- Department of Dermatology, Middlemore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Medicine, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Urs M Nater
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, 1010, Austria
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, 1010, Austria
| | - Elizabeth Broadbent
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Law M, Minissale G, Lambert A, Nater UM, Skoluda N, Ryckman N, Tahara-Eckl L, Bandzo M, Broadbent E. Viewing Landscapes Is More Stimulating Than Scrambled Images After a Stressor: A Cross-disciplinary Approach. Front Psychol 2020; 10:3092. [PMID: 32038433 PMCID: PMC6992591 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.03092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Research has demonstrated that nature is beneficial for many aspects of one’s health. This pilot study aimed to investigate whether viewing landscape artworks, as a form of representational nature, could improve psychological and physiological recovery from a laboratory stressor. A sample of 30 participants was randomized to one of two conditions: landscape and scrambled. After a laboratory stress task, participants in the landscape condition viewed a series of landscape paintings for 30 min; participants in the scrambled condition viewed digitally scrambled versions of these artworks as a control condition. Pupil size was measured while viewing the images using an eye tracker. Affect, drowsiness and fatigue, and the salivary stress biomarkers, cortisol, and alpha-amylase were measured at baseline, after the stressor, and after the artwork viewing period. After the viewing period, the scrambled condition had increased reports of low negative affect (which contains the variables of sleepy, dull, and sluggish) (p = 0.045, ηp2 = 0.12) and increased reports of drowsiness (p = 0.038, ηp2 = 0.12). Salivary cortisol levels decreased more rapidly while viewing the scrambled images compared to the landscape artworks (p = 0.027, ηp2 = 0.62). Lastly, pupil size while viewing the landscape artworks was larger than when viewing a blank screen (p = 0.025, ηp2 = 0.33), an effect not seen in the scrambled condition. This pilot study suggests that viewing landscape artworks was more stimulating and reduced drowsiness after stress when compared to viewing scrambled images.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mikaela Law
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Gregory Minissale
- Department of Art History, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Anthony Lambert
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Urs M Nater
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nathan Ryckman
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Martina Bandzo
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Elizabeth Broadbent
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Strahler J, Nater UM, Skoluda N. Associations between Health Behaviors and Factors on Markers of Healthy Psychological and Physiological Functioning: a Daily Diary Study. Ann Behav Med 2019; 54:22-35. [DOI: 10.1093/abm/kaz018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Cross-sectional and experimental knowledge highlight the contribution of various health-promoting behaviors, such as physical activity, regular sleep, and healthy nutrition to mental and physical health. Beyond these well-studied lifestyle behaviors, music listening and perceived respect in social interactions are just recently proposed everyday life experiences, which may act as health-promoting factors.
Purpose
This study tested the simultaneous contribution of several health-promoting behaviors and factors and examined listening to music and positive social interaction by means of perceived respect as new potentially preventive and health-promoting behaviors and factors using an ambulatory assessment design.
Methods
Seventy-seven young healthy adults (38 women, 23.9 ± 4.5 years) completed surveys on their psychological state (i.e., mood, stress, and fatigue) five times a day for four consecutive days. A saliva sample was collected with each data entry to explore the physiological stress markers salivary cortisol, alpha-amylase, and flow rate as further outcome variables. As predictors, perceived respect, self-reported physical activity, the sleep’s restfulness, daily coffee, alcohol, vegetable/fruit consumption, and music listening behavior were recorded.
Results
Overall, restful sleep, mean daily perceived respect, and listening to music were most clearly associated with more positive psychological states, that is, better mood and lower fatigue and perceived stress. Associations with daily alcohol, coffee, and vegetable/fruit consumption appeared rather minor. While perceived respect scores were associated with lower daily cortisol output, coffee consumption was positively related to daily cortisol and alpha-amylase. Self-reported physical activity was unrelated to either outcome measure.
Conclusions
These findings provide important insights regarding potential resources of health (i.e., music and respect), their covariation, and which psycho-physiological mechanisms may underlie the links between health factors and well-being. Findings also have implications for the development of interventions aiming to increase resilience and foster health. Here, strategies for improving sleep quality, the use of music, and approaches that emphasize mutual respect and appreciation appear useful additions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jana Strahler
- Clinical Biopsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Department of Psychology and Sport Science, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Urs M Nater
- Clinical Biopsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Clinical Biopsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Applied Psychology: Health, Development, Enhancement and Intervention, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Klaus K, Doerr JM, Strahler J, Skoluda N, Linnemann A, Nater UM. Poor night's sleep predicts following day's salivary alpha-amylase under high but not low stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 101:80-86. [PMID: 30428443 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.10.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Although sleep is linked to physiological stress systems like the autonomic nervous system (ANS), research is still limited regarding night-and-day interactions between nocturnal sleep characteristics, stress, and diurnal parameters of salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) as a surrogate marker of ANS activity. Fifty healthy university students rated their chronic stress burden and completed two five-day periods of ecological momentary assessment - under everyday conditions of both low stress (beginning of semester) and high stress (final examination preparation). Participants collected saliva six times daily and reported on the previous night's sleep (quality, latency, duration, disturbances) immediately after awakening. Additionally, a sub-sample wore actigraphs recording 'time in bed'. In contrast to previous assumptions, poor sleep predicted lower sAA awakening values, more decreased awakening responses, and steeper diurnal slopes the following day only under high stress, but not under low stress. Diurnal sAA parameters did not predict the following night's sleep characteristics. The sAA profile does not seem to be sensitive to everyday occurring sleep variations, but rather seems to be an indicator of more prolonged stress induced ANS dysregulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Klaus
- Clinical Biopsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Marburg, Gutenbergstrasse 18, 35032, Marburg, Germany.
| | - Johanna M Doerr
- Clinical Biopsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Marburg, Gutenbergstrasse 18, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Jana Strahler
- Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Department of Psychology and Sport Science, University of Giessen, Otto-Behaghel-Strasse 10H, 35394, Giessen, Germany
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexandra Linnemann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Untere Zahlbacher Strasse 8, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Urs M Nater
- Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010, Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Schloß S, Müller V, Becker K, Skoluda N, Nater UM, Pauli-Pott U. Hair cortisol concentration in mothers and their children: roles of maternal sensitivity and child symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2018; 126:1135-1144. [PMID: 30374597 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-018-1944-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Associations between mothers' and children's cortisol secretion parameters are well established. According to the bio-behavioral synchrony model, these associations reflect influences of the mother-child relationship, the child's social adjustment, and might also reflect shared genetic dispositions. From the bio-behavioral synchrony model, we predicted a stronger mother-child hair cortisol concentration (HCC) link in mothers showing highly adequate (compared to those showing less adequate) parenting behaviors and in children showing low (compared to those showing high) ADHD symptoms. From a genetic perspective, no such moderator effects, or a stronger mother-child HCC link in children with high ADHD symptoms, can be expected. The study sample consisted of 111 4-5-year-old children (64 of whom screened positive for increased ADHD symptoms) and their mothers. ADHD symptoms were assessed by a clinical interview and parent and teacher questionnaires. Maternal sensitive/responsive parenting behavior was assessed by an at-home behavior observation procedure. In mothers and children, HCC in the most proximal 3-cm scalp hair segment was analyzed using luminescence immunoassay. Overall HCCs of mothers and their children correlated significantly. Maternal sensitivity/responsiveness and child ADHD symptoms proved to be significant moderator variables of this association: High maternal sensitivity/responsiveness and low ADHD symptoms of the child were associated with a stronger mother-child link in HCC. The findings are in line with the bio-behavioral synchrony model in the mother-child relationship, and are less compatible with a genetic perspective. The results might hint at environmental events influencing the development of stress axis functioning in subgroups of preschoolers with high ADHD symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susan Schloß
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Hans Sachs Str. 6, 35039, Marburg, Germany
| | - Viola Müller
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Hans Sachs Str. 6, 35039, Marburg, Germany
| | - Katja Becker
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Hans Sachs Str. 6, 35039, Marburg, Germany
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Clinical Biopsychology, Department of Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenbergstraße 18, 35032, Marburg, Germany.,Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010, Vienna, Austria
| | - Urs M Nater
- Clinical Biopsychology, Department of Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenbergstraße 18, 35032, Marburg, Germany.,Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ursula Pauli-Pott
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Hans Sachs Str. 6, 35039, Marburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Schemer L, Vlaeyen JW, Doerr JM, Skoluda N, Nater UM, Rief W, Glombiewski JA. Treatment processes during exposure and cognitive-behavioral therapy for chronic back pain: A single-case experimental design with multiple baselines. Behav Res Ther 2018; 108:58-67. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2018.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [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: 03/24/2018] [Revised: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
|
34
|
Roerink ME, Roerink SHPP, Skoluda N, van der Schaaf ME, Hermus ARMM, van der Meer JWM, Knoop H, Nater UM. Hair and salivary cortisol in a cohort of women with chronic fatigue syndrome. Horm Behav 2018; 103:1-6. [PMID: 29807037 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2018.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Hypocortisolism has been found in CFS patients in blood, urine, and saliva. It is unclear if hypocortisolism can also be demonstrated using long-term cortisol measurements, such as cortisol in hair. In addition, the interaction between the HPA axis and the immune system, both expected to play an important role in CFS, is unclear. The objective of the current study was to compare hair and salivary cortisol concentrations in a cohort of female CFS patients to those in healthy controls, and to test the effect of an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (anakinra) on the HPA axis. Salivary cortisol concentrations of 107 CFS patients were compared to 59 healthy controls, with CFS patients showing a decreased cortisol awakening response (4.2 nmol/L ± 5.4 vs 6.1 nmol/L ± 6.3, p = 0.036). Total cortisol output during the day did not differ significantly in saliva, but there was a trend to lower hair cortisol in a subset of 46 patients compared to 46 controls (3.8 pg/mg ± 2.1 vs 4.3 pg/mg ± 1.8, p = 0.062). After four weeks of treatment with either daily anakinra (100 mg/day) or placebo, there was a slight decrease of hair cortisol concentrations in the anakinra group compared to an increase in the placebo group (p = 0.022). This study confirms the altered dynamics of the HPA axis in a group of CFS patients, and for the first time shows that this might also be present for long-term cortisol measures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Roerink
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Sean H P P Roerink
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Department of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marieke E van der Schaaf
- The Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Ad R M M Hermus
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jos W M van der Meer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Hans Knoop
- Department of Medical Psychology, Academic Medical Center (AMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Urs M Nater
- Department of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Fischer S, Markert C, Strahler J, Doerr JM, Skoluda N, Kappert M, Nater UM. Thyroid Functioning and Fatigue in Women With Functional Somatic Syndromes - Role of Early Life Adversity. Front Physiol 2018; 9:564. [PMID: 29875680 PMCID: PMC5974249 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Fatigue is a core feature of functional somatic syndromes (FSS). Fatigue is also prominent in patients with thyroid diseases, which is unsurprising given the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis in regulating physiological energy demands. Research in healthy women has shown that early life adversity is linked with alterations in the HPT axis. In view of the substantial prevalence of early life adversity in patients with FSS, our aim was to investigate whether HPT functioning is related to (a) fatigue, and (b) early life adversity in these patients. Methods:N = 33 female patients with FSS and n = 30 age-matched controls were recruited. Fasting morning blood samples were taken to determine thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (fT3), and thyroxine (fT4). General, physical, and mental fatigue were measured via the multidimensional fatigue inventory (MFI). Early life adversity was measured using the childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ). Results: Patients with FSS did not differ from controls in any thyroid parameters (all p > 0.672). However, the lower the patients' TSH and the higher their fT4, the greater was their general (β = -0.32, p = 0.064; β = 0.35, p = 0.038) and physical (β = -0.47, p = 0.007; β = 0.32, p = 0.077) fatigue. In addition, emotional neglect (β = -0.32, p = 0.057), physical neglect (β = -0.60, p = 0.001), physical abuse (β = -0.47, p = 0.015), and sexual abuse (β = -0.40, p = 0.026) were linked with lower TSH. Conclusion: The lower TSH and the higher fT4, the more fatigue was reported by patients with FSS. In addition, lower TSH was linked with more early life adversity. Larger, prospective studies are warranted to determine whether HPT functioning may be a mediating pathway between early life adversity and fatigue in FSS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Fischer
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Charlotte Markert
- Clinical Biopsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Jana Strahler
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Sport Science, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Johanna M Doerr
- Clinical Biopsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mattes Kappert
- Clinical Biopsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Urs M Nater
- Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Schloß S, Ruhl I, Müller V, Becker K, Skoluda N, Nater UM, Pauli-Pott U. Low hair cortisol concentration and emerging attention-deficit/hyperactivity symptoms in preschool age. Dev Psychobiol 2018; 60:722-729. [DOI: 10.1002/dev.21627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Susan Schloß
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy; Philipps-University of Marburg; Marburg Germany
| | - Isabelle Ruhl
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy; Philipps-University of Marburg; Marburg Germany
| | - Viola Müller
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy; Philipps-University of Marburg; Marburg Germany
| | - Katja Becker
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy; Philipps-University of Marburg; Marburg Germany
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Clinical Biopsychology; Department of Psychology; Philipps-University of Marburg; Marburg Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy; University of Tübingen; Tübingen Germany
| | - Urs M. Nater
- Clinical Biopsychology; Department of Psychology; Philipps-University of Marburg; Marburg Germany
- Clinical Psychology; Department of Psychology; University of Vienna; Vienna Austria
| | - Ursula Pauli-Pott
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy; Philipps-University of Marburg; Marburg Germany
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Kunzler A, Skoluda N, Nater U. [The Role of Resilience Factors in Informal Caregivers of Dementia Patients - A Review on Selected Factors]. Psychother Psychosom Med Psychol 2018; 68:10-21. [PMID: 29294504 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-118652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
In the face of demographic change, the informal care of dementia patients is becoming increasingly important. However, due to dementia symptoms as well as persisting care demands, this subgroup of informal caregivers is confronted with a large number of stressors resulting in chronic stress and impaired physical and mental health in many caregivers. Based on the current research on resilience (i. e., maintaining or regaining health despite stress and adversities), there is increasing interest in identifying resilience factors that may serve as resources to cope with informal care and protect caregivers against health problems. The review discusses the role of resilience factors in the association between ongoing caregiving stress and health. In analyzing the current state of research on resilience factors for dementia caregivers, we focus on the factors self-efficacy, relationship quality, and social support.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela Kunzler
- Deutsches Resilienz-Zentrum (DRZ), Universitätsmedizin Mainz.,Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsmedizin Mainz
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Klinische Biopsychologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg.,Fakultät für Psychologie, Universität Wien, Österreich
| | - Urs Nater
- Klinische Biopsychologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg.,Fakultät für Psychologie, Universität Wien, Österreich
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Robinson H, Ravikulan A, Nater UM, Skoluda N, Jarrett P, Broadbent E. The role of social closeness during tape stripping to facilitate skin barrier recovery: Preliminary findings. Health Psychol 2017; 36:619-629. [DOI: 10.1037/hea0000492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
|
39
|
Skoluda N, La Marca R, Gollwitzer M, Müller A, Limm H, Marten-Mittag B, Gündel H, Angerer P, Nater UM. Long-term stability of diurnal salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase secretion patterns. Physiol Behav 2017; 175:1-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Revised: 02/18/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
40
|
Mewes R, Reich H, Skoluda N, Seele F, Nater UM. Elevated hair cortisol concentrations in recently fled asylum seekers in comparison to permanently settled immigrants and non-immigrants. Transl Psychiatry 2017; 7:e1051. [PMID: 28267148 PMCID: PMC5416663 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2017.14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Revised: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently fled asylum seekers generally live in stressful conditions. Their residency status is mostly insecure and, similar to other immigrants, they experience stress due to acculturation. Moreover, they often suffer from traumatization and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). All of these factors can result in chronic maladaptive biological stress responses in terms of hyper- or hypocortisolism and, ultimately, illness. We believe the current study is the first to compare hair cortisol concentration (HCC) of recently fled asylum seekers with PTSD to those without PTSD, and to compare HCC of asylum seekers to HCC of permanently settled immigrants and non-immigrant individuals. HCC of the previous 2 months was compared between 24 asylum seekers without PTSD, 32 asylum seekers with PTSD, 24 permanently settled healthy Turkish immigrants and 28 non-immigrant healthy Germans as the reference group. Statistical comparisons were controlled for age, sex and body mass index. No significant difference in HCC was found between asylum seekers with and without PTSD. However, the asylum seekers showed a 42% higher HCC than the reference group. In contrast, the permanently settled immigrants exhibited a 23% lower HCC than the reference group. We found relative hypercortisolism in recently fled asylum seekers, but no difference between persons with and without PTSD. These findings add to the very few studies investigating HCC in groups with recent traumatization and unsafe living conditions. Contrary to the findings in asylum seekers, permanently settled immigrants showed relative hypocortisolism. Both hyper- and hypocortisolism may set the stage for the development of stress-related illnesses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Mewes
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany,Division of Clinical Biopsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Marburg, Gutenbergstrasse 18, Marburg 35032, Germany. E-mail:
| | - H Reich
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - N Skoluda
- Division of Clinical Biopsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - F Seele
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - U M Nater
- Division of Clinical Biopsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Abstract
Perceived ethnic discrimination has a negative impact on health. One of the key mechanisms may be a dysregulation of stress-responsive systems. Our aims were to investigate whether (1) acute face-to-face ethnic discrimination induces a stress response, and (2) to compare long-term endocrine functioning between immigrants and nonimmigrants. 30 male Turkish immigrants living in Germany underwent an ethnic discrimination condition and a control condition in the laboratory. Perceived ethnic discrimination, stress, salivary alpha-amylase and cortisol were measured four times. Heart rate and electrodermal activity were measured continuously. In addition, hair samples were collected from immigrants and 25 male nonimmigrants to determine long-term cortisol concentrations. Immigrants showed increases in perceived ethnic discrimination, stress, heart rate, alpha-amylase and cortisol during the ethnic discrimination condition. Immigrants had significantly lower hair cortisol concentrations than nonimmigrants. These findings suggest that acute ethnic discrimination elicits a psychobiological stress response. Abnormalities in long-term endocrine functioning in ethnic minorities may set the stage for the development of stress-related illnesses. Lay summary The present study found that racial discrimination of Turkish immigrants induced both psychological and physiological stress responses in the laboratory. Immigrants showed lower hair cortisol concentrations than nonimmigrants, indicating a dysregulated biological stress system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Fischer
- a Department of Psychology, Clinical Biopsychology , University of Marburg , Marburg , Germany
| | - Urs M Nater
- a Department of Psychology, Clinical Biopsychology , University of Marburg , Marburg , Germany
| | - Jana Strahler
- a Department of Psychology, Clinical Biopsychology , University of Marburg , Marburg , Germany
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- a Department of Psychology, Clinical Biopsychology , University of Marburg , Marburg , Germany
| | - Leander Dieterich
- a Department of Psychology, Clinical Biopsychology , University of Marburg , Marburg , Germany
| | - Orgun Oezcan
- b Department of Psychology, Social Psychology , University of Marburg , Marburg , Germany
| | - Ricarda Mewes
- a Department of Psychology, Clinical Biopsychology , University of Marburg , Marburg , Germany
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Abstract
Fatigue is one of the most commonly reported complaints in the general population. As physical activity (PA) has been shown to have beneficial effects, we hypothesized that everyday life PA improves fatigue. Thirty-three healthy students (21 women, 22.8 ± 3.3 years, 21.7 ± 2.3 kg/m(2)) completed two ambulatory assessment periods. During five days at the beginning of the semester (control condition) and five days during final examination preparation (examination condition), participants repeatedly reported on general fatigue (awakening, 10 am, 2 pm, 6 pm and 9 pm) by means of an electronic diary, collected saliva samples for the assessment of cortisol and α-amylase immediately after providing information on fatigue and wore a triaxial accelerometer to continuously record PA. Self-perceived chronic stress was assessed as a moderator. Using hierarchical linear modeling, including PA, condition (control vs. examination), sex and chronic stress as predictors, PA level during the 15 min prior to data entry did not predict momentary fatigue level. Furthermore, there was no effect of condition. However, a significant cross-level interaction of perceived chronic stress with PA was observed. In fact, the (negative) relationship between PA and fatigue was stronger in those participants with less chronic stress. Neither cortisol nor α-amylase was significantly related to physical activity or fatigue. Our study showed an immediate short-term buffering effect of everyday life PA on general fatigue, but only when experiencing lower chronic stress. There seems to be no short-term benefit of PA in the face of higher chronic stress. These findings highlight the importance of considering chronic stress when evaluating the effectiveness of PA interventions in different target populations, in particular among chronically stressed and fatigued subjects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jana Strahler
- a Clinical Biopsychology Unit, Department of Psychology , University of Marburg , Marburg , Germany
| | - Johanna M Doerr
- a Clinical Biopsychology Unit, Department of Psychology , University of Marburg , Marburg , Germany
| | - Beate Ditzen
- b Department of Medical Psychology, Center for Psychosocial Medicine , University Hospital Heidelberg , Heidelberg , Germany
| | - Alexandra Linnemann
- a Clinical Biopsychology Unit, Department of Psychology , University of Marburg , Marburg , Germany
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- a Clinical Biopsychology Unit, Department of Psychology , University of Marburg , Marburg , Germany
| | - Urs M Nater
- a Clinical Biopsychology Unit, Department of Psychology , University of Marburg , Marburg , Germany
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Strahler J, Skoluda N, Rohleder N, Nater UM. Dysregulated stress signal sensitivity and inflammatory disinhibition as a pathophysiological mechanism of stress-related chronic fatigue. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 68:298-318. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Revised: 05/03/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
|
44
|
Abstract
Awakening responses in salivary cortisol (CAR) and alpha-amylase (AAR) constitute proxies of morning activation patterns of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and autonomic nervous system, respectively. Previous studies suggest that the CAR is decreased at weekends and at late awakening. However, it is insufficiently studied (a) whether this also applies to the AAR and (b) whether week(end)-day and awakening time interact with each other. Using an ecological momentary assessment design, 48 healthy young adults (60% women) were investigated over a 7-d period (Study 1), and 27 chronic pain patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome were examined over a 14-d period (Study 2). For the assessment of the CAR and AAR, participants provided saliva samples each morning (upon awakening, 30 min after awakening). Preprogrammed electronic diary devices were used to track week(end)-day and exact time of saliva sampling (awakening time). In Study 1, CAR was unrelated to weekend, awakening time, or their interaction, whereas only early awakening time was positively associated with AAR. In Study 2, week-days as well as early awakening times on week-days predicted increased CAR. AARs were not predicted by week(end)-day, awakening times, or their interaction. These findings suggest that time-related factors may influence awakening responses, particularly the impact of week(end)-day on the CAR and the impact of awakening times on the AAR. Since week(end)-day and awakening times may negatively affect awakening responses, these potential confounding factors should be assessed and controlled for, particularly in studies assessing both CAR and AAR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Skoluda
- a Department of Psychology , University of Marburg , Marburg , Germany
| | | | - Urs M Nater
- a Department of Psychology , University of Marburg , Marburg , Germany
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Doerr JM, Ditzen B, Strahler J, Linnemann A, Ziemek J, Skoluda N, Hoppmann CA, Nater UM. Reciprocal relationship between acute stress and acute fatigue in everyday life in a sample of university students. Biol Psychol 2015; 110:42-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2015.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2014] [Revised: 03/26/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
|
46
|
Yim IS, Quas JA, Rush EB, Granger DA, Skoluda N. Experimental manipulation of the Trier Social Stress Test-Modified (TSST-M) to vary arousal across development. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2015; 57:61-71. [PMID: 25885544 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [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: 08/09/2014] [Revised: 02/18/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Reliable laboratory protocols manipulating the intensity of biobehavioral arousal for children are uncommon, and those available have minimal converging evidence of their efficacy in manipulating arousal across multiple biological systems. This report presents two studies of the efficacy of the modified Trier Social Stress Test (TSST-M). In Study 1, sixty-three 7-15-year olds, and 19 young adults (18-25 yrs) completed the TSST-M. Comparable reactivity across age groups was observed for salivary cortisol, salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), pre-ejection period (PEP) and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), whereas self-reported stress was higher in adults compared to children. In Study 2, eighty-four 7-8-year olds and eighty-six 12-15-year olds were randomly assigned to a standard or low-stress TSST-M condition. Cortisol and self-reported stress responses were higher in the standard compared to the low-stress condition. In contrast, sAA and PEP were higher in the low-stress condition and RSA responses were comparable between the two TSST-M conditions. In addition, age group differences emerged in Study 2, though never in conjunction with the TSST-M manipulation. To test, refine, and advance theory about the implications of stress for child development, laboratory tasks that manipulate and enable assessment of biobehavioral arousal in children are needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilona S Yim
- Department of Psychology and Social Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-7085, United States.
| | - Jodi A Quas
- Department of Psychology and Social Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-7085, United States
| | - Elizabeth B Rush
- Department of Psychology and Social Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-7085, United States
| | - Douglas A Granger
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Salivary Bioscience Research, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-3604, United States; School of Nursing and Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205-2110, United States
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Department of Psychology and Social Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-7085, United States
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Skoluda N, Strahler J, Schlotz W, Niederberger L, Marques S, Fischer S, Thoma MV, Spoerri C, Ehlert U, Nater UM. Intra-individual psychological and physiological responses to acute laboratory stressors of different intensity. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2015; 51:227-36. [PMID: 25462896 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [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: 06/06/2014] [Revised: 09/10/2014] [Accepted: 10/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The phenomenon of stress is understood as a multidimensional concept which can be captured by psychological and physiological measures. There are various laboratory stress protocols which enable stress to be investigated under controlled conditions. However, little is known about whether these protocols differ with regard to the induced psycho-physiological stress response pattern. METHODS In a within-subjects design, 20 healthy young men underwent four of the most common stress protocols (Stroop test [Stroop], cold pressor test [CPT], Trier Social Stress Test [TSST], and bicycle ergometer test [Ergometer]) and a no-stress control condition (rest) in a randomized order. For the multidimensional assessment of the stress response, perceived stress, endocrine and autonomic biomarkers (salivary cortisol, salivary alpha-amylase, and heart rate) were obtained during the experiments. RESULTS All stress protocols evoked increases in perceived stress levels, with the highest levels in the TSST, followed by Ergometer, Stroop, and CPT. The highest HPA axis response was found in the TSST, followed by Ergometer, CPT, and Stroop, whilst the highest autonomic response was found in the Ergometer, followed by TSST, Stroop, and CPT. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that different stress protocols differentially stimulate various aspects of the stress response. Physically demanding stress protocols such as the Ergometer test appear to be particularly suitable for evoking autonomic stress responses, whereas uncontrollable and social-evaluative threatening stressors (such as the TSST) are most likely to elicit HPA axis stress responses. The results of this study may help researchers in deciding which stress protocol to use, depending on the individual research question.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Skoluda
- University of Marburg, Department of Psychology, Germany
| | - Jana Strahler
- University of Marburg, Department of Psychology, Germany
| | - Wolff Schlotz
- Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics, Germany
| | | | - Sofia Marques
- University of Zurich, Department of Psychology, Switzerland
| | | | - Myriam V Thoma
- University of Zurich, Department of Psychology, Switzerland
| | | | - Ulrike Ehlert
- University of Zurich, Department of Psychology, Switzerland
| | - Urs M Nater
- University of Marburg, Department of Psychology, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Dettenborn L, Muhtz C, Skoluda N, Stalder T, Steudte S, Hinkelmann K, Kirschbaum C, Otte C. Introducing a novel method to assess cumulative steroid concentrations: increased hair cortisol concentrations over 6 months in medicated patients with depression. Stress 2012; 15:348-53. [PMID: 22043813 DOI: 10.3109/10253890.2011.619239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression has been linked to increased cortisol concentrations using point measures taken from urine, blood, or saliva samples. However, with regard to hypercortisolism-induced consequences, long-term cumulative cortisol burden is of relevance. Our objective was to use hair analysis as a new method to assess cortisol exposure over 6 months in depressed patients and healthy controls. We examined 23 depressed patients (8 men and 15 women, mean age: 41.6 years ( ± standard deviation (SD), 13.1 years); mean duration of current depressive episode 9 months ( ± SD, 13 months)) and 64 healthy controls, matched for age and gender. Cortisol concentrations in two 3-cm hair segments from near to the scalp were analyzed, representing cortisol secretion during the 6 months prior to sampling. Compared with healthy individuals, depressed patients had higher hair cortisol concentrations in the first (mean ± SD: 26.7 ± 20.8 vs. 18.7 ± 11.5 pg/mg, p < 0.05) and second hair segment (mean ± SD: 21.9 ± 23.7 vs. 13.4 ± 9.6 pg/mg, p < 0.05). In conclusion, hair cortisol analysis confirmed enhanced cortisol secretion in depressed patients over a prolonged time period. Because of the retrospective and cumulative nature of cortisol in hair, the assessment of hair cortisol concentration may help in addressing unanswered questions regarding hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis overactivity and associated health consequences in psychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Dettenborn
- Department of Psychology, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Stalder T, Steudte S, Miller R, Skoluda N, Dettenborn L, Kirschbaum C. Intraindividual stability of hair cortisol concentrations. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2012; 37:602-10. [PMID: 21917384 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2011.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2011] [Revised: 08/17/2011] [Accepted: 08/19/2011] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The analysis of cortisol in human hair constitutes a promising method for the retrospective assessment of cumulative cortisol secretion over extended periods of time. An implicit assumption underlying the use of this method is that in the absence of major life changes hair cortisol concentrations show a high level of intraindividual stability, i.e. single hair cortisol assessments exhibit considerable trait-specificity and are only to a smaller extent influenced by state-dependent factors. Here, we present data from two independent studies examining patterns of intraindividual stability in hair cortisol levels. In study I, 45 participants were examined at two sampling points carried out one year apart from each other. In study II, 64 individuals provided data at three sampling points which occurred at two-month intervals. In both studies, at each time point hair was sampled and relevant psychosocial and hair-related variables were assessed. Results of both studies consistently revealed strong test-retest associations for repeated hair cortisol measurements ('r's between 0.68 and 0.79, 'p's <0.0001). Findings of structural equation modelling applied to data of study II showed that single hair cortisol assessments comprise a strong trait component, explaining between 59 and 82% of variance, and are only to a lesser extent influenced by state-related factors. Only inconsistent evidence for covariation of changes in hair cortisol concentrations and simultaneous changes in perceived stress or other relevant variables was seen across the two studies. The current findings suggest a considerable degree of intraindividual stability in hair cortisol levels which highlights the utility of this method for obtaining trait estimates of long-term cortisol secretion in psychoneuroendocrinological research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Stalder
- Technische Universität Dresden, Department of Psychology, 01062 Dresden, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Kirschbaum C, Tietze A, Skoluda N, Dettenborn L. Hair as a retrospective calendar of cortisol production – increased cortisol incorporation into hair in the third trimester of pregnancy. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2008. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1096341] [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: 10/20/2022]
|