39.2 The Roles of Mindfulness and Sleep Disturbance on the Relationship Between Avoidant Coping and Mental Health Symptoms During COVID-19

Camouflaging is a frequently reported behaviour in autistic people, which entails the use of strategies to compensate for and mask autistic traits in social situations. Camouflaging is associated with poor mental health in autistic people. This study examined the manifestation of camouflaging in a non-autistic sample, examining the relationship between autistic traits, camouflaging, and mental health. In addition, the role of executive functions as a mechanism underpinning camouflaging was explored. Sixty-three non-autistic adults completed standardised self-report questionnaires which measured: autistic traits, mental health symptoms, and camouflaging behaviours. In addition, a subset (n=51) completed three tests of executive function measuring inhibition, working memory, and set-shifting. Multiple linear regression models were used to analyse data. Results indicated that autistic traits are not associated with mental health symptoms when controlling for camouflaging, and camouflaging predicted increased mental health symptoms. Camouflaging did not correlate with any measure of executive function. These findings have implications for understanding the relationship between autistic traits and mental health in non-autistic people and add to the growing development of theory and knowledge about the mechanism and effects of camouflaging.

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Prevalence of mental health symptoms among male and female Australian professional footballers

BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine ◽

10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001043 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. e001043

Author(s):

Özgür Kilic ◽

Sean Carmody ◽

Judith Upmeijer ◽

Gino M M J Kerkhoffs ◽

Rosemary Purcell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Problem Gambling ◽

Sleep Disturbance ◽

Alcohol Misuse ◽

Control Group ◽

Psychological Resilience ◽

Mental Health Symptoms ◽

Male And Female ◽

Health Symptoms

ObjectiveDetermining the prevalence of mental health symptoms (MHS) among Australian professional footballers compared with former players. A secondary aim was to assess whether MHS were associated with recent injury and psychological resilience.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 149 male (mean age: 24 years) and 132 female (mean age: 23 years) Australian A-League and W-League professional footballers (study group) and 81 former male footballers (control group, mean age: 39 years) for analysis. MHS and psychological resilience were assessed through validated questionnaires. Severe injuries were assessed through a single question. The adjusted Wald method was used to assess the primary aim. Logistic regression analyses was used to assess the secondary aim.ResultsThe most prevalent MHS among active footballers and former footballers was sport-related psychological distress (63%) and alcohol misuse (69%), respectively. Global psychological distress, sleep disturbance, alcohol misuse and substance misuse were significantly lower among active male footballers than among former players. Increased psychological resilience among active male footballers was associated with a decrease in symptoms of sport-related and global psychological distress, anxiety and depression of 9%, 14%, 23% and 20%, respectively. Increased psychological resilience among female players was associated with 10% decrease in symptoms of depression. Problem gambling and sleep disturbance was associated with injury in the previous 6 months among active male and female footballers, respectively.ConclusionsMHS are prevalent among active and former professional footballers. Higher level of psychological resilience is associated with decreased reporting of MHS. Severe injury is associated with problem gambling and sleep disturbance.

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The Mediating Role of Early Maladaptive Schemas in the Relationship Between Attachment and Mental Health Symptoms of University Students

Journal of Adult Development ◽

10.1007/s10804-020-09352-2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yunus Kaya ◽

Adeviye Aydin

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

University Students ◽

Early Maladaptive Schemas ◽

Maladaptive Schemas ◽

Mental Health Symptoms ◽

Health Symptoms ◽

Mediating Role ◽

The Relationship

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Examining Spouse/Partner Presence as a Moderator in the Relationship Between Mental Health Symptoms and Alcohol Use in OEF/OIF Veterans

Military Psychology ◽

10.1037/mil0000048 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 26 (5-6) ◽

pp. 366-375

Author(s):

Alicia K. Klanecky ◽

Jennifer M. Cadigan ◽

Matthew P. Martens ◽

Randall E. Rogers

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Mental Health Symptoms ◽

Health Symptoms ◽

The Relationship

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Relationships among Early Adversity, Positive Human and Animal Interactions, and Mental Health in Young Adults

Behavioral Sciences ◽

10.3390/bs11120178 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 178

Author(s):

Kerri E. Rodriguez ◽

Shelby E. McDonald ◽

Samantha M. Brown

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Young Adults ◽

Online Survey ◽

Sense Of Self ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Positive Interactions ◽

Mental Health Symptoms ◽

Childhood Experiences ◽

Health Symptoms ◽

The Relationship

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with poor mental health. Emerging research demonstrates the protective role of positive childhood experiences, including a positive sense of self and relationships with both humans and animals, in mitigating the impacts of early life adversity on mental health outcomes. This study examined whether benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs) or relationships and interactions with pets during childhood moderated the link between ACEs and current mental health symptoms in a sample of young adults. Students (N = 214) recruited from a public university in the U.S. completed an online survey. The results showed that ACEs were significantly associated with worse mental health symptoms, including anxiety and depression. Neither emotional closeness to a childhood pet dog nor positive interactions with a childhood pet were significant moderators of the relationship between ACEs and mental health. In contrast, more BCEs were associated with better mental health, and their interaction with ACEs was significant such that adversity-exposed young adults with high BCEs reported fewer mental health symptoms than those with low BCEs. The results highlight the need for continued research on differential experiences that may be protective in the relationship between adversity exposures and mental health.

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