scholarly journals Behavioral and Social Considerations

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 855-855
Author(s):  
Lisa Barry

Abstract Cognitive, behavioral and social dimensions also demonstrate increasing heterogeneity with aging. For example, a longitudinal study of over 1,000 clergy revealed increasing heterogeneity in cognitive function and rate of decline with aging. Moreover, studies of individuals with probable Alzheimer’s disease have shown heterogeneity in terms of clinical manifestations and rates of cognitive decline. Older adults also demonstrate greater heterogeneity in mood, anxiety, and the nature and patterns of symptoms over time. Heterogeneity of overall health status increases with aging, as does reported quality of life. Health and Retirement Study (HRS) data have shown that low socioeconomic status or being an underrepresented minority are both associated with greater intra-individual variability in health status in old age, with greatest differences seen in Hispanics. Finally, early life adversity can contribute to heterogeneity of multidimensional health trajectories even in late life.

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 1426-1438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Kirschner ◽  
Golia Shafiei ◽  
Ross D Markello ◽  
Carolina Makowski ◽  
Alexandra Talpalaru ◽  
...  

Abstract Widespread structural brain abnormalities have been consistently reported in schizophrenia, but their relation to the heterogeneous clinical manifestations remains unknown. In particular, it is unclear whether anatomical abnormalities in discrete regions give rise to discrete symptoms or whether distributed abnormalities give rise to the broad clinical profile associated with schizophrenia. Here, we apply a multivariate data-driven approach to investigate covariance patterns between multiple-symptom domains and distributed brain abnormalities in schizophrenia. Structural magnetic resonance imaging and clinical data were derived from one discovery sample (133 patients and 113 controls) and one independent validation sample (108 patients and 69 controls). Disease-related voxel-wise brain abnormalities were estimated using deformation-based morphometry. Partial least-squares analysis was used to comprehensively map clinical, neuropsychological, and demographic data onto distributed deformation in a single multivariate model. The analysis identified 3 latent clinical-anatomical dimensions that collectively accounted for 55% of the covariance between clinical data and brain deformation. The first latent clinical-anatomical dimension was replicated in an independent sample, encompassing cognitive impairments, negative symptom severity, and brain abnormalities within the default mode and visual networks. This cognitive-negative dimension was associated with low socioeconomic status and was represented across multiple races. Altogether, we identified a continuous cognitive-negative dimension of schizophrenia, centered on 2 intrinsic networks. By simultaneously taking into account both clinical manifestations and neuroanatomical abnormalities, the present results open new avenues for multi-omic stratification and biotyping of individuals with schizophrenia.


COVID ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-86
Author(s):  
Antarpreet Kaur ◽  
Chloe Michalopoulos ◽  
Suzanne Carpe ◽  
Soontharee Congrete ◽  
Hira Shahzad ◽  
...  

Background: Observational studies of the long-term effects of COVID-19 infection generally focus on individual symptoms rather than health status. Objective: Longitudinal assessment of general health status following COVID-19 infection. Design: Observational study, with data collected from two telephone surveys at 32 ± 10 and 89 ± 25 days after discharge from the hospital or emergency department (ED) for a COVID-19 infection. Medicaid or no insurance was our marker of low socioeconomic status (SES). Acute disease severity was determined by summing 10 severity markers (yes-no) from the health encounter. Baseline comorbidity was a modified Charlson Index. Participants: 40 patients. Mean age was 54 ± 15 years, 50% were female, and 40% had low socioeconomic status. Main Measures: (1) the 20-item Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form General Health Survey (SF-20); (2) Dyspnea (modified Medical Research Council); (3) Psychological symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire for Anxiety and Depression); (4) Cognitive function (Cognitive Change Questionnaire); (5) Fatigue (Short Fatigue Questionnaire); (6) A 10-item review of systems (ROS) questionnaire. Key Results: Percentages with abnormal symptoms at the first and second surveys were (respectively): Dyspnea (40, 33), Fatigue (53, 50), Anxiety (33, 18), Depression (20, 10), PHQ-4 Composite (25, 13), and Cognitive (18, 10). Mean scores on the SF-20 subscales, Physical Functioning, Role Functioning, Social Functioning, Health Perception, Mental Health, and Pain were numerically lower than means from a published study of elderly outpatients. With the exception of Pain, all SF-20 subscale scores improved significantly by the second survey. In multivariable analyses, dyspnea was predictive of impairment in all SF-20 subscales at the second survey. Conclusions: COVID-19 infection causes persistent abnormality across multiple patient-reported outcome areas, including health status. The persistence of impairment in each health status component is influenced by baseline dyspnea.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S826-S826
Author(s):  
Chioun Lee ◽  
Jennifer Coons ◽  
Lexi Harari

Abstract Early life adversity has severe consequences for adult biological health particularly in minority group individuals. Two ways in which it may be possible to reduce these negative consequences on adult health are individual differences in perceived discrimination due to early life adversities and learning internal skills (i.e. anger control) to help cope with early life adversities and perceived discrimination. The current study utilized 2,118 participants (55% female) from the MIDUS Projects. Early life adversities included three constructs: low socioeconomic status, family instability, and abuse (sexual, physical, and emotional). The best-fitting model from the latent class analyses revealed four distinct groups: 1) no early life adversities group, 2) low socioeconomic status only group, 3) low socioeconomic status and family instability group, and 4) all three early life adversities group. Minority groups were more likely to reside in the all three early life adversities group. Perceived discrimination was measured via two pathways: lifetime discrimination and daily discrimination. Anger control (one measure of an internal skill one learns to cope with early life adversities and perceived discrimination) was assessed with an anger-control scale. Inflammation markers were used as an indicator of biological health. Experiencing more early life adversities was related to greater inflammation and this relationship was partially explained via the pathway of greater early life adversities, greater perceived lifetime/daily discrimination, worse anger control, and greater inflammation. The findings support the need for a more holistic measure of early life adversities as it has a clear impact on adult inflammation.


Crisis ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugene Kinyanda ◽  
Ruth Kizza ◽  
Jonathan Levin ◽  
Sheila Ndyanabangi ◽  
Catherine Abbo

Background: Suicidal behavior in adolescence is a public health concern and has serious consequences for adolescents and their families. There is, however, a paucity of data on this subject from sub-Saharan Africa, hence the need for this study. Aims: A cross-sectional multistage survey to investigate adolescent suicidality among other things was undertaken in rural northeastern Uganda. Methods: A structured protocol administered by trained psychiatric nurses collected information on sociodemographics, mental disorders (DSM-IV criteria), and psychological and psychosocial risk factors for children aged 3–19 years (N = 1492). For the purposes of this paper, an analysis of a subsample of adolescents (aged 10–19 years; n = 897) was undertaken. Results: Lifetime suicidality in this study was 6.1% (95% CI, 4.6%–7.9%). Conclusions: Factors significantly associated with suicidality included mental disorder, the ecological factor district of residence, factors suggestive of low socioeconomic status, and disadvantaged childhood experiences.


Crisis ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 397-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Vannoy ◽  
Mijung Park ◽  
Meredith R. Maroney ◽  
Jürgen Unützer ◽  
Ester Carolina Apesoa-Varano ◽  
...  

Abstract. Background: Suicide rates in older men are higher than in the general population, yet their utilization of mental health services is lower. Aims: This study aimed to describe: (a) what primary care providers (PCPs) can do to prevent late-life suicide, and (b) older men's attitudes toward discussing suicide with a PCP. Method: Thematic analysis of interviews focused on depression and suicide with 77 depressed, low-socioeconomic status, older men of Mexican origin, or US-born non-Hispanic whites recruited from primary care. Results: Several themes inhibiting suicide emerged: it is a problematic solution, due to religious prohibition, conflicts with self-image, the impact on others; and, lack of means/capacity. Three approaches to preventing suicide emerged: talking with them about depression, talking about the impact of their suicide on others, and encouraging them to be active. The vast majority, 98%, were open to such conversations. An unexpected theme spontaneously arose: "What prevents men from acting on suicidal thoughts?" Conclusion: Suicide is rarely discussed in primary care encounters in the context of depression treatment. Our study suggests that older men are likely to be open to discussing suicide with their PCP. We have identified several pragmatic approaches to assist clinicians in reducing older men's distress and preventing suicide.


Author(s):  
Ute Ritterfeld ◽  
Timo Lüke

Abstract. Audio stories offer a unique blend of narrative entertainment with language learning opportunities as a user’s enjoyment is dependent on their processing of the linguistic content. A total of 138 third- and fourth-graders from low socioeconomic status and migrant families recruited from a metropolitan area in Germany participated in a randomized pre–post follow-up intervention study with a control group. Children listened to a tailored crime story of approximately 90 min over a period of 3 days within the classroom setting. Entertainment value for the age group was established in a pilot study. Outcome variables included semantic and grammatical skills in German and were administered before (pretest), shortly after intervention (posttest), and 2 weeks later (follow-up). We used nonverbal intelligence, reading, comprehension skills, age and sex as control variables. Results indicate a strong positive effect of media reception on language skills. The effectiveness of the intervention is discussed with reference to different linguistic domains, entertainment value, and compensatory effects in populations at risk of language learning deficits.


2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Dayle Herrmann ◽  
Jessica Bodford ◽  
Robert Adelman ◽  
Oliver Graudejus ◽  
Morris Okun ◽  
...  

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