The Illness Experience of Veterans With Dementia: Perceived Measures Related to Depressive Symptoms

Abstract Recent work has examined how individuals with dementia (IWDs) experience their illness, although few studies have looked at IWDs who report heightened depressive symptoms, a key well-being outcome. Stressing the ability of IWDs to self-report and guided by the Stress Process Model for Individuals with Dementia, this study examined the relationships between depressive symptoms and various aspects of the illness experience including objective cognition, perceived memory difficulty, perceived functional difficulty, and dyadic relationship strain. The sample includes IWDs with mild to severe dementia who are veterans (N=69). Significant positive correlations emerged between depressive symptoms and several measures of the illness experience: perceived cognition (r=.48, p<.001), perceived function (r =.43, p<.001), and dyadic relationship strain (r=.32, p=.01). In contrast, objective cognition, measured by a modified version of the Blessed Orientation Memory Concentration test, was not significant (r =-.06, p=.63). A multiple regression found the total variance explained by all independent variables was 32% (R2=.32, F(4,68)=7.58, p<.001), with perceived memory difficulty (B=.26, p<.01) and dyadic relationship strain (B=.25, p=.04) accounting for unique and significant variance in depressive symptoms. A mediation analysis indicated perceived memory difficulty fully mediated the relationship between perceived functional difficulty and depressive symptoms. Findings highlight the importance of IWDs perceptions of their illness experience for psychosocial well-being outcomes, such as depressive symptoms. Findings add to the literature by showing the importance of IWDs perceptions of their illness and their impact on well-being outcomes. Results also demonstrate the utility and feasibility of including self-reported data from IWDs in research studies.

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Depressive symptoms in patients with epilepsy and clinically associated features in a single tertiary center

Neurological Sciences ◽

10.1007/s10072-021-05589-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mariacarolina Vacca ◽

Mariana Fernandes ◽

Matteo Spanetta ◽

Fabio Placidi ◽

Francesca Izzi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Clinical Features ◽

Item Analysis ◽

Well Being ◽

Adult Patients ◽

Self Report ◽

Depression Severity ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Tertiary Center ◽

Patients With Epilepsy

AbstractAlthough depressive symptoms are the most common psychiatric comorbidity in epilepsy, they remain underestimated and untreated in a large proportion of patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate depression severity and related clinical features in people with epilepsy using a well-reliable self-report index of mood, the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). One-hundred seventeen adult patients with epilepsy were recruited from a tertiary epilepsy center and completed the BDI-II. A single-item analysis of the 21 questions of the BDI-II was computed and differences between women and men in each depressive symptom were evaluated. Correlation and regression analyses were used to identify clinical features associated with the severity of depression. Results showed gender differences in some items, with women reporting overall higher depression severity than men. The most common symptoms regarded domains of sleeping patterns, tiredness, and loss of energy. Regression evidence suggested that being female, having an epilepsy duration < 10 years, as well as being treated with psychotropic drugs and reporting generalized seizure, were associated with higher depression severity. Despite its cross-sectional nature, this study reinforces the importance of investigating and possibly treating depressive symptoms in adult patients with epilepsy, since they negatively impact well-being, daytime activities, and sleep. Further studies identifying pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for depression in epilepsy need to be planned.

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Associations Between Physical Fitness and Children’s Psychological Well-Being

Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology ◽

10.1123/jcsp.2014-0053 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 32-47 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Timothy LaVigne ◽

Betsy Hoza ◽

Alan L. Smith ◽

Erin K. Shoulberg ◽

William Bukowski

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Internalizing Symptoms ◽

Adaptive Functioning ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Report ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Athletic Competence ◽

Self Worth ◽

Teacher Reports

We examined the relation between physical fitness and psychological well-being in children ages 10–14 years (N = 222), and the potential moderation of this relation by sex. Participants completed a physical fitness assessment comprised of seven tasks and a diverse set of self-report well-being measures assessing depressive symptoms, loneliness, and competence. Peers reported on social status and teachers rated adaptive functioning, internalizing symptoms, and externalizing symptoms. Multiple regression analyses indicated a significant association between physical fitness and psychological well-being for both boys and girls. Higher levels of physical fitness were associated with lower levels of peer dyadic loneliness and fewer depressive symptoms; greater cognitive, social, and athletic competence; greater feelings of self-worth; and better teacher reports of adaptive functioning. An interaction between internalizing and sex indicated a significant and negative association between physical fitness and internalizing symptoms for males only. No other moderation effects by sex were observed. Results suggest that physical fitness is associated with a range of well-being indicators for both boys and girls in this age group.

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When altruists cannot help: The influence of altruism on mental health during COVID-19 pandemic

10.21203/rs.3.rs-25715/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yi Feng ◽

Dan Dong ◽

Min Zong ◽

Zhizun Yang ◽

Zhihong Qiao

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Negative Affect ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Online Survey ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Report ◽

Valuable Insight

Abstract Background The positive predictive effect of altruism on physical and psychological well-being has been extensively demonstrated in previous studies, but few studies have examined the effect of altruism on negative mental health outcomes when altruists cannot perform altruistic behaviors. This study explored the influence of altruism on negative affect and mental health (anxiety and depression) during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, when people self-isolated at home in China.Method: College students were recruited via a cross-sectional online survey during the outbreak of COVID-19 in China. Self-reported perceived risk, altruism, negative affect, anxiety and depressive symptoms were measured using the Self-Report Altruism Scale (SRA), the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and the 9-item PHQ depression scale (PHQ-9). A structural equation model was used to analyze the mediating and moderating effects on mental health.Results The final sample comprised 1346 Chinese participants (Mage = 19.76 ± 2.23 years, 73% female). Overall, the higher risk people perceived, the more negative affect they exhibited (β = 0.16, p < .001); thus, the more anxious and depressed they felt (β = 0.134, p < .001), but this relationship between risk perception and negative affect was moderated by altruism. Paradoxical to previous studies, the increase in negative affect associated with increased perceived risk was pronounced among individuals with high altruism ( t = 7.68, p < .001).Conclusions Individuals with high altruism exhibited more negative affect, indirectly increasing their anxiety and depressive symptoms. The findings enrich the theory of altruism and provide valuable insight into the influence of altruism on mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak.

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0320 Psychological Correlates of Morningness/Eveningness in Latinx Pre-Adolescents

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleep/zsaa056.317 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 43 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. A121-A122

Author(s):

S T Nguyen-Rodriguez ◽

O M Buxton

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Well Being ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Self Report ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Average Score ◽

Depression Symptoms

Abstract Introduction Chronotype refers to a preference for morning hours (morningness) vs. evening hours (eveningness) when individuals tend to feel their best (e.g., higher energy levels). People may be classified at either end of this spectrum or along a continuum between these preferences. Among adolescents, eveningness is positively related to depression and anxiety, whereas morningness is negatively related to depression. However, less is known about the relationship of chronotype and psychological health in pre-teens and Latinx youth. The present study explored associations of morningness/eveningness with anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and perceived stress among Latinx pre-adolescents in Southern California. Methods A purposive sample of 100 Latinx children, ages 10-12 years old, completed self-report surveys in their homes or a preferred location chosen by the parent. Measures included the Morningness/Eveningness Scale for Children (higher scores indicate morning preference), Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale (higher scores indicate higher anxiety, depression and stress, respectively). Associations were tested with Pearson correlations. Results The sample was 47% male with a mean±SD age of 10.9±0.8 years. Average score for morningness/eveningness was M=30.2±4.4 (range: 18-41), for anxiety symptoms was M=0.7±0.7 (range: 0-2.8), for depression symptoms was M=0.5±0.4 (range: 0-1.9) and for perceived stress was M=15.2±5.8 (range: 2-30). Greater morningness/eveningness scores, indicating more morningness, were associated with lower scores for anxiety symptoms (r=-.41, p<.001), depressive symptoms (r=-.36, p<.001) and perceived stress (r=-.33, p=.001). Conclusion As has been found for adolescents, higher morningness in Latinx pre-teens was related to less frequent anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as lower perceived stress. Youth experience a circadian phase delay during adolescence, shifting their preference toward eveningness, which may exacerbate stressors and negative mental health. Therefore, interventions to promote psychological well-being in pre-adolescents may help prevent worse psychological outcomes in Latinx children as they transition to adolescence. Support This work was supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Award Numbers UL1GM118979, TL4GM118980, and RL5GM118978.

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The Mental Health of Visitors of Web-Based Support Forums for Bereaved by Suicide

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000281 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 36 (1) ◽

pp. 38-45 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Jeannet Kramer ◽

Brigitte Boon ◽

Marijke Schotanus-Dijkstra ◽

Wouter van Ballegooijen ◽

Ad Kerkhof ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Complicated Grief ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Report ◽

Online Support ◽

Mutual Support ◽

Web Based

Background: Persons bereaved by suicide are reluctant to ask for social support when they experience feelings of guilt and blame. A web-based peer forum may provide a safe and anonymous place for mutual support. Aims: This study examined the mental health changes of visitors of two online support forums for persons bereaved by suicide and their experiences with the forum over 1 year. Method: Visitors of two forums completed self-report measures at baseline and at 6 and 12 months' follow-up. Repeated measures analyses were used to study changes in well-being, depressive symptoms, and complicated grief. Additionally, participants were interviewed about their experiences with the forum. Results: The 270 participants were mostly female, low in well-being, with high levels of depressive symptoms and complicated grief. Suicidal risk was high for 5.9%. At 12 months, there were small to medium-sized significant improvements in well-being and depressive symptoms (p < .001) and nearly as much for grief (p = .08). About two thirds reported benefit from visiting the forum. Because of the pre–post design we cannot determine whether a causal relationship exists between the form and changes in mental health. Conclusion: After 1 year some positive changes but a large group was still struggling with their mental health. Interviews indicate that the forum was valued for finding recognition.

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The Effect of Pre-Quarantine Physical Activity on Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms during the COVID-19 Lockdown in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18157771 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (15) ◽

pp. 7771

Author(s):

Abdulazeem S. Alotaibi ◽

Boukhemis Boukelia

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Saudi Arabia ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Well Being ◽

Activity Level ◽

Self Report ◽

Sample Population ◽

Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia ◽

Significant Difference

The outbreak of COVID-19 and the changes to normal societal function and in particular quarantine has increased mental distress in many nations. A survey of 22,112 COVID-19-negative quarantined participants in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (age: 18–40 years, 42.6%; 40–60 years, 53.3%; over 60 years, 4.1%; mass, 78.9 ± 14.8 kg; stature, 167 ± 8.7 cm) were assessed for depressive symptoms using the online Beck Depression Inventory self-report questionnaire. The relationship between pre-quarantine physical activity and mental health and wellbeing during lockdown has been investigated. A significant difference in body mass index (BMI) between active and inactive participants (p = 0.03) was observed; with females also recording a 3% higher BMI than males. All participants showed a decrease in mental health compared to pre-quarantine. However, pre-quarantine inactivity was found to result in a greater negative impact on mental health and well-being than those active pre-quarantine (p < 0.01). The sedentary population had a 4-fold greater incidence of mild-depression than the active population. This suggests that activity level plays an important role in shielding people from anxiety and stress, whilst it builds mental strength in individuals that can be called upon in trying and difficult situations. Nevertheless, pre-quarantine activity levels did not lead to any significant change in levels of extreme depression in the sample population.

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Anxiety and depressive symptomatology among children and adolescents exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic - meta-analysis

Vojnosanitetski pregled ◽

10.2298/vsp210521092d ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 92-92

Author(s):

Sanja Djurdjevic ◽

Ghigliazza Conde ◽

Vesna Dukanac ◽

Ana Djurdjevic

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Depressive Symptomatology ◽

Well Being ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Strong Impact ◽

Positive Correlations ◽

The Impact

Background/Aim: Children and adolescents are the sensitive groups for the development of mental disorders during the crisis. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic regarding anxiety and depressive symptomatology in this population. Method: Investigation is based on a Systematic Review followed by PRISMA protocol including Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Global Health and APA Psyc Info data bases to identify relevant studies reporting anxiety and depressive symptoms among children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. 27 articles were included. Results: Anxiety symptoms increased from 28.3% before the pandemic to 49.5% during confinement (GAD-7 ? 11) (McNemar test p <0.0001). More depression symptomatology was found as well; weight and sleep changes are disturbances in children and adolescents? mental health. Additionally, female teenagers were experiencing grater declines in mood disorders than male teenagers during the COVID-19 crisis. On one hand, different positive correlations between anxiety and other variables, were found, such as clinical depressive symptoms and anxiety (3/14), smartphone and internet addiction (2/14), lower levels of family income (2/14), perceived threats (2/14), higher grades at school (2/14), loneliness (1/14). On the other hand, positive correlations were reported between depression and children and adolescents that were socially disconnected (3/17). Finally, mothers with higher levels of education and income were associated with more happiness (2/17). Conclusions: COVID-19 has a strong impact in children?s and adolescents? mental health regarding depression and anxiety symptoms. Prevention programs focused on coping strategies should also be considered to be delivered in elementary schools, middle schools and high schools. Mental health should become a priority matter for governments and the current pandemic could be an opportunity to highlight the importance of mental well-being and to invest in the betterment of clinical trainings, treatments and mental health research.

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Best Practices for Including Individuals With Dementia as Research Participants

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.906 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 283-283

Author(s):

Katherine Judge ◽

Morgan Minyo ◽

Amanda MacNeil ◽

Claire Grant ◽

Kaitlyn Lucas

Keyword(s):

Data Collection ◽

Best Practices ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Report ◽

Screening Tools ◽

Illness Experience ◽

Pharmacological Interventions ◽

Research Participants ◽

Study Protocols ◽

The Impact

Abstract Including individuals with dementia as participants in research studies can be a challenge given the cognitive symptoms experienced, including difficulties with attention, memory, language, and executive functioning and behavioral symptoms, such as agitation and frustration. Researchers, however, have begun to include individuals with dementia as more active participants in the research process. Specifically, individuals with dementia have provided self-report information about their illness experience, including how they cope and manage with their illness and how illness-related strains are related to psychosocial outcomes. Researchers also have starting using self-report data collection protocols instead of proxy-report measures to assess the impact of non-pharmacological interventions developed for individuals with dementia on well-being outcomes such as depressive symptoms, unmet needs, and relationship strain. To date, however, there are no clear guidelines or ‘best practices’ to assist researchers in developing study protocols that facilitate the inclusion and participation of individuals with dementia. This poster will present findings from a systematic literature review of studies that have successfully included individuals with dementia as research participants. Key areas examined include: 1) the focus and type of research question studied; 2) the use and type of cognitive screening tools for determining study eligibility; 3) implementation of qualitative versus quantitative research designs; 4) objective versus subjective measures; 5) data collection tools; 6) psychometric evidence of data obtained; and 7) how data have been analyzed. Findings highlight the importance of collecting data directly from individuals with dementia to further understand the illness experience and assess the impact of non-pharmacological interventions.

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When altruists cannot help: The influence of altruism on the mental health of university students during the COVID-19 pandemic

10.21203/rs.3.rs-25715/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yi Feng ◽

Min Zong ◽

Zhizun Yang ◽

Wen Gu ◽

Dan Dong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Negative Affect ◽

University Students ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

Online Survey ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Report ◽

Valuable Insight

Abstract Background: The positive predictive effect of altruism on physical and psychological well-being has been extensively demonstrated in previous studies, but few studies have examined the effect of altruism on negative mental health outcomes when altruists cannot perform altruistic behaviours. This study explored the influence of altruism on negative affect and mental health (anxiety and depressive symptoms) during the COVID-19 pandemic while people self-isolated at home in China.Method: University students were recruited to participate in a cross-sectional online survey during the outbreak of COVID-19 in China. Self-reported perceived risk, altruism, negative affect, anxiety and depressive symptoms were measured using the Self-Report Altruism Scale (SRA scale), the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale (PHQ-9). A structural equation model was used to analyse the mediating and moderating effects on mental health. Results: The final sample comprised 1346 Chinese participants (Mage = 19.76 ± 2.23 years, 73% female). Overall, the higher the risk the participants perceived, the more negative affect they exhibited (β = 0.16, p < .001), and thus, the more anxious and depressed they felt (β = 0.134, p < .001); however, this relationship between risk perception and negative affect was moderated by altruism. In contrast to previous studies, the increase in negative affect associated with the increased perceived risk was pronounced among individuals with high altruism (t = 7.68, p < .001). Conclusions: Individuals with high altruism exhibited more negative affect than those with low altruism, which indirectly increased their anxiety and depressive symptoms. These findings enrich theories of altruism and provide valuable insight into the influence of altruism on mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak.

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Mental health impact of COVID-19 pandemic among physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers, in the province of Alberta (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.27469 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Hany ElGindi ◽

Reham Shalaby ◽

April Gusnowski ◽

Wesley Vuong ◽

Shireen Surood ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Anxiety Disorder ◽

Generalized Anxiety Disorder ◽

High Stress ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Report ◽

Generalized Anxiety ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional

BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic, threats to mental health, psychological safety, and well-being are evident, particularly among the first responders and the healthcare staff. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine the prevalence and the potential predictors of the likely stress, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder among healthcare workers (HCW). METHODS A cross-sectional survey was used through a survey link sent to gather demographic information and responses on several self-report scales, including the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) among the various HCW groupings who subscribed to the Text4Hope program. RESULTS This study revealed that the HCW expressed an estimated high prevalence of moderate/high stress rates 840 (81.2%), while the likelihood of moderate/severe anxiety and depressive symptoms were 369 (38.6%), and 317 (32.7%), respectively, during COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses and other HCW were significantly more likely to report depressive symptoms, compared to physicians, (F (2, 159.47) =15.89, 95% CI= (-5.05) -(-2.04). Younger age groups of HCW (≤30 y) were more prone to report likely stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, compared to HCW 41-50y and >50y (Odd’s ratio range: 1.82- 3.03). Similarly, females and those who reported a lack of social support (separated/divorced and single) among HCW, had a higher likelihood to report likely stress and depressive symptoms, respectively (OR=1.8 and 1.6). CONCLUSIONS This cross-sectional study revealed the significant impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and indicated significant vulnerability among groups of HCW in Alberta. CLINICALTRIAL Ethical approval for this research was obtained through the University of Alberta Health Research Ethics Board (Pro00086163).

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