scholarly journals EEG-based clusters differentiate psychological distress, sleep quality and cognitive function in adolescents

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Owen Forbes ◽  
Paul E. Schwenn ◽  
Paul Pao-Yen Wu ◽  
Edgar Santos-Fernandez ◽  
Hong-Bo Xie ◽  
...  

Introduction: To better understand the relationships between brain activity, cognitive function and mental health risk in adolescence there is value in identifying data-driven subgroups based on measurements of brain activity and function, and then comparing cognition and mental health symptoms between such subgroups. Methods: Here we implement a multi-stage analysis pipeline to identify data-driven clusters of 12-year-olds (M = 12.64, SD = 0.32) based on frequency characteristics calculated from resting state, eyes-closed electroencephalography (EEG) recordings. EEG data was collected from 59 individuals as part of their baseline assessment in the Longitudinal Adolescent Brain Study (LABS) being undertaken in Queensland, Australia. Applying multiple unsupervised clustering algorithms to these EEG features, we identified well-separated subgroups of individuals. To study patterns of difference in cognitive function and mental health symptoms between core clusters, we applied Bayesian regression models to probabilistically identify differences in these measures between clusters. Results: We identified 5 core clusters which were associated with distinct subtypes of resting state EEG frequency content. EEG features that were influential in differentiating clusters included Individual Alpha Frequency, relative power in 4 Hz bands up to 16 Hz, and 95% Spectral Edge Frequency. Bayesian models demonstrated substantial differences in psychological distress, sleep quality and cognitive function between these clusters. By examining associations between neurophysiology and health measures across clusters, we have identified preliminary risk and protective profiles linked to EEG characteristics. Conclusion: In this work we have developed a flexible and scaleable pipeline to identify subgroups of individuals in early adolescence on the basis of resting state EEG activity. These findings provide new clues about neurophysiological subgroups of adolescents in the general population, and associated patterns of health and cognition that are not observed at the whole group level. This approach offers potential utility in clinical risk prediction for mental and cognitive health outcomes throughout adolescent development.

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. e001043
Author(s):  
Özgür Kilic ◽  
Sean Carmody ◽  
Judith Upmeijer ◽  
Gino M M J Kerkhoffs ◽  
Rosemary Purcell ◽  
...  

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.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn M Bell ◽  
Diane Holmberg

Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, people are facing heightened uncertainty about the future and increasing rates of psychological distress. Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and perceived COVID-19 threat may be contributing to mental health problems. This study investigated changes in mental health problems prior to and during the first two pandemic waves in the U.S., and the extent to which IU and perceived COVID-19 threat predicted these problems. MTurk participants (n=192; 50% women) were recruited from a pre-pandemic study in December 2019/January 2020 for a follow-up study on COVID-19 experiences, across five timepoints between April and August 2020. IU, perceived COVID-19 threat, and mental health problems (i.e., worry, COVID-19 fear, and trauma symptoms) were assessed. On average, mental health problems were not elevated, relative to pre-pandemic levels, and remained stable across time. Heightened IU and perceived COVID-19 threat were associated with more mental health problems. Surprisingly, objective measures of COVID-19 threat (e.g., state case rates) showed no associations with IU, and were slightly negatively correlated with psychological distress and perceived threat. Pre-existing mental health symptoms, IU and perceived COVID-19 threat may foster vulnerability to mental health problems during the pandemic, more so than objective threat levels.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 192-199
Author(s):  
R.S. Schierholz ◽  
I. Zavgorodniy ◽  
S. Darius ◽  
I. Böckelmann

ASSOCIATIONS OF GENERAL MENTAL HEALTH SYMPTOMS WITH SUBJECTIVE SLEEP QUALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DAYTIME SLEEPINESS Schierholz RS, Zavgorodniy I., Darius S., Böckelmann I. Purpose: Sufficient sleep quality plays a significant role for long-term physical and mental health. The aim of this study was to examine the associations of general mental health symptoms with sleep quality and daytime sleepiness. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey with 84 included participants (female: n = 42, male: n = 42) was conducted. General mental health symptoms were assessed using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), sleep quality was measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and daytime sleepiness was evaluated with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Statistical differences were calculated using two-sample t-test and Mann-Whitney U test. For correlation analyses Spearman’s rank correlation was used. Results: Subjects with poor sleep quality reached higher scores in the GHQ-12 and in the ESS than subjects with good sleep quality, but the difference regarding the ESS was not significant. Higher GHQ-12 scores were associated with higher PSQI scores but not with higher ESS scores. Conclusions: Major findings show strong evidence of an association between general mental health symptoms and sleep quality with poor sleepers having a more disturbed mental health than good sleepers. Further evidence of the interrelationship between subjective sleep quality and general mental health symptoms was found. Keywords: Mental health, Work ability, Stress, Sleep, Insomnia   Абстракт ЗВ’ЯЗОК ЗАГАЛЬНИХ СИМПТОМІВ ПСИХІЧНОГО ЗДОРОВ'Я З СУБ'ЄКТИВНОЮ ЯКІСТЮ СНУ ТАІНДИВІДУАЛЬНОЮ ДЕННОЮ СОНЛИВІСТЮ Робін Себастьян Шірхольц*, Ігор Завгородній, Сабіна Даріус, Ірина Беккельман Мета: Достатня якість сну відіграє важливу роль для тривалого фізичного та психічного здоров’я. Метою цьогодослідження було вивчення залежності загальних симптомів психічного здоров’я від якісті сну та денноїсонливості. Матеріали та методи: Було проведено перехресне опитування за участю 84 учасників (жінки: n = 42, чоловіки: n= 42). Загальні симптоми психічного здоров’я оцінювали за допомогою Анкети загального здоров’я (GHQ-12), яка містить 12 пунктів; якість сну оцінювали за допомогою Пітсбургського опитувальника якості сну (PSQI), а денну сонливість оцінювали за Шкалою сонливості Епворта (ESS). Статистичні відмінності розраховувались за допомогою двопробного t-тесту та U-тесту Манна-Вітні. Для кореляційного аналізу було використано рангову кореляцію Спірмена. Результати: Суб'єкти з низькою якістю сну показали більш високі показники у GHQ-12 та ESS, ніж суб'єкти із хорошою якістю сну, але різниця щодо ESS була несуттєвою. Більш високі показники GHQ-12 були пов'язані з більш високими показниками PSQI, але не з більш високими показниками ESS. Висновки: Основні результати виявляють вагомі докази зв'язку між загальними симптомами психічного здоров’я та якістю сну людей, які погано сплять, та людей з міцним сном. У людей з поганим сном більш виражені порушення психічного здоров’я. Були знайдені додаткові докази взаємозв'язку між суб'єктивною якістю сну та загальними симптомами психічного здоров'я. Ключові слова: Психічне здоров'я, працездатність, стрес, сон, безсоння    Абстракт СВЯЗЬ ОБЩИХ СИМПТОМОВ ПСИХИЧЕСКОГО ЗДОРОВЬЯ С СУБЪЕКТИВНЫМ КАЧЕСТВОМ СНА И ИНДИВИДУАЛЬНОЙ ДНЕВНОЙ СОНЛИВОСТЬЮ Робин Себастьян Ширхольц, Игорь Завгородний, Сабина Дариус, Ирина Беккельманн Цель: Достаточное качество сна играет важную роль для долгосрочного физического и психического здоровья. Целью данного исследования было изучение связи общих симптомов психического здоровья с качеством сна и дневной сонливостью. Материалы и методы. Было проведено перекрестное исследование с 84 участниками (женщины: n = 42, мужчины: n = 42). Общие симптомы психического здоровья оценивали с использованием Общего опросника здоровья (GHQ-12), содержащего 12 пунктов; качество сна оценивали с помощью Питтсбургского опросника качества сна (PSQI), а дневную сонливость оценивали по Шкале сонливости Эпворта (ESS). Статистические различия рассчитывали с использованием двухпробного t-теста и U-теста Манна-Уитни. Для корреляционного анализа была использована ранговая корреляция Спирмена. Результаты: Субъекты с плохим качеством сна показали более высокие баллы в GHQ-12 и в ESS, чем субъекты с хорошим качеством сна, но разница в отношении ESS не была значительной. Более высокие показатели GHQ-12 были связаны с более высокими показателями PSQI, но не с более высокими показателями ESS. Выводы: Основные результаты обнаруживают убедительные доказательства связи между общими симптомами психического здоровья и качеством сна людей, которые плохо спят, и людей с крепким сном. У людей с плохим сном более выражены нарушения психического здоровья. Были найдены дополнительные доказательства взаимосвязи между субъективным качеством сна и общими симптомами психического здоровья. Ключевые слова: психическое здоровье, трудоспособность, стресс, сон, бессонница


2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052093304
Author(s):  
Madeleine Newman ◽  
Lisa Fedina ◽  
Boyoung Nam ◽  
Jordan DeVylder ◽  
Binta Alleyne-Green

Survivors of interpersonal violence are at increased risk of negative mental health outcomes; however, scant research has explored the relationship between violence exposure and mental health symptoms among formerly incarcerated individuals. This cross-sectional survey study investigates the demographic characteristics and mental health symptoms (i.e., psychological distress and suicidal ideation) associated with interpersonal violence exposure, including physical and sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, and sexual violence perpetrated by prison employees in a sample of formerly incarcerated men and women, with the aim that the findings both deepen the understanding of the effects of sexual violence exposure and help inform prison and jail policies. Surveys were administered to English-speaking adults ages 18 and older to recruit a sample of adults who were formerly incarcerated ( N = 201). Questions on the survey included questions regarding demographic details, sexual violence exposure, mental health symptoms, and time incarcerated. Findings show that higher levels of sexual violence exposure were significantly associated with higher levels of psychological distress and reporting of suicidal ideation. Results also suggest that higher levels of income and education and younger age were significantly associated with sexual violence perpetrated by prison employees. In addition, most forms of interpersonal violence were independently associated with psychological distress and suicidal ideation in this population. The findings make recommendations for prison and jail policies to include targeted treatment for individuals with sexual victimization histories, to mitigate the risk of revictimization and appropriately treat adverse mental health outcomes from sexual victimization within and outside the confines of incarceration.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Pavlova ◽  
Jennifer Ference ◽  
Megan Hancock ◽  
Melanie Noel

Background. Pediatric chronic pain often emerges in adolescence and cooccurs with internalizing mental health issues and sleep impairments. Emerging evidence suggests that sleep problems may precede the onset of chronic pain as well as anxiety and depression. Studies conducted in pediatric populations with pain-related chronic illnesses suggest that internalizing mental health symptoms may mediate the sleep-pain relationship; however, this has not been examined in youth with primary pain disorders.Objective. To examine whether anxiety and depressive symptoms mediated relationships between sleep quality and pain outcomes among youth with chronic pain.Methods. Participants included 147 youth (66.7% female) aged 8–18 years who were referred to a tertiary-level chronic pain program. At intake, the youth completed psychometrically sound measures of sleep quality, pain intensity, pain interference, and anxiety and depressive symptoms.Results. As hypothesized, poor sleep quality was associated with increased pain intensity and pain interference, and anxiety and depressive symptoms mediated these sleep-pain relationships.Discussion. For youth with chronic pain, poor sleep quality may worsen pain through alterations in mood and anxiety; however, prospective research using objective measures is needed. Future research should examine whether targeting sleep and internalizing mental health symptoms in treatments improve pain outcomes in these youth.


2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Finza Latif ◽  
Sawssan Ahmed ◽  
Sumera Farhan ◽  
Felice Watt ◽  
Muhammad Waqar Azeem

Background & Objective: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused widespread psychological distress. The aims of the study were a) to assess mental health symptoms experienced by expatriate hospital staff and b) to determine the impact of staff wellbeing interventions specific to pandemic related stress. Methods: The study was conducted from June 2020 until August 2020. A 16-question survey was disseminated online via Survey Monkey to assess the mental health needs of hospital staff during the pandemic. Based on results, a virtual, tiered mental health support model was developed, and staff feedback was collected. Results: Almost 46.2% of respondents (N: 1001) reported at least one mental health symptom in the initial survey. The most common symptoms were anxiety, low mood and feelings of isolation. Being single and in poor health status were predictors of developing mental health symptoms (P <0.01). Female gender was a predictor for experiencing fear of getting infected. Time constraints at work was the most common reason for not accessing mental health support. Conclusions: As in other parts of the world, hospital staff in Qatar experienced mental health symptoms and significant fear related to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Being single and in poor health status were risk factors. Mental health interventions at work must take into account time constraints experienced by staff. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.7.4533 How to cite this:Latif F, Ahmed SR, Farhan S, Watt F, Azeem MW. Predictors of Psychological Distress in Health Care Staff in Qatar during COVID-19 Pandemic. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(7):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.7.4533 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.


2020 ◽  
Vol 185 (11-12) ◽  
pp. e1946-e1953
Author(s):  
Nikki E Barczak-Scarboro ◽  
Wesley R Cole ◽  
Stephen M DeLellis ◽  
Gary E Means ◽  
Shawn F Kane ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Special Operations Forces (SOF) combat arms and combat support Soldiers are at risk for impaired mental health, such as mood- and stress-related disorders, due to operational and training demands. Additionally, these individuals experience high risk for sustaining mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). These mTBIs have also been linked to negative psychological outcomes, such as anxiety and depressive symptoms. Studying mental illnesses and their related symptoms alone does not fully address mental health, which may be better understood by 2 separate but overlapping continua measuring both mental illness and subjective well-being (ie, emotional, psychological, and social well-being). Due to the lack of research in this area, current mental health symptoms in active SOF combat Soldiers in relation to mTBI warrants investigation. Materials and Methods In this study, 113 SOF combat and combat support Soldiers completed self-report psychological and mTBI history measures during an in-person laboratory setting. These psychometric measures included (1) psychological distress (Brief Symptom Inventory 18), (2) anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item), (3) posttraumatic stress (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5), (4) somatization (Patient Health Questionnaire-15), and (5) subjective well-being (Mental Health Continuum Short Form). Results On average, SOF combat Soldiers endorsed moderate well-being and low psychological distress, somatization, posttraumatic stress, and anxiety. Most SOF combat Soldiers had sustained 1 or more mTBI. We observed mTBI history had significant effects on each dependent variable in the expected directions. History of more mTBIs, controlling for age, was associated with lower subjective well-being as well as higher psychological distress, somatization, posttraumatic stress, and anxiety symptoms. Conclusion Although SOF combat Soldiers reported relatively adaptive mental health symptoms across participants, there was considerable variance in the measures reported. Some of the variance in mental health symptoms was accounted for by mTBI history while controlling for age, with reporting higher numbers of lifetime mTBIs and older age being associated with worse mental health symptoms. Longitudinal investigations into these associations and their impact on Soldier performance is warranted.


Sleep Health ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-133
Author(s):  
Mary Jo Coiro ◽  
Kfir Asraf ◽  
Orna Tzischinsky ◽  
Dorit Hadar-Shoval ◽  
Lubna Tannous-Haddad ◽  
...  

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