PHYSICAL ILLNESS AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMATOLOGY. I. INCIDENCE OF DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN HOSPITALIZED CARDIAC PATIENTS*,†

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of mortality in women and is responsible for more than 500,000 lives each year in the United States. Depression and depressive symptomatology in healthy subjects increases cardiovascular mortality in both men and women and its prevalence is exponentially rising in women. Research suggests that participation in a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program reduces depression. Unfortunately studies have shown that CR is widely underutilized, particularly with significantly lower CR enrollment rates among women. HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effect of CR in the improvement of depressive symptoms in female cardiac patients after a cardiovascular event enrolled at the Cardiac Health Center (CHC) New York Hospital Queens (NYHQ). METHODS: The study sample comprised of 295 patients who completed 36 visits of CR at CHC NYHQ from 2007-2009. Out of 295 patients (age 66.85 ±10.64), 214 are males (71%) and 81 are females (29%). Mood scores were assessed using the PHQ-9 at the initial visit and again upon completion of the CR program. Of the 81 female patients enrolled, 31 female patients had documented pre and post CR-PHQ scores and of the 214 male patients enrolled, 81male patients had documented pre and post CR-PHQ scores. Using paired t test average mean difference in mood scores was tested. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in mood scores in female patients (7.57 ± 5.18 to 3.11 ± 4.00, Δ 4.45 p= 0.00) compared to male patients (5.72 ± 5.19 to 2.37 ± 3.95 Δ 3.34 p = 0.00) after the completion of CR. CONCLUSION: The result of this study confirms that both male and female cardiac patients demonstrated significant reduction in depressive symptoms upon completion of CR. Female cardiac patients reported higher levels of depressive symptoms than male cardiac patients at the beginning of CR and exhibited a significant decrease in mood scores at the end of CR. This evidence supports that CR is an effective treatment in the reduction of depressive symptoms among female cardiac patients. Future studies are needed to establish the relationship among gender, CR, and depression. Clearly this is a complex issue and further efforts are needed to institute strategies to increase participation rates among female cardiac patients.

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Keeping up with the Wangs: A cross-sectional multilevel analysis of individual and contextual influences on mental wellbeing and depressive symptoms in China

10.31234/osf.io/5q3wy ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

R. Adele H. Wang ◽

CMA Haworth ◽

Qiang Ren

Keyword(s):

Life Satisfaction ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Social Comparison ◽

Depressive Symptomatology ◽

Marriage Rate ◽

Contextual Effects ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

Population Census ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Average Education

BackgroundIn recent decades, China has experienced dramatic changes to its social and economic environment, which has affected the distribution of wellbeing across its citizens. While several studies have investigated individual level predictors of wellbeing in the Chinese population, less research has been done looking at contextual effects. This cross-sectional study looks at the individual and contextual effects of (regional) education, unemployment and marriage (rate) on individual happiness, life satisfaction and depressive symptomatology. MethodsData were collected from over 29,000 individuals (aged 18 to 110, 51.91% female) in the China Family Panel Studies, and merged with county level census data obtained from the 2010 China Population Census and Statistical Yearbook. To explore contextual effects, we used multilevel models accounting for the hierarchical structure of the data. ResultsWe found that a one-year increase in education was associated with a 0.17% increase in happiness and a 0.16% decrease in depressive symptoms. Unemployed men were 1% less happy, 1% less satisfied with life and reported 0.84% more depressive symptoms than employed men while minimal effects were seen for women. Single, divorced and widowed individuals had worse outcomes than married individuals (ranging from 2.96% to 21% differences). We found interaction effects for education and employment. Less educated individuals had greater happiness and less depressive symptoms in counties with higher average education compared to counterparts in less educated counties. In contrast, more educated individuals were less satisfied with life in more educated counties, an effect that is possibly due to social comparison. Employed individuals had lower life satisfaction in areas of high unemployment, while levels were constant for the unemployed. A 1% increase in county marriage rate was associated with 0.33% and 0.24% increases in happiness and life satisfaction respectively, with no interactions. We speculate that this effect could be due to greater social cohesion in the neighbourhood.ConclusionsOur results show that policies designed to improve employment and marriage rates will be beneficial for all, while interventions to encourage positive social comparison strategies may help to offset the negative effects of increasing neighbourhood average education on the highly educated.

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An intervention for depressive symptoms using a commercial game in a mental health impatient setting. (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.13890 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Pablo Rodrigo Guzman Cortez ◽

Matias Marzocchi ◽

Neus Freixa Fontanals ◽

Mercedes Balcells-Olivero

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Serious Games ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Depressive Symptomatology ◽

Pilot Test ◽

Potential Health ◽

Depressive Episodes ◽

Hamilton Rating Scale

BACKGROUND Computerized mental health interventions have shown evidence of their potential benefit for mental health outcomes in young users. All of the studied interventions available in the review and scientific literature can be classified as "serious games". Serious games are computerized interventions designed from the start with the objective of improving specific desired health outcomes. Moreover, there are reports of users experiencing subjective benefits in mental health after playing specific commercial games. These were games not intentionally made with a therapeutic objective in the design process. An example is the videogame "Journey", first released for the Playstation 3 console in 2012 which won "Game of the Year" in the 2013 D.I.C.E awards. The creator of the game describes the game as a short, 2-3-hour narrative experience in which the player goes through the "Hero's Journey" following a classic 3-part structure. There were more than 100 testimonials from players describing how the game helped them cope with psychological or personal issues. Some of them explicitly described recovering from depressive episodes through playing the game. OBJECTIVE To conduct a pilot test of the efficacy of the videogame Journey in reducing depressive symptoms in an acute impatient setting METHODS Depressive symptomatology was measured before and after the intervention using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) The intervention was conducted in an isolated room using a Playstation 3 console with the videogame "Journey" developed by Thatgamecompany. No internet access was allowed. The game was played over the course of 4 30-45 min sessions in a two week period. RESULTS The initial score in the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) was 30, indicating a very severe depression. After the intervention the HRSD score was 10, showing a mild depression. CONCLUSIONS The Videogame Journey, a commercial game first available for the Playstation 3 console in 2012, was not created as a serious game with potential health benefits. Our pilot test is the first case report of a commercial game showing a potential effect in reducing depressive symptoms, which is consistent with the previous informal reports of users online.

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Marital power and depressive symptoms among older Mexican adults

Ageing and Society ◽

10.1017/s0144686x18000612 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 39 (11) ◽

pp. 2520-2540 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Joseph L. Saenz ◽

Sunshine Rote

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Power Distribution ◽

Living Arrangements ◽

Depressive Symptomatology ◽

Married Couples ◽

Seemingly Unrelated Regression ◽

Marital Power ◽

Care Needs ◽

Equal Distribution ◽

Mexican Adults

AbstractAn extensive body of research documents marital status differences in health among older adults. However, few studies have investigated the heterogeneity in depressive symptomatology among older married adults living in developing countries. Our study investigates the interplay of gender and marital power dynamics for mental health among older Mexican adults. Our sample includes older married couples in the 2015 Wave of the Mexican Health and Aging Study (N = 3,621 dyads). We use seemingly unrelated regression to model the association between self-reported distributions of decision-making power within marriages and depressive symptoms for husbands and wives. For approximately 41 per cent of couples, the husband and wife both reported an equal distribution of power in the marriage. Compared to those who reported an equal power distribution, husbands and wives who reported an imbalance of power (having more power or less power than their spouse) reported more depressive symptoms. Levels of depressive symptoms were higher in marriages characterised by power inequality. The relationship between equality in power and depressive symptoms is not explained by health-care needs or living arrangements. Marital quality is an important factor for understanding depressive symptoms among older Mexican adults.

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Inflammation and the Association of Vitamin D and Depressive Symptomatology

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13061972 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 1972

Author(s):

Ezgi Dogan-Sander ◽

Roland Mergl ◽

Anja Willenberg ◽

Ronny Baber ◽

Kerstin Wirkner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Inflammatory Markers ◽

Depressive Symptomatology ◽

Community Sample ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

Vitamin D Supplementation ◽

Complex Relationship ◽

Moderation Effect ◽

Mediation Analyses

Depression and vitamin D deficiency are major public health problems. The existing literature indicates the complex relationship between depression and vitamin D. The purpose of this study was to examine whether this relationship is moderated or mediated by inflammation. A community sample (n = 7162) from the LIFE-Adult-Study was investigated, for whom depressive symptoms were assessed via the German version of CES-D scale and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and inflammatory markers (IL-6 and CRP levels, WBC count) were quantified. Mediation analyses were performed using Hayes’ PROCESS macro and regression analyses were conducted to test moderation effects. There was a significant negative correlation between CES-D and 25(OH)D, and positive associations between inflammatory markers and CES-D scores. Only WBC partially mediated the association between 25(OH)D levels and depressive symptoms both in a simple mediation model (ab: −0.0042) and a model including covariates (ab: −0.0011). None of the inflammatory markers showed a moderation effect on the association between 25(OH)D levels and depressive symptoms. This present work highlighted the complex relationship between vitamin D, depressive symptoms and inflammation. Future studies are needed to examine the effect of vitamin D supplementation on inflammation and depressive symptomatology for causality assessment.

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The impact of preschool child and maternal attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms on mothers’ perceived chronic stress and hair cortisol

Journal of Neural Transmission ◽

10.1007/s00702-021-02377-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Anna Szép ◽

Nadine Skoluda ◽

Susan Schloß ◽

Katja Becker ◽

Ursula Pauli-Pott ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Chronic Stress ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Depressive Symptomatology ◽

Adhd Symptoms ◽

Hair Cortisol ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Child Adhd ◽

Maternal Adhd

AbstractProviding 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.

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The role of environmental sensitivity in the development of rumination and depressive symptoms in childhood: a longitudinal study

European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry ◽

10.1007/s00787-021-01830-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Francesca Lionetti ◽

Daniel N. Klein ◽

Massimiliano Pastore ◽

Elaine N. Aron ◽

Arthur Aron ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Parenting Style ◽

Middle Childhood ◽

Internalizing Problems ◽

Depressive Symptomatology ◽

Community Sample ◽

Healthy Children ◽

Environmental Sensitivity ◽

Permissive Parenting

AbstractSome children are more affected than others by their upbringing due to their increased sensitivity to the environment. More sensitive children are at heightened risk for the development of internalizing problems, particularly when experiencing unsupportive parenting. However, little is known about how the interplay between children’s sensitivity and parenting leads to higher levels of depressive symptoms. In the current study, we investigated the interaction between early parenting and children’s sensitivity on levels of depressive symptomatology in middle childhood, exploring the role of rumination as a possible mediator in a community sample. Participants included 196 USA resident families, from a middle class and mostly European–American background, and their healthy children, followed up from age 3 until 9 and 12 years. Environmental sensitivity was assessed observationally when children were 3 years old. Parenting style was based on parent-report at the age of 3 years. When children were nine, they completed questionnaires on rumination and depressive symptoms (repeated at 12 years). Analyses were run applying a Bayesian approach. Children’s sensitivity interacted with permissive parenting in predicting rumination at age 9. Rumination, in turn, was associated with depressive symptoms at age 9 and, to a lesser extent, at age 12. No relevant interactions emerged for authoritative and authoritarian parenting. Sensitive children may be at heightened risk for internalizing problems when exposed to a permissive parenting style. Permissive parenting was associated with increased ruminative coping strategies in sensitive children which, in turn, predicted higher levels of depression. Hence, rumination emerged as an important cognitive risk factor for the development of depressive symptoms in sensitive children.

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A neuropsychological group rehabilitation program with institutionalized elderly

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.588 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (S1) ◽

pp. s235-s235

Author(s):

L. Lemos ◽

H. Espírito-Santo ◽

S. Simões ◽

F. Silva ◽

J. Galhardo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Depressive Symptomatology ◽

Randomized Study ◽

Geriatric Depression Scale ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Rehabilitation Program ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Institutionalized Elderly ◽

Group Rehabilitation ◽

The Impact

IntroductionElderly institutionalization involves an emotional adaptation and the research shows that the risk of depression increases.ObjectivesEvaluate the impact of a neuropsychological group rehabilitation program (NGRP) on depressive symptomatology of institutionalized elderly.AimsNGRP influences the decrease of depressive symptoms.MethodsElderly were assessed pre- and post-intervention with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and divided into a Rehabilitated Group (RG), a Waiting List Group (WLG), and a Neutral Task Group (NTG).ResultsIn this randomized study, before rehabilitation, 60 elderly people (RG; 80.31 ± 8.98 years of age; 74.2% women) had a mean GDS score of 13.33 (SD = 9.21). Five elderly included in the NTG (80.13 ± 10.84 years; 75.0% women) had a mean GDS score of 10.60 (SD = 4.72). Finally, 29 elderly in the WLG (81.32 ± 6.68 years; 69.0% women) had a mean GDS score of 14.93 (SD = 6.02). The groups were not different in GDS baseline scores (F = 0.74; P = 0.478). ANCOVA has shown significant differences (P < 0.05) in GDS scores between the three groups after 10 weeks. Sidak adjustment for multiple comparisons revealed that elderly in the WLG got worse scores in GDS, comparing with elderly in RG (P < 0.01), and with elderly in NTG (P < 0.05).ConclusionsElderly that are not involved in a task get worse in depressive symptomatology. Being involved in a structured group task means lower depressive symptoms and being in a NGRP means even greater results.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Medicine-based evidence: the case of antidepressants in patients with coronary artery disease

Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences ◽

10.1017/s2045796018000380 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

pp. 18-20

Author(s):

C. Barbui ◽

G. Ostuzzi

Keyword(s):

Coronary Artery Disease ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Coronary Artery ◽

Depressive Symptomatology ◽

Rehabilitation Program ◽

Everyday Clinical Practice ◽

Production Of Knowledge ◽

Antidepressant Use ◽

Artery Disease ◽

Harmful Effects

AbstractIn individuals with coronary artery disease and concurrent depressive symptomatology, the evidence on the beneficial and harmful effects of antidepressants is very limited. Recently, a study was carried out to describe depressive symptoms and the treatments provided under real-world circumstances to cardiac patients who entered the Mayo Clinic cardiac rehabilitation program. Antidepressant use was associated with reductions in depressive symptoms, but also with poorer cardiovascular outcomes. In this commentary, the results of this study are discussed in view of their clinical implications for everyday clinical practice and for the production of knowledge.

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Parents' and Teachers' Sensitivity to Unhappiness Reported by Undercontrolled Children

Behavioral Disorders ◽

10.1177/019874298901400301 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 166-174 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Betty C. Epanchin ◽

Mary Sue Rennells

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Behavior Problems ◽

Child Behavior ◽

Child Behavior Checklist ◽

Depressive Symptomatology ◽

Self Report ◽

Teacher Report ◽

Behavioral Ratings ◽

Self Reports ◽

Teacher Report Form

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate parents' and teachers' sensitivity to the unhappiness and depression of 110 elementary-aged undercontrolled children being treated in an inpatient program. Sensitivity was operationally defined as congruence between the child's responses on two self-report measures (Children's Depression Inventory and Hopelessness Scale for Children) and the adults' behavioral ratings of the children on behavior checklists (Child Behavior Checklist and Teacher Report Form). The first hypothesis that children's self-reports of depressive symptoms would not be significantly correlated with parents' and teachers' ratings of depressive symptomatology was supported. Secondly, it was hypothesized that there would be no differences in the level of self-reported depressive symptoms when children who were rated as depressed by their parents and teachers were compared with children rated as not depressed by their parents and teachers. This was also supported. Finally, it was hypothesized that children who reported significant levels of depressive symptomatology would be rated by their parents and teachers as having more behavior problems than children who did not report significant levels of depressed symptomatology. This was partially supported. The implications of these results in relation to identification and treatment are discussed.

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