Relationships Among Perceived Stress, Bullying, Cortisol, and Depressive Symptoms in Ninth-Grade Adolescents

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan G. Williams ◽  
Anne Turner-Henson ◽  
Sara Davis ◽  
Heather C. Soistmann
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Salivary Cortisol ◽  
School Setting ◽  
Biological Marker ◽  
Ninth Grade ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Computer Based

Adolescence is considered a critical period for risk of depressive symptoms, with prevalence ranging from 13% to 34%. Few studies have examined the relationships among perceived stress, bullying, and depressive symptoms accompanied by a biological marker of stress (cortisol). The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the feasibility of collecting biological specimens in a high school setting, including a morning and afternoon sample of salivary cortisol as well as computer-based survey data in order to examine the relationships among these variables in ninth-grade adolescents. A convenience sample of 31 ninth-grade students from a Southern suburban high school participated in this cross-sectional, correlational study. Perceived stress contributed the most toward the variance in depressive symptoms ( F = 29.379, df = 1, p < .001, partial eta square [[Formula: see text]] = 0.583). Females ( n = 15) had higher depressive symptoms scores than males, n = 16; t(29) = −2.94, df = 29, p = .023. Bullying scores were low and not significantly correlated with depressive symptoms, but participants reported more verbal/relational bullying as compared to physical, cultural, or cyberbullying. Cortisol slopes were normal (a negative change) for 20 participants (64.5%), while 4 (12.9%) had a blunted cortisol slope (less than .01 μg/dl change from morning to afternoon) and 7 (22.36%) had an opposite cortisol slope (morning low and afternoon high). Data collection procedures (salivary cortisol and computer-based surveys) were feasible in a school setting. High rates of perceived stress and depressive symptoms warrant a larger study in the future.

scholarly journals Stress in obstructive sleep apnea

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmine L. Wong ◽  
Fernando Martinez ◽  
Andrea P. Aguila ◽  
Amrita Pal ◽  
Ravi S. Aysola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Obstructive Sleep Apnea ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Sleep Apnea ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
General Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Obstructive Sleep

AbstractPeople with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) often have psychological symptoms including depression and anxiety, which are commonly treated with anti-depression or anti-anxiety interventions. Psychological stress is a related symptom with different intervention targets that may also improve mental state, but this symptom is not well characterized in OSA. We therefore aimed to describe stress in relation to other psychological symptoms. We performed a prospective cross-sectional study of 103 people, 44 untreated OSA (mean ± s.d. age: 51.2 ± 13.9 years, female/male 13/31) and 57 healthy control participants (age: 46.3 ± 13.8 years, female/male 34/23). We measured stress (Perceived Stress Scale; PSS), excessive daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale; ESS), depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire; PHQ-9), and anxiety symptoms (General Anxiety Disorder; GAD-7). We compared group means with independent samples t-tests and calculated correlations between variables. Mean symptom levels were higher in OSA than control, including PSS (mean ± s.d.: OSA = 15.3 ± 6.9, control = 11.4 ± 5.5; P = 0.002), GAD-7 (OSA = 4.8 ± 5.0, control = 2.1 ± 3.9; P = 0.02), PHQ-9 (OSA = 6.9 ± 6.1, control = 2.6 ± 3.8; P = 0.003) and ESS (OSA = 8.1 ± 5.3, control = 5.0 ± 3.3; P = 0.03). Similar OSA-vs-control differences appeared in males, but females only showed significant differences in PHQ-9 and ESS, not PSS or GAD-7. PSS correlated strongly with GAD-7 and PHQ-9 across groups (R = 0.62–0.89), and moderately with ESS. Perceived stress is high in OSA, and closely related to anxiety and depressive symptoms. The findings support testing stress reduction in OSA.

scholarly journals Perceived stress and depressive symptoms not neuropsychiatric symptoms predict caregiver burden in Alzheimer’s disease: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manee Pinyopornpanish ◽  
Kanokporn Pinyopornpanish ◽  
Atiwat Soontornpun ◽  
Surat Tanprawate ◽  
Angkana Nadsasarn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Background Caregiver burden affects the caregiver’s health and is related to the quality of care received by patients. This study aimed to determine the extent to which caregivers feel burdened when caring for patients with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and to investigate the predictors for caregiving burden. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted. One hundred two caregivers of patients with AD at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, a tertiary care hospital, were recruited. Assessment tools included the perceived stress scale (stress), PHQ-9 (depressive symptoms), Zarit Burden Interview-12 (burden), Clinical Dementia Rating (disease severity), Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaires (neuropsychiatric symptoms), and Barthel Activities Daily Living Index (dependency). The mediation analysis model was used to determine any associations. Results A higher level of severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms (r = 0.37, p < 0.01), higher level of perceived stress (r = 0.57, p < 0.01), and higher level of depressive symptoms (r = 0.54, p < 0.01) were related to a higher level of caregiver burden. The direct effect of neuropsychiatric symptoms on caregiver burden was fully mediated by perceived stress and depressive symptoms (r = 0.13, p = 0.177), rendering an increase of 46% of variance in caregiver burden by this parallel mediation model. The significant indirect effect of neuropsychiatric symptoms by these two mediators was (r = 0.21, p = 0.001). Conclusion Caregiver burden is associated with patients’ neuropsychiatric symptoms indirectly through the caregiver’s depressive symptoms and perception of stress. Early detection and provision of appropriate interventions and skills to manage stress and depression could be useful in reducing and preventing caregiver burden.

scholarly journals Maternal stress and depressive symptoms and adolescents’ body mass index: a prospective study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maaike Koning ◽  
Jacqueline Vink ◽  
Tommy L. S. Visscher ◽  
Junilla Larsen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Prospective Study ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Maternal Stress ◽  
Maternal Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
General Stress ◽  
Adolescent Offspring

Abstract Background Growing evidence suggests that maternal mental health issues are associated with (young) children’s weight outcomes. However, most studies have been limited by cross-sectional designs and have been aimed at (younger) children. The current prospective study focuses on the link between maternal mental health (i.e., psychological stress and depressive symptoms) and adolescents’ zBMI development. Methods The participants in the present study were part of wave 1 and 2 of a longitudinal study on Dutch adolescents’ and their parents’ health behavior. Adolescents (aged 10–14) and their parents were recruited through six secondary schools in the South and the East of the Netherlands. For this study, we only included biological mothers and their adolescent children who participated in both waves, with data on the main measures in both waves, leaving a final sample of 336 biological mother-child dyads. Adolescents height and weight were measured, and both parents and adolescents filled in validated questionnaires on perceived stress and depressive symptoms and answered additional questions concerning domain-specific stress. Regression analyses were performed in R to examine longitudinal links between maternal stress and depressive symptoms at baseline (T1) and adolescents’ BMI standard deviation scores (zBMI) 6 months later (T2), corrected for baseline zBMI and covariates. Results Maternal general perceived stress (β = .20, p = .002) at T1 preceded higher adolescents’ zBMI at T2, after controlling for baseline zBMI and other covariates, whereas maternal depressive symptoms at T1 (β = −.05, p = .44) and other domain-specific stress did not (maternal financial stress, maternal stress at work, maternal stress at home). Additionally, lower educational level among adolescents (β = .16, p = .001) and adolescent depressive symptoms (β = .16, p = .001) was associated with a higher zBMI at T2. Conclusions Results suggest that maternal general stress, but not depressive symptoms, may influence adolescents’ weight development. Our findings warrant future investigation on whether and how general stress among mothers may predict weight increases of their adolescent offspring.

scholarly journals Mediators and Moderators of the Association Between Perceived Stress and Episodic Memory in Diverse Older Adults

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Afsara B. Zaheed ◽  
Neika Sharifian ◽  
A. Zarina Kraal ◽  
Ketlyne Sol ◽  
Jennifer J. Manly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Perceived Control ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Negative Association ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Stress Memory

Abstract Objective: Stress is a risk factor for numerous negative health outcomes, including cognitive impairment in late-life. The negative association between stress and cognition may be mediated by depressive symptoms, which separate studies have identified as both a consequence of perceived stress and a risk factor for cognitive decline. Pathways linking perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and cognition may be moderated by sociodemographics and psychosocial resources. The goal of this cross-sectional study was to identify modifying factors and enhance understanding of the mechanisms underlying the stress–cognition association in a racially and ethnically diverse sample of older adults. Method: A linear regression estimated the association between perceived stress and episodic memory in 578 older adults (Mage = 74.58) in the Washington Heights-Inwood Columbia Aging Project. Subsequent models tested whether depressive symptoms mediated the stress–memory relationship and whether sociodemographics (gender, race, and ethnicity) or perceived control moderated these pathways. Results: Independent of sociodemographics and chronic diseases, greater perceived stress was associated with worse episodic memory. This relationship was mediated by more depressive symptoms. Higher perceived control buffered the association between stress and depressive symptoms. There was no significant moderation by gender, race, or ethnicity. Conclusion: Depressive symptoms may play a role in the negative association between perceived stress and cognition among older adults; however, longitudinal analyses and studies using experimental designs are needed. Perceived control is a modifiable psychological resource that may offset the negative impact of stress.

scholarly journals Assessing HIV/AIDS Knowledge, Awareness, and Attitudes among Senior High School Students in Kuwait

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 470-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
AlMunther Alhasawi ◽  
Saroj Bala Grover ◽  
Ali Sadek ◽  
Ibrahim Ashoor ◽  
Iqbal Alkhabbaz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Immune Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
Senior High School ◽  
School Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Senior High School Students ◽  
Hiv Aids

Objectives: An estimated 1.8 million individuals worldwide became newly infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in 2016, which amounts to 5,000 new infections per day. This includes 160,000 children. The HIV epidemic not only affects the health of individuals but also impacts households, communities, and the development and economic growth of nations [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref1">1</xref>]. The prevention and control of HIV infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) are recognized as a national priority in Kuwait. This study assesses the knowledge, awareness, and attitudes about HIV/AIDS among senior high school students in Kuwait. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a convenience sample of 346 students in 8 randomly selected high schools in 3 governorates of Kuwait, using a questionnaire designed to measure the student’s knowledge and attitude towards HIV/AIDS. The survey questionnaire was administered to the students in their classrooms. Results: This study revealed that the students were knowledgeable with regard to the nature and mode of transmission of HIV/AIDS, but they needed a more detailed understanding of the disease to prevent stigmatization and discrimination of an infected person. Conclusion: This study provides a benchmark for further elaborate studies in the community to develop appropriate health education and awareness programs.

Depressive Symptoms and Diurnal Salivary Cortisol Patterns Among Female Caregivers of Stroke Survivors

2012 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 396-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen L. Saban ◽  
Herbert L. Mathews ◽  
Fred B. Bryant ◽  
Timothy E. O’Brien ◽  
Linda Witek Janusek
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Chronic Stress ◽  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Salivary Cortisol ◽  
Allostatic Load ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
Stroke Survivors ◽  
Increased Risk

Informal caregivers of stroke survivors experience elevated chronic stress and are at risk of developing depressive symptoms. The cumulative effects of chronic stress can increase allostatic load and dysregulate biological processes, thus increasing risk of stress-related disease. Stress-induced alterations in the pattern of cortisol secretion vary with respect to stressor onset, intensity, and chronicity. Little is known about the psychoendocrine response to stress in female caregivers of stroke survivors. The purpose of this study was to examine perceived stress, caregiver burden, and the association between caregiver depressive symptoms and diurnal cortisol in 45 females caring for a significant other who experienced a stroke within the past year. Women completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and collected saliva for cortisol upon awakening, 30 min postawakening, noon, and bedtime for 2 consecutive days. Results revealed that women had high levels of perceived stress and caregiver burden. In women with CES-D scores ≥ 16, salivary cortisol levels were significantly lower across the day relative to women with CES-D scores < 16. This difference persisted after adjusting for age, number of caregiving hours per week, perceived social support, and quality of sleep. Younger age was associated with more depressive symptoms as well as lower levels of cortisol at awakening and 30 min postawakening. Results demonstrate that the burden of caregiving increases risk of depressive symptoms and hypocortisolism across the day. Hypocortisolism may contribute to increased risk of depressive symptoms as a result of the loss of glucocorticoid attenuation of stress-induced inflammation.

scholarly journals Intrafamily relations and resilience as protectors against depressive symptoms in Mexican high school students

Salud Mental ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 127-134
Author(s):  
Héctor Rubén Bravo-Andrade
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Short Version ◽  
School Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression

Introduction. Between 27.3% and 31.5% of adolescents in Mexico may present symptoms of depression. This issue has been studied from both family and resilience perspectives, although few studies have examined their interaction. Objective. In this study, we evaluated the influence of intrafamily relations and resilience on depressive symptoms in Mexican high school students, for which an analysis by sex was conducted. Method. For this correlation cross-sectional study, we evaluated 511 adolescents using the Revised Depression Scale of the Center for Epidemiological Studies, the short version of the Intrafamily Relation Evaluation Scale, and the Revised Resilience Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents. We performed multiple linear regression analyzes by sex using the stepwise method. Results. For young men, the predictor variables were expression, difficulties, and problem-solving (R2a = .34), whereas for young women the variables were union and support, difficulties, and empathy (R2a = .25). Discussion and conclusion. This study indicates specific aspects of intrafamily relations and resilience to develop sex-sensitive interventions to prevent depression in high school students.

scholarly journals Food consumption frequency and perceived stress and depressive symptoms among female university students in the UAE

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ohoud Mohamad ◽  
Haleama Al Sabbah ◽  
Linda Smail ◽  
Ehab W Hermena ◽  
Rola Al Ghali
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
University Students ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Soft Drinks ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Frequent Consumption ◽  
Independent Variable

Abstract Background This study assessed whether perceived stress and depressive symptoms were associated with the frequency of consumption of specific food groups among female university students. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among female university students using a simple random sampling method. The response rate was 97% yielded a total number of 385 participants. The associations between stress levels and the most/least consumed food groups, and between depressive symptoms levels and the most/least consumed food groups were assessed. The questionnaire included a 12-item self-administered food frequency questionnaire, Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory-II. The study was approved by the University Ethical Committee before data collection. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the independent-sample t-test were carried out to test the equality of population means across the categories of each independent variable depending on the number of categories of the independent variable. Results Overall, this group of female university students fell under the mild mood disturbance category (depressive symptoms) (BDI-II) and had moderate perceived stress (PSS). Perceived stress was associated with more frequent consumption of salad/raw vegetables and cooked vegetables, and less frequent consumption of cake/cookies and meat/sausage products (p < .05). Additionally, depressive symptoms were associated with less frequent consumption of fresh fruits and more consumption of fast food/canned food and soft drinks (p < .05). Conclusions The data showed that stress and depression were associated with different dietary preferences consistent with distinctions between stress and depression on human behavior. Specifically, the results revealed associations between soft drinks consumption and higher depressive symptoms, and between frequent consumption of salad/raw vegetables and cooked vegetables and higher perceived stress among this group of female university students.

scholarly journals Maternal stress and depressive symptoms and adolescents’ body mass index: A prospective study.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maaike Koning ◽  
Jacqueline Vink ◽  
Tommy L.S. Visscher ◽  
Junilla Larsen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Prospective Study ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Maternal Stress ◽  
Maternal Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
General Stress ◽  
Adolescent Offspring

Abstract Background Growing evidence suggests that maternal mental health issues are associated with (young) children’s weight outcomes. However, most studies have been limited by cross-sectional designs and have been aimed at (younger) children. The current prospective study focuses on the link between maternal mental health (i.e., psychological stress and depressive symptoms) and adolescents’ zBMI development.Methods The participants in the present study were part of wave 1 and 2 of a longitudinal study on Dutch adolescents’ and their parents’ health behavior. Adolescents (aged 10-14) and their parents were recruited through six secondary schools in the South and the East of the Netherlands. For this study, we only included biological mothers and their adolescent children who participated in both waves, with data on the main measures on both waves, leaving a final sample of 336 biological mother child dyads. Adolescents height and weight were measured, and both parents and adolescents filled in validated questionnaires on perceived stress and depressive symptoms and answered additional questions concerning domain-specific stress. Regression analyses were performed in R to examine longitudinal links between maternal stress and depressive symptoms at baseline (T1) and adolescents’ BMI standard deviation scores (zBMI) 6 months later (T2), corrected for baseline zBMI and covariates. Results Maternal general perceived stress (b=.20, p =.002) at T1 preceded higher adolescents’ zBMI at T2, after controlling for baseline zBMI and other covariates, whereas maternal depressive symptoms at T1 (b=-.05, p =.44) and other domain-specific stress did not (maternal financial stress, maternal stress at work, maternal stress at home). Additionally, lower educational level among adolescents (b = .16, p = .001) and adolescent depressive symptoms (b = .16, p = .001) was associated with a higher zBMI at T2. Conclusions Results suggest that maternal general stress, but not depressive symptoms, may influence adolescents’ weight development. Our findings warrant future investigation on whether and how general stress among mothers may predict weight increases of their adolescent offspring.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document