Cognitive and behavioral correlates of depressive symptoms in a community sample of adolescents

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-105
Author(s):  
Rachelle Pullmer ◽  
Shannon L Zaitsoff ◽  
Jennifer S Coelho
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Behavioral Model ◽  
Eating Pathology ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms ◽  
Thought Action Fusion

Research in adults demonstrates a positive association among obsessive–compulsive symptoms, eating pathology, cognitive distortions, and comorbid depressive symptoms. Given that adolescence is characterized by unique and rapid changes in biopsychosocial processes, it is imperative to elucidate the relationship between these variables in youth. In this cross-sectional study, we explored whether obsessive–compulsive symptoms, thought–action fusion, thought–shape fusion, and eating pathology would be positively associated with and predict depressive symptoms in a school-based community sample of adolescents ( n = 86; Mage = 15.60). All study variables were positively correlated with depressive symptoms. Results indicated that obsessive–compulsive symptoms, thought–shape fusion, and eating pathology explained a significant proportion of variance in depressive symptoms, whereas thought–action fusion did not. In accordance with the cognitive behavioral model of psychopathology, these findings highlight the relationships between key interrelated correlates of depressive symptoms that may be pertinent targets for prevention and treatment efforts in adolescents.

Right–Wing Authoritarianism: Protective Factor against Or Risk Factor for Depression?

2012 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 536-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bart Duriez ◽  
Theo A. Klimstra ◽  
Koen Luyckx ◽  
Wim Beyers ◽  
Bart Soenens
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
World War Ii ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Student Sample

Because the authoritarian personality was introduced to explain the rise of fascism during World War II, research focused on its ability to predict prejudice, leaving its associations with well–being largely unexplored. Studies that did examine these associations yielded inconsistent results, and some authors even argued that authoritarianism buffers against the negative effects of psychological vulnerability factors (i.e. D–type personality) and negative life events on well–being, especially among people in an authoritarian environment. Using a cross–sectional community sample (N = 1010), Study 1 failed to support the idea that authoritarianism relates to depressive symptoms and buffers against the negative effects of D–type personality on depressive symptoms. Using a longitudinal college student sample (N = 499), Study 2 showed that authoritarianism did not moderate the effects of life events either and even predicted over–time increases in depressive symptoms. Using a longitudinal high school sample (N = 590), Study 3 showed that this effect emerged regardless of degree of fit with the social environment (i.e. with family and friends). Taken together, results suggest that authoritarianism constitutes a risk factor for rather than a protective factor against depressive symptoms. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

scholarly journals Perceptions of Study Conditions and Depressive Symptoms During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among University Students in Germany: Results of the International COVID-19 Student Well-Being Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Mayara Matos Fialho ◽  
Franca Spatafora ◽  
Lisa Kühne ◽  
Heide Busse ◽  
Stefanie M. Helmer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
University Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
German Student ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mental Well Being

Background: Results of previous studies examining the impact of the SARS-CoV-1 epidemic in 2003 on university students' mental well-being indicated severe mental health consequences. It is unclear how the current COVID-19 pandemic and the changes in study conditions due to federal regulations affected mental well-being in the German student population. We examined university students' perceptions of study conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic and investigated associations between study conditions and depressive symptoms.Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Germany in May 2020 at four universities (N = 5,021, 69% female, mean age: 24 years, SD: 5.1). Perceived study conditions, as well as sociodemographic information, were assessed with self-generated items and the CES-D 8 scale was used to determine depressive symptoms. Associations between perceived study conditions (academic stress and academic satisfaction), in general, and confidence to complete the semester, in particular, and depressive symptoms were analyzed using generalized linear regressions.Results: Fifty-four percent of survey participants felt that the university workload had significantly increased since the COVID-19 pandemic; 48% were worried that they would not be able to successfully complete the academic year; 47% agreed that the change in teaching methods caused significant stress. Regarding depressive symptoms, the mean score of the CES-D 8 scale was 9.25. Further, a positive association between perceived study conditions and depressive symptoms was found (p < 0.001), indicating that better study conditions were associated with fewer depressive symptoms. Results of the generalized linear regression suggest that better student mental well-being was related to higher confidence in completing the semester.Conclusions: This study provides first insights into perceived study conditions and associations with depressive symptoms among students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Findings underline the need for universities to provide intervention strategies targeting students' mental well-being during the course of the pandemic.

Thought–Action Fusion: Is it Present in Schizophrenia?

2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elif Kabakcı ◽  
Başaran Demir ◽  
Hilal Demirel ◽  
Ali Emre Şevik
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Beck Depression Inventory ◽  
Personality Characteristics ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Magical Ideation ◽  
Schizotypal Personality ◽  
Control Subjects ◽  
Schizophrenic Patients ◽  
Thought Action Fusion

AbstractThought–action fusion (TAF) refers to the belief that thoughts and actions are linked. While ‘Moral’ TAF refers to the belief that unacceptable thoughts are morally equivalent to overt actions, ‘Likelihood’ TAF is the belief that certain thoughts can increase the probability of some events (related to self or others) to occur. The objective of this study was to compare the schizophrenic patients with nonclinical controls in terms of TAF Likelihood and TAF Moral after controlling for the effects of obsessive compulsive and depressive symptoms, magical ideation and schizotypy. The sample was composed of patients hospitalised for schizophrenia (n = 45) and nonclinical control subjects (n = 41). Thought–Action Fusion Scale, Maudsley Obsessive–Compulsive Inventory, Magical Ideation Scale, Schizotypal Personality Characteristics Subscale and Beck Depression Inventory were administered. Results revealed that after controlling the effects of obsessive–compulsive and depressive symptoms, magical ideation and schizotypy, patients still had higher scores on TAF Likelihood Others but not on Self. Patients also had a tendency to get higher scores on TAF Moral. It is concluded that the study shows the presence of TAF Likelihood Others in schizophrenia even after controlling for the effects of magical ideation, depressive and OCD symptoms and schizotypal characteristics.

scholarly journals High Prevalence of Poststroke Depression in Ischemic Stroke Patients in Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Fikru Tsehayneh ◽  
Abenet Tafesse
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Poststroke Depression ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Patient Health

Background. There is limited information and research carried out regarding the prevalence of poststroke depression (PSD) in the study area. Psychiatric disorders complicate a significant proportion of patients suffering from stroke. This of course have a great negative impact on our knowledge about poststroke depression in Ethiopia, and poststroke depression complicates a significant number of stroke patients and their rehabilitation. Methods. A cross-sectional study on all patients aged above 18 years and diagnosed with stroke in the past two years who attended the neurology follow-up clinics of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH) and Zewditu Memorial Hospital (ZMH) was done by using a structured questionnaire containing Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) depression screening tool. Result. Of 84 patients who were eligible for the study, 32.2% of patients have depressive symptoms. Women (OR 0.001, 95% CI 0.12–0.87) and aphasic patients (OR 0.034, 95% CI 0.19–1.27) were more likely to have depressive symptoms. Conclusion. Depressive symptoms after stroke are common in Ethiopian patients. Our study demonstrates female and aphasic patients are more likely to screen positive for PSD. Hence, screening all poststroke patients with different screening tools is practical, and further studies are needed to assess the validity of these screening tools and also to assess PSD as a predictor of stroke outcome.

scholarly journals Cross-sectional study of association between psychosocial stressors with chronic kidney disease among migrant and non-migrant Ghanaians living in Europe and Ghana: the RODAM study

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. e027931 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Nana Adjei ◽  
Karien Stronks ◽  
Dwomoa Adu ◽  
Erik Beune ◽  
Karlijn Meeks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Psychosocial Stressors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
European Cities ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Stress At Work

ObjectivesThe association between psychosocial stressors (PS) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) among sub-Saharan African (SSA) populations is unknown. We examined the association between PS and CKD prevalence among rural and urban Ghanaians and Ghanaian migrants living in three European cities. We also assessed if the influence of PS on CKD is partially mediated by primary risk factors (hypertension and diabetes) of CKD.DesignA multi-centred cross sectional data from the Research on Obesity and Diabetes among African Migrants study.SettingRural and urban Ghana and three European cities (Amsterdam, Berlin and London).ParticipantsA random sample of 5659 adults (Europe 3167, rural Ghana 1043 and urban Ghana 1449) aged 25–70 years.Explanatory measuresPS defined by negative life events, perceived discrimination, perceived stress at work/home and depressive symptoms. Three CKD outcomes were considered using the 2012 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes severity of CKD classification. Comparisons between PS and CKD outcomes were made using logistic regression analyses across all sites.ResultsWe observed higher proportion of negative life events (68.7%) and perceived permanent stress (15.9%) among Ghanaians living in Ghana than Ghanaians living in Europe. Depressive symptoms (7.5%) and perceived discrimination (29.7%) were more common among Ghanaians living in Europe than Ghanaians living in Ghana. No significant association was observed between any of the PS constructs and CKD outcomes across sites except for positive association between stress at work/home and albuminuria (2.81, 95% CI 1.46 to 5.40) and CKD risk (2.78, 95% CI 1.43 to 5.43) among Ghanaians living in Berlin.ConclusionOur study found a positive association between stress at work/home and albuminuria and CKD risk. There was no convincing evidence of associations between the other PS constructs and the prevalence of CKD risk. Further studies are needed to identify potential factors driving the high prevalence of CKD among these populations.

Can a Theory of Mind Disruption Help Explain OCD Related Metacognitive Disturbances?

2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard O'Kearney ◽  
Cherie Nicholson
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms ◽  
Metacognitive Development ◽  
Adult Participants ◽  
Degree Of Certainty ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Thought Action Fusion

AbstractThis study investigated whether individual differences in obsessive-compulsive symptoms and in thought–action fusion are related to theory of mind abilities. One hundred and ninety-two adult participants completed self-reports of obsessive–compulsive symptoms (OCI-R), thought–action fusion (TAF), private self-consciousness (PSC) and self-reflectiveness (SR) as mentalising abilities, and anxiety and depression. A nonintrospective method examining participants' implicit structure of their lexicon for ‘knowing’ was used to assess theory of mind. Private self-conciousness and SR added to the prediction of OCD symptoms independently of TAF and depression but did not mediate the relationship between TAF and OCD symptoms. Participants high in thought–action fusion gave a greater emphasis to the certainty dimension of the mental lexicon and placed lesser importance on the source of information dimension than those low in TAF. Our results provide preliminary evidence of a relationship between theory of mind and thought–action fusion. People disposed to thought–action fusion are more likely to make a significance judgment about ‘knowing’ based on the degree of certainty than on reference to the source of knowledge. Identifying disruptions to theory of mind abilities in OCD provides links to solid theory and evidence about metacognitive development and may help integrate cognitive processing and cognitive appraisal models of OCD.

Women’s Use of Aggression and Their Depressive Symptoms: The Mediating Effect of Aggression-Related Shame and Avoidance Coping Among Women Experiencing Bidirectional Intimate Partner Violence

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 533-546
Author(s):  
Nicole M. Overstreet ◽  
Nicole H. Weiss ◽  
Suzanne C. Swan ◽  
Tami P. Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Male Partner ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Avoidance Coping ◽  
Multiple Mediator Model

Research is scarce on the consequences of women’s use of aggression on their depressive symptoms, particularly in relationships where women use and are victimized by intimate partner violence (IPV). Further, research has yet to identify factors that may mediate the aggression-depressive symptoms link among women who experience bidirectional IPV. The present study examined the potential mediating roles of shame and avoidance coping in the relationship between women’s use of intimate partner aggression and their depressive symptoms. Participants were a community sample of 369 women who used and were victimized by physical aggression with a current male partner in the previous 6 months. A serial multiple mediator model was used to examine the mediating roles of aggression-related shame and avoidance coping on the relation between women’s use of aggression and depressive symptoms. Results showed a significant indirect effect of women's use of aggression on their depressive symptoms through both aggression-related shame and avoidance coping; indirect effects were not significant through each mediator separately. After controlling for women’s IPV victimization, we found a positive association between women’s use of aggression and aggression-related shame, which in turn was related to greater avoidance coping, and subsequently, greater depressive symptoms. These findings highlight the importance of examining shame and avoidance coping as consequences of women’s use of aggression and its effects on poorer mental health outcomes among women who use and are victimized by IPV.

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