scholarly journals Attentional control in subclinical anxiety and depression: depression symptoms are associated with deficits in target facilitation, not distractor inhibition

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra C Pike ◽  
Frida Printzlau ◽  
Alexander H. von Lautz ◽  
catherine harmer ◽  
Mark G. Stokes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Trait Anxiety ◽  
Attentional Control ◽  
Target Location ◽  
Predictive Coding ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Attentional Processes ◽  
Distractor Inhibition ◽  
Attention Tasks

Mood and anxiety disorders are associated with deficits in attentional control involving emotive and non-emotive stimuli. Current theories focus on impaired attentional inhibition of distracting stimuli in producing these deficits. However, standard attention tasks struggle to separate distractor inhibition from target facilitation. Here, we investigate whether distractor inhibition underlies these deficits using neutral stimuli in a behavioural task specifically designed to tease apart these two attentional processes. Healthy participants performed a four-location Posner cueing paradigm and completed self-report questionnaires measuring depressive symptoms and trait anxiety. Using regression analyses, we found no relationship between distractor inhibition and mood symptoms or trait anxiety. However, we find a relationship between target facilitation and depression. Specifically, higher depressive symptoms were associated with reduced target facilitation in a task-version in which the target location repeated over a block of trials. We suggest this may relate to findings previously linking depression with deficits in predictive coding in clinical populations.

scholarly journals Subclinical anxiety and depression are associated with deficits in attentional target facilitation, not distractor inhibition

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra C Pike ◽  
Frida Printzlau ◽  
Alexander H. von Lautz ◽  
catherine harmer ◽  
Mark G. Stokes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Target Location ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Attentional Processes ◽  
Distractor Inhibition ◽  
Attention Tasks ◽  
Attentional Inhibition ◽  
Healthy Participants

Mood and anxiety disorders are associated with deficits in attentional control involving emotive and non-emotive stimuli. Current theories focus on impaired attentional inhibition of distracting stimuli in producing these deficits. However, standard attention tasks struggle to separate distractor inhibition from target facilitation. Here, we investigate whether distractor inhibition underlies these deficits using neutral stimuli in a behavioural task specifically designed to tease apart these two attentional processes. Healthy participants performed a validated four-location Posner cueing paradigm and completed self-report questionnaires measuring depressive symptoms and trait anxiety. Using regression analyses, we found no relationship between distractor inhibition and mood or anxiety symptoms. However, we find a relationship between target facilitation and both depression and anxiety. Specifically, higher depressive symptoms were associated with reduced target facilitation, and higher anxiety symptoms were associated with enhanced target facilitation in a task-version in which the target location repeated over a block of trials. By contrast, we find the opposite direction of relationships in a task-version in which the location of the forthcoming target was cued on a trial-wise basis. This dissociation may point to separate mechanisms underlying the relationships between depressive and anxiety symptoms and attention and warrants further investigation in clinical populations.

scholarly journals The Mediating Effects of Coping Style on the Effects of Breath Count Mindfulness Training on Depressive Symptoms among International Students in China

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Simeng Gu ◽  
Yawen Li ◽  
Fei Liang ◽  
Rou Feng ◽  
Zhi Zeng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
International Students ◽  
Coping Style ◽  
Chinese Culture ◽  
Mindfulness Training ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Positive Coping

Mindfulness training has gained popularity in the scientific field and has been proposed as an efficient way for emotional regulation. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is designed especially for depressive people in reducing risk of depression relapse and is recommended in national guidelines as a treatment choice for relapse prevention in recurrent depression. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of mindfulness training on depressive symptoms of international students and probe into the mediating role of mindfulness in stressful events and depression. In addition, we introduced a new kind of mindfulness training, the breathing exercise-based mindfulness training, which is based on the integration of Buddhism and Daoism. Self-report questionnaires assessing the coping style, abnormal depressive behavior, and stressful live events were completed in 260 international students in China (mean age=21.4 years). The results showed that (1) many international students showed depression symptoms, (2) stressful life events play a completely mediating role in the initiation of depression and anxiety, and (3) mindfulness training for 8 weeks significantly reduced the depressive symptoms, and it was also related to a positive coping style. This study has certain theoretical significance in exploring the mechanism of the occurrence and development of depression among international students and provides useful tools for this special group of international students. In addition, the international students can also learn Chinese culture through the training. These findings indicate that mindfulness training and positive coping style are interrelated with treating depressive symptoms for international students.

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

SLEEP ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Assessing Changes in Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety During Four Weeks of Cannabis Abstinence Among Adolescents

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan E. Cooke ◽  
Jodi M. Gilman ◽  
Erin Lamberth ◽  
Natali Rychik ◽  
Brenden Tervo-Clemmens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Contingency Management ◽  
Negative Mood ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Significant Symptom

Background: Cannabis use is prevalent among adolescents, and many report using in attempts to alleviate negative mood and anxiety. Abstinence from substances such as alcohol and tobacco has been reported to improve symptoms of anxiety and depression. Few studies have examined the effect of cannabis abstinence on symptoms of anxiety and depression.Objective: To test the effect of 4 weeks of continuous cannabis abstinence on depressive and anxious symptoms.Methods: Healthy, non-treatment seeking adolescents who used cannabis at least weekly (n = 179) were randomized to either 4 weeks of cannabis abstinence achieved through a contingency management paradigm (CB-Abst) or cannabis use monitoring without an abstinence requirement (CB-Mon). Abstinence was assessed by self-report verified with quantitative assay of urine for cannabinoids. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were assessed weekly with the Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire (MASQ).Results: Symptoms of depression and anxiety decreased throughout the study for all participants (MASQ-AA: stnd beta = −0.08, p = 0.01, MASQ-GDA: stnd beta = −0.11, p = 0.003, MASQ-GDD: stnd beta = −0.08, p = 0.02) and did not differ significantly between randomization groups (p's > 0.46). Exploratory analyses revealed a trend that abstinence may be associated with greater improvement in symptoms of anxiety and depression among those using cannabis to cope with negative affect and those with potentially hazardous levels of cannabis use.Conclusions: Among adolescents who use cannabis at least weekly, 4 weeks of cannabis abstinence was not associated with a significant change in anxiety or depressive symptoms compared to continued use. For recreational cannabis users who may be concerned about reducing their use for fear of increased symptoms of anxiety and depression, findings suggest that significant symptom worsening may not occur within the first 4 weeks of abstinence. Further studies are needed in clinical populations where anxiety and depression symptoms are measured more frequently and for a longer period of abstinence. Future studies are also needed to determine whether there are subgroups of adolescents who are uniquely impacted by sustained cannabis abstinence.

scholarly journals Examining the clinical utility of using affective dynamics to characterize and predict depression symptoms within a comorbid sample

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilyn Piccirillo ◽  
Madelyn Frumkin ◽  
Marilyn Piccirillo ◽  
Natasha April Tonge ◽  
Katherine T. Foster
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Clinical Utility ◽  
Depressive Symptomatology ◽  
Diagnostic Interview ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Warning Sign ◽  
Depression Symptoms

Background: Dynamic indices calculated from ecological momentary assessment (EMA) data can model individual-level symptom fluctuations over time. However, the clinical utility for using these complex metrics to characterize comorbid symptomatology and to predict future symptom changes has not been adequately examined. Methods: Women (N = 35) with social anxiety disorder and a history of major depression completed a clinical diagnostic interview and self-report measures at baseline and approximately two months later. In between these assessments, participants completed EMA surveys on mood and anxiety symptoms five times a day for approximately 30 days (T = 5,250). Symptom severity and dynamic indices (i.e., variance, inertia) during EMA were calculated. The relative predictive value of these indices for characterizing baseline symptomatology, as well as the relative prospective predictive value of dynamic indices predicting future depressive symptomatology was assessed. Results: Baseline depressive symptoms were associated with mean levels of anxiety (b = .38, p = .001); whereas, baseline social anxiety symptoms were associated with mean levels of depression during EMA (b = -.38, p = .013). Moment-to-moment variance in anxiety during EMA (b = .22, p = .020) and baseline self-report measures of depression (b = .50, p < .001) predicted future depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Moment-to-moment fluctuations in anxiety may constitute a unique early warning sign of future increases in depression for individuals with mood and anxiety comorbidity.

School Engagement and the Role of Peer Victimization, Depressive Symptoms, and Rumination

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (7) ◽  
pp. 962-992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole B. Dorio ◽  
Stephanie Secord Fredrick ◽  
Michelle K. Demaray
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Middle School Students ◽  
Peer Victimization ◽  
School Engagement ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
School Students ◽  
Eighth Grade Students ◽  
Association Data

The purpose of the current study was to explore the association between peer victimization and school engagement and the indirect effects of rumination and depressive symptoms in this association. Data on middle school students’ victimization experiences, school engagement, rumination, and depressive symptoms were collected from 887 sixth- through eighth-grade students utilizing self-report measures. Results indicated for both boys and girls a significant negative association between peer victimization and school engagement. Furthermore, a significant indirect effect of rumination and depression symptoms was evident for both boys and girls, but these effects were more robust for girls. Furthermore, the direct relation between depressive symptoms and school engagement was stronger for girls. Implications of these findings are discussed.

scholarly journals Attentional Control as a Predictor of Response to Psychological Treatment for Depression and Relapse up to 1 year After Treatment: A Pilot Cohort Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 318-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.E.J. Buckman ◽  
R. Saunders ◽  
P. Fearon ◽  
J. Leibowitz ◽  
S. Pilling
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Attentional Control ◽  
Psychological Treatment ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Drop Out ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Residual Symptoms ◽  
Depressed Patients ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Report Measure

Background: Identifying depressed patients unlikely to reach remission and those likely to relapse after reaching remission is of great importance, but there are few pre-treatment factors that can help clinicians predict prognosis and together these explain relatively little variance in treatment outcomes. Attentional control has shown promise in studies to date, but has not been investigated prospectively in routine clinical settings with depressed patients. Aims: This study aimed to pilot the use of a brief self-report measure of attentional control in routine care and investigate the associations between attentional control, psychological treatment response and relapse to depression up to 1 year post-treatment. Method: Depressed patients were recruited from two primary care psychological treatment (IAPT) services and completed the Attentional Control Scale (ACS) alongside routine symptom measures at every therapy session. Participants were tracked and followed up for 1 year post-treatment. Results: Baseline ACS scores were associated with remission and residual depressive symptoms post-treatment, and relapse within 12 months of ending treatment, all independent of pre-treatment depressive symptom severity, and the latter also independent of residual symptoms. Conclusion: A self-report measure of attentional control can potentially be used to predict levels of depressive symptoms post-treatment and can contribute to predicting risk of relapse to depression in IAPT services, without affecting rates of therapy completion/drop-out or data completion of standard IAPT measures. However, this pilot study had a small overall sample size and a very small number of observed relapses, so replication in a larger study is needed before firm conclusions can be made.

scholarly journals Stressful life events moderate the effect of neural reward responsiveness in childhood on depressive symptoms in adolescence

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (9) ◽  
pp. 1548-1555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandon L. Goldstein ◽  
Ellen M. Kessel ◽  
Autumn Kujawa ◽  
Megan C. Finsaas ◽  
Joanne Davila ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Stressful Life Events ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Reward Processing ◽  
Event Related Potential ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Stressful Life ◽  
Depression Symptoms

AbstractBackgroundReward processing deficits have been implicated in the etiology of depression. A blunted reward positivity (RewP), an event-related potential elicited by feedback to monetary gain relative to loss, predicts new onsets and increases in depression symptoms. Etiological models of depression also highlight stressful life events. However, no studies have examined whether stressful life events moderate the effect of the RewP on subsequent depression symptoms. We examined this question during the key developmental transition from childhood to adolescence.MethodsA community sample of 369 children (mean age of 9) completed a self-report measure of depression symptoms. The RewP to winning v. losing was elicited using a monetary reward task. Three years later, we assessed stressful life events occurring in the year prior to the follow-up. Youth depressive symptoms were rated by the children and their parents at baseline and follow-up.ResultsStressful life events moderated the effect of the RewP on depression symptoms at follow-up such that a blunted RewP predicted higher depression symptoms in individuals with higher levels of stressful life events. This effect was also evident when events that were independent of the youth's behavior were examined separately.ConclusionsThese results suggest that the RewP reflects a vulnerability for depression that is activated by stress.

Strength of Religious Faith and Psychological Adjustment in Intercollegiate Athletes

2004 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric A. Storch ◽  
Adrienne H. Kovacs ◽  
Jonathan W. Roberti ◽  
Lisa M. Bailey ◽  
Erica A. Bravata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Psychological Adjustment ◽  
Trait Anxiety ◽  
Religious Faith ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Intercollegiate Athletes

In light of recent research examining the distress buffering properties of religion in intercollegiate athletes' lives, the present study investigated associations among religious faith and depressive symptoms, trait anxiety, and loneliness. Using self-report questionnaires, religious faith was not correlated with depressive symptoms, trait anxiety, and loneliness in 57 intercollegiate athletes.

scholarly journals Examining temporal interactions between loneliness and depressive symptoms and the mediating role of emotion regulation difficulties among UK residents during the COVID-19 lockdown: Longitudinal results from the COVID-19 Psychological Wellbeing Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Groarke ◽  
Emily McGlinchey ◽  
Phoebe McKenna-Plumley ◽  
Emma Berry ◽  
Lisa Graham-Wisener ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Temporal Association ◽  
Depression Symptoms

BackgroundLongitudinal studies examining the temporal association between mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 outbreak are needed. It is important to determine how relationships between mental health outcomes, specifically loneliness and depressive symptoms, manifest over a brief timeframe and in a pandemic context.Method Data was gathered over 4 months (March – June 2020) using an online survey with three repeated measures at monthly intervals (N = 1958; 69.8% females; Age 18-87 years, M = 37.01, SD = 12.81). Associations between loneliness, depression symptoms, and emotion regulation difficulty were tested using Pearson’s product moment correlations, and descriptive statistics were calculated for all study variables. Cross-lagged structural equation modelling was used to examine the temporal relationships between variables. Results The longitudinal association between loneliness and depressive symptoms was reciprocal. Loneliness predicted higher depressive symptoms one month later, and depressive symptoms predicted higher loneliness one month later. The relationship was not mediated by emotion regulation difficulties. Emotion regulation difficulties and depressive symptoms were also reciprocally related over time.Limitations Limitations include the reliance on self-report data and the non-representative sample. There was no pre-pandemic assessment limiting the conclusions that can be drawn regarding the mental health impact of the COVID-19 crisis.ConclusionsLoneliness should be considered an important feature of case conceptualisation for depression during this time. Clinical efforts to improve mental health during the pandemic could focus on interventions that target either loneliness, depression, or both. Potential approaches include increasing physical activity or low-intensity cognitive therapies delivered remotely.

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