scholarly journals Trajectories of depression and anxiety symptoms over time in the transition to university: Their co-occurrence and the role of self-critical perfectionism

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelby L. Levine ◽  
Nassim Tabri ◽  
Marina Milyavskaya

Little is known about how mental health symptoms develop during the transition to university. Most anxiety and depression research fail to consider how symptom development differs over time across different individuals, and how symptom co-occurrence influences the severity of mental heath problems. Students (N = 658) completed online surveys on mental health prior to starting university and every 2 months until April. To better understand mental health problems during this transitional period, latent class growth curve analyses were run to determine how anxiety and depressive symptoms co-develop over time, as well, if self-critical perfectionism was a transdiagnostic risk factor for more severe symptom trajectories in this transition. About 40% of students experienced depression and anxiety symptoms prior to entering/ during the transition to university. There is substantial variation between students in terms of how they experience depression and anxiety symptoms, and research needs to take this heterogeneity into account to properly identify which students might benefit most from resources. Self-critical perfectionism was a transdiagnostic risk factor, such that students higher in this trait experienced more severe anxiety and depressive symptom trajectories during this transition. This research further implicates the importance of understanding and studying individual differences in symptom development.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Shelby L. Levine ◽  
Nassim Tabri ◽  
Marina Milyavskaya

Abstract Little is known about how mental health symptoms develop during the transition to university. Most anxiety and depression research fails to consider how symptom development differs over time across different individuals, and how symptom co-occurrence influences the severity of mental health problems. Students (N = 658) completed online surveys on mental health prior to starting university and every 2 months until April. To better understand mental health problems during this transitional period, latent class growth curve analyses were run to determine how anxiety and depressive symptoms co-develop over time, as well, if self-critical perfectionism was a transdiagnostic risk factor for more severe symptom trajectories in this transition. About 40% of students experienced depression and anxiety symptoms prior to entering/during the transition to university. There is substantial variation between students in terms of how they experience depression and anxiety symptoms, and research needs to take this heterogeneity into account to properly identify which students might benefit most from resources. Self-critical perfectionism was a transdiagnostic risk factor, such that students higher in this trait experienced more severe anxiety and depressive symptom trajectories during this transition. This research further implicates the importance of understanding and studying individual differences in symptom development.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack L Andrews ◽  
Meiwei Li ◽  
Savannah Minihan ◽  
Annabel Songco ◽  
Elaine Fox ◽  
...  

Individuals vary in their ability to tolerate uncertainty. High intolerance of uncertainty is a known risk factor for mental health problems. In the current study we examined the degree to which intolerance of uncertainty predicted depression and anxiety symptoms and their interrelations across the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. We examined these associations across three time points (May 2020 – April 2021) in an international sample of adults (N = 2087, Mean age = 41.13) from three countries (UK, USA, Australia) with varying degrees of COVID-19 risk. We found that individuals with high and moderate levels of intolerance of uncertainty reported reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms over time. However, symptom levels remained significantly elevated compared to individuals with low intolerance of uncertainty. Individuals with low intolerance of uncertainty had low and stable levels of depression and anxiety across the course of the study. Network analyses further revealed that the relationships between depression and anxiety symptoms became stronger over time among individuals with high intolerance of uncertainty and identified that feeling afraid showed the strongest association with intolerance of uncertainty. Our findings are consistent with previous work identifying intolerance of uncertainty as an important risk factor for mental health problems, especially in times marked by actual health, economic and social uncertainty. The results highlight the need to explore ways to foster resilience among individuals who struggle to tolerate uncertainty, as ongoing and future geopolitical, climate and health threats will likely lead to continued exposure to significant uncertainty.


2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 2073-2082 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. G. Foster ◽  
J. R. Steinberg ◽  
S. C. M. Roberts ◽  
J. Neuhaus ◽  
M. A. Biggs

BackgroundThis study prospectively assesses the mental health outcomes among women seeking abortions, by comparing women having later abortions with women denied abortions, up to 2 years post-abortion seeking.MethodWe present the first 2 years of a 5-year telephone interview study that is following 956 women who sought an abortion from 30 facilities throughout the USA. We use adjusted linear mixed-effects regression analyses to assess whether symptoms of depression and anxiety, as measured by the Brief Symptom Inventory-short form and the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders Patient Health Questionnaire, differ over time among women denied an abortion due to advanced gestational age, compared with women who received abortions.ResultsBaseline predicted mean depressive symptom scores for women denied abortion (3.07) were similar to women receiving an abortion just below the gestational limit (2.86). Depressive symptoms declined over time, with no difference between groups. Initial predicted mean anxiety symptoms were higher among women denied care (2.59) than among women who had an abortion just below the gestational limit (1.91). Anxiety levels in the two groups declined and converged after 1 year.ConclusionsWomen who received an abortion had similar or lower levels of depression and anxiety than women denied an abortion. Our findings do not support the notion that abortion is a cause of mental health problems.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tian Qi ◽  
Ting Hu ◽  
Qi-Qi Ge ◽  
Xiao-Na Zhou ◽  
Jia-Mei Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has lasted for more than 1 year, causing far-reaching and unprecedented changes in almost all aspects of society. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on depression and anxiety, and explore the factors associated with it. Methods A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted to assess mental health problems from February 2 to February 9, 2021 by using patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and generalized anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7). The insomnia severity index (ISI), demographic data and COVID-19 related variables were measured by a self-designed questionnaire. The factors associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms were identified by Pearson chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis. Results In the study that 1171 participants enrolled, the overall prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms among general people was 22.6 and 21.4% respectively in the present study. Living alone was a potential risk factor for depressive symptoms, while regular exercises was a potential protective factor. The prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms was significantly associated with the severity of insomnia symptoms and the negative feelings about pandemic. Conclusion COVID-19 pandemic- related chronic stress has brought about profound impacts on long-term mental health in the general population. The level of insomnia and a negative attitude towards the pandemic are significantly correlated with unfavorable mental health. However, we failed to found a significant association of age and gender with the mental health symptoms, although they were recognized as well-established risk factors during the outbreak by some other studies. This discrepancy may be because the acute and chronic effects of the pandemic are influenced by different factors, which reminds that more attention should be paid to the intrinsic psychological factors and physical reactions towards COVID-19.


2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (7) ◽  
pp. 725-735
Author(s):  
Grace E McMahon ◽  
Peter J Anderson ◽  
Rebecca Giallo ◽  
Carmen C Pace ◽  
Jeanie L Cheong ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective Mothers of infants born very preterm (VPT) are at high risk of mental health difficulties. However, less is known about the course of fathers’ depressive and anxiety symptoms over time, and the implications this may have for early parenting behaviors. Methods In total, 100 fathers of 125 infants born VPT (<30 weeks’ gestation) completed questionnaires assessing depressive and anxiety symptoms shortly after their infant’s birth, and when their infant reached term-equivalent age, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months’ corrected age. At 12 months’ corrected age, fathers’ parenting behaviors were assessed using the Emotional Availability Scales. Longitudinal latent class analysis was used to identify trajectories of fathers’ depressive and anxiety symptoms, and linear regression equations examined relationships between these trajectories and fathers’ parenting behaviors. Results For both depressive and anxiety symptoms, two distinct trajectories were identified. For depression, most fathers were assigned to the persistently low symptom trajectory (82%), while the remainder were assigned to the persistently high symptom trajectory (18%). For anxiety, 49% of fathers were assigned to the persistently low symptom trajectory, while 51% were assigned to the trajectory characterized by moderate symptoms over the first postnatal year. There were no significant differences in parenting behaviors between fathers assigned to the different depressive and anxiety symptom trajectories. Conclusions Fathers of infants born VPT are at risk of chronic depressive and anxiety symptoms over the first postnatal year, highlighting the need for screening and ongoing support.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Shahriarirad ◽  
Amirhossein Erfani ◽  
Keivan Ranjbar ◽  
Amir Bazrafshan ◽  
Alireza Mirahmadizadeh

Abstract Background: Disease outbreak not only carries the risk of death to the public due to the infection, but it also can lead to unbearable psychological impact on the mental health of the individuals. This study aims to explore and evaluate the burden of psychological problems on the Iranian general population during the outbreak of COVID-19.Method: A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted among the general population of Iran age 15 and above. Demographic variables, depression, and anxiety symptoms were evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and General Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaires.Results: Among the 8591 participants, the mean age was 34.37 (±11.25) years and 66.4% were female while 33.6% were male. Based on our results, 1295 (15.1%) and 1733 (20.1%) of the general population clinically significant depressive and anxiety symptoms respectively. Based on the demographic variables, female gender was associated with a higher risk for developing depression and anxiety symptoms, whereas getting information about the disease from medical journals and articles, being older, and being married were considered as associated protective factors. In terms of depression, being a healthcare worker was an associated risk factor. On the other hand, for anxiety, having higher education was a protective factor while a higher number of individuals in a household was considered as a risk factor.Conclusions: This study identified a major mental health problem in the Iranian population during the time of the COVID-19 outbreak. Therefore, establishing a targeted mental health support program during the time of public emergencies, such as the disease outbreak, is advised.


2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuwei Qi ◽  
Alexander Lepe ◽  
Josué Almansa ◽  
Patricia Ots ◽  
Marlou L.A. de Kroon ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic may impact mental health outcomes differentially based on an inidivdual’s capital, i.e. resources used to maintain and enhance health. This study examined changes in depression and anxiety symptoms before and during the pandemic, and assessed their association with different elements of capital. Methods Data from 65,854 individuals (Mage=50.4, SDage=12.0) from the Lifelines COVID-19 cohort were used. Baseline mental health symptoms were on average measured 4.7 (SD = 1.1) years before the first COVID-19 measurement wave (T1), and subsequent waves were (bi)weekly (March 30 — August 05, 2020). Mental health symptom trajectories were estimated using a two-part Latent Class Growth Analysis (cutoff=2 symptoms), and class membership was predicted by several elements of economic (education, income, and occupation) and person capital (neuroticism). Results Most individuals were unlikely to report □2 symptoms of depression (80.6%) and anxiety (75.9%), but small stable-high classes for both conditions were identified (1.6% and 6.7%, respectively). Compared to T0, T1 showed increases in the mean number of symptoms (Mdep_t0=4.1 vs Mdep_t1=4.7, Manx_t0=4.2 vs Manx_t1=4.3) and probability of reporting symptoms (Probdep_t0=0.65 vs Probdep_t1=0.96, Probanx_t0=0.70 vs Probanx_t1=0.92). Lower income (ORdep=1.10; 95%CI:1.05-1.16; ORanx=1.05; 95%CI:1.02-1.07) and higher neuroticism (ORdep=1.10; 95%CI:1.09-1.11; ORanx=1.08; 95%CI:1.08-1.09) increased the odds of being in both stable-high classes. Low education increased the odds of being in the stable-high depression class (ORdep=1.46; 95%CI:1.07-1.99), and higher occupation increased the odds of being in the stable-high anxiety class (ORanx=1.06; 95%CI:1.03-1.09). Conclusion Overall, a minority of individuals, who generally possessed less capital, reported an increase in symptoms of depression or anxiety. Key message Inidividuals with less capital, i.e. resources, generally experienced more symptoms of depression and anxiety, which stresses the importance of devoting more resources to improve their mental health. Keywords Longitudinal studies, Social epidemiology/determinants, Mental health


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fengsu Hou ◽  
Fengying Bi ◽  
Rong Jiao ◽  
Dan Luo ◽  
Kangxing Song

Abstract Background Studies have shown that the outbreak of infectious diseases would result in mental health problems. Females are in greater risk for psychological problems than males. The present study investigated gender differences of depression and anxiety and explored associated factors during the COVID-19 epidemic among Chinese social media users. Methods We recruited 3088 participants through social media cross China. Participants completed sociodemographic and the COVID-19 epidemic related questions, the 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2), and the 2-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-2), the Chinese version of the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. We applied Chi-square test and ANOVA for data description and linear regression analysis for exploring factors associated with depression and anxiety. Results Of 3063 participants eligible for analysis, the total prevalence of depression and anxiety was 14.14 and 13.25%. Females were experiencing more severe stress and anxiety symptoms, while males showed better resilience to stress. The severity of depression symptoms would decrease with the increase of age resilience, and it would increase if being unemployed, feeling less adapted, being more stressed. The severity of anxiety symptoms would decrease with higher education and better resilience, and it would increase if being female, spending over 60 min on COVID-19 related information, less adapted, and being more stressed. Conclusion The findings show the increased prevalence of depression and anxiety in Chinese population during the COVID-19 epidemic, and females are experiencing more severe anxiety symptoms than males. As social media is the current main resource of information related to COVID-19, interventions should be implemented to help users to limit the time they spend on social media and to get key information related to the epidemic from authoritative and authentic resource to avoid infodemic and prevent mental health problems.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 153473542092778
Author(s):  
Megan E. Puzia ◽  
Jennifer Huberty ◽  
Ryan Eckert ◽  
Linda Larkey ◽  
Ruben Mesa

Background: Depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance are common problems that greatly affect quality of life for many myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) patients. App-based mindfulness meditation is a feasible nonpharmacologic approach for managing symptoms. However, previous research has not considered how patients’ overall mental health may influence their responsiveness to these interventions. Objective: The purpose of this study was to conduct an exploratory, secondary analysis of the effects of a smartphone meditation app, Calm, on depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance in MPN patients based on patients’ baseline levels of Global Mental Health (GMH). Methods: Participants (N = 80) were a subset of MPN patients from a larger feasibility study. Patients were enrolled into an intervention (use Calm for 10 minutes daily for 4 weeks) or educational control group. Results: In multilevel models, there were significant 3-way interactions between time, group, and baseline GMH for depression and anxiety symptoms, with participants in the meditation intervention who reported the poorest baseline GMH experiencing the greatest reduction in symptoms over time. For both intervention and control participants, poorer initial GMH was associated with increases in sleep disturbance symptoms over time. Conclusions: Mindfulness meditation apps, such as Calm, may be effective in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms in MPN patients, particularly for those experiencing mental health difficulties. Given the need for accessible tools to self-manage chronic cancer–related symptoms, especially strong negative emotions, these findings warrant larger efficacy studies to determine the effects of app-based meditation for alleviating depression and anxiety in cancer populations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Wei ◽  
X. Wang ◽  
X. You ◽  
X. Luo ◽  
C. Hao ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk for depression, anxiety and suicide. The estimated prevalence of these problems is essential to guide public health policy, but published results vary. This meta-analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and suicide among Chinese MSM. Methods Systematic searches of EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, CNKI and Wanfang databases with languages restricted to Chinese and English for studies published before 10 September 2019 on the prevalence of depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, suicidal ideation, suicide plans and suicide attempts among Chinese MSM. Studies that were published in the peer-reviewed journals and used validated instruments to assess depression and anxiety were included. The characteristics of studies and the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms, suicidal ideation, suicide plans and suicide attempts were independently extracted by authors. Random-effects modelling was used to estimate the pooled rates. Subgroup analysis and univariate meta-regression were conducted to explore potential sources of heterogeneity. This study followed the PRISMA and MOOSE. Results Sixty-seven studies were included. Fifty-two studies reported the prevalence of depressive symptoms, with a combined sample of 37 376 people, of whom 12 887 [43.2%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 38.9–47.5] reported depressive symptoms. Twenty-seven studies reported the prevalence of anxiety symptoms, with a combined sample of 10 531 people, of whom 3187 (32.2%; 95% CI, 28.3–36.6) reported anxiety symptoms. Twenty-three studies reported the prevalence of suicidal ideation, with a combined sample of 15 034 people, of whom 3416 (21.2%; 95% CI, 18.3–24.5) had suicidal ideation. Nine studies reported the prevalence of suicide plans, with a combined sample of 5271 people, of whom 401 (6.2%; 95% CI, 3.9–8.6) had suicide plans. Finally, 19 studies reported the prevalence of suicide attempts, with a combined sample of 27 936 people, of whom 1829 (7.3%; 95% CI, 5.6–9.0) had attempted suicide. Conclusions The mental health of Chinese MSM is poor compared with the general population. Efforts are warranted to develop interventions to prevent and alleviate mental health problems among this vulnerable population.


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