Benevolence – Associations With Stress, Mental Health, and Self-Compassion at the Workplace

ObjectiveBenevolence is an emerging concept in motivation theory and research as well as in on pro-social behavior, which has stimulated increasing interest in studying factors that impair or facilitate benevolence and effects thereof. This exploratory study examines the associations between benevolence, stress, mental health, self-compassion, and satisfaction with life in two workplace samples.MethodsIn the first study n = 522 (38% = female, median age = 42) participants answered questionnaires regarding self-reported stress symptoms (i.e., emotional exhaustion), depressive symptoms and benevolence. In the second study n = 49 (female = 96%) participants answered questionnaires regarding perceived stress, self-compassion, anxiety, depression symptoms, and benevolence.ResultsIn study 1, measures of emotional exhaustion (r = −0.295) and depression (r = −0.190) were significantly negatively correlated with benevolence. In study 2, benevolence was significantly negatively correlated with stress (r = −0.392) and depression (r = −0.310), whereas self-compassion (0.401) was significantly positively correlated with benevolence. While correlations were in expected directions, benevolence was not significantly associated with Satisfaction with Life (r = 0.148) or anxiety (r = −0.199) in study 2.ConclusionSelf-assessed benevolence is associated with levels of perceived stress, exhaustion, depression, and self-compassion. Future studies are warranted on how benevolence is related to stress and mental ill health such as depression and anxiety, and if benevolence can be trained in order to decrease stress and mental ill health such as depression and anxiety in workplace settings.

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Examining the Relationship between Depression, Anxiety and Stress in Kidney Cancer Patients

Journal of Kidney Cancer and VHL ◽

10.15586/jkcvhl.v9i1.199 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 19-26

Author(s):

Türev Demirtaş ◽

Zekeriya Temircan

Keyword(s):

Cancer Patients ◽

Kidney Cancer ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Well Being ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Stress Symptoms ◽

Common Cancer ◽

The Mean ◽

Anxiety Depression

Cancer of the kidney is one of the 10 most common cancers found globally. Overall, it is the fourth most common cancer in men and the eighth most common cancer in women. Many kidney cancer patients experience psychologic problems and reactions. The present study examined relationship between anxiety, depression, and perceived stress symptoms in kidney cancer patients. Cross-sectional data were obtained from the patients diagnosed with kidney cancer. All participants completed sociodemographic form, Hospital Anxiety and Depression form, and Per-ceived Stress Scale. Statistical analysis was exercised using the Student’s t-test, Chi-squared test (χ2), Fischer’s exact test, ANOVA, Mann–Whitney U test, and Kruskal–Wallis one-way variance analysis. A total of 250 patients participated in the study. The mean age was 57.4 years (SD 6.4, range = 25–76 years). The majority of patients were males (73%) and married (218). Anxiety symptoms were determined in 91.2% patients, depression symptoms in 87.2% patients, and perceived stress symptoms in 93.6% patients. The mean scores of Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale (HADS)-Anxiety, HADS-Depression, and HADS-Perceived Stress were significantly different between age (P < 0.05), gender (P < 0.05), and income groups (P < 0.001). Kidney cancer patients showed poorer psychologic health. The overall levels of anxiety, depression, and perceived stress symptoms were higher among the studied kidney cancer patients. Findings of the current study could improve both psychologic well-being of patients and health-related quality of life.

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Examining the Psychosocial and Academic Factors Predicting Depression and Anxiety Symptomology Across First-Year and Later-Year University Students

European Scientific Journal ESJ ◽

10.19044/esj.2017.v13n17p1 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 13 (17) ◽

pp. 1 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Natalie Eckberg ◽

Aileen M. Pidgeon ◽

Heidi Magyar

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

University Students ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

First Year ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

First Year University

University students across the world report higher levels of mental health problems compared to the general population. Past research has focused on investigating mental health problems among first-year university students. However, a paucity of existing research compares the prevalence of mental health problems in first-year university students to students in later year-levels. To address this gap, the current study compared the level of depression and anxiety symptomology experienced by university students (n = 198) from Australia and the United States, across first, second, third, and fourth-year levels. The results found no significant differences in the level of depression and anxiety symptomology between university students from these countries, and no significant differences in the level of depression symptoms across year-levels. However, university students in the secondyear level reported significantly higher levels of anxiety symptoms compared to first, third, and fourth-year levels. The current study assessed the role of stress appraisal, psychosocial, and coping factors as predictors of depression and anxiety symptoms across all year-levels of university students. Hierarchical multiple regressions indicated higher levels of perceived stress and lower levels of perceived social support from family significantly predicted higher levels of depression symptoms. Higher levels of perceived stress and academic avoidance coping, and lower levels of campus connectedness significantly predicted higher levels of anxiety symptoms. Limitations and implications for future research are discussed.

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Maternal Pre-Pregnancy Body Mass Index and Prenatal Sugar Consumption Predict Gestational Weight Gain and/or Postpartum Mental Health in a Health Professional Shortage Area

10.33790/jmhsb1100137 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lucinda L. Scott ◽

Nicki Aubuchon-Endsley

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Sugar Consumption ◽

Third Trimester ◽

Added Sugar ◽

Sugar Intake ◽

Gestational Weight ◽

Stress Symptoms ◽

Health Professional Shortage Area

This study investigated whether the amount of third trimester added sugar consumption interacted with pre-pregnancy BMI (PPBMI) to predict gestational weight gain (GWG) and postpartum mental health in Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) for primary care and mental health. Participants included pregnant women aged 18 to 36, with data collected in-person at 33-37 weeks gestation and 6 months postpartum using an anthropometric measurement, Dietary Screener Questionnaire (DSQ), Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Prenatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS), and the 14-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). No moderated mediation models were statistically significant. Results indicated that greater PPBMI predicted decreased GWG and increased 6-month postpartum depression symptoms. There was a significant, positive correlation between prenatal added sugar intake and 6-month postpartum depression, anxiety, and perceived stress symptoms. Support for associations between increasing PPBMI and increasing depression symptoms at 6 months postpartum in this sample of women in an HPSA for primary care and mental health highlights the importance of starting preventative care for women prior to pregnancy. Correlations between greater added sugar intake in the third trimester and increased depression, anxiety, and perceived stress symptoms at 6 months postpartum supports the need for more research directly investigating those relationships, which could inform perinatal prevention/intervention research.

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Childhood Material Hardship and Adolescent Mental Health

Youth & Society ◽

10.1177/0044118x211001896 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 0044118X2110018

Author(s):

Chrisse Edmunds ◽

Melissa Alcaraz

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Adolescent Depression ◽

Adolescent Mental Health ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Fragile Families ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Material Hardship ◽

Critical Age ◽

The Relationship

Adolescent mental health has implications for current and future wellbeing. While a link exists between poverty and mental health, little is known about how experiencing material hardship, such as insecurity of food, housing, utilities, and medical care, throughout early childhood affects adolescent mental health. We examine the relationship between material hardship in childhood and adolescent mental health. We use Poisson regression to examine the effect of material hardship experienced at different stages of childhood on adolescent depression and anxiety outcomes at age 15. We use longitudinal data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study ( N = 3,222). We find that recently experiencing material hardship during childhood is positively and significantly associated with anxiety and depression symptoms at age 15, even when controlling for material hardship at age 15. Additionally, we find that insecurity during mid-childhood and the stress of lacking basic needs during a critical age may influence mental health in adolescence.

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Sexual Violence and Mental Health: An Analysis of the Mediating Role of Self-Compassion Using a Feminist Lens

Violence Against Women ◽

10.1177/10778012211012097 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 107780122110120

Author(s):

Paige McAllister ◽

Amber Vennum

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sexual Violence ◽

Cultural Narratives ◽

Self Blame ◽

Mediating Role ◽

Undergraduate Women ◽

Self Compassion ◽

Feminist Theories ◽

Anxiety Depression

Feminist theories describe how women who experience sexual violence often internalize cultural narratives which can lead to self-blame and disconnection. Self-compassion has the potential to provide a buffer against these negative outcomes. This study explored self-compassion as a mediator of the association between experiencing sexual violence and negative mental health outcomes. The sample consisted of 368 undergraduate women. A path analysis revealed that experiencing sexual violence prior to the beginning of the semester was positively associated with self-criticism, anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms at the end of the semester directly and indirectly through self-compassion mid-semester. Clinical and research implications are also discussed.

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Adverse health behaviours are associated with depression and anxiety in multiple sclerosis: A prospective multisite study

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1177/1352458515599073 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 22 (5) ◽

pp. 685-693 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Kyla A. McKay ◽

Helen Tremlett ◽

John D. Fisk ◽

Scott B. Patten ◽

Kirsten Fiest ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Alcohol Dependence ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Health Behaviours ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Adverse Health ◽

Disability Status ◽

Relapsing Remitting ◽

Anxiety Depression

Background: Depression and anxiety are common among people with multiple sclerosis (MS), as are adverse health behaviours, but the associations between these factors are unclear. Objective: To evaluate the associations between cigarette smoking, alcohol use, and depression and anxiety in MS in a cross-Canada prospective study. Methods: From July 2010 to March 2011 we recruited consecutive MS patients from four MS clinics. At three visits over two years, clinical and demographic information was collected, and participants completed questionnaires regarding health behaviours and mental health. Results: Of 949 participants, 75.2% were women, with a mean age of 48.6 years; most had a relapsing−remitting course (72.4%). Alcohol dependence was associated with increased odds of anxiety (OR: 1.84; 95% CI: 1.32–2.58) and depression (OR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.05–2.23) adjusting for age, sex, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and smoking status. Smoking was associated with increased odds of anxiety (OR: 1.29; 95% CI: 1.02–1.63) and depression (OR: 1.37; 95% CI: 1.04–1.78) adjusting for age, sex, EDSS, and alcohol dependence. Alcohol dependence was associated with an increased incidence of depression but not anxiety. Depression was associated with an increased incidence of alcohol dependence. Conclusion: Alcohol dependence and smoking were associated with anxiety and depression. Awareness of the effects of adverse health behaviours on mental health in MS might help target counselling and support for those ‘at risk’.

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Relationship between social competences and the sense of general mental health and intensity of stress among nurses

Pomeranian Journal of Life Sciences ◽

10.21164/pomjlifesci.673 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 66 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Agnieszka Chrzan-Rodak ◽

Barbara Ślusarska ◽

Grzegorz Nowicki ◽

Alina Deluga ◽

Agnieszka Bartoszek

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Interpersonal Relationships ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Positive Impact ◽

General Health Questionnaire ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

General Mental Health ◽

The Social ◽

The Mean ◽

Social Competences

Introduction: Social competences are indispensable in occupations reliant on interpersonal interactions, such as in medical professions, e.g. nursing, conditioning not only the effective construction of interpersonal relationships, but ever more often emphasizing a positive impact on strengthening coping skills in stressful situations. The object of our study was to assess the connection of social competences with the sense of general mental health and intensity of stress in the group of nurses.Materials and methods: In the study took part 291 nurses (ages 23–63, mean job seniority 11 years, SD = 10.22). We used the Social Competence Questionnaire (KKS) according to Anna Matczak, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), as adapted by Zygfryd Juczyński and Nina Ogińska-Bulik, and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) in the adaptation of Zofia Makowska and Dorota Merecz to collect information for the study.Results: Stress intensity among respondents averaged 16.83 points (SD = 4.47). In the 4 analyzed indicators of the GHQ-28, the mean point score was: somatic symptoms M = 8.45, anxiety and insomnia M = 8.75, functional disorders M = 8.07, depression symptoms M = 2.46. 38.1% of the results of the level of general mental health were in the range 5–6, which is the average level of mental health perceived in the group of nurses.Conclusions: The level of perceived stress among more than half of the surveyed group of nurses was average (52.6%). The level of social competences is not significantly correlated with the intensity of stress experienced. The level of general mental health of 38.1% of the nurses fell in the range of average. The level of social competences significantly correlates with the general mental health status of the nurse respondents (R = -0.254, p < 0.001).

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Contact With Nature as a Mental Health Buffer for Lower Income Communities During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Frontiers in Sustainable Cities ◽

10.3389/frsc.2021.688473 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

Author(s):

Amber L. Pearson ◽

Teresa Horton ◽

Karin A. Pfeiffer ◽

Rachel Buxton ◽

Joseph Gardiner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Low Income ◽

Longitudinal Research ◽

Positive Association ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Health Issues ◽

Mental Health Issues ◽

As Stress ◽

Perceived Access

Despite a growing number of research outputs on the importance of nature contact during the COVID-19 pandemic, we know of no longitudinal research conducted prior to and during the pandemic among low-income and minority ethnicity populations, i.e., those that might be most affected. Furthermore, we have scant information about how and to what degree contact with nature might protect mental health or mitigate worsening of mental health during the pandemic. We filled these gaps using a subset of a longitudinal study of n = 86 individuals in low-income, predominantly African American, neighborhoods in Detroit, MI, USA. The study addressed the following research questions: (1) did self-reported use and perceived value of nature change during, vs. prior to, the pandemic; (2) did perceived access to outdoor spaces buffer people against mental health issues such as stress, anxiety and depression symptoms; or (3) did objectively measured quality of nature views from home buffer people against mental health issues, taking into account relevant covariates and pandemic experiences (e.g., loss of employment, death of a friend/relative)? While attitudes to nature improved slightly from pre- to during the pandemic, we also observed significant decreases in most types of outdoor physical activity and passive enjoyment of nature (e.g., smelling plants/rain). We found a positive association between visibility of greenspace and perceived stress and anxiety, which not only contradicts previous research findings, but was especially surprising given that overall there was a decrease in perceived stress from 2019–2020. We did not detect associations between perceived access/use of nature and mental health. However, higher depressive symptoms were associated with exposure to more COVID-19-related stressors (lost employment, death of friends from COVID-19, etc.). Taken together, our results indicate that COVID-19 may serve to prolong or exacerbate mental health issues, rather than create them, in this population and that low quality greenspace may perhaps limit the ability for nature view to buffer mental health during the pandemic.

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The Impact of Shift Work on Occupational Health Indicators among Professionally Active Adults: A Comparative Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182111290 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (21) ◽

pp. 11290

Author(s):

Henrique Pereira ◽

Gergely Fehér ◽

Antal Tibold ◽

Samuel Monteiro ◽

Vítor Costa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Occupational Health ◽

Shift Work ◽

Work Engagement ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Health Indicators ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

The Impact ◽

Active Adults

The analysis of the impact of shift work on occupational health still needs further contributions. Therefore, we developed this research with the purpose of assessing the impact of shift work on occupational health indicators, namely burnout, work-engagement, occupational self-efficacy, and mental health functioning (symptoms of depression and anxiety), by comparing workers who did shift work (44.2% of participants) with workers who did not (55.8% of participants). A total of 695 Portuguese professionally active adults between 18 and 73 years of age (Mage = 37.71; SD = 12.64) participated in this study and completed a survey containing a sociodemographic questionnaire and four occupational health measures: The Burnout Assessment Tool, The Work-Engagement questionnaire (UWES), The Occupational Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, and the BSI-18 for mental health symptoms. Results showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) for all indicators, demonstrating that participants who worked shifts presented lower scores of work-engagement and occupational self-efficacy, and higher scores of burnout, depression, and anxiety when compared to participants who did not work shifts. Linear regressions showed that shift work explained significant but low percentages of anxiety symptoms, low work-engagement, depression symptoms, low occupational self-efficacy, and burnout. We concluded that non-standard working hours (by shifts) are detrimental to employee occupational health, by increasing the risk of anxiety and depression levels, and burnout, and by reducing work-engagement (as a well-being indicator) and occupational self-efficacy perceptions.

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Mental health in relation to changes in sleep, exercise, alcohol and diet during the COVID-19 pandemic: examination of four UK cohort studies

10.1101/2021.03.26.21254424 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Aase Villadsen ◽

Praveetha Patalay ◽

David Bann

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Cohort Studies ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Health Behaviours ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Effect Sizes ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Adverse Health ◽

Anxiety Depression

AbstractBackgroundResponses to the COVID-19 pandemic have included lockdowns and social distancing with considerable disruptions to people’s lives. These changes may have particularly impacted on those with mental health problems, leading to a worsening of inequalities in the behaviours which influence health.MethodsWe used data from four national longitudinal British cohort studies (N=10,666). Respondents reported mental health (psychological distress and anxiety/depression symptoms) and health behaviours (alcohol, diet, physical activity, and sleep) before and during the pandemic. Associations between pre-pandemic mental ill-health and pandemic mental ill-health and health behaviours were examined using logistic regression; pooled effects were estimated using meta-analysis.ResultsWorse mental health was related to adverse health behaviours; effect sizes were largest for sleep, exercise and diet, and weaker for alcohol. The associations between poor mental health and adverse health behaviours were larger during the May lockdown than pre-pandemic. In September, when restrictions had eased, inequalities had largely reverted to pre-pandemic levels. A notable exception was for sleep, where differences by mental health status remained high. Risk differences for adverse sleep for those with the highest level of prior mental ill-health compared to those with the lowest, were 21.2% (95% CI: 16.2, 26.2) before lockdown, 25.5% (20.0, 30.3) in May, and 28.2% (21.2, 35.2) in September.ConclusionsTaken together, our findings suggest that mental health is an increasingly important factor in health behaviour inequality in the COVID era. The promotion of mental health may thus be an important component of improving post-COVID population health.

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