scholarly journals Cultivating Affective Resilience: Proof-of-Principle Evidence of Translational Benefits From a Novel Cognitive-Emotional Training Intervention

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanda Dolcos ◽  
Yifan Hu ◽  
Christian Williams ◽  
Paul C. Bogdan ◽  
Kelly Hohl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Training Intervention ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Imaging Results ◽  
Proof Of Principle

Available evidence highlights the importance of emotion regulation (ER) in psychological well-being. However, translation of the beneficial effects of ER from laboratory to real-life remains scarce. Here, we present proof-of-principle evidence from a novel cognitive-emotional training intervention targeting the development of ER skills aimed at increasing resilience against emotional distress. This pilot intervention involved training military veterans over 5–8 weeks in applying two effective ER strategies [Focused Attention (FA) and Cognitive Reappraisal (CR)] to scenarios presenting emotional conflicts (constructed with both external and internal cues). Training was preceded and followed by neuropsychological, personality, and clinical assessments, and resting-state functional MRI data were also collected from a subsample of the participants. Results show enhanced executive function and psychological well-being following training, reflected in increased working memory (WM), post-traumatic growth (PTG), and general self-efficacy (GSE). Brain imaging results showed evidence of diminished bottom-up influences from emotional and perceptual brain regions, along with evidence of normalized functional connectivity in the large-scale functional networks following training. The latter was reflected in increased connectivity among cognitive and emotion control regions and across regions of self-referential and control networks. Overall, our results provide proof-of-concept evidence that resilience and well-being can be learned through ER training, and that training-related improvements manifested in both behavioral change and neuroplasticity can translate into real-life benefits.

scholarly journals Have Lifestyle Habits and Psychological Well-Being Changed among Adolescents and Medical Students Due to COVID-19 Lockdown in Croatia?

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 97
Author(s):  
Ružica Dragun ◽  
Nikolina Nika Veček ◽  
Mario Marendić ◽  
Ajka Pribisalić ◽  
Gabrijela Đivić ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Lifestyle Medicine ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Mobile Phone Use ◽  
Beneficial Effects

Objective: To investigate dietary habits, sleep and psychological well-being of adolescents and medical students during COVID-19 lockdown in Split, Croatia. Methods: We surveyed 1326 students during 2018 and 2019, and compared their responses with 531 students enrolled in May 2020. Perceived stress, quality of life (QoL), happiness, anxiety, and optimism were assessed as proxies of psychological well-being, using general linear modelling. Results: We found no substantial differences in dietary pattern between pre-lockdown and lockdown periods, including the overall Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence. However, the MD pattern changed, showing increased adherence to the MD pyramid for fruit, legumes, fish, and sweets, while cereals, nuts, and dairy intake decreased during COVID-19 lockdown. A third of students reported weight loss during lockdown, 19% reported weight gain, while physical activity remained rather stable. The most prominent change was feeling refreshed after a night’s sleep, reported by 31.5% of students during lockdown vs. 8.5% before; median length of sleep duration increased by 1.5 h. Lockdown significantly affected QoL, happiness, optimism (all p < 0.001), and perceived stress in students (p = 0.005). MD adherence was positively correlated with QoL and study time, and negatively with TV and mobile phone use in pre-lockdown period (all p < 0.001). Interestingly, higher MD adherence was correlated with less perceived hardship and greater happiness and QoL during lockdown. Conclusion: These insights provide valuable information for tailored interventions aimed at maintaining healthy lifestyle in young population. Given the numerous beneficial effects associated with MD adherence, modification of lifestyle through application of lifestyle medicine deserves a priority approach.

Growth and the Multiple Dimensions of Well-Being

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Valerie Tiberius
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Philosophical Literature ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Cultural Narrative ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Multiple Dimensions ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Individual

What is the possible role of adversity in promoting the development of wisdom and well-being? This chapter focuses on examining psychological discussions of post-traumatic growth and discusses whether and how we would expect suffering, adversity, or trauma to push an individual in positive and negative ways, with an emphasis on multiple dimensions of psychological well-being. The chapter interweaves insights from the philosophical literature to arrive at a better understanding of whether and to what degree post-traumatic growth is likely to occur or if growth following adversity is part of the cultural narrative that does not effectively translate to the individual.

scholarly journals Role of a Ketogenic Diet on Body Composition, Physical Health, Psychosocial Well-Being and Sports Performance in Athletes: A Scoping Review

Sports ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 131
Author(s):  
Amy-Lee Bowler ◽  
Remco Polman
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Ketogenic Diet ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Stool Microbiota

Background: Recently, a focus has been placed on investigating the potential benefits of adherence to a ketogenic diet in enhancing body composition, physical health, psychological well-being, and performance of athletes from various sporting disciplines. As the available research is yet to be collated and analyzed in a single review, this scoping review aims to analyze and draw conclusions from the available literature that exists on the efficacy of a ketogenic diet among athletic populations. Methods: Several primary research databases and any relevant citation lists were searched to locate appropriate studies for inclusion in this scoping review. Studies that investigated the effects of adherence to a ketogenic diet (KD), defined by a carbohydrate intake of less than 5% of total energy intake, on body composition, physical health, psychological well-being, and performance among an athletic population were included in the review. From 814 articles screened, 12 were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria and were included in the final scoping review. Results: Adherence to a KD has beneficial effects on body weight and fat mass. Varying effects were identified on physical health with the diet, eliciting positive effects on fat oxidation but potentially deleterious effects on stool microbiota and iron metabolism. Conflicting results were reported regarding the effects of a KD on sporting performance. Benefits were reported regarding athlete well-being following commencement of a KD, but only after week two. Conclusions: The results of this scoping review demonstrate that there are both beneficial and detrimental effects associated with adherence to a KD among athletic populations. It is understood that further research is required to make any concrete recommendations regarding a KD to athletes.

scholarly journals Hardiness Predicts Post-Traumatic Growth and Well-Being in Severely Wounded Servicemen and Their Spouses

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul T Bartone ◽  
Stephen V Bowles
Keyword(s):  
Military Personnel ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
World View ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Introduction Thousands of military personnel have suffered severe wounds and traumatic amputations in recent overseas conflicts. They face multiple surgeries and long, painful rehabilitation. Despite the tremendous stress for these servicemen and families, many appear to cope quite well and even thrive despite their devastating wounds. Hardiness is a world view or mindset marked by high levels of commitment and engagement in the world, a strong sense of control, and the tendency to see change as a challenge and opportunity to learn and improve. Previous research has shown that military personnel high in hardiness are at lower risk for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and other psychiatric symptoms following combat exposure. This study evaluated the impact of personality hardiness on post-traumatic growth (PTG) and psychological well-being in severely wounded service members and their spouses. Materials and Methods Male volunteers were surveyed while in hospital for severe battle wounds including loss of limbs. All were married, and all spouses also agreed to participate. Participants (N = 44) completed measures of hardiness, PTG, well-being, and neuroticism, and answered a question regarding potential benefits of their experience. Results Hierarchical multiple regression showed that hardiness significantly predicted both PTG and well-being, while controlling for age, education, family income, and neuroticism. Both service members and spouses indicated they experienced benefits in the following areas: strengthened family ties and connections; greater appreciation for and perspective on life; new career and educational opportunities; stronger, more resilient as a person; and formed new relationships, friends, and connections. Conclusion These results suggest that seriously wounded military members and their spouses who are high in hardiness are more likely to experience PTG and psychological well-being following extremely stressful experiences. Hardiness entails positive reframing of negative experiences as opportunities and challenges to overcome, and taking action to solve problems. Training programs to increase hardiness attitudes and related coping skills may thus be beneficial in facilitating healthy adaptation for severely injured patients.

scholarly journals Physical education, leisure time physical activity, and psychological distress in adolescence

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Vilhjalmsson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
School Based ◽  
Distress Symptoms

Abstract Background Participation in physical education classes can positively affect mental and physical well-being in children and adolescets. The current study focused on the relationship between participation in gym and swimming classes and psychological distress symptoms in Icelandic adolescents. Methods The analysis is based on a national school-based study, conducted in Iceland every fourth year, as part of the WHO collaborative cross-national survey titled Health Behavior in School-Aged Children (HBSC). Data collection took place between November 2013 and February 2014. Students filled out an anonymous study questionnaire in the classroom. The data is based on responses from 15 year old (10. grade) students attending the final year of compulsory school (N = 3618; response rate 81%). Results Positive associations were observed between participation in curriculum-based gym and swimming classes and lower psychological distress symptoms. A closer multivariate path analysis suggested that beneficial effects of PE classes were direct, and also indirect because participation in such classes were positively related to leisure time physical activity. Conclusions The study suggests that school-based physical activity enhances psychological well-being in adolescence. The benefits may be both direct and indirect through increased leisure time physical activity. Key messages School-based physical activity enhances psychological well-being in adolescence. The benefits may be both direct and indirect through increased leisure time physical activity.

scholarly journals Hypnosis and Alopecia Areata: Long-term Beneficial Effects on Psychological Well-being

2011 ◽  
Vol 91 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Willemsen ◽  
P Haentjens ◽  
D Roseeuw ◽  
J Vanderlinden
Keyword(s):  
Alopecia Areata ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Beneficial Effects

scholarly journals COVID-19 welbeing study: a protocol examining perceived coercion and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic by means of an online survey, asynchronous virtual focus groups and individual interviews

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e043418
Author(s):  
Veronica Ranieri ◽  
Andrea Sem Stoltenberg ◽  
Elena Pizzo ◽  
Chiara Montaldo ◽  
Emanuele Bizzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Healthcare Worker ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Perceived Coercion ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Virtual Focus Groups ◽  
Post Traumatic

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many countries applying restrictive measures, such as lockdown, to contain and prevent further spread. The psychological impact of lockdown and working as a healthcare worker on the frontline has been chronicled in studies pertaining to previous infectious disease pandemics that have reported the presence of depressive symptoms, anxiety, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress symptoms. Potentially linked to psychological well-being and not yet studied is the possibility that lockdown and working on the frontline of the pandemic are associated with perceptions of coercion.Methods and analysisThe present study aimed to examine perceived coercion in those who have experienced COVID-19-related lockdown and/or worked as a frontline healthcare worker across three European countries. It aimed to describe how such perceptions may impact on psychological well-being, coping and post-traumatic growth. It will employ an explanatory mixed-methods research methodology consisting of an online survey and online asynchronous virtual focus groups (AVFGs) and individual interviews. χ2 tests and analyses of variance will be used to examine whether participants from different countries differ according to demographic factors, whether there are differences between cohorts on perceived coercion, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic growth scores. The relationship between coercion and symptoms of distress will be assessed using multiple regression. Both the AVFGs and the narrative interviews will be analysed using thematic narrative analysis.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by University College London’s Research Ethics Committee under Project ID Number 7335/004. Results will be disseminated by means of peer-reviewed publications and at national and/or international conferences.

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