scholarly journals Cognitive Reserve and Anxiety Interactions Play a Fundamental Role in the Response to the Stress

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose A. García-Moreno ◽  
Fernando Cañadas-Pérez ◽  
Juan García-García ◽  
María D. Roldan-Tapia

The aims of the present study were to assess the possible interaction between Cognitive Reserve (CR) and State Anxiety (SA) on adrenocortical and physiological responses in coping situations. Forty healthy, middle-aged men completed the Cognitive Reserve Scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. We used an Observational Fear Conditioning (OFC) paradigm in order to assess emotional learning and to induce stress. Electrodermal activity (EDA) and salivary cortisol concentrations were measured throughout the conditions. Our results indicate that those who indicated having higher state anxiety showed a lower capacity for learning the contingency, along with presenting higher salivary cortisol peak response following the observational fear-conditioning paradigm. The most prominent finding was the interaction between cognitive reserve and state anxiety on cortisol response to the post observational fear-conditioning paradigm. Thus, those who showed a high anxiety-state and, at the same time, a high cognitive reserve did not present an increased salivary cortisol response following the observational fear-conditioning paradigm. Given these results, we postulate that the state anxiety reported by participants, reflects emotional activation that hinders the attention needed to process and associate emotional stimuli. However, cognitive reserve has an indirect relation with conditioning, enabling better emotional learning. In this context, cognitive reserve demonstrated a protective effect on hormonal response in coping situations, when reported anxiety or emotional activation were high. These findings suggest that cognitive reserve could be used as a tool to deal with the effects of stressors in life situations, limiting development of the allostatic load.

1994 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 760-768 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon W. Blood ◽  
Ingrid M. Blood ◽  
Stephanie Bennett ◽  
Kathleen C. Simpson ◽  
Elizabeth J. Susman

Anxiety, as measured by self-report inventories and salivary cortisol levels, was examined in 11 males who stutter and 11 males who do not stutter during baseline, low stress, and high stress sessions. During the high stress session salivary cortisol was significantly greater in persons who stutter than in persons who do not stutter. No significant differences were found between the two groups on the State-Anxiety Inventory, Trait-Anxiety Inventory, or the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension. Significant differences in anxiety levels among the baseline, low stress, and high stress sessions for both groups of subjects were found for the State-Anxiety Inventory. No other significant differences or relationships were found between the two groups.


2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 247-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susannah E. Murphy ◽  
Elizabeth C. Braithwaite ◽  
Isabelle Hubbard ◽  
Kate V. Williams ◽  
Elizabeth Tindall ◽  
...  

Abstract The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis has been proposed as a potential underlying biological mechanism linking prenatal depression with adverse offspring outcomes. However, it is unknown whether the reactivity of this system to stress is altered in pregnant women experiencing depression. The objective of this study was to investigate whether salivary cortisol response to a distressed infant film is enhanced in pregnant women with symptoms of depression compared with non-depressed controls. Salivary cortisol and subjective mood responses to the film were measured in 53 primiparous women, between 11 and 18 weeks gestation. Both groups showed similar increases in state anxiety in response to the film, but there was a significantly increased cortisol response in women experiencing symptoms of depression. Depression during pregnancy is associated with increased reactivity of the HPA axis. This is consistent with altered HPA axis functioning being a key mechanism by which prenatal mood disturbance can impact upon fetal development.


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 918
Author(s):  
Hansen Li ◽  
Xing Zhang ◽  
Shilin Bi ◽  
Yang Cao ◽  
Guodong Zhang

Reducing the burden of pain via greenspace exposure is a rising research topic. However, insufficient evidence has been found in relation to the environmental effect itself. Residential greenspace, as a convenient but limited natural environment for urban dwellers, has benefits and services yet to be discovered. Therefore, the current study recruited 24 young adults to evaluate the effects of physical visit to, or image viewing of, residential greenspace on pain perception and related psychophysiological outcomes, via simulated pain. Pain threshold and tolerance were recorded via the level of pain stimuli, and pain intensity was evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The state scale of the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S) and two adjective pairs were employed to measure the state anxiety and subjective stress, respectively. Meanwhile, heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and blood pressure (BP) were measured to investigate physiological responses. Besides, Scenic Beauty Estimation (SBE) was also employed to assess participants’ preference regarding the experimental environments. The results revealed that visiting the greenspace significantly increased the pain threshold and tolerance, while no significant effect was observed for image viewing. On the other hand, no significant difference was observed in pain-related psychophysiological indices between the experimental settings, but significantly negative associations were found between the scores of SBE and subjective stress and state anxiety. In conclusion, the current study brings experimental evidence of improving pain experience via residential greenspace exposure, while the related psychophysiological benefits require further investigation.


Author(s):  
Chuk Ling Julian Lai ◽  
Daryl Yu Heng Lee ◽  
Monique On Yee Leung

Alteration in cortisol response to acute social stressors has been hypothesized to mediate childhood adversities (CA) and increased morbidity in adulthood. However, the evidence supporting an association between CA and cortisol response to social stressors is inconclusive. The present review addressed this issue by reviewing the literature on CA and cortisol response to acute social stressors, with a focus on studies with adolescents or adults, using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) to assess CA, and examining salivary cortisol response to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). Systematic searches of relevant articles in PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science and ScienceDirect in February and March 2020 identified 12 articles including 1196 participants with mean ages ranging from 15.3 to 52.3 yrs. across studies. CTQ scores were significantly associated with cortisol response in 2 studies. In addition, the physical abuse and emotional neglect subscales were associated with cortisol response respectively in 2 separate studies. The lack of association between CA and cortisol response calls for more longitudinal studies, and the use of formal records of maltreatment or informant reports in future research to complement information collected by retrospective measures. In addition, increased attention to biological mechanisms other than that associated with the regulation of cortisol in explaining the connection between CA and psychiatry morbidity is warranted.


2004 ◽  
Vol 89 (9) ◽  
pp. 4701-4707 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Hershberger ◽  
M. R. McCammon ◽  
J. P. Garry ◽  
M. T. Mahar ◽  
R. C. Hickner

This investigation was conducted to determine whether there were differences in lipolytic responses to feeding and physical activity between lean (LN) and obese (OB) children, and if these responses were related to cortisol. Fourteen LN and 11 OB children participated in this study of abdominal lipolysis and salivary cortisol response to breakfast and lunch with an intervening exercise session. Calculated fasting glycerol release was lower in OB than LN (0.645 ± 0.06 vs. 0.942 ± 0.11 μmol/ml; P < 0.05). Fasting adipose tissue nutritive flow was lower in OB than in LN subjects, but responses to feeding and exercise were not different. Breakfast elicited a decrease in interstitial glycerol concentration in LN (−33%; P < 0.05), but not in OB (−5%), children, although decreases in glycerol concentration in response to lunch were similar (LN, −41%; OB, −36%). An interaction was evident in the salivary cortisol response to breakfast (LN, no change; OB, increase) and exercise (LN, no change; OB, decrease), but there were no group differences in response to lunch. Alterations in salivary cortisol and lipolysis were not related. These data suggest that salivary cortisol and lipolytic responses are not necessarily linked, but are altered in obesity. Furthermore, prior exercise may improve the antilipolytic response to a meal in OB children.


2010 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 944-948 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.P. Bento ◽  
B.R. Goodin ◽  
L.A. Fabian ◽  
G.G. Page ◽  
N.B. Quinn ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sultan Ucuk ◽  
Gulay Yildirim

PurposeThe aim of this study was to determine the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevention methods training given by distance learning technique on the state anxiety level of the workers of a company serving in the communication sector.Design/methodology/approachThe sample of this experimental and cross-sectional study consisted of 52 people working in the communication sector. Data were collected using a questionnaire and the state anxiety inventory. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, variance analysis, Kruskal–Wallis, Mann–Whitney U and Tukey’s test.FindingsWhile the state anxiety scores of the workers working in the communication sector were 47.94 ± 4.90 before the training, they were found to be 43.98 ± 5.20 after the training.Research limitations/implicationsAs in every study, this study has some limitations. Although a homogeneous sample is tried to be formed since it only covers this group, it should be considered that there is a limitation in terms of generalizability. In addition, the fact that the knowledge score is not measured and the relationship between the knowledge score and the anxiety score is not evaluated should be considered as a limitation. Finally, it is also a limitation that the questionnaire form, which includes measurement tools, is applied online. It is thought that measuring errors can be minimized if questionnaires are applied face to face.Practical implicationsThe results of the study showed that the training given to the workers in the communication sector contributed positively to the reduction of anxiety levels. It is important to provide training and support to those with high anxiety levels. After providing effective protection for nurses/midwives under pandemic conditions and preventing their uncertainties, they can contribute to the reduction of anxiety levels by providing training to individuals who serve the society. It is recommended to plan health trainings for the anxiety of other sector workers serving the society and to focus on these groups. Thus, the effective protection of individuals and their service quality will increase and their anxiety may decrease.Originality/valueInformative support from nurses/midwives can make it easier to control anxiety arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The results are important in order to draw attention to the anxiety of other sector workers serving the society and the importance of informative roles of nurses. In order to reduce the anxiety levels of workers in different sectors, it is recommended to conduct more supportive training activities and to draw attention to the workers serving the society.


2018 ◽  
Vol 146 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 20-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Djordje Bozovic ◽  
Nedeljka Ivkovic ◽  
Maja Racic ◽  
Sinisa Ristic

Introduction/Objective. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are characterized by the appearance of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction of the masticatory system. The aims of this study were to evaluate the salivary cortisol levels in students with chronic myofascial pain (MFP) related to TMD during oral exam, as well as to analyze the correlation between salivary cortisol levels, TMD-related MFP, the level of anxiety, depression symptoms, somatization, and perceived stress. Methods. The study included 60 university students, who were allocated either into the group of students with MFP (n = 30) or into the control group of healthy students (n = 30). The level of salivary cortisol was measured on the exam day and during the control day when the students had no exams. Depression symptoms, somatization, perceived stress and anxiety were evaluated according to Axis II RDC/TMD, Perceived Stress Scale and State?Trait Anxiety Inventory. Results. Levels of salivary cortisol were significantly higher in the group of students with MFP in all phases of measurements compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Students with MFP also showed significantly higher depression symptoms, somatization, and trait anxiety scores than the control group. No significant group differences were found on the scales measuring state anxiety and perceived stress. The level of salivary cortisol was found to be in correlation with depression symptoms, state anxiety, and perceived stress, but not with chronic pain, somatization, and trait anxiety in students with TMD. Conclusion. Salivary cortisol could be an important indicator of psychological distress in TMD.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 55
Author(s):  
Christella Ruslan ◽  
Monty P. Satiadarma ◽  
Untung Subroto

Cancer is caused by the uncontrolled development of cells in the body and can cause death in someone who experiences it. This condition can affect the physical and psychological health of parents, especially mothers who look after and care for their children. Seeing this, having a child with cancer can certainly cause anxiety in a mother. At the same time, a mother is certainly required to provide emotional support to her child who is sick. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of art therapy in reducing anxiety in mothers of children with cancer. Art therapy that is applied to mothers who have children with cancer can help reduce the anxiety they feel because through this therapy participants are assisted in exploring, releasing their emotions and feelings of anxiety. Through this intervention, mothers who have children with cancer can experience catharsis and express their feelings. Participants in this study consisted of two mothers who have children with cancer. The design of this study is a quasi-experimental study by testing the pretest and posttest using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) measurement tool in measuring state and trait anxiety from mothers who have children with cancer. The results of the study found that there was a decrease in the number of state anxiety by 14 in the R participant and 8 in the RS participant. Based on this, it can be concluded that art therapy intervention can reduce the state anxiety in mothers who have children with cancer. Kanker disebabkan oleh adanya perkembangan sel yang tidak terkendali dalam tubuh dan dapat menyebabkan kematian pada seseorang yang mengalaminya. Kondisi ini dapat memengaruhi kesehatan secara fisik dan psikologis dari orang tua, terutama ibu yang menjaga serta merawat anaknya. Melihat hal ini, memiliki anak penderita kanker tentu dapat menimbulkan kecemasan dalam diri seorang ibu. Pada saat yang bersamaan, seorang ibu tentu dituntut untuk memberi dukungan secara emosional kepada anaknya yang sedang sakit. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk meneliti efektivitas dari art therapy dalam menurunkan kecemasan pada ibu yang memiliki anak penderita kanker. Art therapy yang diterapkan pada ibu yang memiliki anak penderita kanker dapat membantu menurunkan kecemasan yang dirasakan karena melalui terapi ini partisipan dibantu agar bisa mengeksplorasi dan mengeluarkan emosi serta perasaan cemas yang dimiliki. Melalui intervensi art therapy ini, ibu yang memiliki anak penderita kanker dapat melakukan katarsis dan mengungkapkan perasaannya. Partisipan dalam penelitian ini terdiri atas dua orang ibu yang memiliki anak penderita kanker. Adapun desain penelitian ini adalah kuasi-eksperimental dengan menguji pretest dan posttest yang menggunakan alat ukur State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) dalam mengukur kecemasan secara state dan trait dari ibu yang memiliki anak penderita kanker. Hasil penelitian menemukan adanya penurunan angka dari skor state anxiety sebesar 14 pada partisipan R dan 8 pada partisipan RS. Berdasarkan hal tersebut, dapat disimpulkan bahwa intervensi art therapy dapat membantu menurunkan kecemasan secara state anxiety pada ibu yang memiliki anak penderita kanker.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document