Study Protocol—Coping With the Pandemics: What Works Best to Reduce Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and lockdown might increase anxiety and depressive symptoms in most individuals. Health bodies recommend several coping behaviors to protect against such symptoms, but evidence on the relationship between these behaviors and symptoms mostly comes from cross-sectional studies in convenience samples. We will conduct a prospective longitudinal study of the associations between coping behaviors and subsequent anxiety and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in a representative sample of the Spanish general adult population.Methods: We will recruit 1,000 adult participants from all autonomous communities of Spain and with sex, age, and urbanicity distributions similar to those of their populations and assess anxiety and depressive symptoms and coping behaviors using fortnightly questionnaires and real-time methods (ecological momentary assessments) for 1 year. The fortnightly questionnaires will inquire about anxiety and depressive symptoms [General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)] and the frequency of 10 potential coping behaviors (e.g., follow a routine) during the past 2 weeks. In addition, we will collect several variables that could confound or moderate these associations. These will include subjective well-being [International Positive and Negative Affect Schedule Short Form (I-PANAS-SF) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS)], obsessive-compulsive symptoms [Obsessive Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R)], personality and emotional intelligence [International Personality Item Pool (IPIP) and Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire Short Form (TEIQue-SF)], sociodemographic factors (e.g., work status, housing-built environment), and COVID-19 pandemic-related variables (e.g., hospitalizations or limitations in social gatherings). Finally, to analyze the primary relationship between coping behaviors and subsequent anxiety and depressive symptoms, we will use autoregressive moving average (ARMA) models.Discussion: Based on the study results, we will develop evidence-based, clear, and specific recommendations on coping behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. Such suggestions might eventually help health bodies or individuals to manage current or future pandemics.

Download Full-text

Breastfeeding, Antidepressants, and Depression in the Mercy Pregnancy and Emotional Well-Being Study

Journal of Human Lactation ◽

10.1177/0890334418758658 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 35 (1) ◽

pp. 127-136 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Megan Galbally ◽

Stuart J. Watson ◽

Helen Ball ◽

Andrew James Lewis

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Well Being ◽

Breastfeeding Duration ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Antidepressant Use ◽

Axis I ◽

Prospective Longitudinal

Background: Depression is consistently shown to predict lower rates of breastfeeding. In a handful of studies, breastfeeding has predicted lower depression symptoms. However, studies demonstrating the latter are limited in their measurement of both depression and breastfeeding and have not followed participants from pregnancy across the postpartum period. Research Aim: The primary aim of this study was to describe breastfeeding intentions and behaviors for the first 12 months postpartum among nonmedicated depressed, antidepressant-exposed, and control participants. The secondary aim was to examine group differences in the association between depressive symptoms and breastfeeding duration up to 12 months postpartum. Methods: First-trimester women ( N = 212) were recruited into a prospective longitudinal study. Depressive disorders at baseline were diagnosed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders, and depressive symptoms were measured at the first and second trimesters and 6 and 12 months postpartum using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Breastfeeding duration, support from family and employers, and perceptions of participants’ experience were measured. Results: Depressed women and antidepressant-exposed women reported a trend toward lower rates of intention, initiation, and duration, but this did not reach statistical significance. There was a statistically significant difference on depressive symptoms for women taking antidepressants during pregnancy, compared with controls, when they continued to breastfeed for 12 months postpartum. Conclusions: This study did not find a strong association between depression or antidepressant use and intention to breastfeed, partner breastfeeding support, or initiation or duration of breastfeeding. However, for women who took antidepressants, there was evidence that breastfeeding for 12 months was associated with lower depressive symptoms.

Download Full-text

The Effects of Physical Activity on Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Systematic Review

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1026835/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Priscila Marconcin ◽

André O. Werneck ◽

Miguel Peralta ◽

Andreas Ihle ◽

Élvio Gouveia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Well Being ◽

Activity Level ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽

Prospective Longitudinal

Abstract Introduction: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic affected countries worldwide and has changed peoples’ lives. A reduction in physical activity and an increase in mental health problems were observed. Thus, this systematic review aims to examine the association between physical activity and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: In January 2021, a search was applied to PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Eligibility criteria included cross-sectional, prospective, longitudinal study design and studies published in English; outcomes included physical activity and mental health (e.g., depressive symptoms, anxiety, positive and negative effects, well-being). Results: Nineteen studies were included in this review. Overall, the studies suggested that higher physical activity is associated with higher well-being, quality of life as well as lower depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress, independently of age. There was no consensus for the optimal physical activity level for mitigating negative mental symptoms, neither for the frequency nor for the type of physical activity. Women were more vulnerable to mental health changes and men were more susceptive to physical activity changes. Conclusion: Physical activity seems to be a good and effective choice to mitigate the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health. Public health policies should alert for alternatives to increment physical activity during the stay-at-home orders in many countries.

Download Full-text

Do opposite ends of same factors underlie life satisfaction vs. depressive symptoms among older people?

Aging Clinical and Experimental Research ◽

10.1007/s40520-020-01765-z ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Katja Pynnönen ◽

Katja Kokko ◽

Milla Saajanaho ◽

Timo Törmäkangas ◽

Erja Portegijs ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Life Satisfaction ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Older People ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Physical Performance ◽

Well Being ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽

Financial Situation ◽

Self Acceptance

Abstract Background Although depressive symptoms are more common among older than younger age groups, life satisfaction tends to remain stable over the life course, possibly because the underlying factors or processes differ. Aim To study whether the factors that increase the likelihood of high life satisfaction also decrease the likelihood of depressive symptoms among older people. Methods The data were a population-based probability sample drawn from community-dwelling people aged 75, 80, and 85 years (n = 1021). Participants’ life satisfaction was measured with the Satisfaction with Life Scale and depressive symptoms with the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Physical performance, perceived financial situation, executive functions, loneliness, self-acceptance, and having interests in one’s life were studied as explanatory variables. The data were analyzed using cross-sectional bivariate linear modeling. Results Better physical performance, not perceiving loneliness, having special interests in one’s life, and higher self-acceptance were associated with higher life satisfaction and fewer depressive symptoms. Better financial situation was related only to life satisfaction. Executive functions were not associated with either of the outcomes. Discussion The opposite ends of the same factors underlie positive and negative dimensions of mental well-being. Conclusion Further studies are warranted to better understand how people maintain life satisfaction with aging when many resources may diminish and depressive symptoms become more prevalent.

Download Full-text

Exposure to Bullying and General Psychopathology: A Prospective, Longitudinal Study

Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology ◽

10.1007/s10802-020-00760-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jolien Rijlaarsdam ◽

Charlotte A. M. Cecil ◽

J. Marieke Buil ◽

Pol A. C. van Lier ◽

Edward D. Barker

Keyword(s):

Longitudinal Study ◽

Child Psychopathology ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Report ◽

General Factor ◽

Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽

General Psychopathology ◽

Parents And Children ◽

Prospective Longitudinal ◽

Internalizing And Externalizing

AbstractAlthough there is mounting evidence that the experience of being bullied associates with both internalizing and externalizing symptoms, it is not known yet whether the identified associations are specific to these symptoms, or shared between them. The primary focus of this study is to assess the prospective associations of bullying exposure with both general and specific (i.e., internalizing, externalizing) factors of psychopathology. This study included data from 6,210 children participating in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Child bullying was measured by self-report at ages 8 and 10 years. Child psychopathology symptoms were assessed by parent-interview, using the Development and Well-being Assessment (DAWBA) at ages 7 and 13 years. Bullying exposure significantly associated with the general psychopathology factor in early adolescence. In particular, chronically victimized youth exposed to multiple forms of bullying (i.e., both overt and relational) showed higher levels of general psychopathology. Bullying exposure also associated with both internalizing and externalizing factors from the correlated-factors model. However, the effect estimates for these factors decreased considerably in size and dropped to insignificant for the internalizing factor after extracting the shared variance that belongs to the general factor of psychopathology. Using an integrative longitudinal model, we found that higher levels of general psychopathology at age 7 also associated with bullying exposure at age 8 which, in turn, associated with general psychopathology at age 13 through its two-year continuity. Findings suggest that exposure to bullying is a risk factor for a more general vulnerability to psychopathology.

Download Full-text

Relation between neuritic plaques and depressive state in Alzheimer's disease

Acta Neuropsychiatrica ◽

10.1111/j.1601-5215.2009.00423.x ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 14-20 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Gerben Meynen ◽

Heleen Van Stralen ◽

Jan H. Smit ◽

Wouter Kamphorst ◽

Dick F. Swaab ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Temporal Cortex ◽

Clinical Severity ◽

Depressive State ◽

Neuritic Plaques ◽

Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽

Severity Of Dementia ◽

Prospective Longitudinal

Meynen G, Van Stralen H, Smit JH, Kamphorst W, Swaab DF, Hoogendijk WJG. Relation between neuritic plaques and depressive state in Alzheimer's disease.Background:To investigate for the first time in a prospective study the relationship between depressive state and the neuropathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease, using a scale for depressive symptoms in dementia, while controlling for clinical severity of dementia.Method:Within the framework of a prospective longitudinal study of depression in Alzheimer's disease, patients with dementia underwent a clinical evaluation every six months during the last years of their lives, using the Cornell scale for depression in dementia to assess depressive symptoms and using the Functional Assessment Staging scale to control for clinical severity of dementia. The brains of 43 Alzheimer patients were obtained. The last clinical evaluations prior to death together with post-mortem neuropathology measures were analysed.Results:We found a correlation between the Cornell scores and the sum score for the density of neuritic plaques in the entire cortex (p = 0.027), and even stronger in the temporal cortex (p = 0.012). The observed correlations were independent of sex, age of death, clinical dementia severity and duration of Alzheimer's disease.Conclusions:This study shows a positive relationship between depressive state at time of death and the presence of neuritic plaques in Alzheimer's disease, which is independent of the clinical severity of dementia.

Download Full-text

Subjective and psychological well-being of students of a University of the Third Age: Benefits of continuing education for psychological adjustment in the elderly

Dementia & Neuropsychologia ◽

10.1590/s1980-57642011dn05030010 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 216-225 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Tiago Nascimento Ordonez ◽

Thaís Bento Lima-Silva ◽

Meire Cachioni

Keyword(s):

Continuing Education ◽

Psychological Adjustment ◽

Satisfaction With Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Third Age ◽

Positive Effects ◽

The Third ◽

Study Results

Abstract Objectives: The present study sought to characterize the degree of general satisfaction with life and degree of satisfaction on four domains: health, physical capacity, mental capacity and social involvement, and to determine the characteristics of self-reports of individuals enrolled on the program in relation to their psychological well-being focusing on the dimensions: autonomy, personal growth, control, positive relationships with others, purpose, personal acceptance and generativity, and to analyse the effect of time studying on level of well-being. Method: A total of 140 elderly students of a University for the Third Age took part in the study. The Global Satisfaction With Life Scale and the Self Development Scale (with six psychological well-being subscales) were applied. Continuous variables for the two groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney test. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to analyze the relationship among numeric variables. Internal consistency of the instrument scales was analysed by calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Results: Results showed that students who had attended the University of the Third Age for six months or longer had a higher level of satisfaction with life and greater psychological adjustment compared with new entrants to the same institution. Conclusion: The study results confirmed the positive effects of continuing education on the well-being of elderly and its contribution to successful aging.

Download Full-text

Well Being of Older Gay and Bisexual Men and Women in England: Results of a Cross-Sectional Population Based Study

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz185.466 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽

Author(s):

I Grabovac ◽

L Smith ◽

D T McDermott ◽

S Stefanac ◽

L Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Life Satisfaction ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Older People ◽

Sexual Satisfaction ◽

Well Being ◽

Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

And Bisexual

Abstract Background Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) older people are an under-represented population in research, with limited research noting more depression, loneliness, rejection, overall poorer health and well-being outcomes. Our study compared well-being, defined as quality of life (QOL), life satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and depression, among LGB people with their heterosexual peers’. Methods Cross-sectional data from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging, collected 2012-2013. A total of 5691 participants were included in the analysis, with 326 (5.7%) self-identifying as LGB. We used CASP-19 questionnaire for well-being; the Satisfaction with Life Scale for life satisfaction; and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for depressive symptoms. The question “During the past three months, how satisfied have you been with your overall sex life?” was used for sexual satisfaction. T-test and chi-square tests were used for differences in sociodemographic characteristics between LGB and heterosexual participants. Regression models were used to test associations between sexual orientation and well-being outcomes. Results LGB participants reported significantly lower mean quality of life and life satisfaction, and had significantly lower odds of reporting satisfaction with their overall sex life and higher odds of reporting depressive symptoms in unadjusted models. After adjustment for sociodemographic and health-related covariates, there remained significant differences between groups in mean QOL scores (B= -0.96, 95% [CI] -1.87 to -0.06) and odds of sexual satisfaction (OR = 0.56, 95% CI 0.38-0.82). Conclusions LGB older people report lower quality of life and lower sexual satisfaction than their heterosexual counterparts, possibly associated with experiencing lifelong social discrimination. Main message: Older lesbian, gay and bisexual people in England report significantly lower QOL and sexual satisfaction in comparison to heterosexual counterparts.

Download Full-text

HPA-axis Function and Depression in Adolescence: Are they Related to Prenatal Early Life Stress?

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/s0924-9338(09)70534-6 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 24 (S1) ◽

pp. 1-1

Author(s):

B. Van den Bergh ◽

B. Van Calster ◽

T. Smits ◽

S. Van Huffel ◽

A. Simons ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Hpa Axis ◽

Early Life ◽

Ordinary Least Squares ◽

Repeated Measurements ◽

Maternal Anxiety ◽

Future Research ◽

Postnatal Life ◽

Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽

Prospective Longitudinal

Early-life exposure to adverse environmental cues during critical windows of time in the prenatal and/or early postnatal life period could predispose the individual for somatic andmental diseases. This especially holds for stress-related disorders such as depression in which HPA-axis dysregulation plays a pathophysiological role. This is in line with the ‘fetal (or developmental) programming-hypothesis’ which has been tested in numerous preclinical experimental. We tested this hypothesis in humans in a prospective longitudinal study in which maternal emotional state was measured during each pregnancy trimester and after pregnancy. When the offspring was 14-15 years old, HPA-axis function was measured through establishing a saliva day-time cortisol profile. Severity of depressive symptoms was measured with the Children's Depression Inventory. Repeated measurements regression analysis and ordinary least-squares regression analyses indicated that maternal anxiety at 12-22 weeks of pregnancy was in female and male offspring associated with a diurnal cortisol profile that was attenuated due to elevated cortisol secretion in the evening. Moreover, in female adolescents this flattened cortisol curve was associated with depressive symptoms. Our results indicate that maternal anxiety during pregnancy enhances neurobiological vulnerability to depressive symptoms, possibly by altering (or ‘programming") foetal physiology. If our results can be replicated in future research they may lead to a re-orientation of the target of primary prevention and treatment of depressive symptoms. Preliminary results of a study on the association between prenatal exposure to maternal anxiety and cortisol stress responsivity during inoculation in the four month old will be presented.

Download Full-text

The emotional intelligence of registered nurses commencing critical care nursing

Curationis ◽

10.4102/curationis.v39i1.1606 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 39 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yvette Nagel ◽

Amanda Towell ◽

Elzabe Nel ◽

Fiona Foxall

Keyword(s):

Emotional Intelligence ◽

Critical Care ◽

Registered Nurses ◽

Short Form ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Control ◽

Critical Care Nursing ◽

Care Environment ◽

Critical Care Units ◽

Care Nursing

Background: Critical care is described as complex, detailed healthcare in a unique, technologically rich environment. Critical care nursing requires a strong knowledge base and exceptional clinical and technological skills to cope in this demanding environment. Many registered nurses (RNs) commencing work in these areas may lack resilience, and because of the stress of the critical care environment, coping mechanisms need to be developed. To prevent burnout and to enable critical care nurses to function holistically, emotional intelligence (EI) is essential in the development of such coping mechanisms.Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the EI of RNs commencing work in critical care units in a private hospital group in Gauteng, South Africa.Method: The design used for this study was a quantitative descriptive survey. The target population were RNs commencing work in critical care units. Data were collected from RNs using the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire – Short Form and analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software.Results: The sample (n = 30) had a mean age of 32 years. Most of the participants (63%) qualified through the completion of a bridging course between 2010 and 2012. The majority (62%) of the sample had less than 2 years’ experience as RNs.Conclusion: The EI of RNs commencing work in a critical care environment was indicative of a higher range of Global EI, with the well-being factor scoring the highest, followed by the emotionality factor, then self-control, with the sociability factor scoring the lowest.

Download Full-text

THE INFLUENCE OF CUSTODIAL STATUS ON MARITAL AFFECTUAL SOLIDARITY AND MENTAL HEALTH AMONG GRANDPARENTS.

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.3433 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S944-S945

Author(s):

Eunbea Kim ◽

Danielle K Nadorff ◽

Rachel Scott ◽

Ian T McKay

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Relationship Quality ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Marital Relationship ◽

Well Being ◽

Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽

Custodial Grandparents ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Targeted Interventions

Abstract Increased life expectancy and the diversity of family structure have resulted in a substantial rise in the number of families with grandparents as the main caregivers (e.g. custodial grandparents). The structures of these families affect the well-being of all family members. After middle age, psychological well-being is associated with marital relationship quality, and raising one’s grandchildren is a known source of strain to relationships. The current study examined adults aged 40 and older (M age = 57.6 yr, 53% female) using a nationwide sample from MIDUS to assess the extent to which custodial grandparenting status influences marital affectual solidarity, depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, and perceived stress. Measures included the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Index, Spousal Affectual Solidarity, Satisfaction with Life Scale, and Perceived Stress Scale. Marital affectual solidarity was significantly related to custodial status and psychological well-being, and there were significant differences in marital relationship quality and psychological well-being between custodial grandparents and non-custodial grandparents. However, custodial status failed to moderate the relation between marital affectual solidarity and mental health. Although other factors surrounding custodial grandparents likely affect their marital relationship and mental health, these results suggest that grandparents raising grandchildren are under particular strain in their marriages and are in need of targeted interventions to ameliorate stress and depressive symptoms. These findings will inform the need for more research and supportive educational programs on family relationships and the psychological health of custodial grandparents.

Download Full-text