Revisiting Hemispheric Asymmetry in Mood Regulation: Implications for rTMS for Major Depressive Disorder

Hemispheric differences in emotional processing have been observed for over half a century, leading to multiple theories classifying differing roles for the right and left hemisphere in emotional processing. Conventional acceptance of these theories has had lasting clinical implications for the treatment of mood disorders. The theory that the left hemisphere is broadly associated with positively valenced emotions, while the right hemisphere is broadly associated with negatively valenced emotions, drove the initial application of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Subsequent rTMS research has led to improved response rates while adhering to the same initial paradigm of administering excitatory rTMS to the left prefrontal cortex (PFC) and inhibitory rTMS to the right PFC. However, accumulating evidence points to greater similarities in emotional regulation between the hemispheres than previously theorized, with potential implications for how rTMS for MDD may be delivered and optimized in the near future. This review will catalog the range of measurement modalities that have been used to explore and describe hemispheric differences, and highlight evidence that updates and advances knowledge of TMS targeting and parameter selection. Future directions for research are proposed that may advance precision medicine and improve efficacy of TMS for MDD.

A parent-led intervention to reduce anxiety in autistic children with a severe to profound intellectual disability: protocol for the LADDERS pilot feasibility trial

Background There is a need for evidence-based approaches to reduce anxiety experienced by autistic children with severe to profound intellectual disability (ID). Avoidance of anxiety triggers, as a response to pronounced anxiety, occurs irrespective of age, background and neurodiversity. When avoidance is unhelpful, evidence-based anxiety reduction approaches aim to reduce it gradually (graded exposure), subsequently reducing anxiety. Combining graded exposure with emotional regulation techniques may be effective and acceptable for autistic children with severe to profound ID, if sensitive to needs and characteristics of autistic children. We have developed a 16-week, parent-led intervention (LADDERS) to reduce anxiety in this population of autistic children. LADDERS consists of psychoeducation, graded exposure-based tasks, and skills building, delivered utilising a person-centred approach. This study aims to assess whether LADDERS 1) reduces anxiety and 2) whether autistic children and parents find it acceptable and feasible. Method A single-site, multiple baseline, single case experimental study will be conducted. Participants will be parents of autistic children aged between 4-15 years. A minimum of 8 participants will be recruited through a research participant database, the Autistica Discover Network and social media. Once eligibility is confirmed, participants will be assessed at baseline, during the intervention and at a 2-month follow-up (week 24). The primary outcome measure will be a daily diary that assesses child anxiety. Discussion The study will provide preliminary evidence of whether LADDERS reduces anxiety in autistic children with severe to profound ID. Qualitative data from parents and child engagement will provide data on acceptability and feasibility.

The Importance of Emotional Regulation in Mental Health

Mental health is a critical component of overall well-being and exists on a continuum much like physical health. Although many ways to assess mental health exist outside of either having a disorder or not, practitioners often rely on the presence or absence of symptomatology. The assessment and promotion of emotional regulation in patients is one way to encourage individuals to engage in mental health-promoting behaviors. Specific techniques are discussed that address emotional regulation. Overall, providing patients with the tools to regulate emotional responding will likely have a direct impact on well-being as well as reduce MH symptomology.

Cardiovascular risk and association with depression in middle-aged and older autistic adults

Cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) increase during later-life and are associated with depression symptoms and difficulties with executive function among non-autistic older people. Few studies have examined CVRF among autistic people. Using data from the Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge research match, this study examined the frequency of CVRF and associations between CVRF, depression symptoms and executive function in 387 middle-aged and older autistic people (aged 40-83 years). Individuals provided demographic and health information to assess the number of CVRF (presence of hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity). Participants also self-reported their depression symptoms and executive functions in the domains of inhibitory control and emotional regulation. CVRF were common among autistic middle-aged and older people, with 28.9% reporting two and 23.2% reporting three or more CVRF. Regression analyses explored the variables associated with depression symptoms. After accounting for the effects of age and sex assigned at birth, CVRF contributed a small but significant amount to the model. A regression model examined the impact of executive function. Emotional regulation (but not inhibitory control), CVRF and age were significantly associated with depression symptoms in middle-aged and older autistic people. In conclusion, CVRF was significantly associated with depression symptoms, and depression symptoms, in turn, were primarily associated with emotional regulation. CVRF occur at high rates in middle-aged and older autistic people but may not be as important a mechanism for depression symptoms as among non-autistic older people.

Emotional Intelligence, Emotional Regulation Strategies, and Subjective Well-Being Among University Teachers: A Moderated Mediation Analysis

This study aimed to explore the mediating role of emotional regulation strategies in the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and subjective well-being (SWB) among Chinese university teachers, and evaluate whether effort-reward imbalance moderated the mediating effect of emotional regulation strategies. A total of 308 Chinese university teachers were recruited for this study. The results showed that emotional regulation strategies played a partial mediating role in the relationship between EI and SWB. Moreover, an effort-reward imbalance moderated the relationship between emotional regulation strategies and SWB. For individuals with more balanced perceptions, EI had a significant effect on SWB via cognitive reappraisal, while for individuals with more imbalanced perceptions, EI did not have a significant effect on SWB via cognitive reappraisal. These findings provide a better understanding of the effects of EI and emotional regulation strategies on SWB, which could provide interventions for promoting SWB among teachers.

Social emotional ability development (SEAD): An integrated model of practical emotion-based competencies

Social emotional abilities (i.e., specific skills), defined as the set of cognitive abilities, emotion-based knowledge, and behavioral competencies (i.e., skill levels) that facilitate adaptively employing prosocial processes and behaviors (i.e., “actions”), such as emotional regulation and sympathetic and empathetic response behaviors, is contemporarily modeled and measured as emotional intelligence. This conceptualization can be problematic, however, as the two concepts are not the same and traditional methods of measuring emotional intelligence can have limited practical utility. The social emotional ability development (SEAD) theoretical model introduced in this treatise represents a pragmatic and simplified approach to the development of social emotional ability and competency as abstracted from constructs of emotional intelligence, social intelligence, and sociocultural learning theory. Further, the SEAD model reaches beyond the individual as the unit of analysis to explore, conceptualize, differentiate, investigate, and define the hierarchal, bi-directional, and contextual nature of the dimensions of social emotional ability within close relationships. Implications for how the SEAD model can be used by researchers, practitioners, educators, individuals, families, and couples across a broad spectrum of domains and interventions are discussed.

The Pandemic Context and Quality of Life for Youth in Constanta County

The COVID-19 pandemic had an unprecedented impact on Romanian people. For almost two years the changes in the everyday life of the inhabitants of our country happened with such speed and dramatic consequences, that it raised the question about the perception of Romanian people regarding their perceived quality of life. A sample of 1796 young people, all residents of Constanta County, aged between 18 and 25 years old, was assessed with a survey made by the authors, concerning their perception on the quality of their life in the fields of health, self-esteem, goals and values, financial, professional, leisure, learning, family and social environment, and emotional regulation. Of all the themes we studied, this research tries to identify the differences regarding the quality of life between rural and urban residents. We obtained statistical significant differences regarding goals and values, learning opportunities and emotional regulation. Results are discussed in the end of the paper in the context of the on-going changes still caused by the Covid-19 pandemic

Parenting During a Pandemic: Predictors of Parental Burnout

The global pandemic, COVID-19, has resulted in significant changes in many aspects of our lives. For parents, the impact has been great as they combine work, family, and homeschooling while maintaining the wellbeing of themselves and their family. COVID-19 has brought about challenges that many parents have not faced before, putting them at risk for parental burnout. The goal of this study was to investigate risk and protective factors that predict parental burnout during COVID-19. Eighty-six parents (75 mothers; M age = 40.73; SD = 7.88) living in New Zealand during COVID-19 lockdown participated in the survey. Results showed parental violence, parental constellation, unemployment, major decreases in finances, and living in a disadvantaged neighborhood were the strongest predictors of parental burnout. Child independence and parental emotional regulation were the strongest protective predictors of parental burnout. COVID-19 restrictions did not predict parental burnout. Findings highlight that promoting protective factors may support parental equilibrium during future crises.

Transient Early Fine Motor Abnormalities in Infants Born to COVID-19 Mothers Are Associated With Placental Hypoxia and Ischemia

Background: Long-term effects of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on infants born to infected mothers are not clear. Fine motor skills are crucial for the development of infant emotional regulation, learning ability and social skills.Methods: Clinical information of 100 infants born to 98 mothers (COVID-19 n = 31, non-COVID-19 n = 67) were collected. Infants were follow-up up to 9 months post-partum. The placental tissues were examined for SARS-CoV-2 infection, pathological changes, cytokines, and mtDNA content.Results: Decreased placental oxygen and nutrient transport capacity were found in infected pregnant women. Increased IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ were detected in trophoblast cells and maternal blood of COVID-19 placentas. Elevated early fine motor abnormal-ities and increased serum TNI (troponin I) levels at delivery were observed in infants born to mothers with COVID-19. Increased abnormal mitochondria and elevated mtDNA content were found in the placentas from infected mothers. The placental mtDNA content of three infants with abnormal DDST were increased by 4, 7, and 10%, respectively, compared to the mean of the COVID-19 group. The Maternal Vascular Malperfusion (MVM), elevated cytokines and increased placental mtDNA content in mothers with COVID-19 might be associated with transient early fine motor abnormalities in infants. These abnormalities are only temporary, and they could be corrected by daily training.Conclusions: Babies born to COVID-19 mothers with mild symptoms appeared to have little or no excess long-term risks of abnormal physical and neurobehavioral development as compared with the infants delivered by non-COVID-19 mothers.