Anxiety Subscale Research Articles

The Role of Dispositional Optimism in Psychological Well-Being and Social Anxiety Among University Students

Objectives: The primary goal of this study was to investigate the association between dispositional optimism psychological well-being and social anxiety in university students.Method: The correlational research design was used, and the sample was recruited employing the non-probability purposive sampling technique. The life Orientation Scale developed by Scheier et al., in 1994, the Psychological Well-being scale by Ryff & Keyes (1995), Social Anxiety Scale developed by Ejaz et al., (2020) along with the demographic sheet were utilized for the data collection. Results: The sample constituted 350 participants (165 males and 185 females), with ages ranging from 20-30 years (M=23.46, SD=3.22). Results revealed a significant association between dispositional optimism and all subscales of social anxiety and psychological well-being (p<.05). Similarly, significant differences among both genders were observed in levels of dispositional optimism, psychological well-being, and social anxiety (p<.01). Dispositional optimism and psychological wellbeing were also observed as the significant predictors of social anxiety in university students (p<.001). Likewise, the results proved that dispositional optimism was a significant moderator between psychological well-being and social anxiety (p<.01).Conclusion: the study concluded that dispositional optimism moderates the association between psychological well-being and a level of social anxiety.

Interventions for the management of long covid (post-covid condition): living systematic review

ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of interventions for the management of long covid (post-covid condition).DesignLiving systematic review.Data sourcesMedline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycInfo, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, and Cochrane Central Register of...

Effectiveness of wide local excision and secondary intention healing in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: a single-center study on quality of life and mental health outcomes.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that significantly impacts patients' quality of life and mental health. Effective management often involves both medical and surgical interventions. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of wide local excision and secondary intention healing in improving quality of life and mental health in patients with moderate to severe HS. A single-center prospective study was conducted with 40 patients suffering from moderate to severe HS, refractory to prior treatments. Pre-surgical ultrasound mapping of lesions was performed using Ultra High-Frequency Ultrasound (UHFUS). Patients underwent wide surgical excision followed by secondary intention healing based on HS-TIME principles. Quality of life was measured using Skindex-16, and mental health was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), with subscales for anxiety (HADS-A) and depression (HADS-D). Assessments were conducted at baseline, 4 weeks post-surgery, and after complete wound healing. Statistical analyses included paired t-tests and multiple linear regression to determine factors influencing outcomes. The study included 14 males and 26 females with a mean age of 39 years. Significant improvements were observed in Skindex-16 scores (pre: 57.92, post: 16.03) and HADS scores (HADS-A: pre: 6.13, post: 2.63; HADS-D: pre: 5.50, post: 3.21), indicating reduced pain, discomfort, and psychological distress. Multivariate analysis revealed that improvements were associated with male sex, HS stage II, longer disease duration, and lower BMI. Wide local excision combined with secondary intention healing significantly improves quality of life and mental health in HS patients. The findings suggest that a comprehensive approach addressing both surgical and psychological aspects can enhance patient outcomes. Future research should focus on long-term benefits and the development of standardized postoperative care protocols.

Beyond the Hip: Clinical Phenotypes of Hip Osteoarthritis Across the Biopsychosocial Spectrum.

Background/Objectives: To identify clinical phenotypes of hip osteoarthritis (OA) within a biopsychosocial framework. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 143 individuals with hip OA awaiting total hip arthroplasty (THA) was performed. Phenotyping features included sociodemographic and biomedical information, pain-related cognitions and emotions, mental disorders, traumatic experiences, self-efficacy, social support, perceived stress, and somatosensory function. Outcome measures included the hip disability and osteoarthritis outcome score and the numeric pain-rating scale. Decision tree learning was used to select the most important phenotyping features. K-means clustering analyses were performed to identify clinical phenotypes and a decision tree algorithm was trained to classify individuals in the identified clinical phenotypes. Results: Selected phenotyping features associated with pain and disability included a combination of biomedical, psychological, and social variables. Two distinct clinical phenotypes were identified. Individuals within the maladaptive phenotype (34%) reported more comorbidities, less self-efficacy and higher levels of anxiety, depression, pain-related fear-avoidance, and feelings of injustice. No differences were found regarding social support and somatosensory function. Regarding the outcome measures, individuals within the maladaptive phenotype reported higher levels of pain and disability. Finally, based on the Fear-Avoidance Components Scale (FACS) and the anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A), individuals could be classified into the clinical phenotypes with 87.8% accuracy. Conclusions: Two clinical phenotypes, an adaptive and a maladaptive phenotype, can be identified in individuals with hip OA using the FACS and HADS-A. The identification of these clinical phenotypes represents a crucial step toward precision medicine, enabling the development of targeted treatment pathways tailored to the distinct biomedical and psychological features of each phenotype.

QOL-10. AN ASSESSMENT TOOL FOR MEASURING CAREGIVERS’ DEATH ANXIETY IN PRIMARY BRAIN TUMOR: A CONFIRMATORY FACTOR ANALYSIS

Abstract BACKGROUND Caregivers of patients with primary brain tumor describe significant emotional distress regarding their loved one’s impending trajectory and eventual mortality—a construct known as death anxiety. Our team adapted a pre-existing, validated scale for patients with advanced cancer (the Death and Dying Distress Scale; DADDS) to measure this latent variable in caregivers of patients with primary brain tumors. Our adapted scale (DADDS-CG) demonstrated preliminarily strong internal consistency and construct validity. We now seek to confirm the factor structure, internal consistency, and convergent validity of the DADDS-CG in a second sample of neuro-oncology caregivers in accordance with best practices of measure development. METHODS Caregivers of those with primary brain tumors (N=221) completed an online battery of self-report questionnaires, including the 15-item Death and Dying Distress Scale-Caregiving (DADDS-CG), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). To verify the two-factor structure of the DADDS-CG, we used confirmatory factor analysis. Cronbach’s alpha measured internal consistency, Pearson correlations assessed convergent validity, and descriptive statistics determined the prevalence of death anxiety. RESULTS Caregivers (Mage=46.2) were primarily White (85.5%) female (72.4%) spouses (75.6%). The two-factor model demonstrated adequate fit (X2/df=4.24; CFI-.89; NFI=.87; RMSEA=.06), suggesting two correlated subscales of death anxiety: Finitude and Dying (r=.80). The DADDS-CG demonstrated strong internal consistency (a=.95) and was moderately correlated with the GAD-7 (r=.73) and PHQ-9 (r=.68), suggesting adequate convergent validity. Mean scores fell within the moderate range (M=40.5, SD=18.7), with 20.8%, 36.2%, and 43.0% of caregivers reporting low, moderate, and severe death anxiety, respectively. CONCLUSION The DADDS-CG is a valid and reliable assessment tool for measuring death anxiety in caregivers of those with primary brain tumors. Given the high prevalence of death anxiety, future investigations are needed to understand caregiver’s death anxiety throughout the disease trajectory and to inform intervention development for neuro-oncology caregivers.

The contribution of vulnerability to emotional contagion to the expression of psychological distress in older adults

This study examines the differential weight of a wide range of factors—sociodemographic factors, indicators of autonomy, social support, coping styles, vulnerability to emotional contagion, and empathy—in the presence of two profiles of psychological distress and in their absence. This cross-sectional study included 170 older adults. As assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), 65.9% of the individuals in the sample had a clinical or subthreshold level of anxiety and depression (score > 1). Based on the HADS’s clinical cutoff scores for the anxiety and depression subscales, three profiles were created for the no distress, anxiety, and anxious depression groups. The profiles did not differ on demographic indicators except for sex. Vulnerability to emotional contagion, satisfaction with the social network and coping styles emerged as factors weighing the likelihood of being in either of the psychological distress groups relative to individuals with no distress. After controlling for adversity and psychotropic treatment, vulnerability to emotional contagion had the strongest relationship with both psychological distress profiles. Future research, such as a prospective longitudinal study, may provide an opportunity to explain the direction of the relationship between psychological distress and the factors studied, particularly vulnerability to emotional contagion.

Vitamin C intake, psychological distress and health outcomes in patients with heart failure

Abstract Background Patients with heart failure (HF) have lower dietary vitamin C intake than healthy adults, which may increase oxidative stress and worsen important patient-reported health outcomes (functional status and quality of life [QOL]). Patients with HF are more likely to have higher levels of psychological distress (anxiety and depressive symptoms). However, it is not known whether psychological distress is a link in the association of dietary vitamin C with health outcomes. Objective To examine the inter-relationships among dietary vitamin C intake, psychological distress (anxiety and depressive symptoms), and health outcomes (functional status and QOL) in patients with HF. Method We performed a secondary analysis of baseline data from 206 adults with HF (female: 33%, age: 61±12, NYHA class III/IV: 44%) with complete data on dietary vitamin C intake, anxiety, depressive symptoms, functional status, and QOL. Dietary vitamin C intake was assessed using a 4-day food diary and analyzed using the Nutrition Data System for Research software program. Low dietary vitamin C intake was defined as averaged daily intake below the estimated average requirement (EAR) from the Institute of Medicine of 75 mg/day for men and 60 mg/day for women. Anxiety was assessed using the Brief Symptom Inventory Anxiety subscale. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory II. Functional status was measured using the Duke Activity Status Index. Quality of life was measured using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire. Linear regression was conducted using the PROCESS macro in SPSS. Results Eighty-four patients (41%) had low dietary vitamin C intake based on the EAR standard. In bivariate analyses, patients with low dietary vitamin C intake had higher levels of anxiety, depressive symptoms, poorer functional status, and worse QOL (all p <.005). In the mediation regression model, low dietary vitamin C intake was directly associated with higher levels of anxiety, but not with depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms were directly associated with functional status and QOL. Dietary vitamin C intake was not directly associated with functional status or QOL. Low dietary vitamin C intake was indirectly associated with poor functional status through higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms (Figure 1). Similarly, low dietary vitamin C intake was indirectly associated with worse QOL (Figure 2). Conclusion Anxiety and depressive symptoms link the relationship between dietary vitamin C intake and functional status and between dietary vitamin C intake and QOL. Our findings highlight the importance of including interventions to enhance diet quality and psychological well-being as part of HF treatment to improve health outcomes.Vitamin C and functional statusVitamin C and quality of life

Postpartum hair loss is associated with anxiety.

This study examined the relationship between postpartum hair loss and psychological symptoms. This questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study included postpartum women who had delivered at two facilities and completed the questionnaire 10-18 months after delivery. Study protocols were sent by mail in two parts. Baseline characteristics and information regarding the pregnancy, delivery, childcare, and postpartum hair loss were obtained via a questionnaire. Psychological symptoms were assessed via the Whooley Questions, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2-item, and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Participants were divided into two groups based on psychological symptoms. Multivariate analyses were performed. In total, 331 responses were analyzed. Women with very much hair loss felt significantly more anxious than those with no postpartum hair loss, as reported on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2-item anxiety subscale (odds ratio: 4.47). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that primiparity, greater amount of postpartum hair loss, and higher Athens Insomnia Scale scores were predictors of Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2-item anxiety. Adjusted odds ratio of having anxiety among those with very much postpartum hair loss was 4.58 (95% confidence interval, 1.18-17.74) compared to those with no postpartum hair loss. A greater amount of postpartum hair loss was independently associated with postpartum anxiety on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2-item.

Cognitive performance, mental health, and quality of life in β-thalassemia individuals: a comprehensive analysis

IntroductionBeta-thalassemia is a prevalent autosomal recessive haemolytic disorder, particularly in the Middle East. Patients with beta-thalassemia major (βTM) require iron chelation therapy and regular blood transfusions, while those with beta-thalassemia intermedia (βTI) exhibit milder symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate cognitive function, behavioural problems, quality of life, and related aspects in individuals with βTM and βTI.MethodsThe cross-sectional study included 20 βTM participants, 20 βTI participants, and 19 healthy controls. Participants underwent psychiatric interviews, the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-III), Symptom Checklist-90 Revised (SCL-90R), and Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Clinical data and laboratory investigations were also collected.ResultsβTM participants exhibited lower vocabulary and picture completion scores on the WAIS-III compared to other groups. βTI participants had significantly higher scores on SCL-90R subscales for somatization, depression, anxiety, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism. Both patient groups reported poorer quality of life across all SF-36 domains compared with controls. Longer disease duration correlated with lower levels of somatization, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, and paranoid ideation. Less frequent blood transfusions were associated with better physical and mental health summary scores but also higher somatization. Elevated serum iron levels corresponded with increased anxiety, hostility, and psychoticism symptoms, while higher serum ferritin related to more obsessive–compulsive behaviours but less somatization and psychoticism.ConclusionsIndividuals with thalassemia exhibit cognitive deficits, psychological disturbances, and diminished quality of life, with distinct patterns depending on disease severity. Regular monitoring and appropriate interventions are crucial for optimizing their overall well-being and functioning.

Evaluating the Psychometric Properties of the Revised Attitudes Toward Research Scale for Use with MSW Students.

Evaluating students' attitudes toward research is essential for instructors of any research methods class, as students' general attitudes toward research may impact if and how they integrate research into practice decision making. However, few psychometrically sound, multidimensional instruments that can be used with Master of Social Work (MSW) students exist. This work used confirmatory factor analysis to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Revised Attitudes Toward Research Scale with a diverse sample of 396 master's level social work students. Multiple indicators, multiple causes models and a series of Monte Carlo simulations were then used to assess the relationship between various dimensions of students' attitudes toward research, their prior research exposure/training, and their sociodemographic characteristics. Results indicate that the overall performance of the measure with this sample of MSW students was strong, and the factor structure was consistent with that found when evaluated with different samples in previous research. Moreover, various sociodemographic characteristics predicted scores on the research usefulness, research anxiety, and positive research predisposition subscales. The use of this tool allows instructors to identify students with high levels of research-related anxiety and those who may not intuitively comprehend the need to understand empirical research findings and integrate them into practice decision making. The authors offer suggestions for integrating this validated tool into social work research methods classes to assist in developing students' ability to engage in all steps of the evidence-based practice process once in the field.

The supervisory relationship as a predictor of mental health outcomes in doctoral students in the United Kingdom.

The process of a doctorate degree has been implicated in the onset and exacerbation of mental health problems among doctoral students. Previous studies have suggested that the student-supervisor relationship may predict emotional wellbeing and mental health outcomes in doctoral students in the UK. However, these studies were conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic and often used unstandardized measures to investigate supervisory styles. The present study was part of the Better Together project, a wellbeing initiative for doctoral students in the UK. It explored the predictive ability of aspects of the student-supervisor relationship with regards to doctoral students' mental health outcomes. The sample consisted of 141 students doing a research-based doctorate degree in the UK. The survey included demographic questions and questionnaires assessing supervisory styles, the discrepancy between actual and preferred supervisory relationship, depression, anxiety, and stress. A large proportion of participants fell in the severe and extremely severe categories in the depression, anxiety, and stress sub-scales. Multiple regression analyses indicated that both supervisory styles and discrepancy significantly predicted students' mental health outcomes. More specifically, higher scores in the uncertain supervisory style, which is characterized by indecisiveness and ambiguity, were linked with higher scores in depression, anxiety, and stress. The findings provided new insights concerning the aspects of the student-supervisor relationship that are related to the mental health issues of doctoral students in the UK. They have important implications for future research and supervision practice.

The relationship between smartphone overuse, anxiety, and depression among middle school adolescents in the city of Kenitra, Morocco: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundAdolescents face various addiction issues, including excessive smartphone use, which significantly impacts their mental health, leading to anxiety and depression. This study aimed to analyze the impact of smartphone use on the mental health of middle school adolescents in the city of Kenitra, Morocco, focusing particularly on the prevalence of depression and anxiety and to identify the factors influencing these behaviors. The present cross-sectional study included a sample of 341 middle school adolescents from Kenitra city, Morocco. Participants completed a comprehensive questionnaire covering various aspects, including sociodemographic information, smartphone addiction assessment using the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS), and mental health assessment using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Descriptive statistics were performed, and Mann–Whitney U-test and chi-square test were both used for comparisons between the excessive and non-excessive group, respectively. A Spearman’s correlation analysis was performed to evaluate associations of smartphone overuse with depression and anxiety.ResultsAmong 341 participants, 37.4% demonstrated smartphone overuse. Males exhibited nonsignificantly higher scores on the SAS than females (p = 0.082). In addition, the mean psychological distress scores for the study participants were 7.62 ± 3.31 for anxiety and 7.75 ± 3.7 for depression. Males exhibited significantly lower scores on the HADS subscales in comparison with females (p < 0.001). Interestingly, the results of the study showed a statistically significant positive correlation between anxiety (r = 0.2441, p = 0.013) and depression (r = 0.4035, p < 0.0001) subscales of HADS and SAS.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that adolescent students exposed to smartphone overuse are vulnerable to mental disorders. The results will be useful in helping schools put in place efficient measures to prevent excessive use of smartphones.

The Effectiveness of Brief Multidisciplinary Outpatient Treatment for Functional Neurological Disorder: A Pilot Study

Background: Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a common, costly, and debilitating condition with a guarded prognosis. Limited evidence supports providers about which treatment approaches to undertake. Evidence-based care for FND is urgently needed to improve patient outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate functional and psychological outcomes associated with a novel outpatient multidisciplinary treatment program for adults with FND. Methods: Participants included 18 sequentially referred adults who attended the five-day FND treatment program, including those who completed ( N = 13) and who were available for follow-up at six months ( N = 9). Intervention included assessment and up to five consecutive days of treatment including two group-administered psychoeducation sessions. Primary measures included the Timed Up and Go (TUG), the EQ-5D-5L index score, and the visual analogue scale (VAS), and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). Secondary outcomes included Battery for Health Improvement-2 (BHI-2) Depression and Anxiety subscales. Results: Significant improvement observed on COPM performance and COPM satisfaction; EQ-5D-5L index (as well as VAS) and TUG (p = &lt; 0.05) immediately following five-day treatment. Improvement was gained at six months for BHI-2 Depression and Anxiety, and maintained for COPM performance, COPM satisfaction, EQ-5D-5L index, EQ-5D-5L VAS, and TUG. Conclusions: The findings of this preliminary work suggest that multidisciplinary treatment for FND has a positive impact on psychological and physical outcomes with results sustained up to six months.

Rasch analysis of the depression anxiety stress scales-21 (DASS-21) in a mild traumatic brain injury sample.

In this study, we evaluated the psychometric properties of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales 21 items (DASS-21) in a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) sample. Treatment-seeking adults (n = 347) were recruited from outpatient rehabilitation services in New Zealand. Dimensionality, reliability, person separation index, and differential item functioning (DIF) of the DASS-21 were examined using Rasch analysis. Initial analysis of the complete 21-item DASS showed poor overall fit due to problems with individual items. Fit to the Rasch model was excellent when treated as three composite scores. The stress subscale demonstrated adequate model fit, dimensionality and good reliability. For anxiety, fit was not good, reliability was unsatisfactory and DIF was evident on one item. When this item was removed, fit to the model was still inadequate as was reliability. DIF was also evident for depression, but when this item was removed, fit to the model was adequate. The DASS-21 is a psychometrically sound measure of distress and stress for adults seeking treatment following mTBI. Ordinal to interval score conversion tables are provided to increase the precision of measurement. When assessing depression in a mTBI population, a 6-item depression subscale is recommended. Caution is advised in using the DASS-21 anxiety subscale alone.

Severe and unclassifiable tremor.

Patients often exhibit very severe or disabling forms of tremor that cannot be clearly characterized. To present a series of 37 cases of tremor considered unclassifiable. Patients diagnosed with essential tremor according to criteria of the International Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorder Society (IPDMDS), who had been previously studied, were included as controls. All patients underwent a battery of tests between 2019 and 2022, which enabled us to compare them. Relevant demographic and clinical information were collected. The following tools were applied: the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE); the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); the Fahn-Tolosa-Marín Tremor Rating Scale (TRS); and the Quality of Life in Essential Tremor (QUEST). A simple brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan was performed for all patients. The categorical variables were compared using the Chi-squared test and the t-test with Fisher correction if appropriate, and the quantitative variables were compared through the two-tailed Student t-test. Values of p ≤ 0.01 were considered statistically significant. The cases presented higher scores on the anxiety and depression subscales of the HADS than the controls (p ≤ 0.006 and 0.000 respectively). In all domains of the TRS, the cases scored significantly higher, as well as in the QUEST. History of enolism was higher among the controls, and history of orthostasis and rest tremor was higher among the cases (p ≤ 0.000). Cerebellar atrophy was present in every patient in the case group, and in 24 subjects in the control group. Dystonia was observed in 7 subjects in the case group, and in none of the patients in the control group. There are patients with unclassifiable and extremely disabling tremors who respond poorly to the pharmacological therapy options.

The influence of AI Anxiety and Neuroticism in Attitudes toward Artificial Intelligence

This paper examines the impact of AI anxiety and neuroticism on attitudes toward Artificial Intelligence (AI) through a quantitative approach. With the pervasive integration of AI technologies across diverse domains like social media platforms, smart devices, healthcare, and education, gaining insight into how individuals perceive and engage with AI becomes essential. A sample of 197 participants (32 males, and 165 females) completed surveys assessing their levels of AI anxiety, neuroticism, and attitudes toward AI. The data were collected via Google Forms using the following structured questionnaires: Artificial Intelligence Anxiety Scale (AIA), Artificial Intelligence Attitude Scale (AIAS-4), and Neuroticism Scale. The findings indicate significant negative correlations between AI anxiety (r=-.286, p&lt;.01), neuroticism (r=-.196, p&lt;.01), and attitudes toward AI, suggesting that individuals with higher levels of AI anxiety and neuroticism are inclined towards adopting more skeptical viewpoints regarding AI technologies. Moreover, the AI anxiety subscales (learning, r=-.152, p&lt;.05; job replacement, r=-.257, p&lt;.01; sociotechnical blindness, r=-.302, p&lt;.01, and AI configuration, r=-.256, p&lt;.01) also showed negative significant correlations with the attitudes toward AI. At the same time, neuroticism showed significant positive correlations with the composite score of AI anxiety (r=.301, p&lt;.01) and all its subscales (learning, r=.219, p&lt;.01; job replacement, r=.250, p&lt;.01; sociotechnical blindness, r=.226, p&lt;.01, and AI configuration, r=.277, p&lt;.01). Understanding the role of AI anxiety and neuroticism in shaping attitudes toward AI can inform the development of strategies to mitigate negative perceptions and foster more positive attitudes toward AI technologies Keywords: artificial intelligence, anxiety, neuroticism, mediation

Ten-year trajectories of postpartum depression of Japanese mothers and fathers

BackgroundPerinatal depression is a significant concern affecting both women and men during pregnancy and postpartum periods. While maternal postpartum depression has been extensively studied, paternal depression remains under-researched despite its prevalence and impact on family well-being. This study aimed to estimate the trajectories of perinatal and postpartum depression in Japanese parents over ten years and to determine the details of the symptoms of postpartum depression for each trajectory group, considering reciprocal effects between maternal and paternal depression. MethodsA total of 789 couples used the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale to rate their depressive symptoms prenatally; at 5 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postpartum; and then yearly thereafter until the 10th year. Parallel-process latent class growth analysis was used to group participants according to their longitudinal patterns of depressive symptoms. ResultsFor both mothers and fathers, four depressive symptom trajectories fit the data best and were most informative (escalating: 6.5 %; mothers low and fathers moderate: 17.2 %; mothers high and fathers low: 17.9 %; low: 58.4 %). A variance analysis showed significant class-parent interactions across anhedonia, anxiety, and depression subscales, indicating distinct patterns of depressive symptomatology. DiscussionTailored mental health programs and universal screening using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale are recommended to address the specific needs of each trajectory class. This study contributes to the understanding of long-term depressive symptom trajectories in parents and emphasizes the necessity of comprehensive support strategies to enhance family well-being and resilience.

Depression and Anxiety Symptoms Before and After Breast-Cancer Diagnosis Among Young Women in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966.

The aim of the study was to explore depressive, anxiety, and mental-health related somatic symptoms among young breast-cancer survivors by considering symptoms before and after cancer onset. The study sample included females from the prospective Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966. Symptoms were assessed with the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 at the age of 31 and 46 years. We studied both subscales of depressive, anxiety, and somatic symptoms and single symptoms in secondary analyses. Thirty-one cases and 3.077 controls were included. Females diagnosed with breast cancer 3-8 years before the 46-year follow-up had increased depressive (p = 0.005) and somatic symptoms (p = 0.028) at the 46-year follow-up compared with the 31-year follow-up. This was not observed among those diagnosed <3 or >8 years before or among controls. Females diagnosed with breast cancer reported more lack of strength or energy compared with controls at the 46-year follow-up (p = 0.047). Among females who did not report feeling that the future is hopeless at the 31-year follow-up, significantly more females diagnosed with breast cancer reported this feeling at the 46-year follow-up compared with controls (p = 0.006). Depressive and somatic symptoms increased significantly among young females at 3-8 years after breast-cancer diagnosis compared with the time before the cancer diagnosis. Psychosocial measures of support for breast-cancer survivors should be provided over the long-term.

Quality of life, depression and anxiety in cerebral amyloid angiopathy: A cross-sectional study.

Data on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and mood in cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), a disease characterized by stroke and cognitive decline, are limited. We aimed to investigate the impacted domains of life, value-based HRQoL and the prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients with CAA. We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients with sporadic (s)CAA, lobar dominant mixed CAA and hypertensive arteriopathy (mixed CAA-HTA), or Dutch-type hereditary (D-)CAA, from prospective outpatient clinic cohorts. Participants completed four questionnaires: the EuroQoL 5 dimensions 5-level questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L; EQ-VAS for visual analogue scale; EQ-Index for index rating), the Short-Form 36 questionnaire (SF-36), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale (CES-D), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS; -D for depression and -A for anxiety subscales). The EQ-5D-5L assesses the domains mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression. The SF-36 domains are physical functioning, social functioning, physical role limitations, emotional role limitations, mental health, vitality, bodily pain, and general health perceptions. We compared age- and sex- adjusted HRQoL (SF-36 domain scores; EQ-VAS; EQ-Index) to the Dutch normative population, and estimated the prevalences of current depression (either: history of depression or current use of antidepressants, with high score on CES-D [≥16] and/or HADS-D [≥8]; or high score on both depression questionnaires) and anxiety (HADS-A ≥ 8). We included 179 patients: 77 with sCAA (mean age: 72 years, women: 36%), 31 with mixed CAA-HTA (68 years, women: 29%), and 71 with D-CAA (56 years, women: 52%, symptomatic: 35 [49%]). The SF-36 profiles of all patient groups were similar, negatively differing from the norm in emotional role functioning, social functioning and vitality. The EQ-VAS score of patients (mean [SD] sCAA: 76 [16], D-CAA: 77 [15]) was similar to the norm, as was the EQ-Index score. Fifteen patients with sCAA (23%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 13%-33%), seven with mixed CAA-HTA (27%; 95% CI 10%-44%) and eight with D-CAA (14%; 95% CI 5%-22%) were noted as having depression. The prevalences of anxiety and depression were equivalent. We found that CAA influenced emotional role functioning and aspects linked to social engagement consistently across its subtypes. One quarter of patients exhibited depressive or anxiety symptoms. Recognizing these impacted domains could enhance overall well-being.

NeuroCARE: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Psychological Intervention for Caregivers of Patients With Primary Malignant Brain Tumors.

Caregivers of patients with primary malignant brain tumors (PMBT) experience significant psychological distress. We assessed the effect of a psychological intervention (NeuroCARE) on anxiety symptoms among PMBT caregivers. We conducted a randomized trial of NeuroCARE versus usual care in PMBT caregivers with elevated anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 score ≥5) within 6 months of the patient's diagnosis. NeuroCARE was developed for PMBT caregivers and consists of six telehealth sessions with a behavioral health specialist. Participants completed surveys at baseline, 11-week (postintervention), and 16-week (1-month postintervention) time points. The primary outcome was 11-week anxiety symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]-Anxiety Subscale). We also measured depression symptoms (HADS-Depression Subscale), quality of life (QOL; Caregiver QOL survey), caregiver burden (Caregiver Reaction Assessment), self-efficacy (Lewis Cancer Self-Efficacy Scale), coping (Measure of Current Status), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5). We conducted analysis of covariance and linear mixed-effects regression analyses to examine intervention effects on study outcomes. We enrolled 120 caregivers (60/group) between October 2019 and June 2022; 105 were evaluable for the primary outcome. At 11 weeks, NeuroCARE participants reported significantly lower anxiety symptoms than usual care participants (M, 8.87 v 10.69; P = .008). NeuroCARE caregivers also reported significantly lower depression symptoms (M, 6.08 v 7.77; P = .004), and better self-efficacy (M, 128.81 v 111.17; P < .001) and coping (M, 32.25 v 25.65; P < .001) at 11 weeks. Study groups did not differ significantly in 11-week QOL, caregiver burden, or PTSD symptoms. In longitudinal analyses, intervention effects on depression symptoms, self-efficacy, and coping were sustained. A novel, population-specific psychological intervention led to improved anxiety and depression symptoms, self-efficacy, and coping among PMBT caregivers.