Clinical Levels Of Anxiety Research Articles

Clinical application of Er:YAG laser and traditional dental turbine in caries removal in children.

This study compares the clinical efficacy of erbium-doped:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Er:YAG) laser and traditional dental turbine in caries removal in children. The study cohort comprised 78 children aged 5 to 10 years with caries in two symmetrical maxillary molars. Different carious sides of the same child were randomly divided into control and observed sides. For each child, the caries on the control side were treated with a traditional dental turbine, while the observed side was treated with an Er:YAG laser. The study evaluated the use of anesthetics, pain levels, tooth hypersensitivity and the occurrence and severity of tooth fractures during caries removal with different methods. Additionally, the clinical anxiety and cooperative behavior of the children were observed. The time required for caries removal and cavity preparation by both methods was recorded, and the success rate of treatment was assessed after one year of follow-up. The results indicated a significant reduction in the use of anesthetics, pain and the incidence and severity of tooth hypersensitivity with the use of Er:YAG laser (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found in the occurrence of tooth fractures between the two groups (p > 0.05). The children treated with Er:YAG laser demonstrated better clinical anxiety levels and cooperative behavior. However, the time required for cavity preparation was longer with the use of Er:YAG laser (p < 0.05). After a 12-month follow-up, there was no significant difference in the success rate of treatment between the two groups (p > 0.05). In conclusion, compared to the traditional dental turbine, the use of Er:YAG laser improves treatment comfort and cooperation in children with caries and reduces the need for intraoperative anesthetics.

The mental health impact of primary Sjögren Syndrome among Italian women

BackgroundThis cross-sectional online survey aims to investigate the impact of Primary Sjögren's Syndrome (pSS) on mental health by measuring anxiety, depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in the Italian context. MethodsParticipants diagnosed with pSS were recruited via the National Association of Sjögren's Syndrome Patients (A.N.I.Ma.S.S.), composed by members across Italy, and completed an online survey using the LimeSurvey platform. Data collected encompassed demographic, clinical information (e.g., age, gender, disease duration), diagnostic details (suspecting and diagnosing specialists), and mental health assessments (HADS for depressive and anxiety symptoms, SF-36 for HR-QoL). Descriptive analyses were conducted, including frequencies for binary variables, mean and standard deviations for interval-level variables, alongside correlation assessments between clinical scales. ResultsThe study included 216 women with pSS who completed the survey (average age: 54 years). Mental health symptoms evaluated by the HADS subscales revealed a clinical level of anxiety in 50 % and depression in 41 % of the respondents Patients with pSS had a low score in all eight domains of the SF-36. LimitationsThe study has limitations, including its focus on female pSS patients due to limited male participants, potential biases in self-reported survey data, and the lack of certain demographic and clinical variables. ConclusionOur results emphasize the critical role of emotional distress in the progression of pSS, highlighting the need for its proper management. This insight contributes to the development of a rational therapeutic approach to pSS patients useful for all the healthcare professionals, pharmaceutical industry, and drug regulatory organizations.

Attachment, regulation, and competency in emerging adults: Validating a framework of resilience in a population with adverse childhood experiences

BackgroundAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a pervasive problem linked to a myriad of negative outcomes (e.g., anxiety, depression) across key developmental periods, including emerging adulthood. The attachment, regulation, and competency (ARC) Framework of Resilience offers several factors through which the associations between ACEs and mental health symptoms may be reduced. ObjectiveExamine the utility of the ARC Framework of Resilience among a sample of emerging adults. Participants and SettingData were collected from 289 emerging adults from a large Midwestern University. MethodDescriptive statistics and bivariate relationships were examined. Independent sample t-tests were employed to explore differences in demographics and ARC variables for 4 or more ACEs, clinical anxiety symptoms, and clinical depressive symptoms. A path analysis was fit to examine the structural relationships between ACEs, ARC factors, and anxiety and depression. ResultsVariation in the variables of interest were found across high vs low ACEs and clinical levels of anxiety and depression. ACEs were related to attachment (R2 = 0.10) and competence (R2 = 0.02, but not regulation (R2 = 0.00). Connections between ARC factors and anxiety (R2 = 0.39) and depression (R2 = 0.28) were multifaceted. ConclusionsFindings offer preliminary support for the application of the ARC Framework of Resilience to emerging adults with a history of ACEs.

Transcranial focused ultrasound of the amygdala modulates fear network activation and connectivity

BackgroundCurrent noninvasive brain stimulation methods are incapable of directly modulating subcortical brain regions critically involved in psychiatric disorders. Transcranial Focused Ultrasound (tFUS) is a newer form of noninvasive stimulation that could modulate the amygdala, a subcortical region implicated in fear. ObjectiveWe investigated the effects of active and sham tFUS of the amygdala on fear circuit activation, skin conductance responses (SCR), and self-reported anxiety during a fear-inducing task. We also investigated amygdala tFUS’ effects on amygdala-fear circuit resting-state functional connectivity. MethodsThirty healthy individuals were randomized in this double-blinded study to active or sham tFUS of the left amygdala. We collected fMRI scans, SCR, and self-reported anxiety during a fear-inducing task (participants viewed red or green circles which indicated the risk of receiving an aversive stimulus), as well as resting-state scans, before and after tFUS. ResultsCompared to sham tFUS, active tFUS was associated with decreased (pre to post tFUS) blood-oxygen-level-dependent fMRI activation in the amygdala (F(1,25) = 4.86, p = 0.04, η2 = 0.16) during the fear task, and lower hippocampal (F(1,27) = 4.41, p = 0.05, η2 = 0.14), and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (F(1,27) = 6.26, p = 0.02; η2 = 0.19) activation during the post tFUS fear task. The decrease in amygdala activation was correlated with decreased subjective anxiety (r = 0.62, p = 0.03). There was no group effect in SCR changes from pre to post tFUS (F(1,23) = 0.85, p = 0.37). The active tFUS group also showed decreased amygdala-insula (F(1,28) = 4.98, p = 0.03) and amygdala-hippocampal (F(1,28) = 7.14, p = 0.01) rsFC, and increased amygdala-ventromedial prefrontal cortex (F(1,28) = 3.52, p = 0.05) resting-state functional connectivity. ConclusionstFUS can change functional connectivity and brain region activation associated with decreased anxiety. Future studies should investigate tFUS’ therapeutic potential for individuals with clinical levels of anxiety.

Intergenerational effects of child maltreatment on adolescents’ anxiety and depression in Ethiopia: the important mediating and moderating roles of current psychological distress

BackgroundChild abuse is widespread around the world, and one continent with particularly high rates is Africa. Research in high- and middle-income countries shows the cascading effect of parental history of child abuse and neglect on adolescents’ maltreatment and, in turn, on mental health problems. This cascade has been reported in young children but has rarely been studied in parent-adolescent dyads or in low-income countries (LICs). The goal of this study was to test intergenerational associations of child abuse and neglect and to examine how these experiences are in turn associated with youth anxiety and depression in an LIC.MethodsA total of 231 adolescents (age: 13–21 years) and 185 of their parents (n = 90 fathers and n = 95 mothers) were recruited from secondary schools in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. Using a cross-sectional design, participants completed a set of questionnaires assessing child maltreatment (in adolescence and own past history in parents), parental psychological distress, youth depression and anxiety, and sociodemographic factors.ResultsThe frequencies of child maltreatment exposure were 68% for adolescents and 65% for their parents (when they were a child). Fifty-one percent and 42% of adolescents had borderline to clinical levels of anxiety and depression symptoms, respectively. Adolescents of parents with a history of child abuse and neglect also reported higher exposure to maltreatment themselves (p < 0.001). Current paternal, but not maternal, psychological distress mediated this intergenerational association of maltreatment experiences (95% CI [1.164, 9.467]). We further found parents’ psychological distress to be a significant moderator of the indirect pathways of the intergenerational effect of child maltreatment on adolescents’ anxiety and depression (95% CI [− 0.770, − 0.012]).ConclusionsWe found child maltreatment to be intergenerationally associated, and this effect subsequently affected adolescents’ anxiety and depression through different pathways supporting the cascading effects across generations. Intervention plans may be effective through an array of possible indirect pathways and encourage the implementation of multiple access points to facilitate change in the lives of affected youth in Africa.

Cross-sectional survey evaluating the psychological impact of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in patients with cancer: The VACCINATE study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted on cancer patients' psychological well-being and clinical status. We assessed the levels of anxiety, depression, and distress and the attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination in cancer patients, accepting vaccination at the Verona University Hospital and Camposampiero Hospital in the Veneto region. Self-reported questionnaires were administered to patients undergoing COVID-19 vaccination between March and May 2021 (first and second dose). Twenty-seven items were investigated: i) demographics/clinical characteristics; ii) anxiety, depression, and distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-HADS-and Distress Thermometer-DT); iii) four specific items regarding awareness about infection risks, interference with anticancer treatments, and vaccine side effects. Sixty-two and 57% of the patients who accepted to be vaccinated responded to the survey in the two participating Hospitals, respectively. Mean age was 63 years (SD: 12 years; range 19-94 years), women were slightly more prevalent (57.6%), most participants were married (70%), and either worker or retired (60%). Borderline and clinical levels of anxiety were recorded in 14% and 10% of respondents; borderline and clinical levels of depression in 14% and 8%; and moderate and severe distress levels in 33% and 9%. Overall, there was high confidence that vaccination would reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 (70%), which would make patients feel less worried about contracting the infection (60%). Fear that vaccine-related side effects would interfere with anticancer treatment and/or global health status was low (10% and 9% for items 3 and 4, respectively) and significantly associated with baseline levels of anxiety, depression, and distress at multivariate analysis. Results did not differ between the Verona and Camposampiero cohorts. During the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, adult cancer patients demonstrated high levels of confidence towards vaccination; baseline levels of anxiety, depression, and distress were the only significant predictors of reduced confidence.

Natural vs. Surgical Postmenopause and Psychological Symptoms Confound the Effect of Menopause on Executive Functioning Domains of Cognitive Experience.

The menopause transition is associated with difficulties in executive function. However, it is unclear whether these difficulties persist past perimenopause. This study investigated whether potential confounders, including natural vs. surgical postmenopause and menopause-related psychological symptoms, influence whether executive dysfunction persists into postmenopause. A cross-sectional sample of women aged 35-65 years (N = 1971) in one of four groups, premenopause, perimenopause, natural postmenopause, and surgical postmenopause, were surveyed. Participants self-reported executive functioning with the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Scale (BADDS), anxiety symptom severity with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7), and depression symptom severity with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). We analyzed the association between group and BADDS scores using linear regression models - first, by controlling for age, education, and self-reported attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis (Model #1) and, second, by further controlling for current difficulty sleeping, anxiety, and depression (Model #2). In both models, BADDS scores were significantly elevated (indicating more difficulties in executive function) among women in the perimenopausal and surgical postmenopausal groups compared with those in the premenopausal group. Likewise, the perimenopausal and surgical postmenopausal groups had the highest proportions of participants who reported difficulty sleeping and clinical levels of anxiety and depression. BADDS scores were significantly higher in natural postmenopausal vs. premenopausal women without controlling for difficulty sleeping, anxiety, and depression (Model #1), but not when adjusting for these variables (Model #2). The type of menopause and psychological symptoms are important confounders of the relationship between the menopause transition and executive dysfunction, and help explain whether executive dysfunction persists or recovers in postmenopause.Reprinted from Maturitas 2023; 170:64-73, with permission from Elsevier. Copyright © 2023.

FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ANXIETY IN DENTAL STUDENTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a direct impact on mental health. University students, for example, have been affected mainly due to the various educational changes and, in relation to dental students, they have also dealt directly with the high risk of infection by the Sars-Cov-2 virus. The aim of this study was to analyze the factors associated with anxiety among dental students during the pandemic. The research had a cross-sectional design and a questionnaire formatted in Microsoft Forms, which was sent by e-mail, Whatsapp and Instagram to the students enrolled at the research institution. Anxiety was assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the independent variables were sociodemographic, academic, behavioral and pandemic-related characteristics, as well as fear of Covid-19 assessed by the Covid-19 Fear Scale (CSE-19). All data was analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics with a 95% confidence level. A total of 207 students took part in the survey and 72.9% of them showed clinical levels of anxiety. Being female, having a lower family income and spending more time on social media each day were significantly associated with anxiety. In addition, anxiety was positively correlated with fear of Covid-19. The study found no significant associations between anxiety and academic characteristics, except for a weak but statistically significant correlation between academic period and anxiety. Thus, based on the significant prevalence of anxiety among dental students, institutional efforts are needed to mitigate the psychological impacts of the pandemic on undergraduates.

The effects of Access Bars on depression, anxiety, and stress in police officers: A case series.

You are here: Home › Abstracts › Abstracts – Volume 15, Number 2, November 2023 › The Effects of Access Bars on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress inPolice Officers doi 10.9769/EPJ.2023.15.2.TH Terrie Hope, Houston, Texas, USA Hope, T. (2023). The effects of Access Bars on depression, anxiety, and stress in police officers: A case series. Energy Psychology: Theory, Research, and Treatment, 15(2), 33–42. Abstract: Police officers in the United Kingdom (UK) have clinical levels of anxiety and depression and comorbid presentations of major depression and anxiety, at rates significantly higher than reported in the general population. Risk of stress is significant and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among police officers is now at a crisis level in the UK, affecting one in five officers. Complex PTSD (the result of chronic exposure to trauma) affects 12% of the working police population, resulting in a diminishing number of working officers. Access Bars, a noninvasive energy technique was evaluated for its effects on depression, anxiety, stress, and PTSD, presented either singularly or in a comorbid state using subjective self-report measures. Methods: This case series included participants (n = 4) aged between 36 and 52 years who were police officers referred for treatment with a clinical diagnosis of one or more of depression, anxiety, stress, or PTSD. All participants had been previously treated with standardized methods and continued to present with mild to severe symptoms. Treatments were provided by a licensed Access Bars Facilitator at a naturopathic clinic in Hampshire, UK. The primary measure was the standardized self-report method, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale–21 (DASS-21), with the addition of the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) to evaluate PTSD in one participant. All were evaluated prior to receiving seven 60-minute sessions over seven weeks, with post evaluations upon completion of the last session. Results: All methods of evaluation showed a decrease in scores for all post measurements. DASS-21 depression scores had the highest pre scores, with 75% in the extremely severe category. Mean scores declined from 31 to 7.5 (75%, p = 0.02). Mean anxiety scores decreased from 20 to 12 (59%, p = 0.007) and mean stress scores declined from 24 to 8.5 (64%, p = 0.002). A secondary classification of a single participant classified as “acute needs” (AN; n = 1) had additional psychometric evaluations using BAI and PCL-5. BAI scores decreased from 26 to 16 (38%, p = 0.001) and PCL-5 scores declined from 38 to 18 (20 points or 51%, p &lt; 0.001). An 18-point decrease for PCL-5 is considered a clinically significant change. Conclusion: Treatment with Access Bars showed a significant decrease in depression, anxiety, and stress in police officers where significant symptoms remained after standardized treatments. Simultaneous improvement was demonstrated in comorbid anxiety, depression, and stress. These results suggest that Access Bars shows promise as a treatment for depression, anxiety, and stress and may contribute to clinical improvement in PTSD. Keywords: Access Bars, depression, anxiety, stress, police officers, PTSD, trauma

Risk for anxiety and depression among men with prostate cancer.

280 Background: Men with prostate cancer (PC) commonly experience symptoms of anxiety, depression, and suicidality; yet, identifying men in need of mental health support can be difficult, particularly as gender role socialization may deter men from seeking care. We aimed to identify sociodemographic, clinical, and social factors associated with risk for clinically significant anxiety and depression among men with PC. Methods: 118 men with PC completed the Cancer Experience Registry, provided sociodemographic and clinical information, degree of symptom and side effect (SSE) burden in the prior month (16 items), completed the CancerSupportSource Risk for Anxiety and Risk for Depression 2-item subscales , and PROMIS Emotional Support and Instrumental Support 4-item subscales. Bivariate analysis was used to identify significant variables associated with risk for anxiety or depression to be included in subsequent models. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine which factors significantly predicted risk (1=At risk; 0=Not) for 1) anxiety and 2) depression Independent variables included sociodemographic (age, race/ethnicity, employment, income, marital status), and clinical factors (time since diagnosis, staging, treatment status, history of recurrence, radical prostatectomy, chemotherapy, hormone or radiation therapy, total SSE burden), and social support (caregiver (Y/N), emotional and instrumental support). Results: The sample was 84% Non-Hispanic (NH) White, 9% NH Black. Mean age was 66 years ( SD=9.8). 42% NED, 23% localized, 26% metastatic disease. 53% were retired, 35% employed, and 10% unemployed due to disability (UDTD). 31% were at risk for clinical levels of anxiety; 25% were at risk for clinical levels of depression. In multivariable logistic regression analysis: significant predictors of risk for anxiety ( p&lt;.001) included age (OR =0.88, p&lt;.01), not having a caregiver (OR =5.02, p=.02), and emotional support (OR =0.81, p=.04). Risk for depression ( p&lt;.001) was significantly predicted by instrumental support (OR=0.67, p=.01) and higher among those with active, localized disease compared to NED (OR =10.84, p=.02), and among those UDTD compared to employed (OR =11.09, p=.03). Significant correlates of risk for anxiety and depression in bivariate but not multivariate analysis: marital status, time since diagnosis, and total SSE burden. Conclusions: Younger age, UDTD, localized cancer status, social support, and not having a caregiver were significant predictors of risk for clinical levels of anxiety or depression. Routine risk assessment for anxiety and depression, coupled with multidimensional distress screening can help triage patients to tailored care. Further, those with greater social support and those with a caregiver had lower odds of being at risk for anxiety or depression, emphasizing the need for connecting men with cancer to emotional and instrumental supportive services in their community.

Clinical Neuropsychological Profile and Quality of Life in Women Who Have Suffered Gender-Based Violence.

This research characterizes the clinical and neuropsychological profiles and the quality of life in a group of Ecuadorian women who suffered physical violence, psychological violence, or sexual violence, exploring their relationships with sociodemographic factors. A battery of tests were used to explore the clinical and neuropsychological functions and quality of life in 120 participants who were selected from a population affected by violence. Sixty percent of the participants showed clinical anxiety, 26.7% clinical depression, 40% post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, 15% moderate personality disorder, and 51.7% a low quality-of-life index. Their Z-scores in the neuropsychological domains evaluated were verbal memory (Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test = -1.35), working memory (Digits = -1.67), attention (D2 = -1.24), processing speed (Coding = -1.33; Trail Making Test A = 1.81), and executive function (Trail Making Test B = -1.15; Stroop = -0.20; verbal-semantic fluency test = 0.05; verbal fluency test = -1.23). The majority of women who suffered gender-based violence presented clinical levels of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic symptoms. The cognitive functions with lower scores (Z < -1.5) were working memory and processing speed, mediated by education factor.

ВОСПРИЯТИЕ БОЛЕЗНИ ПАЦИЕНТАМИ С ВОСПАЛИТЕЛЬНЫМИ ЗАБОЛЕВАНИЯМИ КИШЕЧНИКА

The course and treatment of various diseases is influenced by such psychological factors as the perception of the illness and self-efficacy in overcoming the disease. Currently, there is an increase in the prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in people of young working age. Along with this, there is a lack of awareness about the perception of patients with IBD of their illness, which in turn may reduce the effectiveness of the treatment provided. The 2021 Clinical Guidelines developed by the Russian Gastroenterological Association mention not only drug treatment, but also psychotherapeutic effects. In this connection, the need to improve the psychological diagnosis and treatment process of patients with IBD is explained. In the course of the study, a comparative analysis of the components of the perception of the illness and self-efficacy in overcoming the disease among patients who perceive their disease as a severe and moderate threat was carried out. The results obtained indicate the need for an integrated approach in accompanying patients with IBD, including both individual psychological counseling and protocols for group psychotherapeutic interventions aimed at correcting the negative perception of the disease, subclinical and clinical levels of anxiety, increasing self-efficacy in relation to overcoming the disease and treatment.

Psychological impact of COVID-19 vaccination in patients with cancer: The VACCINATE study.

e24207 Background: Measures adopted to contain COVID-19 may impact cancer pts' psychological well-being and clinical status. We assessed the psychological status and attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination in adult cancer pts who accepted vaccination at the University and Hospital Trust of Verona and Camposampiero Hospital in the Veneto region. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was administered to pts undergoing the first and second dose of COVID-19 vaccination in the context of the vaccination campaign promoted by the Veneto Oncology Network (Rete Oncologica Veneta - ROV) between March and May 2021. Overall, 27 items were investigated: i) demographics/clinical characteristics; ii) psychological status (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - HADS - and Distress Thermometer - DT); iii) awareness about infection risks, interference with anticancer treatments, and vaccine side effects. Results: Overall, only 2.5% of the invited active oncological population refused COVID-19 vaccination. Data collected in both Verona and Camposampiero (1089 and 286 respondents, respectively) demonstrated borderline and clinical levels of anxiety in 14% and 10% of pts, borderline and clinical levels of depression in 14% and 8% of pts; and moderate and severe distress levels in 33% and 9% of pts, respectively. No significant differences between the two sites and between the first and second dose were observed, with the exception of significantly lower levels of distress at the time of the second dose administration at the Camposampiero site. In the Verona cohort, clinical anxiety was significantly more frequent in breast cancer and rare tumor pts (17.5% and 21.4%, respectively; p= 0.005); no significant associations were found for depression and distress. Overall, there was high confidence that vaccination would reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 (70%), which would make pts feel less worried about contracting the infection (60%); among pts with borderline and clinical depression levels, there was less confidence that vaccination would "make [them] feel less worried to contract COVID-19" ["Not at all" or "Only a little" in 16.2% and 20% of pts with borderline and clinical depression levels, respectively, as opposed to 6.6% among pts with normal depression levels (p = 0.005)]. Fear that vaccine-related side effects would interfere with anticancer treatment and/or global health status was low (10% and 9% for items 3 and 4, respectively) and significantly associated with baseline psychological status at multivariate analysis. Similar results were obtained in the Camposampiero cohort. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, adult cancer pts demonstrated high levels of confidence towards vaccination; baseline psychological status was the only significant predictor of reduced confidence.

Attention Bias and Anxiety: The Moderating Effect of Sociocultural Variables in Rural Latinx Youth.

Attention bias confers risk for anxiety development, however, the influence of sociodemographic variables on the relationship between attention bias and anxiety remains unclear. We examined the association between attention bias and anxiety among rural Latinx youth and investigated potential moderators of this relationship. Clinical symptoms, demographic characteristics, and a performance-based measure of attention bias were collected from 66 rural Latinx youth with clinical levels of anxiety (33.3% female; Mage = 11.74; 92.4% Latinx, 7.6% Mixed Latinx). No moderating effects for age or gender were found. Youth below the poverty line displayed an attention bias away from threat in comparison to youth above the poverty line, who displayed an attention bias towards threat. Among youth below the poverty line, this bias away from threat was associated with increased anxiety. Findings highlight the importance of economic adversity in understanding the relationship between attention bias and anxiety.

Physical Activity, Anxiety, Depression, and Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy in People with HIV.

Physical activity (PA) levels, as well as symptoms of anxiety and depression, can affect adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) impacting people's health. This study aimed to evaluate the association between PA levels, clinical symptoms of anxiety and depression, and adherence to ART in people living with HIV (PLHIV). A cross-sectional study, including 125 PLHIV was conducted. Adherence to ART was assessed using the Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire (SMAQ). For anxiety and depression, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was applied. The level of PA was assessed using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. SPSS version 22.0 was used for statistical analysis. The prevalence of clinical levels of anxiety and depression symptoms was 53.6% and 37.6%, respectively. Fifty-three percent presented clinical levels of depression and anxiety symptoms. Sixty-one people (48.8%) had vigorous PA levels, 36 people (28.8%) had moderate PA levels, and 28 people (22.4%) had low PA levels. According to the SMAQ, 34.5% of the patients were adherent to ART. People who performed low PA levels had more risk to develop clinical levels of depression symptoms. Clinical level of anxiety, depression, and psychological distress (PD) symptoms was found to increase the risk of nonadherence to ART.

Bereavement outcomes of carers of patients with high grade glioma: Experiences of support before and after the death

Carers of people with High Grade Glioma (HGG) completed a survey assessing their anxiety, depression, and grief in addition to open-ended questions exploring their experiences of support pre- and post-death (N = 25). One-third reported borderline or clinical levels of anxiety, depression, and grief related distress. Given the poor prognosis and rapid deterioration of patients with HGG, the findings highlight the importance of sensitive communication about prognosis early in the disease trajectory, information tailored to disease stage, the initiation of a referral to psychological support services, and timely discussions about the preferred place of care and death.

Natural vs. surgical postmenopause and psychological symptoms confound the effect of menopause on executive functioning domains of cognitive experience

ObjectiveThe menopause transition is associated with difficulties in executive function. However, it is unclear whether these difficulties persist past perimenopause. This study investigated whether potential confounders, including natural vs. surgical postmenopause and menopause-related psychological symptoms, influence whether executive dysfunction persists into postmenopause. Study designA cross-sectional sample of women aged 35–65 years (N = 1971) in one of four groups, premenopause, perimenopause, natural postmenopause, and surgical postmenopause, were surveyed. Participants self-reported executive functioning with the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Scale (BADDS), anxiety symptom severity with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7), and depression symptom severity with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD). Main outcome measuresWe analyzed the association between group and BADDS scores using linear regression models – first, by controlling for age, education, and self-reported attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis (Model #1) and, second, by further controlling for current difficulty sleeping, anxiety, and depression (Model #2). ResultsIn both models, BADDS scores were significantly elevated (indicating more difficulties in executive function) among women in the perimenopausal and surgical postmenopausal groups compared with those in the premenopausal group. Likewise, the perimenopausal and surgical postmenopausal groups had the highest proportions of participants who reported difficulty sleeping and clinical levels of anxiety and depression. BADDS scores were significantly higher in natural postmenopausal vs. premenopausal women without controlling for difficulty sleeping, anxiety, and depression (Model #1), but not when adjusting for these variables (Model #2). ConclusionsThe type of menopause and psychological symptoms are important confounders of the relationship between the menopause transition and executive dysfunction, and help explain whether executive dysfunction persists or recovers in postmenopause.

Stress and coping strategies of families of pediatric solid organ transplant recipients in times of pandemic.

Pediatric solid organ transplantation (SOT) is a chronic condition that impacts the whole family system. The objective of this study is to evaluate psychopathology, family stress, and coping strategies in families of SOT recipients compared to families of healthy children and adolescents. Moreover, it analyzes if the stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic has had an additional impact on these families. The sample was recruited between May and July 2021, during the fourth and fifth wave of the pandemic in Spain. It consisted of 102 families, 51 with a pediatric recipient who had undergone a SOT (liver, kidney, heart, or lung) and 51 healthy controls, matched by child age and gender. A primary caregiver from each family answered an online sociodemographic questionnaire and different tests to evaluate family stress, depression, anxiety, coping strategies, and effects of the pandemic on the family. Caregivers were mostly mothers (89.2%). Families of SOT recipients showed greater anxiety (U = 863.5, p = 0.003) and more total stress, stress related to childcare (t = -2.043; p = 0.045), and parent-child interaction stress (U = 355.5, p = 0.015). SOT families used more avoidance strategies, specifically denial (U = 889.5; p = 0.010) and abandonment of coping efforts (U = 1,013; p = 0.047), more religious strategies (U = 792.5; p = 0.031), and fewer social support coping strategies (t = 2.098; p = 0.038). No differences were found between groups in terms of exposure, impact, and distress more than 1 year after the start of the pandemic. SOT families showed clinical levels of anxiety, more parent-child interaction stress, more difficulties in taking care of their child, more avoidance and religious strategies, and less use of social support strategies, even 4 years after transplantation. The pandemic did not have an additional differential effect on SOT families. Caregivers of SOT patients can benefit from psychological interventions focused on parents' mental health, parent-child connectedness, skill building, and social support aid groups, with attention to multiculturalism and promoting a better balance between caregivers. There is a need for family interventions that are maintained over time. Strategies that offer this support to families through digital resources can facilitate adjustment to chronic illness, especially in pandemic times.

ПАТОГЕНЕТИЧНІ МЕХАНІЗМИ КОМОРБІДНИХ ТРИВОЖНИХ ПОРУШЕНЬ В ОСІБ ІЗСОЦІАЛЬНИМ ТРИВОЖНИМ РОЗЛАДОМ: РОЛЬ ДИСФУНКЦІЙНИХ КОГНІТИВНИХ СХЕМ

Background. Anxiety disorders are one of the common categories of mental health problems characterized by a persistent debilitating feeling of anxiety, which is due mainly to unproductive expectations about potential challenges or threats. For example, for people with social anxiety disorder, the fear of social situations can feel so intense that it seems out of their control, leading to a tendency toward social isolation and complicating the recovery process. Methods. An empirical study was conducted between 2018 and 2022 among individuals (aged 18-40) with social anxiety disorder and with clinically significant symptoms of co-occurring anxiety disorders (including generalized anxiety disorder and symptoms of panic attacks) according to DSM-5 criteria - the main the group consisted of 651 people. All study participants participated voluntarily and provided informed consent. Results. Individuals with social anxiety disorder exhibit higher levels of clinical anxiety and general distress compared to controls. Significant differences in the intensity of early dysfunctional schemes were also found compared to the control group. Correlations between manifestations of dysfunctional schemas, levels of social anxiety and manifestations of comorbid psychopathology have been demonstrated. It has been suggested that the contribution of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses related to schemas such as social isolation/alienation, incompetence/failure anticipation, and catastrophe anticipation may explain the distribution of variability in social anxiety symptoms and comorbid anxiety symptoms. Conclusions. The analysis of the results of the empirical study confirms the close relationship between dysfunctional beliefs and the severity of anxiety psychopathology in individuals with social anxiety disorder. Considering the features of the functioning of deep beliefs about oneself and social interaction, structured into cognitive schemes, can contribute to a practical approach to therapy and improve the quality of life of persons with the specified symptoms. Further research can be directed at expanding the role of early dysfunctional schemes in the pathogenesis of comorbid conditions and the role of avoidance mechanisms in adapting to life circumstances.

Anxiety and Depression of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Mothers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: To determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression of the mothers whose babies were admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for any reason other than COVID-19 during the pandemic, and the effect of duration of NICU stay on mothers' anxiety and depression. Materials and Methods: The NICU mothers were divided into three groups according to duration of hospitalization of their babies. The duration of hospitalization of the babies was &amp;lt; 7 days for the first group of the mothers (G1), ≥ 7- &amp;lt;14 days for the second group (G2), and ≥ 14- &amp;lt; 30 days for the third group (G3). The anxiety level of the mothers was assessed with "State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)", and a cut-off score above 40 was used to define probable clinical levels of anxiety. Depression was evaluated with “Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS)”, and a cut-off score above 12 was considered as probable risk for presence of postpartum depression. Results: Among 150 mothers (in each group n=50), the STAI-State scores of all mothers were &amp;gt; 40, indicating clinical levels of anxiety. Seventy three (48.7%) of the mothers had a EPDS score &amp;gt; 12. The STAI-State scores of the mothers in G3 were higher than the mothers in G2 (p=0.029). Depression scores did not differ between the three groups. Conclusions: All the NICU mothers were found to be anxious and nearly half of them were depressive. Mean state anxiety levels were higher in mothers of babies who stayed longer in NICU.