Frequency Of Stressors Research Articles

Influence of Work Characteristics on the Association Between Police Stress and Sleep Quality.

BackgroundPolice officers' stress perception, frequency of stressful events (stressors), and police work characteristics may contribute to poor sleep quality through different mechanisms.MethodsWe investigated associations of stress severity (measured by stress rating score) and frequency of stressors with sleep quality and examined the influence of police work characteristics including workload, police rank, prior military experience, and shift work on the associations. Participants were 356 police officers (256 men and 100 women) enrolled in the Buffalo Cardio-Metabolic Occupational Police Stress Study from 2004 to 2009. A mean stress rating score and mean frequency of stressors occurring in the past month were computed for each participant from the Spielberger Police Stress Survey data. Sleep quality was assessed using the global score derived from the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index survey. Linear associations of the stress rating score and frequency of stressors with sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index global score) were tested. Age, sex, race/ethnicity, and smoking status were selected as potential confounders.ResultsThe stress rating score was positively and independently associated with poor sleep quality (β = 0.17, p = 0.002). Only workload significantly modified this association (β = 0.23, p = 0.001 for high workload group; p-interaction = 0.109). The frequency of stressors was positively and independently associated with poor sleep quality (β = 0.13, p = 0.025). Only police rank significantly modified the association (β = 0.007, p = 0.004 for detectives/other executives; p-interaction = 0.076).ConclusionBoth police officers' perception of stress severity and the frequency of stressors are associated with poor sleep quality. Stress coping or sleep promotion regimens may be more beneficial among police officers reporting high workloads.

Understanding Context Dependence in Glucocorticoid-Fitness Relationships: The Role of the Nature of the Challenge, the Intensity and Frequency of Stressors, and Life History.

It has been well-established that there is variation in the strength and direction of the relationship between circulating glucocorticoids (GCs) and fitness. When studies demonstrate such variation or the direction of the GC-fitness relationship is unexpected, the results are often attributed to context-dependency. However, descriptors of context can be vague (e.g., "environmental context") and few studies explicitly test how the optimal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response to stressors varies across specific contexts. Although existing hypotheses create a strong foundation for understanding GC-fitness relationships, many do not provide explicit predictions of how, when, and why the relationships will change. Here, we discuss three broad factors which we expect to shape the relationships between HPA axis activity and fitness metrics: (1) whether the HPA axis-mediated response matches the challenge, (2) the intensity and frequency of challenges, and (3) life history. We also make predictions for how these factors might affect GC-fitness relationships and discuss ways to test these predictions. Observational studies, experimental manipulations of context, and large-scale cross-species comparisons will be critical to understanding the observed variation in GC-fitness relationships.

Perceived Esteem Support Predicts Competition Appraisals and Performance Satisfaction Among Varsity Athletes: A Test of Organizational Stressors as Moderators

Organizational stressors may be important factors influencing athletes' sport experiences. In this study, we examined organizational stressors as “background variables” (Gump & Matthews, 1999) that may impact athletes' perceptions of support and appraisals of competitive stressors. Perceptions of available esteem support, organizational stressors, competitive appraisals, and performance satisfaction were prospectively examined among varsity team sport athletes (N = 84). Esteem support was positively related to athletes' perceptions of satisfaction with performance, and the indirect effect through secondary appraisal was significant. Two types of organizational stressors moderated the association between esteem support and secondary appraisal: More frequent coaching stressors weakened the association between esteem support and secondary appraisal, whereas more frequent team and culture stressors strengthened the association between esteem support and appraisal. These results support previous research (cf. Freeman & Rees, 2009), indicating that perceived available esteem support was positively associated with athletes' assessments that they had the necessary resources to cope with competitive stressors, which positively predicted performance satisfaction after a competition. Furthermore, these findings suggest that higher levels of coaching stressors were associated with poorer perceptions of having the necessary resources to cope with competition stressors, whereas conversely, higher team and culture stressors were not necessarily detrimental to athletes' perceptions of their resources to cope with competitive demands. These results suggest that different types of organizational stressors may have differential impacts on athletes' sport experiences.

Psychological challenges confronting graduate construction students in Australia

ABSTRACT Research shows that undergraduate construction students suffer from burnout and stress due to balancing study and employment in the construction industry. It is hypothesized that graduate construction students experience worse psychological symptoms because of other commitments that they have on top of their work and study. However, research on their mental health is still scarce. This research identifies the stressors and assesses the mental health symptoms of graduate students pursuing construction-related coursework degrees in Australia. In total, 107 valid responses were collected from graduate construction students enrolled in Australian universities through a questionnaire survey. Data analysis suggests that high self-expectations and worrying about under-performing in studies are the most frequent stressors faced by them. They also encounter higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress than the general population. Furthermore, their level of depression is higher than construction professionals in Australia. These adversely affect their academic, work, and social performances. To reduce the attrition rate of graduate students caused by poor psychological health, universities should remodel the delivery methods with balanced online and face-to-face learning activities or intensive options; set the maximum academic load of two subjects per session for students working full-time; and provide in-house educational counselling services.

Frequency and impact of midlife stressors among men and women with physical disability

Purpose: Middle-age may be a challenging time for people with physical disabilities as life demands, secondary symptoms such as fatigue, and risk for depression increase, yet little is known about types, levels, and impact of life stressors in individuals aging with disability. Our aims were to describe aging- and disability-associated life stressors, explore gender differences, and evaluate effects of resilience on adjustment to these stressors.Materials and methods: Longitudinal data analysis of self-report surveys completed by 541 middle-aged community-dwelling participants with long-term physical disability from baseline to 5-year follow-up.Results: 97% of participants endorsed one or more stressful life events (M = 8.2, SD = 4.9), all of whom endorsed at least one life stressor with a negative impact. Reporting more life stressors and having lower resilience were significantly associated with developing more depressive symptoms. Interaction analyses indicated that women developed more depressive symptoms as negative impact increased than men.Conclusions: Findings suggest that middle-aged individuals with physical disability experience a range of life stressors, many with negative impact. Women are at higher risk of depressive symptoms than men. Resilience may buffer against negative impact of life stressors on development of depressive symptoms. Targeted intervention to increase resilience, especially in women, may decrease risk of depression in persons aging with disability.Implications for RehabilitationMiddle-age adults living with physical disability experience a number of aging- and disability-associated stressors that can have a negative impact and contribute to depression.Women aging with disability who experience more negative impact from life stressors may be more vulnerable to developing depression.Providing interventions that enhance resilience when faced with life stressors could prevent development of depression.

Stressful life events and maltreatment in conversion (functional neurological) disorder: systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control studies

Stressful life events and maltreatment have traditionally been considered crucial in the development of conversion (functional neurological) disorder, but the evidence underpinning this association is not clear. We aimed to assess the association between stressors and functional neurological disorder. We systematically reviewed controlled studies reporting stressors occurring in childhood or adulthood, such as stressful life events and maltreatment (including sexual, physical abuse, and emotional neglect) and functional neurological disorder. We did a meta-analysis, with assessments of methodology, sources of bias, and sensitivity analyses. 34 case-control studies, with 1405 patients, were eligible. Studies were of moderate-to-low quality. The frequency of childhood and adulthood stressors was increased in cases compared with controls. Odds ratios (OR) were higher for emotional neglect in childhood (49% for cases vs 20% for controls; OR 5·6, 95% CI 2·4-13·1) compared with sexual abuse (24% vs 10%; 3·3, 2·2-4·8) or physical abuse (30% vs 12%; 3·9, 2·2-7·2). An association with stressful life events preceding onset (OR 2·8, 95% CI 1·4-6·0) was stronger in studies with better methods (interviews; 4·3, 1·4-13·2). Heterogeneity was significant between studies (I2 21·1-90·7%). 13 studies that specifically ascertained that the participants had not had either severe life events or any subtype of maltreatment all found a proportion of patients with functional neurological disorder reporting no stressor. Stressful life events and maltreatment are substantially more common in people with functional neurological disorder than in healthy controls and patient controls. Emotional neglect had a higher risk than traditionally emphasised sexual and physical abuse, but many cases report no stressors. This outcome supports changes to diagnostic criteria in DSM-5; stressors, although relevant to the cause in many patients, are not a core diagnostic feature. This result has implications for ICD-11. None.

Archetypes of Climate Vulnerability: a Mixed-method Approach Applied in the Peruvian Andes

Farm household systems (FHSs) in the Andes handle climate-related hazards such as frost and droughts with risk-coping and risk-management strategies based on the adaptive capital available to them. Nevertheless, a higher frequency of climatic stressors observed during the last few decades is challenging their capacity to adapt at a pace fast enough to keep up with the changes in external conditions. This increases the demand on the scientific community from policy and decision makers to investigate climate impacts and propose viable adaptation pathways at the local and regional scales. Better understanding heterogeneity in climate vulnerability is an important step towards addressing this demand. We present here a mixed-method approach to assessing archetypes or patterns of climate vulnerability that combines qualitative tools from participatory rural assessment approaches and quantitative techniques including cluster analysis. We illustrate this by looking at a case study of the Central Andes of Peru. The operationalization of the methods revealed differential factors for climate vulnerability, allowing us to categorize FHS archetypes according to the differences in those underlying factors. The archetypes differed mainly according to farm area, agro-ecological zones, irrigation, off-farm employment and climate-related damages. The results suggest that the approach is useful for explaining vulnerability as a function of recurrent internal and external determinants of vulnerability and developing related adaptive strategies.

"Getting to know you and your child" screening questionnaire: Results from a Chicago-based collaborative.

150 Background: In 2013 the Institute of Medicine recommended that supportive oncology services be initiated at time of cancer diagnosis. Providers of pediatric cancer care in the Chicago metro area, supported by The Coleman Foundation, created and pilot tested a standard psycho-social stressors screening instrument for children with cancer and their families. Methods: The collaborative conducted structured review of tools: Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT), Social Work Assessment Tool (SWAT), National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Problem List, and √IN; and collected input from social workers and oncology providers on stressors throughout the care continuum. The resulting tool was piloted in English and Spanish at 7 pediatric cancer hospitals. Providers qualitatively reported assessment of its usefulness. Results: Patients/family (n = 57) completed the “getting to know you and your child” instrument which inquired about caregivers, siblings, child’s likes/hobbies, school situation, SSI/SNAP, challenges, and cultural/religious preferences. Providers reported that almost all families found the tool useful “to think about support needs”; one said it was invasive. The tool assessed 12 psychosocial stressors; the mean per patient/family was 2.49 (range 0-11). The most frequent stressors were support from friends, family, community (30%), paying for food (26%), job flexibility (26%), school concerns (25%), emotional support for family (25%), and medical costs (23%). All who reported temporary housing also reported difficulty paying for a place to live (p < 0.0001). Providers reported that the standard tool generated new insight into family structures, challenges and needs informing resolution efforts. Provider recommended adjustments: simplify terms for siblings, hobbies and spiritual, adding question about pets in the home. Conclusions: Pilot testing of a psycho-social screening tool for pediatric and adolescent oncology informed providers of patient/family needs in a standard manner. Four of the seven sites involved in the pilot are now implementing this tool as a standard practice; the remaining sites are performing analyses on how to incorporate the tool into their care processes.

Neural Response to Pleasant Pictures Moderates Prospective Relationship Between Stress and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescent Girls

Adolescent girls are at increased risk for depression, which is thought to result from the interaction of biological vulnerabilities and life stressors common to adolescent girls. A blunted late positive potential (LPP) to emotional stimuli (i.e., pleasant and unpleasant) has been associated with depressive symptoms and risk. The current study of adolescent girls examines the moderating effects of the LPP, a candidate biomarker of depression, of the link between life stress and increases in depressive symptoms over 1 year. We measured LPP to pleasant and unpleasant pictures from the International Affective Picture Set among 143 predominantly Caucasian adolescent girls ages 8 to 14, who also reported on the frequency of common life stressors. Self-reported depressive symptoms were assessed both at baseline and 1 year after the initial lab visit. The LPP to pleasant pictures moderated the relationship between baseline life stressors and the change in depressive symptoms. Specifically, life stress was associated with increases in depressive symptoms when the LPP to pleasant pictures was blunted, whereas life stress was associated with decreases in depressive symptoms when the LPP to pleasant pictures was potentiated. These effects showed some specificity to family and school-related stressors and to anhedonic and efficacy-related depressive symptoms. A similar pattern, though not statistically significant, was found for the LPP to unpleasant pictures. Together, these findings suggest that the LPP to pleasant pictures may represent a useful biomarker in identifying individuals at greatest risk of experiencing depressive symptoms following stress.

Psychological Resilience’s Moderation of the Relationship Between the Frequency of Organizational Stressors and Burnout in Athletes and Coaches

This paper presents 2 studies examining the extent to which the frequency of encountered organizational stressors relates to burnout and whether qualities of psychological resilience moderate any such relationship. The studies were conducted with independent samples of athletes and coaches using a questionnaire design. In Study 1, 372 athletes completed measures of organizational stressors (Organizational Stressor Indicator for Sports Performers [OSI-SP]), resilience (Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale-10 [CD-RISC-10]), and burnout (Athlete Burnout Questionnaire). In Study 2, 91 coaches completed measures of organizational stressors (OSI-SP), resilience (CD-RISC-10), and burnout (Coach Burnout Questionnaire). Data were analyzed in a moderated regression model using Hayes’s PROCESS macro for SPSS and supported the hypotheses that the frequency of organizational stressors was directly related to burnout in both athletes and coaches and that psychological resilience moderated this relationship. These results highlight the influential role of organizational dynamics for athlete and coach well-being and indicate that psychological resilience is a salient individual difference variable that buffers against potential negative outcomes.

The Range and Impact of Postmigration Stressors During Treatment of Trauma-Affected Refugees.

Trauma-affected refugees commonly experience postmigration stressors, which can compound conflict-related emotional distress. Our study aimed to assess clinician-rated frequency and types of postmigration stressors deemed to be interfering with the treatment of refugees attending a service for trauma-related mental distress. A total of 116 patients completed 6 months of multidisciplinary treatment. Clinician-rated postmigration stressors were registered at each session. Outcome measures were Harvard Trauma Questionnaire and Global Assessment of Functioning, function (GAF-F) and symptom. Postmigration stressors were deemed to impact on 39.1% of treatment sessions with medical personnel. Issues related to work, finances, and family were the most frequently identified stressors. Postmigration stressors interfering with treatment were more common among male refugees, those living alone, those from Middle Eastern origin, and persons with low baseline GAF-F. Explicitly identifying and, where possible, dealing with postmigration stressors may assist in averting their interference with the treatment of distress in refugees.

Perceived neighborhood characteristics predict severity and emotional response to daily stressors

RationaleNeighborhood characteristics may influence health and well-being outcomes through stressors in daily life. ObjectivesThis study tested whether a varied set of perceived characteristics of neighborhood (i.e., social cohesion, safety, aesthetic quality, violence) predicted stressor frequency and severity as well as negative emotional responses to stressors. We predicted greater reported cohesion and safety and less violence would be associated with less frequent stressor exposure and severity and less intense negative affect following stressors; we conducted subsequent tests of neighborhood aesthetic quality as a predictor. MethodsParticipants (n = 233, age 25–65 years) were residents in a socio-economically, racially, and ethnically diverse zip code in Bronx, New York, most who participated in the Effects of Stress on Cognitive Aging, Physiology and Emotion study between 2012 and 2013. They provided demographic information and neighborhood ratings, then participated in the EMA protocol in which they completed brief smartphone surveys of current negative affect and stressor exposure, severity, and recency, five times daily for 14 days. ResultsNo coded neighborhood characteristic was related to the frequency of stressors. Individuals who reported greater neighborhood violence, however, rated their stressors as more severe. Individuals rating their neighborhood lower in safety or aesthetic quality, or higher in violence, had greater negative affect following stressors. ConclusionEven among people living within the same zip code, individual differences in perceptions of neighborhood predict how stressful they appraised stressors in daily life to be and how much negative affect they reported following stressors.

Subjective Socioeconomic Status Matters Less When Perceived Social Support Is High: A Study of Cortisol Responses to Stress

Low objective and subjective socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with the experience of frequent stressors known to have physiological costs. We tested whether perceived social support, a key health-protective resource, buffered the association between lower subjective SES and cortisol responses to an acute stressor. Participants (N = 115; 54.78% female; age M = 19.56) reported subjective SES and perceived support, completed a social-evaluative stressor task, and provided saliva for cortisol assessment. There was a significant interaction of subjective SES with support predicting linear change in cortisol stress responses, γ = .08, z = 2.34, p = .02. When support was low, subjective SES was strongly related to cortisol, and those who reported lower subjective SES exhibited higher cortisol during recovery than those who reported higher subjective SES. When support was high, those who reported higher and lower subjective SES exhibited similar cortisol responses. These results highlight the important protective role that supportive relationships can have when subjective SES is low.

The Impact of Work Place Stressors on Work Quality of Nurses: Case Study of Private Medical Institutions in the (TRNC)

Various studies have been discussed in the past time to predispose the contact of work place stressors on work quality of nurse. Most of the studies focused on the work place stressors and their relationship between work related quality of life of nurses that how stressors can affect the work quality of nurses and what are the reasons or is there any negative or positive relation between stressors and work quality. This study seeks to analyze the impact of work place stressors among nurses in their work quality by acquiring a quantitative testing method of administering questionnaires to the nurses in the health work place in Northern Cyprus. If the stressors that alter the task quality of nurses are low in the work place, there can be a positive relation between them and can make nurses work more comfortable and relaxed. The main findings suggests that there is a symbolic negative relationship of job place stressors with work nature and aspect of nurses. The results discloses that the frequency of job place stressors have a eloquent contact on work quality of nurses and there is a statistically expressive negative linear contingency within job related element of life and Nurses stress. In health care organization, designing and creating work to be more important and meaningful in their performance and in the manner at which their contributions are acknowledged.

Psychosocial stressors contributing to emergency psychiatric service utilization in a sample of ethno-culturally diverse clients with psychosis in Toronto

BackgroundUnderstanding the psychosocial stressors of people with psychoses from minority ethnic groups may help in the development of culturally appropriate services. This study aimed to compare psychosocial factors associated with attendance at an emergency department (ED) for six ethnic groups. Preventing crises or supporting people better in the community may decrease hospitalization and improve outcomes.MethodA cohort was created by retrospective case note analysis of people of East-Asian, South-Asian, Black-African, Black-Caribbean, White-North American and White-European origin groups attending a specialized psychiatric ED in Toronto with a diagnosis of psychosis between 2009 and 2011. The psychological or social stressors which were linked to the presentation at the ED that were documented by the attending physicians were collected for this study. Logistic regression models were constructed to analyze the odds of presenting with specific stressors.ResultsSeven hundred sixty-five clients were included in this study. Forty-four percent of the sample did not have a psychiatrist, and 53% did not have a primary care provider. Social environmental stressors were the most frequent psychosocial stressor across all six groups, followed by issues in the primary support group, occupational and housing stressors. When compared to White-North American clients, East-Asian and White-European origin clients were less likely to present with a housing stressor, while Black-African clients had decreased odds of presenting with primary support group stressor. Having a primary care provider or psychiatrist were predominantly protective factors.ConclusionIn Toronto, moving people with chronic mental health conditions out of poverty, increasing the social safety net and improving access to primary care and community based mental health services may decrease many of the stressors which contribute to ED attendance.

Daily stress and coping among emergency response officers: a case study

PurposePolice in Europe are facing increased demands and diminished resources, and this is particularly prominent among emergency response officers (EROs) working in poorer countries such as Portugal. Considering that daily stress and limited coping skills can result in detrimental consequences for officers’ health and society welfare, the purpose of this paper is to investigate stress and coping among Portuguese EROs.Design/methodology/approachEROs completed daily diaries over 11 working days. Each diary entry included an open-ended stressor, coping section and a Likert-type scale to evaluate coping effectiveness. Data were analyzed using inductive and deductive content analysis procedures. The frequency of stressors, coping and coping effectiveness were calculated.FindingsEROs reported facing more operational stressors, particularly public disorder situations. However, gun situations were perceived as the most intense stressor. Emotion-focused coping (i.e. peer support) was more used than problem-focused. Despite variation in coping effectiveness in accordance to stressor experienced, longitudinal analysis suggests that problem-focused coping is more effective.Research limitations/implicationsLongitudinal methodologies should contemplate stress appraisal and coping effectiveness in order to fully understand stress and coping. Future studies should employ this methodology at a larger scale and over longer periods.Practical implicationsIntervention programs for EROs should be multidimensional, targeting work conditions and resources, stress management, and coping effectiveness.Originality/valueFindings provide strong recommendations for future research and applied implications for stress prevention and effective coping interventions.

A longitudinal, mixed methods investigation of newly qualified nurses' workplace stressors and stress experiences during transition.

To investigate transition in newly qualified nurses through an exploration of their stressors and stress experiences during their first 12months postqualifying. Globally, thousands of new nurses qualify annually. They are crucial for the profession and healthcare service delivery. Work-related stress has multiple serious consequences, yet there is a lack of robust, empirical evidence that directly analyses newly qualified nurses and the stress they feel and experience in the workplace. Understanding what causes newly qualified nurses' stress is vital to retaining and nurturing this vital component of the workforce. Longitudinal, explanatory sequential mixed methods, cohort study. At the point of qualification (n=288), 6months postqualifying (n=107) and 12months postqualifying (n=86), newly qualified nurses completed the Nursing Stress Scale, with 14 completing a one-to-one interview at 12months postqualifying. Data were collected from 2010 - 2012. Inferential statistics, "thematic analysis" and "side-by-side comparisons in a discussion" were used for analysis. Workload was consistently the highest reported stressor with inadequate staffing and managing multiple role demands given as explanations. Incivility within the workplace was a noted stressor. Conversely, being part of "a good team" provided a civil, supportive, facilitative work environment. Entering nurse education with previous healthcare experience had a mediating effect on the reported frequency of stressors. Newly qualified nurses encounter multiple work-related stressors over their first 12months postqualifying, which are intrinsically entwined with their transition. Employing organizations need to be more proactive in managing their workload and addressing workplace incivility.

Psycho-social stressors and life events of the patients with conversion disorder: a study in a tertiary care hospital in north east zone of Bangladesh

The symptoms of conversion disorder arise in response to stressful situations. The objective of the study was to evaluate the frequency of various psychosocial stressors and socio-demographic characteristics in patients with Conversion disorder. This was a descriptive Cross sectional study conducted in the Department of Psychiatry of Jalalabad Ragib Rabeya Medical College Hospital, Sylhet, Bangladesh during the period from March 2011 to February 2013 among 240 admitted patients with conversion disorder satisfying inclusion and exclusion criteria who were consecutively selected as study group. This study revealed that the most of the patients (62.5%) were below the age of 25 years with female predominance (90.4%). Among the patients, 67.5% came from joint family, 62.1% from rural area and 71.7% from the families with income within 10,000-20,000 BDT per month. Also 62.5% patients experienced seizure whereas 22.9% experienced mixed symptoms. Psychosocial stressors were clearly identified in 87.5% of the patients. The stressors in our population in order of frequency were disturbed relation with in-laws (20.8%), failure in examination or study problem (20%), disturbed relation with spouse (15.4%), husband staying abroad (13.3%), love problems (11.2%), job stress or more work-load (11.2%), relationship problem with family members or parents (9.6%), pampered child (3.3%), demand of marriage (3.3%), marriage against will (2.9%), death of a close family member (2.1%), physical illness (2.1%), demand of going abroad (1.7%), issue less (1.7%) and financial crisis (1.2%). In this study, a large number of stressors were identified in patients with conversion disorder. The pattern of the stressors in our subjects was unique to our population and most of these stressors were easily treatable.Bang J Psychiatry Dec 2014; 28(2): 41-44

A compassionate journey part 4: self and team care

Veterinary team members encounter end-of-life situations on a very regular basis, with euthanasia of animals being a common occurence. Over 80% of pets in the UK are euthanased at the end of their life (O'Neill et al, 2013), and almost a quarter of veterinary team members estimated that they had end-of-life discussions on a daily basis (Compassion Understood, 2016a). This is a source of stress for all members of the team, not least the clinical team members who have to actively participate in an animal's death. Further, supporting an often distressed and emotional animal owner, places a further strain. Compassion fatigue is a common consequence ( Figley and Roop, 2006 ) and has a personal impact on the ability of the sufferer to ‘bounce back’ from these frequent stressors. In this final part of the compassionate journey series, the focus is on the impact that euthanasia and end-of-life care can have on the veterinary practice team and individuals and the steps that can be taken to minimise any negative effect.

Growth variable-specific moisture and temperature limitations in co-occurring alpine tree and shrub species, central Himalayas, Nepal

Trees and shrubs found in the forest-tundra ecotone (FTE) are considered to be highly sensitive to climate change, but their response to climatic drivers is only partially understood. We use dendrochronological techniques to develop growth chronologies for co-occurring tree (Abies spectabilis, radial growth and height) and dwarf shrub (Cassiope fastigiata, stem elongation and leaf number) species in central Himalaya, Nepal, in order to identify and compare climate drivers of growth (temperature, precipitation, moisture (SPEI)). Our results reveal growth variable-specific responses characterized by a predominant response to previous year and non-growing season climate, and to length of the monsoon season. Tree radial growth was significantly correlated with temperature during previous summer and non-growing season months, and moisture in the late monsoon (September). Tree height increment correlated with late-monsoon temperature and moisture in the previous post-monsoon. Shrub stem elongation mainly correlated with temperature and moisture conditions in previous-year pre-monsoon (May), while leaf production correlated with moisture in previous pre-monsoon and monsoon periods, and precipitation in the late-monsoon. These results contribute new evidence that mid-latitude FTE tree and shrub species and individual growth variables are limited by unique climate drivers operational at different periods during and outside the monsoon season. Within the context of rising temperatures and increased precipitation variability in the Himalayas, moisture may become a more frequent stressor on tree and shrub growth. Consideration of climate and site variable interactions at alpine sites is important to detecting subtleties of growth response. Dendroecological studies of co-occurring tree and shrub species help to identify concomitant and disparate growth responses to climate drivers and in turn, provide information and insight into FTE changes in the Himalayas and elsewhere.