Greater Severity Of Anxiety Symptoms Research Articles

COVID-19 responses and coping in young Malaysians from low-income families.

This study aimed to shed light on how young people from low-income families were responding to COVID-19. This cross-sectional study recruited young people aged between 18 and 24 years from the low-income-group communities. A convenience sampling approach was used. Google Surveys were used to gather data from the survey. The questionnaire consisted of an assessment of demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, parent-youth conflict (Parental Environment Questionnaire, PEQ), resilient coping (Brief Resilient Coping Scale, BRCS), and psychological distress (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-short form, DASS-21). A total of 561 complete responses were received. The results showed a low level of parent-child conflict in the overall study population, with a median PEQ of 48.0 [interquartile range (IQR) 36-48]. Higher parent-child conflicts were found in females than in males (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.19-2.57) and in youth from households with an income below MYR 2000 than those earning MYR 3,001-5,000 (OR = 4.39, 95% CI 2.40-8.03). A low prevalence of depression (12.5%), anxiety (15.2%), and stress (6.4%) was found. Parent-child conflict remains the strongest significant predictor for higher levels of depression (OR = 10.90, 95% CI 4.31-27.57), anxiety (OR = 11.92, 95% CI 5.05-28.14), and stress (OR = 4.79, 95% CI 1.41-16.33) symptoms. Poor resilient coping was the second strongest predictor for depression and anxiety symptoms. Regarding lifestyle factors, a lower level of physical exercise was associated with higher symptoms of depression. By demographics, females reported more severe symptoms of depression and anxiety than males. Young people from low-income households reported greater severity in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress than those from high-income households. Young people who are employed also reported greater severity of anxiety symptoms than those who are unemployed. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have an unpredictable impact on the lives of vulnerable youth in low-income families that warrants attention in future advocacy efforts.

Effects of Social Network Characteristics on Mental Health Outcomes Among United States Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers.

We sought to examine the relative salience of multiple social network structural characteristics (e.g., size, composition, quality, substance use) for understanding soldiers' mental health symptoms (anger, anxiety, depression, PTSD). Data are drawn from soldiers (N = 421) participating in the Operation: SAFETY study. Negative binomial regression models examined the relationship between ten social network characteristics and mental health outcomes, controlling for age, sex, years of military service, and deployment history. Greater number of close network ties was associated with fewer symptoms of anger, anxiety, and depression (ps < 0.05), but not PTSD. Having more illicit drug-using network ties was associated with greater severity of anxiety symptoms (p < 0.05). Finally, more days spent drinking with network members was related to higher levels of anger (p < 0.05). Interpersonal relationships that entail substance use are associated with greater anxiety and anger while a greater number of close ties is associated with fewer anger, anxiety, and depression symptoms.

Correlates of Quality of Life in Anxiety Disorders: Review of Recent Research.

Purpose of ReviewAnxiety disorders are highly prevalent conditions that have a detrimental impact on quality of life (QOL), particularly when left untreated. In the present review, we summarize recent literature, published within the last 3 years, on QOL in anxiety disorders, with a focus on factors that may play a role in the relationship between anxiety and QOL.Recent FindingsWe organize our findings into four categories: (1) subjective distress, (2) behavioral responses, (3) functional impairment, and (4) clinical factors. Results indicate that greater anxiety symptom severity is linked with poorer QOL, and cognitive behavioral therapies for anxiety yield positive effects on QOL. Additional transdiagnostic mechanisms are highlighted, including anxiety sensitivity, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and avoidant coping. We examine the role of functional impairment, and we discuss factors related to treatment, including comorbidity and longitudinal effects. We also consider early research from the COVID-19 pandemic.SummaryUnderstanding the underlying factors that contribute to QOL detriments provides important insight into the impact of anxiety disorders and identifies targets for enhancing QOL through treatment.

Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review.

Background and aims:The outbreak of COVID-19 led to a significant psychological impact on individuals, particularly those belonging to vulnerable groups. This study aimed to synthesize literature on the psychological impact of COVID-19 among children and adolescents.Methods:Electronic search engines were used to identify studies till March 2021 that reported symptoms of psychological origin in children and adolescents. Information was extracted using a predefined template, and qualitative analysis was conducted using STROBE.Results:One hundred and two relevant papers were identified. Most of the studies were conducted online or telephonically. The study designs were primarily single group cross-sectional, though a few prospective/retrospective designs were also identified. Studies assessing emotional distress showed variable levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms in the study population, with greater severity of anxiety symptoms among females and older adolescents. Reduced physical activity; delayed sleep time; increased sleep duration, screen time, internet use, and sedentary habits, poor quality of life were other notable findings, often correlating with anxiety/depression. Efforts to address bias, discussion on generalizability of their results, and sample size calculation were not reported in most studies.Conclusion:Psychological impact on children/adolescents is significant, either due to the fear of the illness or social isolation related to COVID-19. One may focus on improving sleep habits and physical activity and regulating internet use for maintaining psychological well-being.

The Convergence of Geroscience and Mental Health in Older Adults

The rapid growth of the older adult population poses new challenges in public health, as older adults are more susceptible to certain neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric conditions. Understanding how the biological changes of aging influence the development of different neuropsychiatric disorders is therefore an important task. In this symposium we will discuss recent findings showing how age-related biological changes are: 1) associated with common psychiatric conditions (e.g., depression and anxiety), 2) related to development and severity of depressive symptoms, and 3) correlated with neurocognitive performance and brain reserve among older adults. Breno Satler Diniz, MD, PhD will present data showing that older adults with major depression have elevated markers of DNA damage, namely 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG); higher 8-oxo-dG levels are also negatively correlated with severity of depressive symptoms in this population. Olivia I. Okereke, MD, SM will present data showing that accelerated epigenetic aging (measured via DNA methylation) is significantly correlated with worse cognitive performance and greater severity of anxiety symptoms among older adults in the VITAL-DEP study cohort. Patrick Brown, PhD will show results from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study on Aging demonstrating that greater longitudinal decreases in skeletal muscle mitochondrial function, a marker of frailty, were associated with significant increases in depressive symptoms and higher odds of developing clinically significant depressive symptoms over time. Finally, Howard Aizenstein, MD, PhD will present data from the Alzheimer Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) Study showing a significant increase in brain chronological aging among cognitively normal individuals with higher amyloid burden; further, brain aging was significantly different between diagnostic groups (i.e., early mild cognitive impairment (MCI), late MCI, and AD). The data presented in this symposium provide further evidence of how different hallmarks of biological aging may significantly relate to development of neuropsychiatric disorders in the elderly. We also demonstrate that integration of geroscience approaches in research will provide a better understanding of such conditions among older adults.

THE CONVERGENCE OF GEROSCIENCE AND MENTAL HEALTH IN OLDER ADULTS

The rapid growth of the older adult population poses new challenges in public health, as older adults are more susceptible to certain neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric conditions. Understanding how the biological changes of aging influence the development of different neuropsychiatric disorders is therefore an important task. In this symposium we will discuss recent findings showing how age-related biological changes are: 1) associated with common psychiatric conditions (e.g., depression and anxiety), 2) related to development and severity of depressive symptoms, and 3) correlated with neurocognitive performance and brain reserve among older adults. Breno Satler Diniz, MD, PhD will present data showing that older adults with major depression have elevated markers of DNA damage, namely 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG); higher 8-oxo-dG levels are also negatively correlated with severity of depressive symptoms in this population. Olivia I. Okereke, MD, SM will present data showing that accelerated epigenetic aging (measured via DNA methylation) is significantly correlated with worse cognitive performance and greater severity of anxiety symptoms among older adults in the VITAL-DEP study cohort. Patrick Brown, PhD will show results from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study on Aging demonstrating that greater longitudinal decreases in skeletal muscle mitochondrial function, a marker of frailty, were associated with significant increases in depressive symptoms and higher odds of developing clinically significant depressive symptoms over time. Finally, Howard Aizenstein, MD, PhD will present data from the Alzheimer Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) Study showing a significant increase in brain chronological aging among cognitively normal individuals with higher amyloid burden; further, brain aging was significantly different between diagnostic groups (i.e., early mild cognitive impairment (MCI), late MCI, and AD). The data presented in this symposium provide further evidence of how different hallmarks of biological aging may significantly relate to development of neuropsychiatric disorders in the elderly. We also demonstrate that integration of geroscience approaches in research will provide a better understanding of such conditions among older adults.

Anxiety symptoms are associated with smaller insular and orbitofrontal cortex volumes in late-life depression

BackgroundIncreasing understanding of the neural correlates of anxiety symptoms in late-life depression (LLD) could inform the development of more targeted and effective treatments. MethodsGrey matter volume (GMV) was assessed with volumetric magnetic resonance imaging in a sample of 113 adults ≥60 years with MDD using the following regions of interest: amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), insula, orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), and temporal cortex. ResultsAfter controlling for demographic (age, sex, education) and clinical variables (antidepressant use, anxiolytic use, duration of illness, medical comorbidity, cognitive functioning), greater severity of anxiety symptoms was associated with lower GMV bilaterally in the insula, F(1,102) = 6.63, p = 0.01, and OFC, F(1,102) = 8.35, p = 0.005. By contrast, depressive symptom severity was significantly associated with lower bilateral insula volumes, F(1,102) = 6.43, p = 0.01, but not OFC volumes, F(1,102) = 5.37, p = 0.02. LimitationsLimitations include (1) the relatively mild nature of anxiety symptoms in our sample; (2) the cross-sectional research design, which prohibits inferences of directionality; (3) the relatively homogenous demographic of the sample, and (4) the exclusion of participants with significant psychiatric comorbidity, suicidality, or cognitive impairment. ConclusionsDecreased OFC volumes may serve as a unique biomarker of anxiety symptoms in LLD. Future longitudinal and clinical studies with long-term follow up and more diverse samples will help further elucidate the biological, psychological, and social factors affecting associations between anxiety and brain morphology in LLD.

β-Amyloid, APOE and BDNF Genotype, and Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms in Cognitively Normal Older Women and Men

To examine how β-amyloid (Aβ), APOE and BDNF genotypes, and cortisol relate to depressive and anxiety symptoms in cognitively normal older women and men. Cross-sectional data were analyzed from 423 older adults from the Australian Imaging Biomarkers and Lifestyle study. Analyses of covariance evaluated associations between Aβ, APOE and BDNF genotype, and cortisol in relation to severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Among Aβ+ older adults, APOE ε4 carriage was associated with greater severity of anxiety symptoms (d = 0.55); and in the full sample, APOE ε4 carriage was linked to greater severity of depressive (d = 0.26) and anxiety (d = 0.21) symptoms. Among Aβ+ women, ε4 carriers reported greater anxiety symptoms than non-ε4 carriers (d = 0.83), and female BDNF rs6265 Val66 Met allele carriers reported greater depressive symptoms (d = 0.29). Sex moderated the relationship between Aβ, APOE genotype, and BDNF genotype in predicting severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms in cognitively normal older adults.

Medical illness and response to treatment in primary care panic disorder

Objective Although studies have suggested that comorbid medical illness can affect the outcome of patients with depression, little is known about whether medical illness comorbidity affects treatment outcome in patients with anxiety. Method Primary care patients with panic disorder ( n=232), participating in a randomized collaborative care intervention of CBT and pharmacology, were divided into those above ( n=125) and below ( n=107) the median for burden of chronic medical illness and assessed at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Results Subjects with a greater burden of medical illness were more psychiatrically ill at baseline, with greater anxiety symptom severity, greater disability and more psychiatric comorbidity. The intervention produced significant and similar increases in amount of evidence-based care, and reductions in clinical symptoms and disability that were comparable in the more and less medically ill groups. Conclusions The comparable response of individuals with more severe medical illness suggests that CBT and pharmacotherapy for panic disorder work equally well regardless of medical illness comorbidity. However, the more severe psychiatric illness both at baseline and follow-up in these same individuals suggest that treatment programs may need to be extended in time to optimize treatment outcome.