Greater Worry Research Articles

Examining the Reciprocal Association Between Worry and Sleep: Disaggregating Between- and Within-Person Effects

Studies investigating the reciprocal association between worry and sleep have yielded mixed findings and suffered from methodological limitations. The purpose of this study was to assess the reciprocal association between worry and various indices of sleep (i.e., sleep onset latency [SOL], total sleep duration [TSD], sleep quality [SQ], and morning lingering [ML]). In a longitudinal daily assessment study, participants (N = 182) completed a sleep diary and a measure of worrisome thinking three times per day for 7 days. We used linear mixed effects models to examine worry predicting sleep, and Tobit regression models to examine sleep predicting worry, and controlled for previous day report of the outcome variable and person- and day-level effects. Results indicate that greater person-level worry, but not day-level worry, was significantly associated with longer SOL, worse SQ, and longer ML. Furthermore, greater person-level SOL, TSD, and ML was associated with greater worry, and greater person-level SQ was associated with less worry. Finally, we found that shorter day-level TSD and lower day-level SQ was associated with greater next-day worry. These findings support a reciprocal person-level association between worry and sleep (except for TSD), and a unidirectional day-level association between TSD and SQ as predictors of worry.

Further Examining Positive Affect in Relation to Worry: A Synergistic Effect Between Positive Affect Expressivity and Proneness to Positive Affect.

There is emerging interest in understanding positive affect dysfunction in relation to anxiety, including worry. This set of two studies examined the association between the inhibition of affect expression (general affect expressivity in Study 1, positive affect expressivity in Study 2) and worry, with a particular interest in the moderating role of proneness to experience positive affect. Subjects were US-residing adults (Study 1 N = 502, Study 2 N = 250) who were recruited through a crowdsourcing website and completed self-report measures of study variables. Moderated regression was used to examine study predictions that affect expression would negatively correlate with worry when coupled with diminished positive affect. Proneness toward negative affect was included as a covariate within multivariate analyses. An interactive effect between affect expressivity and positive affect was supported in Study 2 (positive affect expressivity) but not Study 1 (general affect expressivity) in relation to worry. A diminished tendency to express positive affect was associated with greater worry when coupled with less positive affect. Study results and future directions are discussed in terms of the potential emotion-regulatory functions of positive affect expressivity as it relates to worry.

Explaining Seeking, Scanning, and Avoidance of Information About the Mammography-Screening: Results of a Two-Wave Online Survey with a Stratified Sample of Women

ABSTRACT Whether individuals engage with or avoid health information and which sources are used is crucial for informed decision-making about mammography. Therefore, we aim to develop a typology of mammography-related information behaviors and explore their determinants, which were derived from the Theory of Motivated Information Management (TMIM). Based on a two-wave online survey of a sample of German women aged 40 to 69 years (N = 1,138), a cluster analysis resulted in five person-centric types of information behavior that cover respondents’ variety of engagement with mammography-related information: The seekers, the scanners, the avoiders, the involved, and the inactive. The types indicated that most individuals possess a high preference for one strategy of information behavior. Looking at the determinants of belonging to a particular type of information behavior, it becomes apparent that the factors of the TMIM have only limited explanatory power. The most relevant factors in distinguishing the types of information behaviors are benefit perceptions, worry, interest, avoidance efficacy, seeking, and avoidance-related outcome expectancies. Scanners and seekers had higher benefit perceptions. Seekers were further motivated by greater worries, while involved ones felt more interested and held stronger expectancies. Avoiders were more anxious and had a higher avoidance efficacy. The study suggests that inactive individuals and avoiders are highly prevalent and relevant target groups for health interventions that support informed decision-making. To facilitate informed decision-making, women should be encouraged to weigh benefits and harms of their options and to address negative emotions, such as anxiety, that may exist or arise during decision-making.

Hippocampal subfield volume in older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment: Effects of worry and cognitive reappraisal

Studies have confirmed that anxiety, especially worry and rumination, are associated with increased risk for cognitive decline, including Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Hippocampal atrophy is a hallmark of ADRD. We investigated the association between hippocampus and its subfield volumes and late-life global anxiety, worry, and rumination, and emotion regulation strategies. We recruited 110 participants with varying worry severity who underwent magnetic resonance imaging and clinical interviews. We conducted cross-sectional regression analysis between each subfield and anxiety, worry, rumination, reappraisal, and suppression while adjusting for age, sex, race, education, cumulative illness burden, stress, neuroticism, and intracranial volume. We imputed missing data and corrected for multiple comparisons across regions. Greater worry was associated with smaller subiculum volume, whereas greater use of reappraisal was associated with larger subiculum and CA1 volume. Greater worry may be detrimental to the hippocampus and to subfields involved in early ADRD pathology. Use of reappraisal appears protective of hippocampal structure. Worry and reappraisal may be modifiable targets for ADRD prevention.

A comparative evaluation of retention capacity of different dental implant supported overdenture attachment systems- An in vitro study

The most common way to treat full edentulism is with a complete denture. In the mandible as opposed to the maxilla, there is greater worry over the durability and retention of a traditional complete denture. The mandibular arch's decreased surface area for support and retention is the main cause of this. For a fully edentulous mandible, implant-supported overdentures are a reliable course of treatment.This in-vitro study aimed at comparing the retentive capacity of Ball, Locator and OT Equator Implant supported overdenture attachment system when subjected to 14600 cycles of insertion and de-insertion.Fifteen mandibular dentures were fabricated with heat polymerized polymethyl methacrylate resin to test the retentive capacity of Ball, Locator and OT Equator attachment system. Metal housing with retentive nylon caps were picked up in all the sample using cold cure acrylic resin. The samples were subjected to fatigue testing and only monodirectional force was applied. Ball, Locator and OT Equator attachment system sample were subjected to 14,600 insertion/ de insertion cycle on Universal Testing Machine and data was recorded and statistical analysis was done. All the three groups showed significant differences. The retentive capacity of the Ball attachments lasts longer than that of the Locator and Equator attachments. After ten years of use, All three systems continue to have clinically acceptable retention.

Specific Association of Worry With Amyloid-β But Not Tau in Cognitively Unimpaired Older Adults

Anxiety disorders and subsyndromal anxiety symptoms are highly prevalent in late life. Recent studies support that anxiety may be a neuropsychiatric symptom during preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) and that higher anxiety is associated with more rapid cognitive decline and progression to cognitive impairment. However, the associations of specific anxiety symptoms with AD pathologies and with co-occurring subjective and objective cognitive changes have not yet been established. Baseline data from the A4 and Longitudinal Evaluation of Amyloid Risk and Neurodegeneration studies were analyzed. Older adult participants (n = 4,486) underwent assessments of anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-6 item version [STAI]), and cerebral amyloid-beta (Aβ; 18F-florbetapir) PET and a subset underwent tau (18F-flortaucipir) PET. Linear regressions estimated associations of Aβ in a cortical composite and tau in the amygdala, entorhinal, and inferior temporal regions with STAI-Total and individual STAI item scores. Models adjusted for age, sex, education, marital status, depression, Apolipoprotein ε4 genotype, and subjective and objective cognition (Cognitive Function Index-participant; Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite). Greater Aβ deposition was significantly associated with higher STAI-Worry, adjusting for all covariates, but not with other STAI items or STAI-Total scores. In mediation analyses, the association of Aβ with STAI-Worry was partially mediated by subjective cognition with a stronger direct effect. No associations were found for regional tau deposition with STAI-Total or STAI-Worry score. Greater worry was associated with Aβ but not tau deposition, independent of subjective and objective cognition in cognitively unimpaired (CU) older adults. These findings implicate worry as an early, specific behavioral marker and a possible therapeutic target in preclinical AD.

A Brief Group Social-Belonging Intervention to Improve Mental-Health and Academic Outcomes in BIPOC and First-Generation-to-College Students

Despite greater emphasis on diversity and inclusion on college and university campuses, inequities persist. Awareness of structural and social threats to success can lead students from underrepresented identities to question whether they will fully belong at a given institution, which jeopardizes their psychological well-being and academic performance. This study tested a brief social-belonging intervention, delivered in a group format, that emphasized that first-year challenges are normative and that, over time, students develop relationships that deepen their sense of belonging. Participants ( N = 122) who reported poorer belonging at baseline experienced greater depressive symptoms, greater worry, and worse psychological well-being over the 14-month follow-up period. The intervention significantly reduced risk for major depression during the first 2 years of college and specifically reduced risk for participants experiencing more discrimination. Hypotheses that the intervention would improve psychosocial or academic outcomes specifically for Black, Indigenous, and people of color and first-generation-to-college students were not supported.

Airborne SARS-CoV2 virus exposure, interpersonal distance, face mask and perceived risk of infection

Participants judged the risk of an infection during a face to face conversation at different interpersonal distances from a SARS-CoV-2 infected person who wore a face mask or not, and in the same questionnaire answered questions about Corona related issues. Keeping a distance to an infected person serves as a protective measure against an infection. When an infected person moves closer, risk of infection increases. Participants were aware of this fact, but underestimated the rate at which the risk of infection increases when getting closer to an infected person, e.g., from 1.5 to 0.5 m (perceived risk increase = 3.33 times higher, objective = 9.00 times higher). This is alarming because it means that people can take risks of infection that they are not aware of or want to take, when they approach another possibly virus infected person. Correspondingly, when an infected person moves away the speed of risk decrease was underestimated, meaning that people are not aware of how much safer they will be if they move away from an infected person. The perceived risk reducing effects of a face mask were approximately correct. Judgments of infection risk at different interpersonal distances (with or without a mask) were unrelated to how often a person used a mask, avoided others or canceled meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Greater worry in general and in particular over COVID-19, correlated positively with more protective behavior during the pandemic, but not with judgments of infection risk at different interpersonal distances. Participants with higher scores on a cognitive numeracy test judged mask efficiency more correctly, and women were more worried and risk avoiding than men. The results have implications for understanding behavior in a pandemic, and are relevant for risk communications about the steep increase in risk when approaching a person who may be infected with an airborne virus.

Communication with physicians and family about breast Cancer recurrence

ObjectiveAdequate physician-patient communication about cancer recurrence is vital to quality of life and to informed decision-making related to survivorship care. The current study was guided by a cognitive-affective framework to examine communication with family and physicians about breast cancer recurrence risk. MethodsA survey of recently-diagnosed, early-stage breast cancer patients in Appalachia investigated physician-patient and familial communication about breast cancer recurrence risk. ResultsOver 30% of participants reported not talking to family or physicians about breast cancer recurrence risk. Younger patients reported more conversations, and speaking with physicians was associated with greater perception risk factors associated with recurrence risk. Greater worry about recurrence was associated with more communication with family and plans to talk to family, physicians, and friends about recurrence risk in the future. ConclusionAdditional supports for patients and physicians are needed to improve understanding of breast cancer recurrence risk and risk factors for recurrence. InnovationFamily communication about breast cancer recurrence risk is understudied. The combination of physician and family communication adds novelty to our analysis.

Did mpox knowledge, attitudes and beliefs affect intended behaviour in the general population and men who are gay, bisexual and who have sex with men? An online cross-sectional survey in the UK

ObjectivesTo investigate rates of mpox beliefs, knowledge and intended behaviours in the general population and in gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), and factors associated...

Selling under other skies when energy prices skyrocket: How do the companies adapt their export strategy when energy prices rise?

The prospect of higher carbon taxation raises concerns that these policies could hinder the ability of domestic industry to compete in export markets, especially for energy-intensive sectors. The recent jump in energy prices leads to even greater worries. This paper investigates the impact of a change in energy prices on export patterns of manufacturing firms using a large panel of French firms observed from 2001 to 2015. The identification strategy uses a fixed weight energy price index as a shift-share instrumental variable for the average energy cost. For the average firm we find that a 10% increase in the energy cost is associated with a 3.6% decrease in total export value, a 1.3% decrease in the number of export destinations, and a 2.3% increase in export prices. But there are substantial heterogeneities between firms facing a similar increase in energy costs and the impact of an energy cost increase differs from one destination export to another.

Awareness of alcohol as a breast cancer risk factor and intentions to reduce alcohol consumption among U.S. young adult women.

Alcohol consumption is prevalent in young adult women and linked with breast cancer risk. Research to inform interventions targeting alcohol consumption as a breast cancer prevention strategy is limited. We examined young women's awareness of alcohol use as a breast cancer risk factor, identified correlates of awareness, and determined how awareness and conceptual predictors relate to intentions to reduce drinking. Women aged 18-25 years who drank alcohol in the past month (N = 493) completed a cross-sectional survey. Measures captured sociodemographics, breast cancer risk factors, awareness of alcohol use as a breast cancer risk factor, intentions to reduce drinking, and conceptual predictors. Analyses examined correlates of awareness and associations between awareness, conceptual predictors, and intentions to reduce drinking. Awareness was low (28%) and intentions to reduce drinking were moderate (M = 2.60, SD = 0.73, range 1-4). In multivariable analyses, awareness was associated with greater worry about cancer, beliefs that there's not much one can do to reduce cancer risk and everything causes cancer, higher perceived breast cancer risk, and stronger beliefs that reducing drinking reduces breast cancer risk. Awareness was not associated with intentions to reduce drinking. Younger age, older age of alcohol initiation, negative attitudes towards alcohol, fewer friends consuming alcohol, and stronger self-efficacy were associated with intentions to reduce drinking. Few young women recognize alcohol consumption as a breast cancer risk factor. Researchers and policymakers can apply our findings to design new or refine existing interventions to optimize their impact on awareness and alcohol consumption in young women.

Pandemic-related posttraumatic psychological growth in U.S. military veterans: A 3-year, nationally representative, longitudinal study

Little is known about the positive psychological changes or posttraumatic growth (PTG) in response to the pandemic as the COVID-19 vaccines has become widely available. This longitudinal study aimed to characterize changes in the prevalence of pandemic-related PTG, and to identify and quantify the relative importance of PTG correlates pre-pandemic, 1- year peri‑pandemic, and 2-years post-pandemic onset. A total of 2,441 U.S. military veterans completed Wave 3 assessment of the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study. In the full sample, a significant decrease from peri‑pandemic to 2-years post-pandemic onset was observed in overall pandemic-related PTG (41.5% to 32.2%) and four domains of PTG (appreciation of life, relating to others, personal strength, spiritual changes). Among veterans who screened positive for pandemic-related posttraumatic stress symptoms, the prevalence of pandemic-related PTG was markedly higher and did not change from peri‑pandemic to 2-years post-pandemic onset (78.4% to 73.4%). Greater pre-pandemic PTG (personal strength and new possibilities) and greater worries about the effect of pandemic on one's mental health were the strongest correlates of pandemic-related PTG 2-years post-pandemic onset. Results suggest that psychosocial interventions to bolster PTG in relation to early life traumas may help facilitate PTG in response to the pandemic and related crises.

Effects of disaster-related traumatic events on worry about radiation and COVID-19: A decade after the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident

Community residents exposed to nuclear power plant (NPP) accidents have long-term worry about the effects of radiation. After the 2011 Fukushima NPP accident, those who experienced traumatic events during the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE) tended to have greater worry about radiation. Along with the prolonged worry about radiation, there may also be cognitive changes caused by the traumatic events. We hypothesized that if there were cognitive changes underlying the prolonged worry about radiation, those who experienced the traumatic events would tend to have greater worry about other issues unrelated to radiation. We examined the effects of the traumatic events during the GEJE on community residents’ worry about radiation and COVID-19 a decade after the Fukushima NPP accident. Using the data of a longitudinal questionnaire survey following a random sample of 4900 community residents outside the evacuation zone in Fukushima, this study analyzed 774 responses (15.8%). The traumatic events consisted of (1) injury, (2) injury or death of a family member, and (3) the loss of a house or other property. We developed a mediation model drawing paths from the traumatic events to worry about radiation and COVID-19, including posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) as a mediator, using structural equation modeling. The traumatic events directly affected worry about radiation. Although it did not directly affect worry about COVID-19, it did so indirectly through worry about radiation and PTSS. Traumatic events can increase trauma-related worry independently of PTSS and increase trauma-unrelated worry indirectly through trauma-related worry and PTSS.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Sense of Job Security Among Community Pediatric Hospitalists.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic offers a prime opportunity to examine the ability of community pediatric hospital medicine programs to respond to external stressors. This study aims to characterize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on compensation and furlough among community pediatric hospitalists, as well as self-reported sense of job security. This study was part of a larger quantitative project investigating community pediatric hospitalists' career motivators. The survey was drafted through an iterative process by the authors. It was disseminated via e-mail to a convenience sample of community pediatric hospitalists obtained through direct contact with community pediatric hospital medicine programs. Data were collected on changes in compensation and furlough because of COVID-19, as well as worry about job security measured as self-reported worry about one's job being permanently terminated on a 5-point Likert scale. Data were collected from 31 hospitals across the United States with 126 completed surveys. Because of COVID-19, many community pediatric hospitalists experienced reduced base pay and benefits and a minority experienced furlough. Nearly two-thirds (64%) reported some worry about job security. Initial base pay reduction, working in suburban areas compared with rural areas, and affiliation with a university-based center or free-standing children's hospital were significantly associated with greater worry about job security. The initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in changes in compensation and furlough for some community pediatric hospitalists and many expressed concerns about job security. Future studies should identify protective factors for community pediatric hospitalists' job security.

Volatility in Expectations While Awaiting Important News.

Waiting for important news is uniquely anxiety provoking, and expectations for one's outcome fluctuate throughout the wait. Emotional volatility is typically associated with negative outcomes, but little is known about volatility in expectations. In Study 1, law graduates (N = 248) estimated their chances of passing the bar exam every 2 weeks during the wait for results. Greater volatility in expectations, operationalized as the frequency with which outcome expectations changed during the wait, was associated with greater worry and more negative emotionality throughout the wait. Study 2 partially replicated these findings in a sample of Trump and Biden supporters (N = 444) awaiting the result of the 2020 presidential election. Study 2 also demonstrated a causal link between constrained (vs. volatile) expectations and worry. Our findings have implications for how best to manage one's expectations while awaiting important news, with the goal of minimizing worry and other negative emotions.

Advanced Strategies for Improving Lithium Storage Performance under Cryogenic Conditions

AbstractAs a vital technology in portable electronic equipment, electric vehicle, and stationary energy storage, lithium‐based batteries are currently gaining widespread attention. However, when batteries are used more frequently, there are greater worries regarding their susceptibility to temperature, especially at low temperatures (LTs). In this review, the factors that lead to capacity loss in lithium‐based batteries at LT are analyzed and a summary of the most recent cutting‐edge approaches for improving LT kinetics is provided. In order to achieve satisfactory LT performance, electrode technology, interface chemistry, and electrolyte engineering must be taken into account during the cell design process. The recently revealed unique cryogenic storage mode and design concepts are also thoroughly introduced in this review, which is intended to motivate researchers in related domains. Finally, new insights, intriguing concepts, and workable solutions are proposed to promote the ongoing development of high‐performance cryogenic lithium batteries.

Prevalence and correlates of subjective cognitive concerns in Australian university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) instigated unprecedented global effects on healthcare systems, economies, employment, education, travel, and social lives. In addition to increased mental health challenges, pandemic restrictions have triggered emerging cognitive concerns. University students are at particularly high risk of adverse lockdown-related effects, yet despite the substantial adaptions to learning necessitated by COVID-19, limited research has so far focused on the cognitive consequences of the pandemic among university students. This study aimed to comprehensively examine the nature, prevalence, and correlates of subjective cognitive concerns among 972 students (Median age = 22 years, 70% female) enrolled at Monash University, Australia, in December 2020. Students completed the online THRIVE@Monash survey, 5 weeks following prolonged lockdown in Melbourne. Using group comparisons and hierarchical binary logistic regression analyses, we examined associations between demographic and enrolment characteristics, COVID-19-related experiences and impacts (author-developed questions), self-reported anxiety and depression symptoms (PROMIS Anxiety and Depression scales), and students' perceived changes in everyday cognitive functions (author-developed questions). Over 60% of students reported subjective cognitive concerns (SCCs). After controlling for anxiety and depression symptoms, students reporting more SCCs were more likely to be younger, from White/European ethnic backgrounds, and in their first year of undergraduate study. No differences in SCCs were found between male and female students. Greater worry, anxiety, or stress related to COVID-19 (e.g., infection, leaving the house, hygiene and exposure prevention, impact on physical and mental health), and time spent reading or talking about COVID-19, were generally not associated with SCCs after controlling for anxiety and depression symptoms. These findings highlight vulnerable subgroups of students who might benefit from regular monitoring, education, and interventions to support their cognitive health during the pandemic and beyond. In addition, cognitive concerns may provide additional insight into mental health problems among students, and emphasize the importance of understanding factors that impact students' long-term academic and career success.

Repercussions of Rejecting Unwanted Advances: Gender Differences in Experience and Concern

Here we investigated how a history of experiencing unwanted advances—both sexual and romantic—impact a person’s stress and strategies when rejecting future advances. In this study (N = 465; 71% women), women reported experiencing unwanted advances earlier in life compared to men, and these women were more likely to have greater worry over such advances. Additionally, women tended to worry more than men about the repercussions of rejecting these advances (e.g., being hit, being yelled at). Lastly, women were more likely to employ a myriad of strategies (e.g., run away, call a friend) to ensure their safety when rejecting an advance. In contrast, men were more likely to remain friends with the rejected person. Ultimately, women have to deal with rejecting advances at an early age and this early onset has consequences for future dating.

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND PRACTICES TOWARD COVID-19 AMONG OLDER ADULTS IN PUERTO RICO

Abstract To better understand the dynamics of their health behaviors during the pandemic, we examined older adults’ COVID-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP). KAP theory postulates that individuals acquire knowledge about a health condition which influences their attitudes and beliefs and that these, in turn, lead to health practices. We used hierarchical regression to examine the influence of knowledge and attitudes (Step 1) on practices, controlling for health and relevant covariates (Step 2). The Step 1 association between increased knowledge and better practices (B = 0.14, p = .046) became nonsignificant in Step 2. Greater worry about contracting COVID-19 remained significant throughout (Step 2: B = 0.15, p = .043). We further explored subgroup differences within KAP measures via bivariate analyses. For instance, women had significantly higher overall knowledge (p = .013), while men had significantly better overall attitudes (p = .044). We will discuss implications of such subgroup differences for practice and policy interventions.