Higher Degree Of Depression Research Articles

Depression, anxiety, psychological distress, and perceived social support among Ugandan palliative care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To identify the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and psychosocial distress among Ugandan palliative care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic, measure providers' perceived levels of social support, and identify factors affecting a provider's likelihood of being depressed, anxious, distressed, or perceiving various levels of social support. Data was collected from 123 palliative care providers using an online survey. Depression, anxiety, and psychological distress were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and the Self-Reporting Questionnaire, respectively. Information on perceived level of social support was gathered through the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. The survey also asked about mental health resources available to providers at their place of work and what resources are still needed. Participants ranged in age, gender, religion, marital status, clinical position, and years of experience in palliative care. Results indicate that 20% of respondents show signs of moderate to severe depression, 14% show signs of moderate to severe anxiety, and 33% show signs of psychological distress. Additionally, 50% of respondents reported a low total level of social support. Depression, anxiety, and psychological distress scores were all negatively correlated with perceived social support scores. Over 50% expressed a desire for additional mental health resources at their place of work. In 2021-2022, the severity of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress varied among palliative care providers in Uganda, with some experiencing moderate to severe mental health effects. Higher degrees of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress were correlated with lower levels of perceived social support, highlighting the importance of social support during times of crisis. The results highlight a desire for improved access to mental health resources and will help providers and organizations provide better support and better prepare for future crises.

Depression, anxiety, and stress among vocational college students during the initial stage of post-epidemic era: A cross-sectional study.

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of depression, anxiety, and stress among vocational college students. 1255 students participated in the cross-sectional study. The Chinese version of the 21-item the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) was used. Depression was reported in 37.6% of vocational college students, anxiety in 51.6%, and stress in 38.1%. Logistic regression results showed that a higher degree of depression, anxiety, and stress was associated with female, poor and moderate self-rated health status, from other provinces, poor self-rated family financial status and living off campus (P < .05). Junior and from one-parent or parentless family were more likely to experience depression and stress (P < .05). Additionally, the likelihood of having depression was higher in non-only-child students (P < .01) and rural family location was a risk factor for stress (P < .001). A higher prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was found in vocational college students. Timely and targeted psychological interventions should be taken.

Latent profile analysis for assessing symptom clusters in women with breast cancer.

To identify symptom clusters among breast cancer survivors and investigate differences in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and distress based on these discerned symptom clusters using latent profile analysis. We enrolled 655 adult breast cancer survivors aged 19 years and older, registered with the Cancer Survivor Integrated Supportive Center from May 2020 to July 2022. The study measured five symptoms-pain, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, and depression-using a Visual Analogue Scale ranging from 0 to 10 points. Distress was measured using the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer, with scores ranging from 0 to 10 points. HRQoL was determined using the EuroQol-5 Dimension questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using the Jamovi and Mplus 8.8 software programs. The Cluster with Few Symptoms (46.8%) was the most common, whereas the Psychological Cluster with a very high degree of depression and anxiety accounted for 20.0%, and the Moderate symptom cluster with symptoms of 3 or more points accounted for 14.4%. Distress scores were relatively high in the Psychological Cluster and the Pain-Fatigue-Insomnia Cluster, and were lowest in the Cluster with Few Symptoms (F = 103.92, p < 0.001). HRQoL scores were highest in the Cluster with Few Symptoms and lowest in the Pain-Fatigue-Insomnia Cluster (F = 177.62, p < 0.001). Approximately half of breast cancer survivors who had completed the major treatment experienced persistent high symptoms such as depression and anxiety or pain, fatigue, and insomnia. These findings provide foundational data for developing tailored intervention strategies and programs based on symptom experiences.

Unmet needs and depression among spousal caregivers: the mediating role of marital satisfaction

Objectives Previous research has identified that unmet needs are associated with adverse mental health outcomes in older adults. However, the unmet needs of older adults’ spousal caregivers are unknown. The present study examined the association between unmet needs and depression among spousal caregivers, and whether marital satisfaction mediated this association. Methods We included 1,856 participants who provided care to their spouses with difficulties in activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey. Unmet needs of spousal caregivers were assessed as the total number of ADL/IADL tasks with which respondents had unmet needs. Path models were conducted to evaluate the associations between unmet needs, marital satisfaction, and depression. Subgroup analyses by sex were conducted to examine the sex differences regarding the associations. Results Spousal caregivers with more unmet ADL/IADL needs reported higher levels of depression (p < 0.001). Additionally, for wife caregivers, unmet ADL/IADL needs were associated with lower marital satisfaction, and lower marital satisfaction was associated with higher degrees of depression, indicating that marital satisfaction partially mediated the association between unmet needs and depression (p < 0.01). However, marital satisfaction did not mediate the association between unmet needs and depression among husband caregivers. Conclusions The mediating effect of marital satisfaction on the association between unmet needs and depression only existed in wife caregivers. Social services should be provided to meet the needs of caregivers with ADL/IADL difficulties, and interventions should be implemented to promote the marital satisfaction of wife caregivers.

Генетическая засухоустойчивость современных сортов овса посевного как ответ глобальному изменению климата

Abstract. Purpose. To assess the drought resistance of modern varieties of oats at the initial stage of ontogenesis by laboratory method. Methods. The following varieties of oats have been studied: Foma, Otrada, Talisman, Marshal, Ekspress, Assol’, Tigrovy and Petrovich. Relative drought resistance was determined by simulating drought by increasing the osmotic pressure with different concentrations of sucrose: 1.4; 4.4; 7.4; 10.5 and 16.6 %. This corresponded to osmotic pressures of 3, 6, 9, 12, and 18 atm. Distilled water was used as a control. The response of varieties to drought was determined by seed germination and depression of growth processes. Results. It was found that the varieties Talisman and Petrovich are characterized by very low resistance to drought – at an osmotic pressure of 3 atm, their germination was 29 and 52%, respectively. With a further increase in pressure, only single germinations with a very high degree of depression (more than 80%) were noted. Oat variety Ekspress was characterized by maximum resistance to drought. Its seeds germinated when the osmotic pressure increased to 12 atm (sucrose concentration reached 10.5 %). To a small extent, the Foma variety was inferior to it, which germinated worse than Ekspress, but had an average degree of depression of growth processes at an osmotic pressure of 3 to 12 atm. The rest of the studied oat varieties were moderately drought-resistant both in terms of germination and depression. Scientific novelty. The conducted analysis of variance showed that the relative drought resistance by 72 % depends on the concentration of sucrose, which indicates the inefficiency of the assessment by one concentration. The share of influence of a variety on genetically determined drought resistance is 10.3 %. This confirms the hypothesis that drought resistance is determined not only by genetic inheritance. It is recommended to use varieties Foma and Ekspress as parental forms in breeding for drought resistance.

Anxiety and depression among epilepsy patients in low-risk areas for COVID-19 in the northern part of Guizhou Province, China, during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundThis study was aimed to investigate whether patients with epilepsy (PWE) have higher depression and anxiety levels than the normal population in low-risk areas for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the northern part of Guizhou Province, China, during the COVID-19 epidemic, to evaluate their knowledge on COVID-19, and to analyze related factors for the psychological distress of PWE at this special time.MethodsThe survey was conducted online from February 28, 2020 to March 7, 2020 via a questionnaire. PWE from the outpatient clinic of epilepsy of the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, and healthy people matched for age and sex, participated in this study. Mental health was assessed via a generalized anxiety self-rating scale (GAD-7) and the self-rating depression scale (PHQ-9). The knowledge of COVID-19 in both groups was investigated.ResultsThere were no significant differences in the general demographics between the PWE and healthy control groups. The scores of PHQ-9 (P < 0.01) and GAD-7 (P < 0.001) were higher in the PWE group than in the healthy group. There was a significant difference in the proportions of respondents with different severities of depression and anxiety, between the two groups, which revealed significantly higher degree of depression and anxiety in PWE than in healthy people (P = 0, P = 0). Overwhelming awareness and stressful concerns for the pandemic and female patients with epilepsy were key factors that affect the level of anxiety and depression in PWE. Further, the PWE had less accurate knowledge of COVID-19 than healthy people (P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the knowledge of virus transmission route, incubation period, susceptible population, transmission speed, clinical characteristics, and isolation measures on COVID-19 (P > 0.05). PWE knew less about some of the prevention and control measures of COVID-19 than healthy people.ConclusionsDuring the COVID-19 epidemic, excessive attention to the epidemic and the female sex are factors associated with anxiety and depression in PWE, even in low-risk areas.

A study on related factors of hardcore smokers.

This study attempted to provide basic data for future smoking cessation policies and anti-smoking programs by analyzing related factors of hardcore smokers. This study is a cross-sectional, descriptive survey of the 2019 Community Health Survey conducted by the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare. There were 11,817 smokers, and the propensity matching method was used based on factors related to hardcore smokers in previous studies. Consequently, a higher probability to be included as hardcore smokers was observed in subjects who had a higher level of stress perception (odds ratio [OR]=17.59, 95% CI [10.18, 30.38]), perceived their body shape as chubby (OR=12.84, 95% CI [8.39, 19.66]) or obese (OR=7.03, 95% CI [4.90, 10.09]), walking participation rate for more than 10min a day (OR=1.09, 95% CI [1.03, 1.15]), and had a high degree of depression (OR=1.43, 95% CI [1.37, 1.49]). It is necessary to approach smoking-related policies separately between general and hardcore smokers. Finally, more effective smoking cessation policies must be found by identifying the characteristics of hardcore smokers.

Demonstration of Inclination to Suicide, Anxiety, and Depression among Young People with Cyber Addiction

Summary. Analysis of the literature on the issue of formation of different types of cyber addiction indicates its interdisciplinary nature, regarded as part of Psychiatry, Narcology, medical, developmental, differential, and psychology for special needs. The problem of cyber-addiction is currently important, a relatively young field of scientific knowledge and requires further study. The aim is to analyze empirically obtained data on the demonstration of inclination to suicide, anxiety and depression among young people with cyber-addiction. Research hypothesis. Cyber-addictions are one of the types of non-chemical addictions that cause changes in the mental states of the individual. Having identified certain mental states that are characteristic of young people suffering from cyber-addictions, it will be possible to develop adequate psycho-correctional measures for them. Methods: bibliographic, historical, psychodiagnostic, mathematical and statistical methods. Results. According to the results, it was found that among those who demonstrate propensity for cyber-addictions, the indicators of medium and high degree of anxiety predominate, and among people who do not show manifestations of addictive behavior, the level of anxiety is mostly low. None of the respondents had a high degree of depression. Given the gender characteristics, it is possible to note that females are more prone to depressive states than males. When analyzing the results of the study on suicidal tendencies, it was found that among those who do not show propensity to addictive behavior, no respondents were identified who would demonstrate a manifest inclination to suicide. Among those who have manifestations of cyber-addictions, the study has a manifest tendency to commit suicide in the largest number – among girls in the age group of 16 to 18; in all other major groups’ indicators do not exceed 10%. The highest rates in the main groups of examined people were found in the category of possible suicidal tendencies in critical situations.

Distinctively lower DISC1 mRNA levels in patients with schizophrenia, especially in those with higher positive, negative, and depressive symptoms

BackgroundThe issue of genetic influence on schizophrenia has received considerable attention. The DISC1 gene has been shown in several studies to play a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. However, the relationship between DISC1 mRNA expression vs. schizophrenia and its clinical symptoms is uncertain. MethodsFifty-six subjects (32 patients with schizophrenia and 24 healthy controls) were enrolled. Peripheral blood was obtained from all subjects to exam the DISC1 mRNA expression. Schizophrenia patients were evaluated with Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) scales. Healthy subjects were assessed with HAMD scale. ResultsPatients with schizophrenia had significantly lower levels of the DISC1 mRNA expression than the healthy control (P = 0.002). We also found that lower DISC1 mRNA levels in schizophrenia patients were associated with higher degree of depression in HAMD (P = 0.037), severer positive symptoms in PANSS (P = 0.032) and more negative symptoms in SANS (P = 0.038). ConclusionThe results showed that schizophrenia patients had lower levels of DISC1 mRNA than healthy individuals, and that the schizophrenia patients with lower DISC1 mRNA levels were more likely to manifest more marked symptoms, including positive, negative, and depressive symptoms. The findings suggest that lower DISC1 expression may be related with the pathogenesis and phenotypes of schizophrenia. Future studies are needed to replicate the results and to further establish its potential role in clinical application of early diagnosis and outcome follow-up.

Completed Suicide With Violent and Non-violent Methods by the Elderly in Rural China: A Psychological Autopsy Study.

Background: Late-life suicide is a severe public health problem in rural China; however, knowledge regarding the specific characteristics and risk factors for completed suicide via violent and non-violent methods among elderly individuals in rural China is limited.Methods: Subjects aged 60 years or older were selected from rural areas in Shandong, Hunan, and Guangxi provinces in China. This study was a 1:1 matched case-control design conducted by using the psychological autopsy method.Results: According to the univariate analyses, the presence of mental disorder, higher degree of depression, loneliness, lack of social support, hopelessness, impulsivity, and increased quantity of life events were associated with suicide in both violent and non-violent methods. For violent suicide, another risk factor was the lack of pesticides at home. For non-violent suicide, other risk factors were not currently married, family suicide history, and alcohol use disorder (P < 0.05). Variables that remained in the logistic regression model were the severity of depressive symptoms for both violent and non-violent suicide. For non-violent suicide, the degree of hopelessness was another independent risk factor. In addition, violent suicides were more likely to lack pesticides at home, choose the spring season and have an increased quantity of life events than those who died by suicide via non-violent methods.Conclusion: The major risk factor for both violent and non-violent suicide was the severity of depressive symptoms. Suicide prevention measures that focus on depression among this vulnerable population are urgently needed. Moreover, the characteristics of suicides via violent methods differed from those via non-violent methods among elderly individuals. Suicide prevention efforts should be tailored to the specific characteristics of the different suicide methods utilized by older adults in rural areas.

Alexithymia in multiple sclerosis

Background: An independent psychological construct like alexithymia is the least studied in multiple sclerosis (MS). The objective of this study was to determine the level of alexithymia in patients with MS and the degree of influence on it of different social and demographic characteristics of patients, including gender, age, place of residence, marital status, level of education, clinical parameters of the disease, depression and anxiety. Materials and methods: 88 hospital patients with varying degrees of severity and type of MS were examined, according to the McDonald criteria, 2010. The following scales were used to assess the signs of depression, anxiety and alexithymia: the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-26). Results: The prevalence of alexithymia in patients with MS was 36.36%, while 34.09% represented the "marginal" group. A statistically significant positive correlation between alexithymia and depression and anxiety in patients with MS was established. High levels of alexithymia were detected with a high degree of depression on the BDI scale. None of the above socio-demographic and clinical variables influenced statistically significantly the presence of alexithymia. Conclusion: Alexithymia can be a key psychological factor that impedes the true emotional integration of disease-related changes.

Pain and functional disability after lumbar microdiscectomy and their correlations with gender, depression and recovery expectations

Background/Aim. Among the various factors that can influence continued postoperative back pain and/or leg pain, and functional disability after lumbar microdiscectomy are gender, depression, and pessimism. The aim of this study was to determine the correlations between these factors. Methods. The research was conducted after microdiscectomy on 198 patients (95 men and 103 women), with a mean age of 50.20 ? 10.26 years. The following questionnaires were used for examinations: for assessment of pain and its intensity and character ? PainDETECT Test; for functional disability ? Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire; for the presence and degree of depression ? Beck Depression Inventory-II; and questionnaire for the assessment of personal expectations (pessimistic/optimistic) about the treatment results. These assessments were carried out after microdiscectomy ? just before rehabilitation treatment, one month later, and then 3 and 6 months after a microdiscectomy. Results. Depression (p &lt; 0.01) and pessimism (p &lt; 0.01) had significant negative influences on the pain and functional disability. The subjective sensation of pain was significantly higher in women than in men (p &lt; 0.01), while men had a greater degree of functional disability (p &lt; 0.01) than women. Conclusion. Pain and functional disability of the patients after lumbar microdiscectomy are significantly interconnected with gender, depression, and pessimism. The sensation of pain was higher in women, while men had a greater degree of functional disability. Globally, the intensity of pain and functional disability were significantly greater in patients with a higher degree of depression and pessimism, and, by registering mentioned factors, it is possible to predict the postoperative results.

Depression status in relation to dental caries and salivary C-Reactive Protein among 17 years old secondary school female in Baghdad City/Iraq.

Background: Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity, it can affect a person's thoughts, behavior and sense of well-being. It can affect oral health and lead to an increased risk of dental caries. Dental caries is the most common oral infectious diseases that stresses the immune system and causes changes in cellular and molecular components of peripheral blood and C-Reactive Protein is one of these components, considered a key biomarker of inflammation. This study was conducted to assess the effect of depression status on dental caries among 17 years old secondary school female students in relation to salivary C-Reactive Protein. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried and the whole sample composed of 500 female students selected from First Alrasafa Directorate schools in Baghdad/ Iraq. Consent form was achieved from the ethical approval committee in College of Dentistry/University of Baghdad. All students were subjected to Children Depression Inventory questionnaire by Kovacs in 2011. Dental caries was registered according to Manji et al. 1989, Decay (1-4) Missing-Filled surface index. Subsamples were selected from high and low grade of depression to analyze C-Reactive Protein. Results: The percentage of occurrence of depression was 100%. The mean value of caries experience and severity were found to be higher among female students with high depression grade in comparison with low depression grade. The mean value for C-Reactive Protein was higher in high depression grade. There is a diversity in the results of caries experience with C-Reactive Protein. The percentage of depression occurrence was 100% which means a high degree of depression, and this could be due to the life difficulties, tension and economic issues that all lead to mental problems. The severity of dental caries increased as a result of stress and anxiety that may cause poor dental health. Psychological factors interact through complex pathophysiological and behavioral mechanisms that may cause elevated C-Reactive Protein. Conclusion: Depression has a negative impact on a person’s oral health including dental caries. Elevated C-Reactive Protein levels have been associated with psychological depression.&#x0D; &#x0D;

DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION IN VOJVODINA.

SUMMARYThe objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of depression and anxiety among patients with chronic hepatitis C and how depression and anxiety correlate with respective health-related quality of life (HRQoL) domains, sociodemographic factors, and clinico-epidemiological characteristics. This prospective study involved 150 patients with chronic hepatitis C awaiting interferon treatment for hepatitis C and 150 healthy subjects. All individuals enrolled in the study completed the Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale. The symptoms showed greater severity/score among patients with chronic hepatitis C for both depression (t=3.37; p<0.01) and anxiety (t=2.35; p<0.05). Regression analysis was used for estimating the relationship between depression and the set of predictors (domains of the SF-36 questionnaire). Three HRQoL domains (Physical Functioning, Vitality, and Mental Health) were found to have the strongest predictive contribution to the occurrence of depression. A series of Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests showed a significant difference in depression level between marital status categories (χ2(2)=7.86, p<0.05). Divorced participants had significantly higher scores compared to married participants (Z=-2.40, p<0.05) and single participants (Z=-2.75, p<0.01). Unemployment was associated with a higher degree of depression and anxiety. There was no association identified between duration of the disease, route of hepatitis C virus transmission, existence of cirrhosis, and depression or anxiety. The findings of this study can assist in developing a standard protocol for the management of chronic hepatitis C that will include psychological assessment and support.

Assessment of Depression Severity During Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic Among the Palestinian Population: A Growing Concern and an Immediate Consideration.

Background: Aggressive quarantine and lockdown measures were implemented as protective public health actions during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Assessing the psychological effects associated with these measures is an important attempt to inform local policymakers in an early stage. Yet little is known about these effects, specifically depression, among the Palestinians. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and predictors of depression among the Palestinian community during this pandemic.Materials and methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey throughout social media (Facebook and Instagram) was carried out using an anonymous online questionnaire. The validated and standardized depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS) was used to measure depression severity. A snowball technique recruiting the general public living in Palestine was conducted. Data were collected between 6 and 16 April 2020, which corresponded to the middle interval of strict massive lockdown in Palestine on 22 March to 5 May 2020. Multinomial logistic regression model was developed to predict depression severity.Results: About 2,819 respondents filled out the questionnaire. Depression prevalence was (57.5%; n = 1,621). Out of them, 66% had mild/moderate severity, and 34% had severe/extremely severe degree. Depression severity was negatively associated with age {mild/moderate degree [OR (95% CI) = 0.98 (0.97–0.99)] and severe/extremely severe [OR (95% CI) = 0.96 (0.94–0.97)]} degrees compared with normal degree. Males were significantly less likely to have higher depression than females {mild/moderate degree [OR (95% CI) = 0.69 (0.57–0.85)] and severe/extremely severe [OR (95% CI) = 0.52 (0.40–0.86)]} degree. However, those who reported having inadequate food supply and lesser monthly incomes were more likely to have a higher degree of depression as compared with normal degree. Single persons were significantly more likely to have mild/moderate depression than those in a relationship [OR (95% CI) = 1.31 (1.05–1.64)].Conclusions: High depression prevalence (57.5%) among the Palestinian community during the COVID-19 pandemic is a growing public health concern. It is essential to provide psychological counseling and treatment during and after the pandemic for the targeted people at high risk (young age/female gender) who were affected psychologically. Strategic long-term policy to address pandemic ramifications, including depression, by implementing comprehensive interventions taking into account socioeconomic disparities, vulnerability, and inequities, is crucial to emerge from this crisis in Palestine.

Association of Internet Addiction with Family Functionality, Depression, Self-Efficacy and Self-Esteem among Early Adolescents.

Early adolescents usually have worse self-control and poor time management abilities. They are a higher-risk group for Internet addiction than older adolescents or adults. This study aims to explore the prevalence of Internet addiction and associated factors in early adolescents. Participants included 451 fifth and sixth-grade students in Central Taiwan. This study adopted a cross-sectional design and a structured questionnaire that consisted of demographics, Young’s Internet Addiction Test, the Centre for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale, the General Self-Efficacy Scale and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The participants were 50.8% male, and the mean age was 11.35, with a range of 10.33–12.92 years. A total of 33.7% of all participants were prone to Internet addiction. The results showed that participants who were male and had high money allowance, poor family atmosphere, parents who did not limit Internet usage time, high depression, low self-efficacy and low self-esteem were more prone to Internet addiction. A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that being male, having parents who did not limit Internet usage time and higher degrees of depression were the associated factors of Internet addiction in early adolescents. The phenomenon of Internet addiction among early adolescents seems to be increasing. Improving family functionality and individual mental health may be effective ways to reduce Internet addiction.

Photoplethysmographic Waveform Analysis for Autonomic Reactivity Assessment in Depression.

In the present study, a photoplethysmographic(PPG) waveform analysis for assessing differences in autonomic reactivity to mental stress between patients with Major Depressive Disorder(MDD) and healthy control(HC) subjects is presented. PPG recordings of 40MDD and 40HC subjects were acquired at basal conditions, during the execution of cognitive tasks, and at the post-task relaxation period. PPG pulses are decomposed into three waves (a main wave and two reflected waves) using a pulse decomposition analysis. Pulse waveform characteristics such as the time delay between the position of the main wave and reflected waves, the percentage of amplitude loss in the reflected waves, and the heart rate(HR) are calculated among others. The intra-subject difference of a feature value between two conditions is used as an index of autonomic reactivity. Statistically significant individual differences from stress to recovery were found for HR and the percentage of amplitude loss in the second reflected wave( A13) in both HC and MDD group. However, autonomic reactivity indices related to A13 reached higher values in HC than in MDD subjects(Cohen's[Formula: see text]), implying that the stress response in depressed patients is reduced. A statistically significant( ) negative correlation( r=-0.5) between depression severity scores and A13 was found. A decreased autonomic reactivity is associated with higher degree of depression. Stress response quantification by dynamic changes in PPG waveform morphology can be an aid for the diagnosis and monitoring of depression.

Relationship between Demographic Characteristics, Depression and Insomnia with Restless Legs Syndrome: a Study of Adults Aged 17-70 Years in Yazd 2019

Introduction: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological-motor disorder in which most patients tend to shake their legs during sleep and describe it as an unpleasant feeling. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of RLS, its relationship with demographic characteristics, depression, and insomnia and comparison of the mentioned variables in the group with and without RLS. Methods: This was a case-control analytic study. The sample consisted of 429 adults aged 17-70 years who had referred all the psychiatric and neurological clinics of Yazd (center of Iran) in 2019. Participants were selected by cluster sampling method. Research tools included a demographic questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and an International Restless Legs Syndrome Questionnaire (IRLSQ). The data were analyzed by SPSS-21, chi-square, Pearson correlation coefficient, independent t-test, and linear regression. Significant level was considered 0.05. Results: The mean and standard deviation of the age of participants was 34.43± 10.82. Furthermore, the mean and standard deviation of the age group with RLS was 36.07± 10.95 while in group without RLS was 33.92± 10.75. Prevalence of RLS in adults was 23.5% (n= 101), in women was 32% (n= 66) and in men was 28.7% (n= 35). The t-test showed patients with RLS had a higher degree of depression and insomnia than those without RLS (p&lt;0.05). Multiple linear regression also showed that insomnia (β= 0.36), age (β= 0.13), and depression (β= 0.15) had a significant effect on RLS score. Conclusion: The prevalence of RLS among adults in Yazd is high. Severe insomnia, depressed mood, and aging are considered as important factors in predicting this disease. According to what was mentioned early detection, prevention, and treatment of this disorder in adults is necessary.

Dimenzije opšteg psihološkog distresa i starost kao prediktori prokrastinacije kod studenata

The aim of the study is to examine whether depression, anxiety, stress and age are significant predictors of procrastination. Procrastination can be defined as the intentional postponement of the beginning or the completion of a task or job, leaving it for later, despite the knowledge of the negative consequences of such an act. The assumption was that with a higher degree of depression, anxiety and stress, the degree of general procrastination would be higher, and that, with higher age, the degree of procrastination would be lower. The sample consisted of 338 students of both sexes (282 female), the average age of 23.53. The following instruments were used: The General Procrastination Questionnaire (GPS: Lay, 1986), Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21: Lovibond &amp; Lovibond, 1995), and Questionnaire on socio-demographic data designed for the purposes of this research. Standard multiple regression analysis was used for data analysis. Data were collected during the state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and hence the paper also presents the findings on the degree of general psychological distress and procrastination in students. The results show that, in the female subsample, only depression is a significant predictor that explains 6% of the variance of procrastination (ß = 0.36, p &lt;0.01). This implies that, in female students, depression, including sadness, hopelessness, devaluation of themselves and their lives, strengthens procrastination, but also vice versa. The results of the research did not confirm the initial assumption that the older the students were, the better they knew how to cope with procrastination.

Factors associated with stigma in community-dwelling stroke survivors in China: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundAlthough stigma is considered to be present in stroke patients, the factors that influence its level are ambiguous. The aim of this study was to investigate whether certain demographic, clinical, and psychosocial characteristics are related to higher levels of stigma among stroke patients in China. MethodsA total of 200 stroke patients in the community were investigated using the Stigma Scale for Chronic Illness (SSCI), Barthel Index, Self-Rating Depression Scale, Medical Moping Questionnaire, and Social Support Rating Scale. Potential determinants were evaluated with univariate statistical analyses for their contributions to total, felt and enacted stigma. Important findings were further evaluated with multiple regression models. ResultsThe mean total stigma, felt stigma, and enacted stigma scores were 45.21 ± 16.68, 27.93 ± 10.95, and 17.27 ± 6.93, respectively. Most participants reported experiencing felt stigma (90%), while 72.5% reported experiencing enacted stigma. Multiple regression analysis showed that stroke patients' depression, functional status, an avoiding coping strategy, subjective support and recurrence of stroke were factors impacting the SSCI score. ConclusionThe stigma level among stroke patients in China was of a mild-moderate degree. Among stroke patients, a higher level of stigma was influenced by a higher degree of depression, a higher degree of an avoiding coping strategy, lower functional ability, lower subjective support and recurrence of stroke. Further work should focus on developing intervention strategies to decrease the amount of stigma and promote quality of life as well as psychosocial rehabilitation among stroke patients.