Higher Levels Of Depression Research Articles

Adverse childhood experiences of Korean mothers with young children: a latent class analysis

ABSTRACT Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have negative impacts on women with children, including psychosocial and general health problems. However, there is limited research investigating ACEs identifying the characteristics of distinct subgroups according to the frequency of ACEs. Objective: Utilizing the national dataset of the Family with Children Life Experience 2017, this study aimed to classify patterns of ACEs based on the total number of types of ACEs and the types of predominant events, and to examine differences in general and psychological characteristics, as well as experiences of violence in adulthood among the classes identified. Method: A total of 460 Korean mothers raising infants or toddlers participated. Latent class analysis was performed to classify the patterns of ACEs, while t-tests and Chi-square tests were used to examine differences in general and psychological characteristics and experiences of violence between the ACEs subgroups. Results: The participants were classified into two subgroups: the ‘high-ACEs group’ and the ‘low-ACEs group’. The high-ACEs group exhibited higher rates of child abuse, workplace violence perpetration and victimization, as well as lower self-esteem, higher depression levels, and increased suicidal thoughts compared to those of the low-ACEs group. Conclusion: The findings highlight the significant role of ACEs on the formation of an individual’s psychological characteristics and their propensity to experience additional violence even into adulthood, as perpetrators and as victims. It is noteworthy how the influence of ACEs extends across generations through child abuse. These findings offer insights for developing interventions aimed at mitigating the negative effects of experiences of violence on mothers raising young children.

Latent profile analysis of depression and its influencing factors in older adults raising grandchildren in China

ObjectiveTo explore the latent profile of depression in older adults raising grandchildren in China, and to analyze the differences in the characteristics of the different profiles of the population and the factors influencing them. MethodsThis study utilized the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Through a cross-sectional study, the latent profile analysis was used to analyze the potential classification of depression among older adults raising grandchildren, and using ordered multi-categorical logistic regression analyses to assess the effects of each factor on their different classifications. ResultsThe 1271 older adults raising grandchildren with depression symptoms were divided into three categories: low-level depression (55.4%), moderate-level depression (31.2%), and high-level depression (13.4%). Ordered multi-categorical Logistic results showed: Gender, marital status, pension insurance, physical health status, life satisfaction, and IADL were predictors of latent profile classification of depression symptoms in older adults raising grandchildren (P < 0.05). ConclusionsIn the future of primary care, it will be more meaningful to provide targeted interventions for different subgroups of depression in older adults raising grandchildren.

A mixed-method study to develop and evaluate a structured therapeutic communication module on psychological distress and perceived needs among caregivers of critically ill patients in Critical Care Units

Aims and objectivesTo develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a structured therapeutic communication module on psychological distress and perceived needs among caregivers of critically ill patients. BackgroundCaregivers of critically ill patients experience intense psychological distress, and their needs often go unexpressed or unidentified. Structured therapeutic communication enables nurses to explore and fulfill these needs. MethodA mixed-method study was conducted among 30 caregivers of critically ill patients. During phase one, a qualitative interview was conducted, and a structured therapeutic communication module was developed based on Hildegard Peplau's Interpersonal Relations Theory. In the second phase, one group pre-test and post-test design was adopted. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and a Semi-structured interview schedule were used to assess psychological distress and perceived needs, respectively. ResultsHalf of (50 %) the caregivers reported a high level of anxiety before intervention, with a mean of 11.30 (SD: 4.0), and 66.7 % of them had a high level of depression, with a mean of 12.03 (SD: 0.08). There was a statistically significant difference in anxiety (CI: 0.451–2.016) and depression (CI: 0.261–1.538) before and after the intervention. The qualitative analysis revealed unmet needs perceived by caregivers. ConclusionUsing a structured therapeutic communication module helps nurses to alleviate the psychological distress experienced by caregivers of CCU patients. Relevance to clinical practiceNurses need to be sensitive to the unexpressed needs of caregivers of critically ill patients. The structured therapeutic communication modules can be integrated into routine nursing care practice to ensure family-centered care.

CHRONIC PAIN AS ONE OF THE FACTORS INFLUENCING THE DEVELOPMENT OF DEPRESSION

The article focuses on the investigation of chronic pain as a contributing factor to the development of depression in individuals experiencing chronic pain. The study discusses chronic pain and depression, exploring the connection between the two. Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists for more than 3 months and consistently manifests. Depression, on the other hand, is characterized by depressive symptoms lasting for a minimum of 2 weeks. To identify the link between chronic pain and depression, individuals with chronic pain were included in the study and the role of chronic pain in contributing to depression was examined. The results indicated that for the majority of patients with chronic pain, this pain plays a significant role in the onset of depression. Tests conducted on patients with chronic pain revealed moderate to high levels of depression. The findings demonstrate that chronic pain indeed plays a substantial role in the development of depression.

The role of shame in functional and epileptic seizures

BackgroundShame, a complex social emotion, may play a clinically important role in seizure disorders. Therefore, this study examined levels of shame aversion & shame proneness and their relationship with various mental health difficulties (MHDs), and seizure frequency & severity in people with functional seizures (PWFS) and epilepsy (PWE). MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, PWFS (N = 68) and PWE (N = 70) were recruited through a neurology clinic and charities, completed online self-reported measures of shame proneness & aversion, seizure frequency & severity, depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms, and perceived socioeconomic status (PSS). Data analyses involved t-tests, correlations, and moderated regression analyses. ResultsBoth PWFS and PWE showed high and equivalent levels of shame aversion & proneness; mean levels of these measures were more than a standard deviation higher in PWFS and PWE, than in non-clinical populations of previous studies. Both groups had clinically high levels of depression and somatic symptoms, but not anxiety, with PWFS having significantly higher levels than PWE. Shame aversion predicted anxiety and depression in both groups, even after controlling for PSS, age, and gender. Interestingly, PSS, a demographic control variable, significantly predicted depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms, and seizure frequency in both groups. ConclusionWe observed high levels of shame and MHDs in PWFS and PWE. Shame aversion predicted anxiety and depression in both groups, even after controlling for demographic variables. Our findings underline the significant role of shame in people with seizures, despite the differences between PWFS and PWE being smaller than expected.

P-484 Infertility stigma, openness with others, and their relationship to depression and meaning in life among men and women experiencing infertility

Abstract Study question Does infertility-related stigma and being open with others relate to depression and meaning in life among men and women experiencing infertility? Summary answer Higher infertility stigma was related to higher depression and search for meaning, whereas higher openness was related to lower depression and higher presence of meaning. What is known already For men experiencing infertility, there is relatively scarce knowledge about the relationship between infertility stigma, openness, depression, and meaning in life. For women, previous studies have found that higher levels of infertility stigma are associated with higher levels of hopelessness (Kaya &amp; Oskay, 2020). Studies have also found that the presence of meaning in women is associated with the use of more adaptive coping strategies for infertility, while the search for meaning is associated with higher levels of depression (Morse &amp; Steger, 2019). Men who reported greater openness with others about infertility, reported lower depression (Babore, et al., 2017). Study design, size, duration The design was a cross-sectional survey where participants completed demographic and infertility information along with validated measures of meaning in life, depression, openness, and perceptions of stigma regarding their infertility. Participants were recruited via announcements on infertility discussion listservs and social media accounts in the United States. Data were collected in November-December of 2023. Participants were 89 men and 458 women who reported an infertility diagnosis. Eighty-one percent of participants were from the United States. Participants/materials, setting, methods The key outcome variables were the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression measure (Zhang et al., 2012) and the Meaning in Life measure, which consists of two 5-item subscales, Presence of Meaning and Search for Meaning (Steger et al., 2006). Along with demographic and infertility factors, key psychological variables were measured including infertility stigma (Fu et al., 2015) and openness with others and their partner about their infertility experience (Babore, 2017). Participants mean age was 33. Main results and the role of chance Multiple linear hierarchical regression models explained substantial variance (adjusted R-squared) for depression (48% men; 29% women), presence of meaning (28% men; 27% women), and search for meaning (22% men; 16% women). Men and women who reported higher levels of personal infertility stigma had higher levels of depression (Betas = .23 men and .24 women; ps &amp;lt; .05), as well as higher levels of searching for meaning (Beta = .26 men, p = .051; Beta = .16 women, p = .016). Higher stigma was also associated with lower presence of meaning in women (Beta = -.233, ps &amp;lt;.001). Men and women who reported higher levels of openness with others about infertility reported substantially lower levels of depression (Betas = -.51 men and -.32 women; ps &amp;lt;.001), and greater presence of meaning in life (Betas = .29 men and .22 women; ps &amp;lt; .05). Openness with others was also associated with lower search for meaning among women (Beta = -.127, p = .011). Women who were currently in treatment reported more depression compared to both women who were never in treatment (Beta = -.245, p = .019), and women who had previously been in treatment (Beta = -.244, p = .031). Limitations, reasons for caution This study provided the rare opportunity to examine infertility and mental health among men, but caution is necessary when interpreting these results due to the relatively small sample size. The correlational findings do not allow for inferences of causality, and testing the generalizability of findings is an important next step. Wider implications of the findings The study highlights that higher infertility stigma and lower openness with others are key factors in understanding men and women’s mental health and worldview perceptions. Encouraging individuals with infertility to share their experiences with others may reduce feelings of depression, while also increasing one’s sense of meaning in life. Trial registration number not applicable

Psycho-emotional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nursing professionals in Ecuador: a cross-sectional study

Aim and objectivesTo analyse the levels of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and burnout among nursing professionals working in the Imbabura region of Ecuador during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify the contributing socio-occupational factors.BackgroundThe high demand for care of COVID-19 patients led to increased work pressure on nurses, owing to increased demands for care and shortages of medical supplies and protective equipment.DesignA cross-sectional study was conducted from September to December 2022 using a self-administered questionnaire addressed to nursing professionals who cared for COVID-19 patients.MethodsThe questionnaire included socio-demographic characteristics, the Spanish adaptation of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-Spanish), Impact of Event Scale–Revised (IES-R) for the evaluation of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the Spanish adaptation of the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS-Spanish) for burnout assessment. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.ResultsOf the 782 participants, 88.6% had a high level of burnout (MBI-HSS-Spanish scale score > 27). Female nurses, nurses with eight-hour work shifts, and older professionals exhibited high levels of anxiety and depression. Prolonged working hours in COVID-19 patient care services were found to be a risk factor for burnout and post-traumatic stress.ConclusionsParticipating nurses presented with a high level of chronic work stress and exhibited signs of anxiety and depression during the period under consideration. Providing nurses with psychological support measures and performing liaison consultations will alleviate the psychological burden on nurses.Relevance to clinical practiceThe study has shown that accounting for the environments where the emotional impact is greatest and how to reduce it would not only reduce anxiety, depression, and burnout in nurses but also improve the quality of care, not only in pandemic.Patient or public contributionNurses contributed to the conduct of the study by participating in the data collection via questionaries.

Rate of Depression, Anxiety and Stress among Interns/House Officers in Nigeria

Abstract Background Medical school is one of the most academically and emotionally demanding programs. The mandatory house job and internship year adds to the already high level of stress associated with medical school. The amount of time and effort invested is considerable. This dedication could be harmful to the young trainees' health, causing worry, despair, and stress. This study was undertaken to determine the rate of anxiety, depression, and stress among interns and house officers in Nigeria. Materials and Methods This is a descriptive cross-sectional survey in which 138 participants were conveniently recruited. The study used a self-report questionnaire with two sections that took approximately 10 minutes to complete. The first section collected sociodemographic information of the participants and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used in the second segment to assess depression, anxiety, and stress. Results The rate of depression, anxiety, and stress among the participants in this study is 37.3, 42.5, and 15.7%, respectively. In this study, only duration of training has significant association with depression and stress (p &lt; 0.05). However, all other sociodemographic variables showed no significant association with depression, anxiety, and stress (p &gt; 0.05). Conclusion The significantly high level of depression, anxiety, and stress found among the participants revealed that depression, anxiety, and stress are of public mental health concern. These may have negative effects on cognitive functioning, learning, and patient care.

Prevalence of Depression in Patients with Chronic Pain

Background: Chronic pain is a distressing health crisis with a profound physical and emotional impacts. There is an association between chronic pain and depression. This study aimed at examining prevalence of depression in patients with chronic pain and determining the link between medications used in chronic pain and depression. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 201 participants who fit the criteria of chronic pain and attended the pain management clinic, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain over a period of five months were included. Data about depression was collected from participants using validated Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Results: The prevalence of 44.3% of depression was detected in patients with chronic pain. Males to females represented a proportion of 49.3% vs 50.7%, majority of them had sickle cell disease (74.1%). Bivariate analysis expressed that none of the examined variables was significantly different among depressed and non-depressed patients (P&gt;0.05). Univariate analysis found that increased age, male patients, and absence of limitation in daily activity were less prone to severe depression, however, opioid-treated patients, and rarely or intermittently drug intake are more liable to increased depression severity (P&lt;0.05). Conclusions: Adult patients with chronic pain treated at specialty pain clinics were observed to have high levels of depression, with a negative association between the opioids use and depression. Thus, the recognition of the psychological burden of chronic pain emphasizes the necessity of taking action. Reducing the burden of chronic pain on healthcare systems and enhancing patient health and function are two benefits of effective depression treatment.

Comparative Associations between Substances Used with Depression and Anxiety in a Sample of High School Students in Turkey

Objective: To explore the associations between the type and the amount of substances used with depression and anxiety symptoms by high school students. Methods: The study data was collected by the Istanbul Department of Education on 31,604 high school students which was a survey of 66 questions administered in the school setting. The primary questions and sub-questions on anxiety and depression scores were added to generate a scaled score. Specific substances used by the participants were used to explore the relationship between substance use and depression and anxiety scores by using multinomial logistic regression models. Two regression models were analyzed, one for each dependent variable, keeping the significance level at 0.05. Odds ratios were calculated to explore the association between depression and anxiety scores and specific substance use among the youth. Results: The participants with low levels of anxiety were at an increased odds of using heavy amounts of sleep pills (OR=1.6) and alcohol (OR=1.3) as compared to those without anxiety. In addition to sleep pills and alcohol, illicit substances such as LSD and inhalant use were also seen in the participants with higher levels of anxiety. The participants with low levels of depression were found to be at an increased odds of using sleep pills (OR=1.8) and alcohol (OR=1.3). In addition to this pattern of substance use, participants with higher levels of depression were also found to be heavy cocaine users, low inhalant users, heavy steroid users, and low alcohol users. A decrease in the use of homemade brews was seen in the participants with low and high levels of depression as compared to those who didn’t have any depressive symptoms. Conclusion: A unique pattern of drug and alcohol use was found in the participants experiencing varying levels of anxiety and depression.

Изучение мотивационной сферы личности и психоэмоциональных особенностей у пациентов с наркологическими расстройствами на различных этапах лечебно-реабилитационного процесса (Часть 1)

&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;The aim of the study was to analyze dynamic changes in the motivational and psychoemotional features of patients with drug addiction disorders at different stages of the treatment and rehabilitation process (TRP). The study involved 226 patients (163 men and 63 women) with narcological disorders. The following scales were used: Socrates, DASS-21 and GSE. Using the Socrates scale, results were obtained indicating: 1) significantly higher scores on the Ambivalence subscale at the early and recovery stages of the TRP in patients diagnosed with alcohol dependence (p&amp;le;0.05); 2) significantly higher scores on the total score (p&amp;le;0.001), the Ambivalence subscale (p&amp;le;0.05), and the Action subscale (p&amp;le;0.05) (p&amp;le;0.05) at the restorative and stabilizing stages of LRP, typical for women. Evaluation of the features of the DASS-21 revealed: 1) the presence of signs of moderate depression in patients with drug dependence (p&amp;le;0.01) and mild stress (p&amp;le;0.01) at the early stage of TRP were determined; 2) at the restorative stage of TRP, a higher level of depression (p&amp;le;0.01), anxiety (p&amp;le;0.05) and stress (p&amp;le;0.001) was detected in the group of patients with drug dependence. The analysis of the results obtained will make it possible to provide targeted assistance to patients with drug use disorders and increase the effectiveness of psychological and psychotherapeutic interventions in clinical practice.&lt;/p&gt;

Screening for psychosis risk in primary mental health care services - Implementation, prevalence and recovery trajectories.

Early interventions improve outcomes for people at high risk of psychosis and are likely to be cost saving. This group tends to seek help for emotional problems - depression and anxiety - via primary care services, where early detection methods are poor. We sought to determine prevalence rates of high risk for psychosis in UK primary care mental health services and clinical outcomes following routinely delivered psychological therapies. We used a brief screen designed for settings with low base rates and significant time constraints to determine prevalence of high risk for psychosis in UK 'Talking Therapies' services. We examined socio-demographic characteristics, presenting problems and recovery trajectories for this group, compared with people not at risk of psychosis. A 2-item screen selected for specificity yielded a prevalence rate of 3% in primary care mental health services. People at elevated risk of psychosis were younger and more likely to report at least one long-term physical condition. This group presented with higher levels of depression, anxiety and trauma symptoms at assessment and were less likely to have recovered at the end of treatment, compared to people not at risk. Very brief screening tools can be implemented in busy health care settings. The 3% of referrals to UK primary care psychological therapies services at elevated risk of psychosis typically present with more severe symptoms and greater levels of comorbidity and may require augmented interventions to recover fully.

Psychosocial and Sexual Aspects of Female Genital Circumcision in a Sample of Kurdish Women in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Female genital circumcision (FGC), a prevalent practice in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, has significant psychosocial and sexual implications for affected women. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate these impacts among circumcised and non-circumcised Kurdish women. This comparative study was conducted from January 2 to June 27, 2023, at the Al Mesalla for Human Rights Improvement organization in Erbil, Iraq. Purposive sampling was used to collect data using a comprehensive questionnaire. The questionnaire included demographic information, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE), and the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale-Short Form (NSSS-S). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY), with frequency and percentage used for categorical variables and mean and standard deviation for quantitative variables. Independent sample t-tests and Chi-square tests were conducted to compare groups. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 772 participants were enrolled in the study, including 382 circumcised and 390 non-circumcised women. The study found significant differences between the two groups in terms of depression, self-esteem, and sexual satisfaction. Circumcised women had higher mean scores for depression (12.19 ± 5.6 vs. 10.68 ± 5.3), lower mean scores for self-esteem (24.4 ± 12.1 vs. 30.3 ± 10.1), and lower mean scores for sexual satisfaction (52.4 ± 24.6 vs. 67.6 ± 20.4) compared to non-circumcised women (all p < 0.001). The study demonstrated that FGC is associated with higher levels of depression, lower self-esteem, and lower sexual satisfaction among Kurdish women. It is recommended for policymakers and healthcare providers to develop targeted interventions to address the psychosocial and sexual health needs of circumcised women in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Impact of pre-existing depression and food insecurity on the trajectory of depressive symptomatology during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in South Africa: A panel analysis of nationally representative South African data

We investigated the trajectory of depressive symptoms (“depression”) from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa (March 2020) until 2021, between individuals with and without pre-pandemic depression, specifically regarding the role of food security. Our investigation used publicly available panel data (N = 6,930) from the South African National Income Dynamics Study Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey (SA-NIDS-CRAM from 2020–2021) on those who had also participated in the pre-pandemic South African National Income Dynamics Study (SA-NIDS, 2017) depression interview. We investigated trends in depressive symptomatology (based on a 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire) at SA-NIDS-CRAM Wave 2 (July 2020), Wave 3 (February 2021) and Wave 5 (May 2021). Generalized estimating equations (GEE) with post-estimation linear combinations of estimators were fitted to investigate the roles of pre-pandemic depression (based on 2017 SA-NIDS data) and food insecurity during the pandemic on depressive symptomatology. During the pandemic, the highest levels of depression were observed consistently among those with pre-pandemic depression and food insecurity; and were lowest among those without pre-pandemic depression and food security. Depressive symptomatology rose in nearly equal magnitude during the early phases of the pandemic in two groups: those without pre-pandemic depression but food insecure during the pandemic; as well as those with pre-pandemic depression but food secure during the pandemic. However, this dynamic changed later in the pandemic, when higher depressive symptomatology was observed in the group with both pre-pandemic depression and food insecurity, widening the gap between them from Wave 3 (adj β = 0.63, p < 0.01) to Wave 5 (adj β = 0.79, p < 0.01). Our results highlight the importance of addressing both population mental health and food insecurity, particularly at the early stages of a crisis/disaster. As we showed that mental health impact is linked to food insecurity during a pandemic, strengthening social protection measures, especially around food and nutrition, would help build resilience to crises in the long term.

Impact of Caregiving Burden on the Mental Health of Caregivers: A Study of Individuals Caring for Chronically Ill Patients

The present research aims to investigate the relationship between the caregiving burden and its impact on the mental health of caregivers of chronically sick patients. It was hypothesized that the caregiving burden would be positively associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among caregivers of chronically sick patients; and caregiving burden would significantly predict the psychological distress (depression, anxiety, stress) in caregivers of chronically sick patients. A sample of 220 caregivers (n=220) was selected conveniently which comprised of 102 males and 118 females selected from the different hospitals. The study employed a correlational research design to collect data, using two standardized scales, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and Zarit Burden Interview. The data were analyzed by using SPSS to investigate the relationship between the caregiving burden and the caregivers' mental health. The findings showed a significant relationship between caregiving burden and increased psychological distress. This implies that higher caregiving burden leads to higher psychological distress. The findings emphasize the importance of proper interventions and support facilities for caregivers. The study adds to the existing knowledge by addressing the impact of the caregiving burden. Additional research is needed to investigate the potential mediator or moderators of the association between the burden and the mental health outcomes, thereby improving our understanding of the intricacies of caregiving experiences.

Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Association of Clinical and Neurocognitive Factors With Apathy in Patients With Parkinson Disease.

A robust understanding of the natural history of apathy in Parkinson disease (PD) is foundational for developing effective clinical management tools. However, large longitudinal studies are lacking while the literature is inconsistent about even cross-sectional associations. We aimed to determine the longitudinal predictors of apathy development in a large cohort of people with PD and its cross-sectional associations and trajectories over time, using sophisticated Bayesian modeling techniques. People with PD followed up in the longitudinal New Zealand Parkinson's progression project were included. Apathy was defined using the neuropsychiatric inventory subscale ≥4, and analyses were also repeated using a less stringent cutoff of ≥1. Both MoCA and comprehensive neuropsychological testing were used as appropriate to the model. Depression was assessed using the hospital anxiety and depression scale. Cross-sectional Bayesian regressions were conducted, and a multistate predictive model was used to identify factors that predict the initial onset of apathy in nonapathetic PD, while also accounting for the competing risk of death. The relationship between apathy presence and mortality was also investigated. Three hundred forty-six people with PD followed up for up to 14 years across a total of 1,392 sessions were included. Apathy occurrence did not vary significantly across the disease course (disease duration odds ratio [OR] = 0.55, [95% CI 0.28-1.12], affecting approximately 11% or 22% of people at any time depending on the NPI cutoff used. Its presence was associated with a significantly higher risk of death after controlling for all other factors (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.92 [1.50-5.66]). Lower cognition, higher depression levels, and greater motor severity predicted apathy development in those without motivational deficits (HR [cognition] = 0.66 [0.48-0.90], HR [depression] = 1.45 [1.04-2.02], HR [motor severity] = 1.37 [1.01-1.86]). Cognition and depression were also associated with apathy cross-sectionally, along with male sex and possibly lower dopaminergic therapy level, but apathy still occurred across the full spectrum of each variable (OR [cognition] = 0.58 [0.44-0.76], OR [depression] = 1.43 [1.04-1.97], OR [female sex] = 0.45 [0.22-0.92], and OR [levodopa equivalent dose] = 0.78 [0.59-1.04]. Apathy occurs across the PD time course and is associated with higher mortality. Depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment in particular predict its future development in those with normal motivation.

Metacognition as a transdiagnostic factor across eating disorders: a latent profile analysis study.

Metacognition is a crucial aspect of understanding and attributing mental states, playing a key role in the psychopathology of eating disorders (EDs). This study aims to explore the diverse clinical profiles of metacognition among patients with EDs using latent profile analysis (LPA). A total of 395 patients with a DSM-5 diagnosis of ED (116 AN-R, 30 AN/BP, 100 BN, 149 BED) participated in this study. They completed self-report measures assessing metacognition, eating psychopathology, depression, emotional dysregulation, personality traits, and childhood adversities. LPA and Welch ANOVAs were conducted to identify profiles based on metacognition scores and examine psychological differences between them. Logistic regression models were employed to explore associations between personal characteristics and different profiles. A 3-class solution had a good fit to the data, revealing profiles of high functioning (HF), intermediate functioning (IF), and low functioning (LF) based on levels of metacognitive impairments. Participants in the IF group were older and had a higher BMI than those in the HF and LF groups. Individuals with BN were largely categorized into HF and LF profiles, whereas participants with BED were mainly included in the IF profile. Participants in the LF group reported an impaired psychological profile, with high levels of depression, emotional dysregulation, childhood adversity, and personality dysfunction. Multinomial logistic regression analyses showed significant associations between metacognitive profiles and emotional and neglect abuse, emotion dysregulation, and detachment. This exploratory study unveils distinct metacognitive profiles in EDs, providing a foundation for future research and targeted interventions. In this light, metacognitive interpersonal therapy could be a valid and effective treatment for EDs, as suggested by the initial promising results for these patients.

Maladaptive exercise in eating disorders: lifetime and current impact on mental health and treatment seeking

BackgroundMany patients with eating disorders report exercise as a central symptom of their illness—as a way to compensate for food intake, prevent weight-gain, and/or reduce negative affect. Previous findings show associations between maladaptive exercise and more severe eating disorder pathology, higher risk for relapse, other co-morbid symptoms, and worse treatment outcome.MethodsIn this study, we included 8252 participants with eating disorders and investigated associations between maladaptive exercise (both lifetime and current) and ED pathology, illness duration, depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicidal ideation, and treatment seeking patterns in individuals with lifetime maladaptive exercise. Participants were included via the Swedish site of the large global study The Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative (EDGI) and completed measures of both lifetime and current symptomatology.ResultsResults indicate that lifetime maladaptive exercise is associated with higher prevalence of lifetime depression and anxiety and with patients more often receiving treatment, although these results need to be investigated in future studies. Current maladaptive exercise was associated with more severe ED symptoms, and higher levels of depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive traits, and suicidal ideation.ConclusionsOur findings point to the complexities of exercise as an eating disorder symptom and the need for clearly assessing and acknowledging this, as well as tailoring interventions to treat this symptom to achieve sustainable recovery.

Polygenic risk, childhood abuse and gene x environment interactions with depression development from middle to late adulthood: A U.S. national life-course study

ObjectiveUtilizing national longitudinal data, this study examines how polygenic depression risk and childhood abuse interactively influence the life-course development of depressive conditions from middle to late adulthood. MethodData from 7512 participants (4323 females and 3189 males) of European ancestry aged 51–90, retrieved from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study (1992–2020), were analyzed. Childhood physical abuse and polygenic depression score were the primary predictors. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CESD) scale, and clinical depression risk was a binary indicator. Growth-curve linear mixed and logit mixed-effects models were conducted for analysis. ResultsIncreasing polygenic depression scores were associated with elevated CES-D levels and potential risks of clinical depression. Males experienced more detrimental effects of childhood abuse on depression development from ages 51 to 90 years. In contract, non-maltreated females generally exhibited higher depressive symptoms and clinical depression risk than males. A significant interactive effect was found between polygenic depression risk and childhood abuse among males. Higher depression levels and clinical risk were observed with increasing polygenic depression score among maltreated males, surpassing those of females with standardized polygenic score ≥0 from age 51 to 90 years. ConclusionsThe interaction between childhood abuse and genetic factors significantly shaped lifelong depression trajectories in males, while the negative impact of abusive parenting remained constant regardless of polygenic depression risk among females. Individualized prevention and intervention strategies could be crucial in mitigating lifelong depression development, especially for high-genetic-risk males with a history of childhood physical abuse.

Problematic social media use and psychological distress in pregnancy: The mediating role of social comparisons and body dissatisfaction

BackgroundPregnancy can be experienced as a significant transition for many women with associated body dissatisfaction, depression, pregnancy-related anxiety, and disordered eating attitudes. Problematic Social Media Use (PSMU) creates abundant opportunities for women to compare themselves with others and expose themselves to sociocultural influences which may increase body dissatisfaction and psychological distress. AimsThis study examined whether the relationship between PSMU and psychological distress (defined as depression, pregnancy-related anxiety and disordered eating attitudes) was mediated by negative social comparisons and body dissatisfaction. MethodA sample of 225 pregnant Australian women (Mage = 31.91 years, SDage = 4.39) recruited online, completed self-report measures related to the variables of interest. Results: PSMU was associated with higher levels of depression, pregnancy-related anxiety, and disordered eating attitudes. Negative social comparisons and body dissatisfaction partially mediated the relationship between PSMU and pregnancy-related anxiety and depression, and fully mediated the relationship between PSMU and disordered eating attitudes. LimitationsCross-sectional nature of the study limited our ability to determine the direction of the relationships. Moreover, the recruitment method via social media led to high rates of non-completion. ConclusionThe findings of this study suggest that problematic social media usage during pregnancy may increase depression, pregnancy-related anxiety and disordered eating attitudes. This study identified potential pathways that may explain this relationship, (via social comparisons and body dissatisfaction). This study highlights the potentially negative impact of social media use amongst expectant mothers and the importance of screening for body dissatisfaction in routine antenatal care.