Higher Depressive Symptom Scores Research Articles

Deciphering the Link: Correlating REM Sleep Patterns with Depressive Symptoms via Consumer Wearable Technology.

This study investigates the correlation between REM sleep patterns, as measured by the Apple Watch, and depressive symptoms in an undiagnosed population. Employing the Apple Watch for data collection, REM sleep duration and frequency were monitored over a specified period. Concurrently, participants' depressive symptoms were evaluated using standardized questionnaires. The analysis, primarily using Spearman's correlation, revealed noteworthy findings. A significant correlation was observed between an increased REM sleep proportion and higher depressive symptom scores, with a correlation coefficient of 0.702, suggesting a robust relationship. These results highlight the potential of using wearable technology, such as the Apple Watch, in early detection and intervention for depressive symptoms, suggesting that alterations in REM sleep could serve as preliminary indicators of depressive tendencies. This approach offers a non-invasive and accessible means to monitor and potentially preempt the progression of depressive disorders. This study's implications extend to the broader context of mental health, emphasizing the importance of sleep assessment in routine health evaluations, particularly for individuals exhibiting early signs of depressive symptoms.

Housing debt and depressive symptoms: evidence from the China family panel studies

BackgroundThere is limited evidence on the association between housing debt and depressive symptoms in China. This study aimed to examine the impact of housing debt on depressive symptoms and explore the heterogeneous impacts arising from two sources of housing debt and two types of housing demands.MethodsUsing data from the 2016 and 2018 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this study included 25,232 Chinese individuals. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the eight-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D8). Housing debt was measured by dummy variables, indicating whether an individual had housing debt, and continuous variables, which were the logarithm of the total amount of housing debt. The two-way fixed effects model was used to examine the relationship.ResultsHousing debt had a significant positive impact on depressive symptoms in China. Individuals with housing debt had a 0.176-point higher depressive symptom score than those without housing debt. A 10% increase in the total amount of housing debt led to a 0.16-point increase in depressive symptoms. Non-bank housing loans significantly increased the level of depressive symptoms with a larger coefficient (coef = 0.289), while the impact of bank housing loans was small and not statistically significant. In terms of the types of housing demands, a positive impact was observed only among individuals who had only one property meeting their housing consumption demands.ConclusionsThis study found a significant positive impact of housing debt on depressive symptoms, primarily driven by non-bank housing loans. Furthermore, housing debt increased the depressive symptoms among individuals with consumption demands, while those with investment demands did not show a significant impact. Government interventions should prioritize easing formal financial constraints and providing support for individuals with housing consumption demands.

Prevalence and risk factors for falls among community-dwelling adults in Riyadh area

Objectives This study aimed to assess fall prevalence, identify related risk factors, and establish cut-off scores for fall risk measures among community-dwelling adults in Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in community, Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. A sample of 276 Saudi citizens aged ≥40 years who were able to read and write in Arabic. Fall history and number of falls in the past 12 months were determined via self-reports. Variables assessed included demographic information, self-reported chronic diseases, depressive symptoms, and back pain severity. Results Participants were classified as either fallers (n = 28, 10.14%) or non-fallers. Fallers were more likely to have arthritis (odds ratio [OR]: 7.60, p = 0.001), back pain (OR: 5.22, p = 0.002), and higher depressive symptom scores (OR: 1.09, p = 0.013) than non-fallers. The number of reported falls was significantly associated with an elevated body mass index (incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 1.09, p = 0.045), arthritis (IRR: 8.74, p < 0.001), back pain (IRR: 4.08, p = 0.005), neurological diseases (IRR: 13.75, p < 0.007), and depressive symptoms (IRR: 1.08, p = 0.005). Cut-off scores predictive of falls associated with back pain and depressive symptoms were 1.5 (sensitivity: 0.61; specificity: 0.79; area under the curve [AUC]: 0.70) and 11.5 score (sensitivity: 0.57; specificity: 0.76; AUC: 0.66), respectively. Conclusions The prevalence of falls was relatively low among the individuals considered in this study. Chronic conditions, back pain severity, and depressive symptoms were determined to be associated with falls among community-dwelling individuals in Saudi Arabia.

The Influence of Adiposity Levels on the Relation between Perfluoroalkyl Substances and High Depressive Symptom Scores in Czech Adults.

The extensive use and bioaccumulation of Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) over time raise concerns about their impact on health, including mental issues such as depression. This study aims to evaluate the association between PFAS and depression. In addition, considering the importance of PFAS as an endocrine disruptor and in adipogenesis, the analyses will also be stratified by body fat status. A cross-sectional study with 479 subjects (56.4% women, 25-89 years) was conducted. Four PFAS were measured: perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). The Poisson regression model was applied using robust error variances. The fully adjusted model included age, sex, educational level, income, smoking, physical activity, body fat percentage, and the questionnaire to assess depression. The prevalence of depression and high body fat was 7.9% and 41.1%, respectively. Only PFOA was significantly associated with depression in the entire sample (prevalence rate (PR): 1.91; confidence interval (CI95%): 1.01-3.65). However, in the group with normal adiposity, PFOA (3.20, CI95%: 1.46-7.01), PFNA (2.54, CI95%: 1.29-5.00), and PFDA (2.09, CI95%: 1.09-4.00) were also significant. Future research should investigate the role of obesity as well as the biological plausibility and possible mechanisms increasing the limited number of evidences between PFAS and depression.

P051 Associations between Chronotype and Symptoms of Depression in Patients attending an Outpatient Sleep Clinic

Abstract Introduction Chronotype (or morningness-eveningness), individuals’ time-of-the-day preference for activity, has been associated with depressive symptoms. This cross-sectional study examined the association between chronotype and symptoms of depression in outpatients attending a sleep disorders clinic. Method The sample included individuals attending an outpatient sleep disorders clinic and provided opt-out consent for their data to be used for research purposes. Individuals included in the analyses provided demographic data, their typical weekly total sleep time (TST), and complete responses prior to treatment on the reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ; for chronotype), and the PROMIS depression scale. Results A total of 1641 (44.5% female, Mage = 45.20 years, SDage = 16.06 years) participants were included. On average, the sample scored intermediate chronotype (M = 14.73, SD = 4.35) and higher depressive symptom scores that were half a standard deviation higher compared to community norms (M = 55.80, SD = 10.01). Multiple linear regression controlling for age, sex, and TST showed that greater eveningness preferences predicted higher symptoms of depression, p<0.01, explaining 2.76% additional variance in depression scores above that of the covariates. Discussion Overall, sleep clinic outpatients had an intermediate chronotype and above average depressive symptoms. The findings are consistent with existing literature in other populations indicating that eveningness may be a risk factor for greater symptoms of depression. Future studies need to explore whether interventions to alter chronotype may benefit symptoms of depression in individuals with sleep complaints.

Real world evidence on the characteristics of regular and intermittent users of a very-low calorie diet program and associations with measures of program success, health, and quality of life.

Very low-calorie diet (VLCD) programs are readily available in Australia. However, there is a lack of real-world evidence describing the characteristics related to positive outcomes. To examine the demographic, eating, self-efficacy and program engagement characteristics of VLCD users in Australia, and the associations between user characteristics and program success, weight loss, quality of life (QOL) and health. Cross-sectional data from Australian adults: regular users (n=189: VLCD user ≥4days/week for >4weeks) and intermittent users (n=111, VLCD user <4weeks and/or <4days/week). Self-reported data on demographics, VLCD program use, support, eating behavior, weight-related QOL, mental health, physical health, self-efficacy, and physical activity. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed in R. Compared to regular users, intermittent users reported lower percentage weight loss (15.1%±SD 9.8 vs. 9.9%±SD 6.8, relative to starting weight), fewer reported their VLCD program as very successful (44% vs. 35%), higher depressive symptom scores (8.7±SD 2.8 vs. 6.7±SD 5.1), and lower general self-efficacy (23.9±SD 4.7 vs. 29.4±SD 5.7), nutrition self-efficacy (11.9±SD 2.0 vs. 14.5±SD 3.1) and weight-related QOL scores (60.9±SD 22.2 vs. 65.0±SD 11.8; p<0.001 for all). In regular users, older age and longer program duration were associated with greater total weight loss, support, and program success (p<0.001 for all). In intermittent users, program success was greater when dietitian support was used (odds ratio [OR] 6.50) and for those with higher BMIs (OR 1.08, p<0.001 for all). In both groups, more frequent support was associated with better weight-related QOL (p<0.001). This study provides real-world evidence that regular VLCD users had greater success and weight loss than intermittent program users. These findings may be used to tailor and improve the delivery of VLCD programs in Australia and other countries with retail access to VLCDs.

Prospective Associations of Childhood Housing Insecurity With Anxiety and Depression Symptoms During Childhood and Adulthood

Childhood housing insecurity has dramatically increased in the US in recent decades, but whether an association with adverse mental health outcomes exists after adjusting for repeated measures of childhood poverty is unclear. To test whether childhood housing insecurity is associated with later anxiety and depression symptoms after adjusting for time-varying measures of childhood poverty. This prospective cohort study included individuals aged 9, 11, and 13 years at baseline from the Great Smoky Mountains Study in western North Carolina. Participants were assessed up to 11 times from January 1993 to December 2015. Data were analyzed from October 2021 to October 2022. Participants and their parents reported social factors annually when participants were 9 to 16 years of age. A comprehensive measure of childhood housing insecurity was constructed based on frequent residential moves, reduced standard of living, forced separation from home, and foster care status. Between ages 9 and 16 years, the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Assessment was used up to 7 times to evaluate childhood anxiety and depression symptoms. Adult anxiety and depression symptoms were assessed at ages 19, 21, 26, and 30 years using the Young Adult Psychiatric Assessment. Of the 1339 participants (mean [SD] age, 11.3 [1.63] years), 739 (55.2%; 51.1% weighted) were male; 1203 individuals assessed up to 30 years of age were included in the adulthood outcome analyses. Standardized mean (SD) baseline anxiety and depression symptom scores were higher among children who experienced housing insecurity than among those who never experienced housing insecurity (anxiety: 0.49 [1.15] vs 0.22 [1.02]; depression: 0.20 [1.08] vs -0.06 [0.82]). Individuals who experienced childhood housing insecurity had higher anxiety symptom scores (fixed effects: standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.21; 95% CI, 0.12-0.30; random effects: SMD, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.15-0.35) and higher depression symptom scores (fixed effects: SMD, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.09-0.28; random effects: SMD, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.14-0.37) during childhood. In adulthood, childhood housing insecurity was associated with higher depression symptom scores (SMD, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.00-0.21). In this cohort study, housing insecurity was associated with anxiety and depression during childhood and with depression during adulthood. Because housing insecurity is a modifiable, policy-relevant factor associated with psychopathology, these results suggest that social policies that support secure housing may be an important prevention strategy.

Associations of depression and anxiety and adolescent telomere length

BackgroundTelomere length (TL), a biomarker of cellular aging, is influenced by adverse life experiences. Although depression and anxiety are associated with shorter TL in adults, the relationship in younger ages has received little attention. We examined relationships between depression and anxiety diagnoses and symptomatology and TL in adolescence, an important developmental window for early intervention. Sex differences in relationships were also examined. MethodsWave 1 survey and TL data from the Adolescent Health and Development in Context study were analyzed (N = 995). Depression and anxiety diagnosis were parent-reported measures categorized as: current diagnosis, prior diagnosis, and never diagnosed (reference category). Depressive symptoms were measured via adolescent-report using nine items from the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale, short form. Anxiety symptoms were measured via adolescent-report using eight items from the pediatric anxiety scale obtained from the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System. Genomic DNA was isolated from 500 μL saliva via ethanol precipitation. Genomic DNA TL was assessed using monoplexed quantitative polymerase chain reactions. Relative T/S quantities were calculated in accordance with established procedures. Covariates included sociodemographic factors (sex, age, race/ethnicity, caregiver marital status and education level, and household income), pubertal development, and season of collection. Descriptive and multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted, including an examination of sex as a moderator in the relationships between depression, anxiety, and TL. ResultsIn multivariable analysis, adolescents with a current depression diagnosis (b = −0.26, p < .05), but not a prior diagnosis (b =0.05, p > .05) had shorter TL than those who were never diagnosed; higher depressive symptom scores were associated with shorter TL (b = −0.12, p < .05). No significant associations were found between anxiety diagnosis and TL; however, higher anxiety symptom scores were associated with shorter TL (b = −0.14, p < .01). Sex did not significantly moderate any of the relationships between depression, anxiety and TL. ConclusionsDepression and anxiety were associated with shorter TL in this diverse community sample of adolescents and the findings highlight the potential for impaired mental health to contribute to cellular senescence as early as adolescence. Prospective research on the long-term effect of depression and anxiety occurring earlier in the life span on TL over time is needed, including examination of potential mechanisms that may accelerate or buffer the negative effects of impaired mental health on TL.

Depression among Korean American immigrants living in rural Alabama: use of social determinants of health framework

ABSTRACT Objectives Depression among Korean American (KA) immigrants in rural Alabama is understudied. This study aims to utilize the social determinants of health (SDOH) framework to explore factors associated with depressive symptoms among KA immigrants living in rural communities of Alabama. Design Data were collected from two sites in rural Alabama from September 2019 to February 2020. Convenience sampling was conducted to recruit study participants from the KA community. A total number of 261 KA immigrants aged 23–75 were included in the study. All measures originally in English were translated into Korean using back-translation to assure comparability and equivalence in the meaning of measures. Multiple linear regression modeling was used to explore the predictors of depression. Results Perceived race discrimination was significantly associated with greater depressive symptoms (β = .180, SE = .534, p < .01). Three SDOH were identified to have significant relationship with depressive symptoms. Participants who could not see a doctor because of cost (β = .247, SE = 1.118, p < .001), had lower level of health literacy (β = -.121, SE = .280, p < .05), and had higher social isolation scores (β = .157, SE = .226, p < .05) tended to have higher scores of depressive symptoms. Conclusion Rural-living KA immigrants’ depression can be significantly affected by race discrimination and SDOH factors, emphasizing the need for culturally competent interventions and services. Policymakers, federal and local governments, non-governmental organizations, and social workers can make joint efforts to address racial discrimination and improve the mental health services among immigrant populations, especially those living in rural areas.

Association of sleep timing and sleep variability with health-related outcomes in a sample of Brazilian adolescents

ABSTRACT Objectives This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the relationships of sleep timing and sleep variability with depressive symptoms, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), daytime sleepiness, and body mass index (BMI) in adolescents. Methods Adolescents from three schools (n = 571, 56% female, 16.3 ± 1.0 years) had their sleep examined by actigraphy, their anthropometrics assessed, and answered a survey. Sleep timing was examined by combining groups of median-dichotomized onset and wakeup times (early onset and early wakeup; early onset and late wakeup; later onset and early wakeup; later onset and later wakeup); sleep variability was based on within-participant standard deviations of onset and wakeup; and sleep duration as the length of time between onset and wakeup. The sleep variables were separated for weekdays and weekend. Mixed linear models were fitted to compare each sleep variable with health-related outcomes. Results Higher values of daytime sleepiness were observed in adolescents from the late-early and late-late timing group during the week. Greater sleep midpoint and wakeup variability on weekdays were related with higher daytime sleepiness. Adolescents in the late-late and early-late groups showed higher daytime sleepiness. Increased of all sleep variability variables was related with greater daytime sleepiness. Higher depressive symptoms scores were found among adolescents in the late-early subgroup and with the increase of sleep variability. Participants with greater sleep onset variability and sleep midpoint variability reported less HRQoL. Conclusions Not only sleep duration, but sleep timing and variability also relate to health outcomes, and should be addressed by policies and interventions among adolescents.

Actigraphic Correlates of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Adults with Focal Epilepsy.

Disability in patients with epilepsy (PWE) is multifactorial: beyond seizure frequency/severity, PWE are prone to a range of neuropsychiatric, cognitive, and somatic comorbidities that significantly impact quality of life. Here, we explored how variations in seizure severity and the burden of self-reported somatic/neuropsychiatric symptoms correlate with disruptions to 24h activity patterns (rest-activity rhythms, RARs), determined through wrist accelerometry/actigraphy. Multiday wrist-actigraphy recordings were obtained from 59 adult patients with focal epilepsy (44% male, ages 18-72), who contemporaneously responded to validated psychometric instruments to measure anxiety, depression, sleepiness, and somatic symptoms. We conducted a similar in silico psychometric-actigraphic correlation in a publicly available dataset of 1747 Hispanic subjects (35% male, ages 18-65) from the Study of Latinos (SOL) Sueño Ancillary Study. RARs were analyzed via a sigmoidally-transformed cosine model (quantifying amplitude, steepness, acrophase and robustness) and non-parametric measures to estimate RAR stability, fragmentation, and sleep. Compared with matched SOL subjects, RARs from PWE subjects featured a significantly lower amplitude, a wider rest phase and significantly more total daily sleep. Within PWE, similar RAR distortions were associated with seizure intractability and/or anticonvulsant polytherapy, whereas high anxiety, depression, and somatic symptom scores were associated with lower RAR robustness and acrophase delay. We applied the SOL dataset to train logistic regression models to dichotomously classify subjective anxiety, depression and sleepiness symptoms using demographic and RAR parameters. When tested on PWE, these models predicted prevalent anxiety and depression symptom burden (accuracy ~70%) but failed to predict subjective sleepiness. Together, these results demonstrate that RAR features may encode prevalent depression and anxiety symptoms in patients with focal epilepsy, potentially offering wearable-derived endpoints to adjunct clinical care and drug/device trials. With larger PWE-specific actigraphic-psychometric datasets, we may identify RAR signatures that may more precisely correlate with varying seizure frequency, the burden of anticonvulsant therapy and prevalent mood/anxiety symptoms.

Associations between frequent nightmares, nightmare distress and depressive symptoms in adolescent psychiatric patients

BackgroundNightmares are common in patients with psychiatric disorders. Patients with psychiatric disorders often experience depressive symptoms. Nightmares have been associated with depressive symptoms among adolescents. Previous studies have explored the mediating role of nightmare distress in the relationship between frequent nightmares and depressive symptoms in the general adolescent population. We aimed to explore the associations between frequent nightmares, nightmare distress, and depressive symptoms in Chinese adolescent patients with psychiatric disorders. MethodsA total of 408 adolescents participated in this study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to measure nightmare frequency, nightmare distress, depressive symptoms, and covariates. Linear regressions and mediation analyses were performed to examine the associations between nightmare frequency, nightmare distress, and depressive symptoms. ResultsThe mean age of participants was 15.31 ± 1.88 years, and 152 (37.3%) were boys. The prevalence of frequent nightmares in adolescent patients with psychosis was 49.3%. Girls reported more frequent nightmares and had significantly higher scores of depressive symptoms and nightmare distress. Patients with frequent nightmares had higher scores of nightmare distress and depressive symptoms. Frequent nightmares and nightmare distress were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Nightmare distress had a full mediating effect on the correlation between frequent nightmares and depressive symptoms. ConclusionsIn Chinese adolescent patients with psychiatric disorders, frequent nightmares and nightmare distress were associated with depressive symptoms, whereas the association between frequent nightmares and depressive symptoms was mediated by nightmare distress. Interventions for nightmare distress may be more useful in reducing depressive symptoms in adolescent patients with psychiatric disorders.

Bidirectional longitudinal associations between balance performance and depressive symptoms in older adults: A cross-lagged panel model

BackgroundEvidence on the temporal sequences between balance and depressive symptoms is limited, and no studies have compared the strength of each direction. This study aimed to assess the association between balance performance and depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults, and further to explore the driving factors in the dynamic association. MethodsData were obtained from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA). Overall, 3971 community-residing adults aged 50 years or older were assessed at 2004/05, 2008/09, and 2012/13. Balance was measured using three progressively more difficult tasks (side-by-side, semi-tandem, and full-tandem). Depressive symptoms were determined with a dichotomous eight-item version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Cross-lagged panel models were used to test the reciprocal relationships between balance and depressive symptoms. ResultsOur analyses revealed that earlier poorer balance predicted later worse depressive symptoms consistently across waves (βW2-W4 = −0.058, P < .05, βW4-W6 = −0.067, P < .001). Conversely, the higher scores of depressive symptoms at wave 4 predicted lower level of balance at wave 6 (βW4-W6 = −0.038, P = .018). The cross-lagged effects of balance on depressive symptoms were over all stronger than the reverse effects. ConclusionsThese findings add novel insights into the temporal directionality of balance and depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults, and suggest that a predominance of balance disorder effects. Interventional strategy should aim to increase balance ability from earlier stages to promote successful aging.

Allostatic Load and Depression Symptoms in Cancer Survivors: A National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Study.

Individuals with cancer often experience stress throughout the cancer trajectory and have a high risk of experiencing depression. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between allostatic load (AL), a measure of cumulative stress-related physiologic dysregulation of different body systems, and symptoms of depression in cancer survivors. Participants were 294 adult cancer survivors from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2007-2018). Allostatic load was measured using 14 indicators representing cardiometabolic risk, glucose metabolism, cardiopulmonary functioning, parasympathetic functioning, and inflammation. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. The relationship between AL and depressive symptoms was investigated using multiple regression adjusted for diverse sociodemographic and diagnosis variables. Higher AL was associated with higher depressive symptom scores. The higher risk of depression was concentrated among those survivors in the highest AL quartile, with 21% (95% confidence interval, 11%-32%) of survivors presenting a high risk of depression compared with 8% to 11% of survivors in the lower quartiles. In exploratory analyses, the relationship between AL and depressive symptoms was only significant among survivors with a lower income. In contrast, in survivors in the highest income group, depressive symptoms were lower and unrelated to AL. High AL is associated with more depressive symptoms among cancer survivors. Nurses have an important role in identifying psychological distress in cancer patients and survivors. Further research is needed to investigate the usefulness of AL as a marker in the context of cancer follow-up care and screening for psychological distress.

Internet use and depressive symptoms among Chinese older adults: Two sides of internet use.

To explore the relationship between internet use which includes time spent on the internet, internet skills, types of online activities, and depressive symptoms in older adults. We used 2020 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) data with 3,171 older adults aged 60 years. Depression symptoms were measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D), and internet use was measured by time spent on the internet, internet skills, and types of online activities. Multiple linear regression models were used to explore the relationship between internet use and depressive symptoms in older adults. Longer time spent on the internet was associated with higher scores of depressive symptoms (β = 0.14). Higher internet skills were associated with lower scores of depressive symptoms (β = -0.42). Watching short-form videos (β = 1.34) was associated with higher depressive symptom scores, and the use of the WeChat function (β = -0.96) was associated with lower depressive symptom scores, while online games and online shopping were not significant. The effect of internet use on depressive symptoms in older adults is a double-edged sword. Controlling the time spent on the internet, improving internet skills, and guiding specific a type of online activities in older adults can improve depressive symptoms through rational use.

Maternal per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances exposures associated with higher depressive symptom scores among immigrant women in the Chemicals in Our Bodies cohort in San Francisco

BackgroundExposure to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) remains an important public health issue due to widespread detection and persistence in environmental media, slow metabolism in humans, and influences on physiological processes such as neurological signaling. Maternal depression is highly prevalent during pregnancy and postpartum and is potentially sensitive to PFAS. The health risks associated with PFAS may be further amplified in historically marginalized communities, including immigrants. ObjectiveEvaluate maternal concentrations of PFAS in association with depression scores during pregnancy and whether effects differ between US born and immigrant women. MethodsOur study sample included 282 US born and 235 immigrant pregnant women enrolled in the Chemicals in Our Bodies prospective birth cohort based in San Francisco, CA. We measured 12 PFAS in serum samples collected in the second trimester and depressive symptom scores were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Associations were estimated using linear regression, adjusting for maternal age, education, pre-pregnancy body mass index, and parity. Associations with a PFAS mixture were estimated using quantile g-computation. ResultsIn adjusted linear regression models, a twofold increase in two PFAS was associated with higher depression scores in the overall sample, and this association persisted only among immigrant women (β [95 % confidence interval]: perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (2.7 [0.7–4.7]) and methyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamide acetic acid (2.9 [1.2–4.7]). Quantile g-computation indicated that simultaneously increasing all PFAS in the mixture by one quartile was associated with increased depressive symptoms among immigrant women (mean change per quartile increase = 1.12 [0.002, 2.3]), and associations were stronger compared to US born women (mean change per quartile increase = 0.09 [-1.0, 0.8]). ConclusionsFindings provide new evidence that PFAS are associated with higher depression symptoms among immigrant women during pregnancy. Results can inform efforts to address environmental factors that may affect depression among US immigrants.

Factors associated with long-term use of digital devices in the electronic Framingham Heart Study

Long-term use of digital devices is critical for successful clinical or research use, but digital health studies are challenged by a rapid drop-off in participation. A nested e-cohort (eFHS) is embedded in the Framingham Heart Study and uses three system components: a new smartphone app, a digital blood pressure (BP) cuff, and a smartwatch. This study aims to identify factors associated with the use of individual eFHS system components over 1-year. Among 1948 eFHS enrollees, we examine participants who returned surveys within 90 days (n = 1918), and those who chose to use the smartwatch (n = 1243) and BP cuff (n = 1115). For each component, we investigate the same set of candidate predictors for usage and use generalized linear mixed models to select predictors (P < 0.1, P value from Z test statistic), adjusting for age, sex, and time (app use: 3-month period, device use: weekly). A multivariable model with the predictors selected from initial testing is used to identify factors associated with use of components (P < 0.05, P value from Z test statistic) adjusting for age, sex, and time. In multivariable models, older age is associated with higher use of all system components. Female sex and higher education levels are associated with higher completion of app-based surveys whereas higher scores for depressive symptoms, and lower than excellent self-rated health are associated with lower use of the smartwatch over the 12-month follow-up. Our findings show that sociodemographic and health related factors are significantly associated with long-term use of digital devices. Future research is needed to test interventional strategies focusing on these factors to evaluate improvement in long-term engagement.

Impact of main residential locations on depressive symptoms among older adults in China: A Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition analysis.

With the development of urbanization in China, the scale of internal migration and the number of immigrants among older adults are increasing. This requires paying attention to the living conditions and environment of immigrants. Many studies note a gap in the prevalence of depressive symptoms among older adults living in different main residential locations. However, few studies have examined the extent to which main residential locations influence depressive symptoms among older adults. This study aims to quantify the effect of main residential locations on depressive symptoms. For this study, we used data from the 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Health and Longevity Survey and randomly selected 8,210 individuals aged 65 years and older were from the community to determine the effect of main residential locations on depressive symptoms among older adults. We further used the Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition method to quantify the explanatory factors of depressive symptom gaps among older adults and to estimate the relative effect of individual characteristics on depressive symptoms. In this study, we noted significant differences in depressive symptoms among older adults in different main residential locations. Rural-urban migrants had higher depressive symptom scores (7.164). According to the Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition analysis, the high proportion of the depressive symptom gap can be explained by years of education, income, and exercise among different main residential locations groups. In addition, in the main parts of the explained differences, the proportions of the limitation of activities of daily living (2.28, 0.46, and -52.11%) showed opposite effects, while their share in different main residential locations groups varied widely. Urbanization has resulted in more rural people moving to urban areas in China; Rural-urban migrants have the highest prevalence of depressive symptoms, which needs attention. Thus, there is an urgent need to integrate the health insurance and pension policy for urban and rural residents. This study provides a basis for formulating health policies and promoting the mental health of older adults in China as well as in low- and middle-income countries.

The neuroanatomy of social trust predicts depression vulnerability

Trust attitude is a social personality trait linked with the estimation of others’ trustworthiness. Trusting others, however, can have substantial negative effects on mental health, such as the development of depression. Despite significant progress in understanding the neurobiology of trust, whether the neuroanatomy of trust is linked with depression vulnerability remains unknown. To investigate a link between the neuroanatomy of trust and depression vulnerability, we assessed trust and depressive symptoms and employed neuroimaging to acquire brain structure data of healthy participants. A high depressive symptom score was used as an indicator of depression vulnerability. The neuroanatomical results observed with the healthy sample were validated in a sample of clinically diagnosed depressive patients. We found significantly higher depressive symptoms among low trusters than among high trusters. Neuroanatomically, low trusters and depressive patients showed similar volume reduction in brain regions implicated in social cognition, including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), dorsomedial PFC, posterior cingulate, precuneus, and angular gyrus. Furthermore, the reduced volume of the DLPFC and precuneus mediated the relationship between trust and depressive symptoms. These findings contribute to understanding social- and neural-markers of depression vulnerability and may inform the development of social interventions to prevent pathological depression.

Living through the COVID-19 pandemic in Mauritius: mental well-being and dependence on Facebook

BackgroundThe unprecedented outbreak of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) resulted in numerous psychological consequences among young Mauritians. Prominently, an increase in Facebook usage during the pandemic was observed which could influenced the mental well-being of Facebook users.ObjectiveThe current study sought to explore how the pattern of use, as well as the purpose of Facebook usage, could impact the mental well-being of young Mauritian adults, before, during and after the pandemic-mediated confinement.MethodA cross-sectional approach using a sample of 378 young adults was chosen with a self-administered questionnaire shared through online mediums. The instrument consisted of a combination of validated scales and self-developed items.ResultsThe findings revealed a radical proliferation of social media (91%) through a self-perceived dependency for its informative purpose and related addiction; as well as an evolution of adverse psychological effects characterized by a spectrum of feelings such as restlessness and lowered self-esteem. Higher scores of depressive symptoms were observed during the confinement period (10.05 ± 0.13) as opposed to pre- (0.31 ± 0.79) and post- (0.38 ± 0.09) temporal zones. The lowest scores of mental well-being were noted during the confinement period (0.77 ± 1.8) as compared to pre-confinement (6.56 ± 1.42) and a remarkable recovery was observed post the confinement phase (6.68 ± 1.32). Changes in emotional states were also identified as important predictors of Facebook addiction (χ2(1) = 94.54, p < 0.001) with 48.8% of the variation in the reported addiction behavior matched with 92.6% of perceived addictive characteristics.ConclusionFacebook dependency during the lockdown period was paired with a number of adverse psychological effects among young Mauritians; effects which were likely associated with the frequency and purpose of Facebook use during the pandemic.