Increase In Physical Symptoms Research Articles

Psychosocial Adaptation in Lung Cancer Patients: a Literature Review

ABSTRACT Lung cancer is one type of cancer with the highest mortality rate, this is often due to delays in diagnosis and the impact of prognosis which can affect the psychosocial adaptation of lung cancer patients. Analyze psychosocial adaptation problems in lung cancer patients, their impacts, and treatment strategies. Systematic review used the PRISMA protocol and JBI scoring tool to determine eligible articles. Five electronic databases were used (Pubmed; Science Direct and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria included research on lung cancer published in English in the last ten years (2014-2024). The results showed that 20 articles met the inclusion criteria. The results of the review show several common problems experienced by lung cancer patients, including depression, anxiety, social isolation, stigmatization, mental health problems, and difficulties in adaptation. The impact is a decrease in emotional well-being, a reduction in quality of life, an increase in physical symptoms, and a worsening of the disease prognosis. Several prevention strategies include providing multidisciplinary therapy through supportive and palliative care, improving the quality of psychosocial health services, cognitive behavioral therapy, social support therapy, psycho-education, increasing social support, spiritual treatment, increasing healthy behavior, and using confrontation and stress coping. Psychosocial problems experienced by lung cancer patients are often complex and can include various aspects. Several common issues experienced by lung cancer patients are related to psychosocial problems. The impact of psychosocial problems can worsen the prognosis of lung cancer so several treatment efforts are needed to overcome psychosocial problems in lung cancer patients. Keywords: Adaptation, Lung Cancer, Literature Review, Psychosocial

THE EFFECT OF INTRA-INFUSION EXERCISE ON CHEMOTHERAPY SIDE EFFECTS; AN INTERIM ANALYSIS

INTRODUCTION Chemotherapy treatment results in side effects that impact quality of life and physical activity behaviours. Aerobic exercise in parallel with chemotherapy reduces side effects particularly fatigue and improves quality of life. Our recent clinical pilot work has shown that an acute bout of aerobic exercise increases blood flow to tumours. Therefore, if exercise is performed during chemotherapy (intra-infusion exercise), the result may be increased drug delivery and treatment efficacy. Intra-infusion exercise also provides a supervised opportunity to overcome patient-reported barriers to exercise during a period where a patient would be otherwise sedentary. AIM: The aim of this ongoing randomised controlled trial is to determine the effects of aerobic intra-infusion exercise on chemotherapy side effects and physical activity behaviours. METHODS Adults under 75 years receiving chemotherapy with stage I-III breast, colorectal or ovarian cancer, and ECOG 0-2 were eligible. Four chemotherapy sessions were included, cycle 1 (C1) a baseline and cycles 2-4 (C2-4) included exercise intervention or usual care. The exercise task was 20-minutes of moderate intensity cycling (40-50% heart rate reserve) during infusion. All participants received exercise education. A 7-day symptom diary (including Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) and Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS)) was completed following C1-C4 and an activity monitor worn. RESULTS Nineteen participants have completed the trial (79% female), with no adverse events reported in either group. Physical symptoms increased across cycles in both groups (p=0.003). 1-week mean ESAS physical symptoms total in the exercise group (C1 16±9.8, C4 23±13.7) and control group (C1 18±7.1, C4 23±12.7) were similar. No significant effects were seen for fatigue or step count. CONCLUSION Intra-infusion exercise is safe and does not increase side effects in patients receiving chemotherapy. Expected increases in physical symptoms were observed without difference between usual care and exercise. Further analysis with ongoing recruitment will continue to examine any differences between groups.

Association between Perceived Control and Quality of Life among Patients with Breast Cancer: Structural Equation Analysis

Objective. Perceived control refers to an individual’s subjective perception, affective experience, or cognitive beliefs regarding their level of control. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived control and quality of life (QoL) among breast cancer (BC) patients using a structural equation model. Method. Participants (N = 80) completed questionnaire surveys on perceived control and QoL using the Cancer Experience and Efficacy Scale (CEES) and the Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30 V3.0), respectively. Structural equation modeling was employed to examine the associations between perceived control factors, including cancer experience and control efficacy, and QoL. Results. The QoL in BC patients was found to be significantly negatively correlated with physical symptoms, accounting for 51.6%. This indicates that the QoL of patients decreased by 51.6% with each unit increase in physical symptoms. In terms of perceived control among BC patients, socioeconomic strain exerted the greatest influence on cancer experience, accounting for 44.3%, followed by emotional strain and personal strain at 40.08% and 34.6%, respectively. Group efficacy had the highest impact on control efficacy at 43.0%, followed by individual efficacy and medical efficacy at 41.8% and 29.7%, respectively. QoL in BC patients decreased by 4.2% with every unit increase in cancer experience but improved by 3.5% with every unit increase in control efficacy. Conclusion. The structural equation model facilitates a comprehensive understanding of the interrelationships among various variables in perceived control and QoL among BC patients. The cancer experience in perceived control is negatively correlated with the QoL, whereas control efficiency demonstrates a positive correlation with QoL. Consequently, healthcare professionals should implement appropriate interventions to alleviate physical symptoms and enhance control efficiency, thereby improving both perceived control and QoL levels among BC patients. This trial is registered with ChiCTR2300069476.

Changes in Depressive Symptoms, Physical Symptoms, and Sleep-Wake Problems from before to during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Emerging Adults: Inequalities by Gender, Socioeconomic Position, and Race.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on emerging adults is of global concern. We examine changes in depressive symptoms, physical symptoms, and sleep-wake problems from before to during the pandemic among college students, and examine inequalities by gender, socioeconomic status (SES), and race (N=263, 52% Black, 48% White, 53% female). As compared to pre-pandemic levels, increases were evident in depressive symptoms, physical symptoms, and sleep problems. Females had greater increases than males in depressive symptoms, sleep problems, and physical symptoms. Students from disadvantaged SES backgrounds had greater increases in physical symptoms. Among White students, those from disadvantaged backgrounds also had greater increases in sleep problems. Lastly, daytime sleepiness increased more among Black male than White male students. Overall, findings suggest notable shifts in sleep and health during the early phase of the pandemic among emerging adults, and that attention to inequality by gender, SES, and race is warranted.

Differences by race in patient-reported symptoms during chemotherapy among women with early-stage, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

6528 Background: Symptom burden may contribute to racial differences in cancer treatment adherence and survival. Evidence on changes in symptom burden during chemotherapy and whether these differ by race is scarce. We used patient reported outcomes data collected before and after breast cancer chemotherapy initiation to compare symptom burden by race. Methods: Using electronic medical records of a large cancer center in the southern region of the US, we identified Black and White women diagnosed with stage I-III, hormone-receptor positive breast cancer from January 2007 to December 2015. A tablet-based platform [ConcertAI] was used to collect patient reported symptoms at the point of care. We included patients with at least one completed symptom report before and during chemotherapy. We focused on two standardized composite scores – physical symptoms and treatment side-effect (mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10), and calculated changes in symptoms using the closest report before chemotherapy and the most severe score reported during chemotherapy. Patients with a 10-point increase were classified as having a clinically meaningful increase in symptom burden. We used Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition to quantify racial differences in symptom burden change explained by baseline characteristics. These included baseline symptom scores, sociodemographic characteristics (age, regional level household income and education, state) and clinical characteristics (cancer stage and primary chemo regimen). Results: Among 1,167 included patients, Black women (30%) were younger (52 vs. 55 years old, p<.001), more likely to live in areas with lower median household income and less education, and reported most severe scores about 2 weeks later than White women ( p<.05). They were also more likely to report a 10-point increase in symptom burden for physical (68.5% vs. 61.2%, p=.017) and side-effects symptoms score (49.0% vs. 41.4%, p=.015). This was driven by larger increases in selected individual symptoms among Black women, such as sweating, itching, and numbness (under physical symptom score), and hair loss and taste change (under side-effect score). Decomposition analyses showed that baseline characteristics (especially primary chemo regimen) explained 79.2% ( p=.002) and 35.2% ( p=.131) of the increased probability of Black women reporting a 10-point increase in physical symptom and side-effects scores respectively. Conclusions: Black women with early-stage breast cancer were more likely to report a clinically meaningful increase in treatment side-effects and physical symptoms during chemotherapy compared to White women. Differences by race in physical symptoms scores were mostly explained by baseline characteristics. Future studies should examine whether racial differences in symptom burden translate into differences in treatment adherence and mortality.

THE IMPACT OF NEGATIVE SOCIAL EXCHANGES ON ADULT PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH

As some health components may change across adulthood (CDC, 2019), social support for aging adults may be one way to optimize physical and mental health (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2018). When social encounters are negative, however, physical and mental health may be negatively affected (Chen & Feeley, 2013; Hawkley & Cacioppo, 2010). Negative social exchanges (NSE) have been linked to an increase in negative affect and a decrease in positive affect (Newsom et al., 2003), along with an increase in physical symptoms (Edwards et al., 2001). In order to examine the relations between age, NSE, and two components of health (chronic health conditions and mental health) two moderated regression analyses were conducted using data from 848 adults (Mage = 32.5 years). Studying chronic health conditions, the overall model was significant, [F(3, 838) = 40.31, p < .001; R2 = .36]. Significant main effects emerged for NSE and age, along with a significant interaction between age and NSE (b = 0.010, p < 0.05). As NSE increased, the number of chronic health conditions increased, especially for older adults. For mental health, the overall model was significant [F(3, 845) = 52.96, p < .001; R2 = 0.16]. A significant main effect emerged for NSE, but neither the main effect for age nor the interaction were significant. Thus, although NSE can have deleterious effects on both mental and physical health, special attention needs to focus on the physical health of older adults who experience a higher number of NSE.

Effects of bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy on menopausal symptoms and sexual functioning among women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation

IntroductionProphylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) is recommended at an early age to BRCA mutation carriers to prevent ovarian cancer. It is critical to evaluate the impact of BSO on non-cancer outcomes, including quality of life (QOL), menopausal symptoms and sexual functioning. MethodsBRCA mutation carriers who elected to undergo a BSO completed three questionnaires prior to surgery and then again approximately one and three years following surgery which included: 1) medical history questionnaire, 2) Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Intervention questionnaire and 3) Sexual Activity Questionnaire. The change in quality of life, menopausal symptoms and sexual functioning before and after oophorectomy was determined using a paired t-test and stratified by menopausal status at surgery. ResultsWe included 140 BRCA mutation carriers with an average follow-up of 3.5 years following BSO. Among 93 women who were premenopausal, oophorectomy was associated with an increase in menopausal symptoms (vasomotor, physical) (P < 0.001) and a decline in sexual functioning (discomfort, pleasure) (P ≤ 0.0001), but had no impact on overall QOL (P = 0.31). HRT mitigated, but did not eliminate the adverse effects. Women who were postmenopausal at surgery (n = 47) experienced an increase in physical symptoms (P = 0.03) and a decline in sexual functioning (discomfort) (P = 0.004) and in overall QOL (P = 0.04). ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that 3.5 years after oophorectomy, BRCA mutation carriers experience a significant worsening of menopausal symptoms and a decline in sexual functioning, particularly among those who underwent surgery prior to natural menopause. The use of HRT mitigated some but not all the effects. Overall, women who were premenopausal at surgery did not experience a decline in their QOL.

Early Adverse Experiences and Health: The Transition to College.

This study cross-sectionally and prospectively examined the impact of adversity experienced prior to college on the health and well-being of students adjusting to their first college semester. Two-hundred sixteen (216) first-year students completed measures of adverse life experiences, perceived stress, physical symptoms, and health-related behaviors during the first 2 weeks of college entry and again at the end of the first semester. Reported adversity prior to college predicted greater perceived stress and physical symptoms at college entry and an increase in physical symptoms over the semester; perceived stress mediated the prospective changes. Early adversity predicted smoking, alcohol use problems, and risky sexual behavior at college entry, but was unrelated to the change in smoking, alcohol use problems, or risky sexual behavior. Adversity was not related to drug use at college entry but did predict change in drug use over the semester. Some risk factors associated with early adversity are present when students matriculate, but adversity also may impact mental and physical health prospectively during the transition to college. Interventions directed at reducing distress may prevent negative developmental consequences.

Passion for a Cause: How It Affects Health and Subjective Well-Being.

Using the dualistic model of passion (Vallerand et al., 2003), this research investigated how harmonious passion (HP) or obsessive passion (OP) for a cause can affect volunteers' health and subjective well-being. Three studies with volunteers for local (local emergency crises and community help) and international (humanitarian missions) causes assessed physical and psychological health using cross-sectional and longitudinal designs. Study 1 (N = 108) showed that HP was positively related to satisfaction with one's involvement in the cause and unrelated to physical injuries due to cause involvement. OP was unrelated to satisfaction but positively associated with injuries. Findings were replicated in Study 2 (N = 83). Moreover, self-neglect mediated the positive and negative effects of HP and OP, respectively, on injuries. Study 3 (N = 77) revealed that HP predicted an increase in satisfaction and health over a 3-month mission. OP predicted an increase in physical symptoms and a decrease in health. Furthermore, OP before a mission was positively related to self-neglect that was positively associated with physical symptoms after a mission. OP also positively predicted rumination that was conducive to posttraumatic stress disorder. HP was unrelated to these variables. Findings underscore the role of passion for a cause in predicting intrapersonal outcomes of volunteers.

Gene–Environment Processes Linking Peer Victimization and Physical Health Problems: A Longitudinal Twin Study

This study examined whether (a) a genetic disposition for physical health problems increases the risk of peer victimization and (b) peer victimization interacts with genetic vulnerability in explaining physical health problems. Participants were 167 monozygotic and 119 dizyogtic twin pairs. Physical symptoms were assessed in early childhood and early adolescence. Peer victimization was assessed in middle childhood. Genetic vulnerability for physical health problems in early childhood was unrelated to later peer victimization, but genetic vulnerability for physical health problems during early adolescence increased the risk of victimization. Victimization did not interact with genetic factors in predicting physical symptoms. Environmental, not genetic, factors had the greatest influence on the development of physical symptoms in victims. Genetic vulnerability for physical health problems in early adolescence increases the risk of peer victimization. Whether victims suffer a further increase in physical symptoms depends on the presence of protective environmental factors.

Acute Exercise Effects on Craving and Withdrawal Symptoms among Women Attempting to Quit Smoking Using Nicotine Replacement Therapy

Background: Cigarette cravings are one of the most often expressed difficulties related to quitting. The effect of acute exercise on craving and withdrawal symptoms during a pharmacological based smoking cessation intervention is unknown. Methods: Participants included female smokers (n = 178) undertaking the Getting Physical on Cigarettes trial — a 14-week exercise-aided nicotine replacement therapy (NRT, i.e. patch) cessation program. They completed the Shiffman-Jarvik scale immediately before and after the first scheduled exercise session during weeks 5, 11, and 13. The first exercise session (week 5) occurred shortly after participants quit smoking (week 4) and began their 21 mg NRT patch dose. The second and third exercise bout coincided soon after participants stepped down their NRT strength to 14 mg (week 11) and 7 mg (week 13), respectively. Results: Significant reductions in cigarette craving were demonstrated following exercise at all three time points (i.e. week 5, 11, and 13). Significant reductions in psychological and sedation withdrawal symptoms were shown at week 5 and 11, but not at week 13. Significant increases in physical symptoms were found at week 5 and 11, but not week 13. No significant change in appetite was evident at any time point. Conclusions: An acute bout of moderate intensity exercise can alleviate cravings as well as psychological and sedation withdrawal symptoms in quitters during a 14-week exercise-aided NRT smoking cessation program. Promoting exercise among women using NRT is recommended.

Health-related quality of life in women with newly diagnosed polycystic ovary syndrome randomized between clomifene citrate plus metformin or clomifene citrate plus placebo

What is the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) undergoing ovulation induction with clomifene citrate (CC) combined with metformin compared with those using CC combined with placebo? Overall quality of life in women with PCOS treated with CC plus metformin was significantly lower than in women treated with CC plus placebo. There are no data on HRQoL in adult women who receive ovulation induction with the purpose of conceiving. Women with PCOS have higher scores on depression and anxiety scales and lower QoL scores than women without PCOS. This study was a secondary analysis of a multi-centre RCT completed between June 2001 and May 2004. The randomization was stratified per centre, and the centres received blinded, numbered containers with medication. There were172 women available for the HRQoL assessment: 85 were allocated to metformin and 87 were allocated to placebo. The Rotterdam Symptom Checklist (RSCL), a standard self-administered questionnaire, was used to assess physical symptoms, psychological distress, activity levels and overall HRQoL. In the intention to treat analysis, we found differences between the treatment groups with respect to physical symptoms and overall HRQoL. Physical well-being was significantly impaired in women allocated to metformin but not in women allocated to placebo. The increase in physical symptoms in the metformin group was caused by side-effects typical of metformin, and was most pronounced at Week 1 (mean difference 12 [95% confidence interval (CI): 8-16] and still apparent at Week 16 [mean difference 7 (95% CI 2-12]. Overall well-being was significantly impaired in the metformin group compared with the placebo group [mean difference 13 (95% CI 6-20)]. RSCL measurements were available only for three quarters of the participants. Although the number of missing questionnaires and the baseline measurements, were comparable between the treatment groups, some form of selection bias cannot be ruled out. Our finding that metformin was more burdensome than placebo, strengthens the recommendation that CC only and not CC plus metformin should be the drug of choice in this patient population. None of the authors declared a conflict of interest. There was no study funding. ISRCTN55906981.

Urinary metabolites before and after cleanup and subjective symptoms in volunteer participants in cleanup of the Hebei Spirit oil spill

BackgroundOn December 7th, 2007, the Hong Kong tanker Hebei Spirit (HS) (146,848tons) was crushed by a crane ship near the shore of Taean, Korea. More than 12,547kl of crude oil spilled into the sea and contaminated the western coastline of the Korean peninsula. For a period of six months after the accident, approximately 1,000,000 volunteers participated in the cleanup. Our goal in this study was to examine the exposure status and acute health effects on volunteers that participated in the oil spill cleanup. MethodsA survey questionnaire was filled out by 565 volunteers, requesting information regarding physical symptoms. Out of the total number of participants, urine samples from 105 university student volunteers were collected before and after the cleanup work, and metabolite levels of volatile organic compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were analyzed. ResultsVolunteers that participated for longer cleanup work reported an increase in physical symptoms including visual disturbance, nasal and bronchus irritation, headaches, heart palpitations, fatigue and fever, memory and cognitive disturbance, and abdominal pain. The levels of t,t-muconic acid, mandelic acid, and 1-hydroxypyrene were significantly higher in samples after cleanup than those measured before participation (p<0.05). Other than the associated risk of dermal irritation with the difference in the t,t-muconic acid level between the post- to pre-cleanup levels, no other physical symptoms demonstrated a significant association with changes observed in the levels of urinary metabolites. ConclusionsBased on the significant increase of subjective symptoms in volunteers participating in the study, monitoring of the long term health effects, focusing on those with longer exposure, is warranted.

Psychological aspects of patients with Fabry disease

The Minnesota Muliphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) is widely used in chronic illness and chronic pain populations to assess psychological functioning. We report the results of the first investigation using the MMPI-2 to assess psychological aspects of patients with Fabry disease. Fabry disease, an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder, is a multisystem progressive disease affecting the kidney, heart, and central nervous system, and is particularly associated with chronic symptoms including pain. In this study, 28 patients with Fabry disease completed the MMPI-2 and a background questionnaire. Fabry disease patients scored significantly higher than the MMPI-2 normative sample on seven clinical scales (Hs, D, Hy, Pd, Pa, Pt, Sc) and two validity scales (L, F). Individuals with elevated scores on the Hs, D, and Hy scales tend to have somatic complaints, sadness, and emotional distress. Under stress, they may experience an increase in physical symptoms. Elevated Pd, Pa, Pt, and Sc scales suggest social maladjustment, suspiciousness, and feelings of isolation. An elevated L scale suggests defensiveness; a high score on F suggests emotional turmoil. When compared with cohorts of patients with Gaucher disease (GD), chronic heart disease (CRHD), and chronic pain, the Fabry disease patients had significantly higher scores than GD patients and CRHD patients on numerous clinical (Hs, D, Si), and validity (F) scales underscoring the relative amount of suffering and pain experienced by Fabry disease patients. No significant differences on any MMPI-2 scales were found between the Fabry disease patients and the pain patients, suggesting that Fabry disease patients may be comparable to pain patient populations.

Patterns of mood changes throughout the reproductive cycle in healthy women without premenstrual dysphoric disorders

Objective The cyclic nature of female reproductive function is a natural part of life accompanied by changes in several physical and psychological phenomena. The aim of our study was to investigate the fluctuation of psychological symptoms throughout the female reproductive cycle in healthy, non-PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) women. Method 63 psychiatrically healthy, non-PMDD women with normal regular menstrual cycles and not using hormonal contraceptive methods participated in the study. Participants completed the PRISM (Prospective Record of the Impact and Severity of Menstrual Symptoms) calendar every night for three cycles and in addition they completed several other psychometric measures (Symptom Distress Checklist-SCL-51, State Trait Anxiety Inventory-STAI, Zung Self-rating Depression Scale-ZSDS, Eating Attitude Test-EAT, Mind and Body Cathexis Scale) at three predefined days of the first cycle. Based on an at least 66% increase in physical symptoms from the late follicular to the late luteal phase on the PRISM, subjects were assigned to luteal phase physical symptoms (LPPS) and no luteal phase physical symptoms (nonLPPS) groups. The association of psychometric scores with timing within the cycle and with physical symptoms was analysed. Results Significant changes in psychometric scores over time were observed for STAI state anxiety, SCL anxiety, SCL somatization, SCL depression, SCL obsessive-compulsive, SCL interpersonal sensitivity, SCL total, and ZSDS. A significant time × LPPS grouping interaction emerged in case of the SCL somatization subscale and the ZSDS. LPPS grouping was associated with only the interpersonal sensitivity subscale of the SCL51. Conclusion Our results indicate that there is a significant increase in psychological symptoms related to neuroticism and depression from the late follicular to the late luteal phase in a healthy, non-PMDD female population. Although our results may not have direct clinical significance, since the statistically significant increases in psychometric scores are still small, it is an important finding that there is a consistent pattern observable in the fluctuation of psychological symptoms accompanying the female reproductive cycle.

Impact of uncertainty associated with a child's chronic health condition on parents' health.

We investigated whether uncertainty about the impact of children's chronic health conditions on their daily lives leads to changes in mothers' and fathers' mental and physical health. Three waves of data were collected over three years from parents of 228 children with chronic health conditions. Parents reported their level of uncertainty about how the child's health condition affected the child's daily life, as well as measures of their own mental and physical health at each wave of data collection. Results of structural equation models indicate that, among mothers, more illness-related uncertainty was associated with a subsequent increase in psychological symptoms relative to other mothers in the study. Psychological symptoms, in turn, were associated with a subsequent increase in physical symptoms among mothers. Uncertainty did not affect fathers' health. Illness-related uncertainty may be a risk factor for psychological and physical symptoms in mothers of children with chronic health conditions. As such, interventions that address uncertainty related to the child's chronic health condition may improve psychological and physical well-being of mothers of children with chronic health conditions.

Diurnal cortisol secretion and 2-year changes in older adults' physical symptoms: The moderating roles of negative affect and sleep.

This study examined whether the association between cortisol secretion and changes in physical health symptoms would depend on other factors in a person's life. The authors expected that physical health effects would emerge particularly when cortisol disturbances co-occur in the context of high levels of trait negative affect or poor sleep. Physical symptoms, diurnal cortisol secretion, affective tendencies, and sleep efficiency were assessed in a 2-yr longitudinal study of 184 older adults. Two-year changes in physical symptoms. High cortisol levels were associated with increases in physical symptoms, but only among participants who experienced high negative affect and poor sleep. Elevated levels of cortisol secretion contribute to older adults' physical symptoms if they co-occur in the context of other emotional and behavioral problems. By contrast, cortisol disturbances may not influence physical symptoms among people who are emotionally well or engage in efficient sleep behaviors.

Maintaining Self-Rated Health Through Social Comparison in Old Age

When self-related health (SRH) is under threat, people may use self-enhancement through social comparison to buffer against the threat. Because SRH is under greater threat among older than among younger adults, the benefit of social comparison on SRH may be greater for them. To test this, Study 1 examined ratings on physical attributes for self and "someone of the same age" among 592 Hong Kong Chinese, across young, middle, and old age. Findings suggested that perceiving one's physical self as better than others produced a larger gain in self-rated health in older than in younger people. Study 2 showed longitudinally that, among older adults, an increase in physical symptoms over time was associated with a worsening SRH, which was then positively associated with physical self-enhancement. This improved physical self in turn partially recovered the damage to SRH.

Stress and Blood Pressure in Kuna Amerinds

Is migration from isolated indigenous island communities to Panama City associated with an increase in stress? Individuals were randomly sampled from two Kuna communities: 325 individuals in Panama City and 133 on a Caribbean island. Stress was assessed through the Milcom questionnaire, which explores physical symptoms and symptoms relevant to mood and emotional state, and Cantril's ladder, which examines life satisfaction. Physical symptoms were more common in the urban community (p < 0.001), and complaints reflecting mood were also significantly higher on the mainland (p < 0.001); the two measures were highly correlated. While systolic and diastolic blood pressure was higher in the mainland community (p < 0.001), there was no relation between blood pressure level and any index of stress. Despite unambiguous evidence of an increase in stress in migrants to the city, there was no indication that the stress contributed to the rise in blood pressure level. Migration to an urban setting is associated with an increase in physical symptoms and symptoms reflecting depressed mood, suggesting increased stress level. Life satisfaction is less influenced, possibly providing a measure of the degree of stress.

Mild acute inflammatory stimulation induces transient negative mood

Objective This study aims to assess the mood changes induced by mild acute inflammatory stimulation (typhoid vaccination). Methods Using a double blind study design, 26 healthy volunteers underwent baseline assessments of mood, financial strain and work stress and were randomised to injection of Salmonella typhi vaccine or placebo injection. Mood, symptoms and body temperature was assessed by a modified version of the Profile of Mood States at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 h post injection. Results Typhoid vaccination induces no increases in physical symptoms or temperature. Mood improved over the day in the placebo but not in the vaccine condition. Negative changes in mood following injection were correlated with chronic stress (financial strain) in the vaccination condition ( r=−.65, P<.025). Conclusion A mild acute inflammatory stimulus induces transient negative mood, and responses were modulated by chronic stress. Implications for depressed mood in physical illness are discussed.