Indicators Of Functioning Research Articles

Empirical evidence for a process-based model of health-related quality of life using network analysis.

Health-related quality of life (HRQL) is the perceived impact of a medical condition on one's overall wellbeing. While contemporary assessments are structured to evaluate an individual's HRQL state, we propose a complementary process-based model, which is defined as an appraisal that evolves over time as it reflects and informs a self-regulatory process of adapting to dynamic changes in bio-psycho-social life domains. In support of this approach, we developed a novel HRQL assessment tool called the EUROIA: EvalUation of goal-diRected activities to prOmote wellbeIng and heAlth, which uses self-report data to assess the frequency with which individuals engage in a sample of goal-directed activities in pursuit of living well. We conducted a network analysis to evaluate the hypothesis that the EUROIA subscales would demonstrate a meaningful pattern of associations with an established HRQL measure and associated indices of psychosocial functioning and efficacy in self-managing a chronic medical condition. The EUROIA is associated with established indices of HRQL in a manner that is theoretically consistent with our process-based model. Stability coefficients (i.e., betweenness, closeness, and strength) of the analysis revealed high reliability for the network. This analysis provides support for the validation of a process-based approach to HRQL assessment, which is represented, in part, by the EUROIA. A process-based approach complements and expands conventional measures of HRQL by focusing on how a patient's capacity to engage in goal-directed activities for living well is affected by their medical condition.

Mindful Awareness Practices (MAPs) in Adolescents With ADHD and Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS): A Pilot Open Trial

Objective: Very few studies have investigated intervention approaches that may be efficacious for youth with ADHD and co-occurring cognitive disengagement syndrome (CDS) symptoms. This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a mindfulness-based intervention for adolescents with ADHD and co-occurring CDS symptoms. Methods: Fourteen adolescents ages 13 to 17 years (35.71% female; 64.29% White, 7.14% Black, 28.57% Multiracial) with ADHD and elevated CDS symptoms completed the 8-week group-based Mindful Awareness Practices (MAPs) program developed for individuals with ADHD. We collected measures of CDS, ADHD, mind-wandering, mindfulness, and other difficulties and functioning at baseline, 1-month post-intervention, and 3-month post-intervention to examine preliminary efficacy. We measured participant session attendance, session engagement, at-home practice adherence, and satisfaction of adolescents and caregivers at 1-month post-intervention to examine feasibility and acceptability. We also collected qualitative feedback from adolescents and caregivers at 1-month post-intervention. Results: The intervention was overall feasible to administer, and caregivers and adolescents reported satisfaction with the intervention despite some difficulties with attendance and engagement. We observed improvements to both caregiver- and adolescent-reported CDS symptoms and ADHD-inattentive symptoms from pre-intervention to post-intervention time points, though findings across 1- and 3-month follow-up differed based on informant. We also observed improvements to some indices of adolescent-reported mind-wandering, mindfulness, brooding rumination, and academic functioning. For caregiver report, the only other noted improvement was for executive functioning. No improvements were reported by teachers. Conclusions: Findings support the initial feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of MAPs for adolescents with ADHD and co-occurring CDS symptoms on a range of outcomes. Larger trials with a randomized design are warranted to further examine mindfulness-based interventions for adolescents with ADHD and co-occurring CDS symptoms.

Children’s vagal flexibility is a predictor and moderator of treatment response to early parenting interventions for inhibited youth

Behavioral inhibition (BI), a dispositional trait characterized by fear and withdrawal in the face of novelty, is a risk factor for the later diagnosis of anxiety; yet, not all inhibited children go on to develop anxiety disorders. Certain parenting behaviors moderate risk for anxiety among temperamentally inhibited youth, which has motivated the creation of early parenting interventions to mitigate this risk among young children high in BI. These programs vary in complexity, begging the question of who needs more or less intensive intervention. In addition, variability in children’s parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) functioning may provide insight into the substantial heterogeneity in anxiety outcomes for children high in BI. The current study investigates the role of vagal flexibility (VF), an index of non-linear change in PNS functioning, in children’s response to an early intervention for anxiety (ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT02308826). Participants ( n = 151, ages of 45–64 months) were randomized to participate in the Turtle Program (“Turtle”), a multi-component intervention comprising an adaptation of parent–child interaction therapy and social skills training, or Cool Little Kids (CLK), an established psychoeducational parenting intervention. Child participants also completed pre-, mid-, and post-treatment laboratory visits, which included a series of social stressor tasks preceded by a non-stressful but emotionally engaging video, during which cardiac physiology was recorded. Longitudinal latent profile analyses were used to identify latent non-linear trajectories of VF across the entire intervention (i.e., pre-, mid-, and post-treatment visits). Two latent classes were distinguished by the presence of high or low child VF across the treatment. Although VF class membership was not associated with intervention group membership, auxiliary within-class prediction models suggest that children who exhibited consistently greater VF demonstrated lower post-treatment clinician severity ratings of anxiety in Turtle, β = −0.21, p = .01, but not in CLK, β = 0.13, p = .39. Findings contribute to a broad literature demonstrating the utility of indices of PNS functioning in providing insight into risk for psychopathology and suggest that children’s VF moderates treatment response by supporting children’s ability to effectively engage in and extract benefits from intervention protocols. Implications for our understanding of the role children’s physiological regulation plays in the links between BI, parenting, risk for anxiety, and treatment response are discussed.

FEATURES OF LATE CORONARY ARTERY REVASCULARIZATION IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

Objective. To compare the results of surgical and conservative treatment of patients with acute myocardial infarction admitted to a medical institution 48 hours after the occurrence of a coronary event.Materials and methods. The analysis of surgical treatment and postoperative observation of 43 patients with acute coronary syndrome admitted to hospital treatment within 72 to 120 hours from the onset of acute myocardial infarction was performed. All patients were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 (n = 17) included patients who underwent PCI for vital indications due to the presence of one or more emergency conditions in patients. Group 2 (n = 26) included patients who were hospitalized in a stable condition: they had no pain syndrome, life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias; hemodynamic parameters were within normal limits. The patients underwent complex conservative therapy, PCI was recommended on a delayed basis.Results. Two months after the treatment, higher myocardial functioning indices, and, as a result, better quality of life, were recorded in patients in the surgical treatment group. A greater number of fatal complications were recorded in patients after myocardial revascularization (which is explained, in all likelihood, by the extensive area and depth of damage to the heart muscle), and the number of non-fatal complications prevails in the conservative treatment group.

Paternal depressive symptoms and infant respiratory sinus arrhythmia predict empathy-related behaviors.

Children with specific psychophysiological profiles may be more strongly affected by adverse environmental experiences. Guided by a biopsychosocial perspective, we examined whether infant respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), an index of parasympathetic functioning, moderates the associations between paternal postpartum depression (PPD) symptoms and infants' observed empathy-related responses. Participants were 142 families with infants (51% female) assessed at two time points. At T1 (3 months of age), fathers reported their depressive symptoms. Infants' cardiac activity was recorded during rest and estimates of RSA were calculated. In addition, infants' empathy-related responses during a maternal distress simulation were observed and rated at T2 (12 months of age). Higher paternal PPD at T1 predicted higher infant affective (i.e., affective concern) and cognitive (i.e., inquiring behaviors) responses to maternal distress at T2. Infant RSA moderated this relationship for cognitive responses, with a significant positive association only for children with high or average RSA. These findings contribute to the understanding of the psychophysiological mechanisms that support empathy development.

The potential of cognitive remediation therapy for improving the communication capabilities of adults with schizophrenia and other psychotic spectrum disorders.

Impairment in aspects of communication is a core diagnostic feature of schizophrenia and other psychotic spectrum disorders. These communication difficulties inhibit participation in a range of daily activities and affect relationships and quality of life. There has been little research focussed on communication outcomes in relation to cognitive remediation therapy within this population. Data collected as part of an implementation trial of the Computerised Interactive Remediation of Cognition and Thinking Skills (CIRCuiTS) program provided an opportunity to examine the potential for changes in communication capability to support activities of daily living. To survey changes in ratings of aspects of communication capability of adults with schizophrenia who completed the CIRCuiTS cognitive remediation therapy program. Thirty adults with schizophrenia and other psychotic spectrum disorders completed the CIRCuiTS therapy program as part of an implementation trial in 2018 and 2019. Most participants were male (93%) and inpatients at Bloomfield Hospital (73%) in Orange, New South Wales. Ratings on the Adaptive Behaviour Assessment System, Third Edition (ABAS3) were returned before and after completion of the CIRCuiTS program. The magnitude of changes in ABAS3 indices, the Communication scale and Functional academics scales were assessed between time points. Participants' mean adaptive functioning indices prior to the CIRCuiTS program were in the extremely low range (∼second percentile) and increased to the low range (∼seventh percentile) following this therapy, achieving large mean effect sizes (Cohen's d = 0.92-1.24). Significant improvements in functioning were observed on the ABAS3 Communication and Functional Academics scales, with large mean effect sizes on both scales (Cohen's d = 1.09 and 0.99 respectively). Improvements in ratings occurred on items including initiating conversations, talking and listening over longer periods, explaining more complex information, using lists and reminders and a schedule or diary, completing written forms and personal money management. Most participants were observed to make gains in aspects of communication. The results point to these aspects of communication as potential future targets for therapy with people with schizophrenia and other psychotic spectrum disorders. This study highlights the value and role of Speech and Language Therapists in cognitive remediation therapy. Further research seems warranted with participants with a broader range of demographic, clinical and functional capabilities, that controls for the effects of medications and other therapeutic interventions and utilises a more comprehensive assessment of communication. What is already known on the subject People with schizophrenia and other psychotic spectrum disorders experience impairment in cognitive functioning as well as communication capability that affects their daily functioning and quality of life. Cognitive remediation therapy has been shown to improve aspects of the daily functioning of people with schizophrenia and other psychotic spectrum disorders and is recommended in international treatment guidelines. However, very little research has been conducted to investigate the effectiveness of this therapy in addressing communication difficulties. What this paper adds to existing knowledge The present study found participants with schizophrenia and other psychotic spectrum disorders made significant improvements in important aspects of communication after completing the Computerised Interactive Remediation of Cognition and Thinking Skills cognitive remediation therapy program. The results point to the potential of cognitive remediation therapy as a therapeutic approach that is likely to improve communication capability. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? Cognitive remediation therapy is likely to be an important treatment for improving the communication capabilities of people with severe mental illness. This relatively new area of clinical practice and research highlights the value and potential of speech and language therapy in improving the communication capabilities of people with schizophrenia and other psychotic spectrum disorders.

Navigating recovery while postpartum: examining the relationship between maternal functioning and substance use disorders

Our current understanding of postpartum people’s functioning while managing substance use disorder (SUD) recovery is limited. This study explored whether having a SUD impacts maternal functioning and examined the reliability of the Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning (BIMF) in postpartum people with SUDs. We conducted a prospective, cross-sectional survey (n = 141) by administering the BIMF and a demographic questionnaire with a sample of postpartum people with SUD (n = 48) and a comparative sample of postpartum people without SUD (n = 93). The internal reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = .86) was consistent with previous studies. SUD diagnosis was significantly associated with lower functioning, with individuals in the SUD group having an 8-point lower BIMF score compared to persons without SUDs, although both groups reported moderately high BIMF scores (>80). While not statistically significant, participants with SUDs had reduced functioning scores over time. Considering the increasing rate of overdose deaths in postpartum persons, further examination of functioning in postpartum persons with SUDs is warranted. Integration of the BIMF into SUD screening and treatment can provide a holistic view of postpartum experiences in this high-risk population and serve as a unique tool to understand the needs of new mothers navigating SUD recovery.

Honesty starts from within: conceptualization and multimethod measurement of self-honesty as a core value

While the construct of self-deception has received ample theoretical and empirical attention, its virtuous counterpart—self-honesty—has been largely neglected. Yet, as argued here and elsewhere, the metacognitive practice of being honest with oneself may be among the most crucial concomitants of psychological growth and change. Consequently, drawing on theory and research from across several disciplines, this paper proposes a novel framework for understanding and measuring self-honesty as a core value. Using data from three separate studies that explore self-honesty via a newly developed self-report, implicit association test and an ecological momentary assessment measure, findings offer preliminary support for the construct of self-honesty as a distinct, psychometrically valid and reliable construct with relevance to multiple indices of psychological functioning. Pending further research, these findings have potentially far-reaching implications for our understanding and promotion of human virtue and flourishing.

Neurocognitive disparities: investigating ethnicity and mental health in rural aging adults.

We explored whether depression and anxiety moderated the association of ethnicity and neurocognitive functioning among a sample of Hispanic and non-Hispanic White rural aging adults. 1,462 rural dwelling adults (Mage = 59.4 years, SDage = 12.12) were included in the analysis for this study. MANCOVAs revealed a significant (ps < .001) multivariate effect of ethnicity on all five indices of neurocognitive functioning when controlling for anxiety and sociodemographic variables (V = .20, F(5,1,310) = 64.69) and depression and sociodemographic variables in the second model (V = .20, F(5,1310) = 65.80, p < .001). There was also a multivariate effect of anxiety (V = .02, F(5,1310) = 4.57, p < .001) and depression (V = .04, F(5, 1310) = 11.38, p < .001) on neurocognitive functioning when controlling for sociodemographic variables and ethnicity. Findings revealed that Hispanic rural aging adults scored lower on neurocognitive functioning compared to non-Hispanic White rural aging adults, irrespective of depression or anxiety. Depression and anxiety contributed to lower scores on neurocognitive functioning-yet this finding was not as robust. Culturally tailored interventions targeting risk factors for neurocognitive impairment in Hispanic rural aging adults are imperative to mitigate neurocognitive disparities. One possible reason for differences in neurocognitive functioning between Hispanic individuals and non-Hispanic individuals is stress as ethnic health disparities have been found to be shaped by a diverse range of lifetime stressors that are disproportionally exacerbated for ethnic minorities.

Validation of the Brief Index of Sexual Functioning for women and men (BISF-W and BISF-M) in an Italian sample.

The Brief Index of Sexual Functioning for Women (BISF-W) is an international 4-factors tool assessing qualitative and quantitative aspects of sexual experiences in women, both in clinical and experimental settings. The present research aims at validating an Italian version of the BISF-W, to develop a BISF version for men (BISF-M) to fill the gap in the existing sexual function evaluation tools in Italy and to analyze gender and age groups differences in the BISF factors. The research included 6,355 women, aged from 18 to 65 (M = 34.94, SD = 10.52) and 2,207 men, aged from 18 to 80 (M = 38.25, SD = 13.67), who completed the BISF-W and BISF-M. The Quality of Marriage Index (QMI) was administrated to both samples for testing divergent validity, while Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) were administered for testing convergent validity. Correlation analysis, MANOVA between gender and age and Confirmatory Factor Analysis were conducted. The CFAs confirmed that the proposed 4-factor model (Dyadic, Solitaire and Anal Sexuality, and Sexual Difficulties) is suitable both for the BISF-W and the BISF-M, demonstrated strong psychometric properties for assessing sexual functioning in both genders, with dyadic sexuality being the most important factor. MANOVA analysis showed significative differences in the factors' scores, according to gender and age. The BISF-W and the BISF-M are promising tools to address sexual functioning in individuals and couples, both in clinical and non-clinical settings. Gender and age differences are discussed regarding the potential use of BISF in the therapeutic context.

Prospective associations between early adolescent reward functioning and later dimensions of psychopathology.

Individual differences in reward functioning have been associated with numerous disorders in adolescence. Given relations with multiple forms of psychopathology, it is unclear whether these associations are disorder specific or reflective of shared variance across multiple disorders. In a sample of adolescents (N = 418), we examined associations between neural and self-reported indices of early reward functioning (age 12) with different levels of a hierarchical psychopathology model assessed later in adolescence (age 18). We examined whether prospective relationships between reward functioning are specific to individual disorders or better explained by transdiagnostic dimensions. We found modest results for prospective associations between reward indices and different dimensions of psychopathology, with most significant associations not surviving correction for multiple comparisons. We discuss the benefits and limitations of the modeling approach used to examine dimension-specific associations that future work can build on. Overall, more work is needed to better understand how reward functioning is specifically associated with different forms of and hierarchical levels of psychopathology. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The Effect of Tele-Continuous Care on Maternal Functioning and Neonatal Perception among Iranian Primiparous Mothers: A Randomized Field Trial Study

Background/Objectives: New mothers face significant challenges during the postpartum period, which can impact their maternal performance. This study aimed to assess the effect of tele-continuous midwifery care on maternal functioning and neonatal perception in first-time Iranian mothers. Methods: A randomized controlled field trial was conducted from January to May 2023 on 48 first-time mothers in the postpartum ward at Arash Women’s Hospital, Tehran. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention or control group. The intervention group received tele-continuous care for six weeks postpartum, while the control group received standard care. The Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning (BIMF) and the Neonatal Perception Inventory (NPI) were used to collect data in the second and sixth weeks after delivery. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26. Results: The mean age was 26.2 ± 4.8 years in the intervention group and 28.0 ± 6.1 years in the control group. An independent t-test revealed a significant difference in maternal functioning (BIMF score) between the intervention and control groups by the sixth week postpartum (p &lt; 0.0001). A significant improvement in BIMF scores was observed within the intervention group from the second to the sixth week (p = 0.007). However, the Mann–Whitney test showed no significant difference in neonatal perception (NPI scores) within the intervention group (p = 0.219), while a significant difference was found in the control group (p = 0.007). Conclusions: Tele-continuous midwifery care effectively enhances maternal functioning during the vulnerable postpartum period, highlighting the necessity of ongoing support for new mothers.

Examining the effectiveness of positive reappraisal in the context of discrimination.

Positive reappraisal has been shown to be a generally effective emotion regulation strategy associated with multiple indices of greater psychological functioning. There are, however, some emotion-eliciting events, such as discrimination, that may not lend themselves to favorable alternative interpretations or which have relatively fewer affordances. In such instances, a reappraisal strategy could lose its effectiveness. We conducted an experimental test of this hypothesized ineffectiveness of positive reappraisal within a discriminatory context. Participants were 404 Black and Latine college students randomly assigned to imagine being the recipient of a rude or discriminatory comment and immediately afterward were asked to either ruminate about or positively reappraise the event. Overall, positive reappraisal was more effective than rumination in downregulating anxiety and anger. However, a single-df contrast test revealed that positive reappraisal in response to the rude comment was significantly more effective in reducing anxiety relative to the other three conditions (average of positive reappraisal of the discriminatory comment or rumination to either the rude or discriminatory comment). Additional analyses also showed that oppressed minority ideology (OMI) moderated the utility of anger regulation such that, for those lower on OMI, positive reappraisal was most effective in regulating anger in response to discrimination (compared to all other conditions), but among those higher on OMI, rumination and reappraisal to discrimination were equally effective. Results suggest that the effectiveness of positive reappraisal is lessened in a discrimination context and that more robust strategies may be needed to deal with the emotional fallout from this unique stressor. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Contextuality of cognitive control deficits in alcohol dependence — pro et contra

Cognitive impairment, including cognitive control, mediates the negative social consequences of alcohol-related behavior, but few studies have examined these processes in the Russian speaking population using modern and standardized assessment methods. Thus, the aim of the study was to examine the features of cognitive control (inhibition of automatic response) and the general level of cognitive functioning in a Russianspeaking sample of alcohol-dependent individuals (AD) using quantitative assessment methods. Materials and Methods. 111 individuals diagnosed with alcohol dependence (F10.30) and 27 healthy participants were examined by using the Brief Assessment of Cognitive Functioning in Affective Disorders Battery (BAC-A) and additional tests of cognitive control (Stroop test with incongruent stimuli, Stroop test with alcohol-associated stimuli). The statistical methods were U-Mann-Whitney test, Spearman correlation coefficient, two-stage least squares regression. Results. In the AD group the indices of cognitive functioning were significantly lower in all parameters except for the subtests of verbal memory and digit sequence (p&lt;0,05). The model of the relationship between the parameters of general cognitive functioning and cognitive control reveals that the index of incongruence to alcohol-related stimuli was a significant predictor of sampe affiliation. Discussion. The obtained results may indicate the presence of impairments of speed of mental processes, planning , verbal fluency and response inhibition function in the group of individuals with AD. In the studied group, the automatic response inhibition function mediates the general cognitive functioning only within the relevant contextual stimuli.

The relationship between spousal violence, maternal functioning, depression, and anxiety among Iranian postpartum mothers: a prospective study

BackgroundViolence against women is a critical public health issue that adversely affects physical and mental health, contributing to injuries, chronic conditions, and mental health disorders. This study addresses the gap in understanding the relationship between spousal violence with maternal functioning and mental health in postpartum mothers.MethodsThis Prospective study was conducted on 316 postpartum women who gave birth in Al-Zahra and Taleghani Educational Treatment Centers in Tabriz, Iran, from June 2023 to October 2023. Participants were selected using convenience sampling and followed up for 6–8 weeks. The data were collected using the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS2), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale (PSAS), and the Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning (BIMF). A general linear model, adjusted for individual, social, and obstetric variables, was used to determine the relationship between domestic violence, maternal functioning, depression and anxiety.ResultsMost women (84%) experienced one or more types of intimate partner violence (IPV), including psychological, physical, or sexual abuse. About one-third (32.9%) reported psychological abuse, 21.2% physical violence, 49.4% sexual coercion, and 6.3% reported injuries. The adjusted general linear model showed that the mean depression score was lower in individuals without any experience of violence compared to those who had experienced any violence (β: -1.75; 95% CI: -3.40 to -0.10; p = 0.038). The mean depression score was significantly higher in homemakers compared to employed individuals (β = 3.53; 95% CI = 1.22 to 5.84, p = 0.003). The mean maternal functioning score was significantly higher in those who had not experienced mild physical violence compared to those who had (β = 2.94; 95% CI = 0.34 to 5.55, p = 0.027). The mean anxiety score was lower in individuals with high income (β: -3.38; 95% CI: -5.73 to -1.04; p = 0.005) and moderate income (β: -2.21; 95% CI: -4.35 to -0.07; p = 0.043) compared to those with low income.ConclusionThe findings reveal a high prevalence of violence, particularly sexual coercion, significantly affecting maternal functioning and mental health. Socioeconomic factors also play a crucial role in postpartum mental health. These results highlight the urgent need for enhanced prevention efforts and targeted interventions that consider the socio-economic context and specific forms of violence.

The impact of group cognitive behavioral psychotherapy on disease severity and psychosocial functioning in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a randomized controlled study.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often report symptoms of anxiety and depression as well as impaired quality of life (QoL). To date, there are few studies on the effect of psychotherapy on psychological functioning and clinical outcome in patients with IBD. The aim of this prospective, randomized, controlled study was to investigate the effect of a brief psychotherapeutic intervention on psychological distress, QoL, sexual functioning, and inflammation and disease activity indices in patients with IBD. Participants were randomized to receive either group cognitive behavioral therapy or treatment as usual (controls) and were assessed at baseline and after six months using psychometric instruments to assess psychological distress, QoL, and sexual functioning. In addition, laboratory measurements, including levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), cytokines and calprotectin, and calculations of disease activity indices were performed during the two study periods. 80 participants took part in the study. Patients who received psychotherapy reported a significant decrease in anxiety and depression symptoms, a significant improvement in physical functioning, general health, vitality, social functioning and mental health, a decrease in physical pain and a decrease in role limitations caused by emotional problems. CRP levels and the Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI) also decreased significantly at follow-up compared to controls. Group cognitive behavioral therapy is proving to be an important component of holistic care for IBD patients, as it can significantly improve not only patients' psychosocial functioning but also their clinical course by inhibiting inflammation and reducing disease activity.

A - 126 Examining Five Point Test Strategy Use on Everyday Problem-Solving Abilities in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract Objective Activities of daily living (ADLs) and executive functional abilities are increasingly impaired in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (ad). Impaired individuals adopt executive strategies to aid in executing executive everyday tasks. The Five Point Test measures indices of executive functioning when completing the task. The study examines the role of strategy use in everyday problem-solving in healthy older adults (HOA), MCI, and ad. Method Participants included HOA adults (n = 58), persons with MCI (n = 63), and individuals with ad (n = 18). Participants completed a background questionnaire, including the Everyday Problems Test (EPT). In the Five Point Test, using straight lines, participants were instructed to draw various designs in three minutes, avoiding errors across three conditions. The use of the Rotational Strategy is measured by participants generating a new design by rotating the previous spatial configuration. The use of an enumerative strategy was measured by participants generating a pattern by consecutively adding or deleting a line from the previous design. Results Linear regressions were conducted to determine the role of strategy use in everyday problem-solving (i.e., rotational and enumerative strategies). It was revealed that the use of the rotational strategy predicted EPT solving in the MCI group. However, problem-solving abilities did not predict EPT solving in HOA and ad. Conclusion Interestingly, the rotational strategy was better executed across all groups, while the ad group exhibited limited strategy use. Results suggest that those with subtle cognitive deficits adopt strategies to better execute problem-solving in real-life problems.

Childhood family socioeconomic status is linked to adult brain electrophysiology.

A large body of research has linked childhood family socioeconomic status (SES) to neurodevelopment in childhood and adolescence. However, it remains unclear to what extent childhood family SES relates to brain functioning in adulthood. To address this gap, the present study investigated the associations between retrospective accounts of objective and subjective childhood family SES and two well-established electrophysiological indices of brain functioning in adulthood-the MMN and P3b event-related potentials (ERP) components, as neural correlates of automatic change detection and cognitive control respectively. Higher objective childhood family SES, as proxied by parent educational attainment in childhood, was associated with larger (more positive) P3b amplitudes in adulthood. In contrast, there was no association between childhood parent educational attainment and the magnitude of MMN. Adult reports of subjective family SES during childhood were not related to the magnitude of MMN or P3b. These findings suggest that the links between childhood parent educational attainment and brain functioning may extend into adulthood, especially for brain functions supporting cognitive control. These results also imply that, when using retrospective accounts of childhood family SES, objective and subjective reports likely proxy different childhood experiences that have distinct links with specific neurodevelopmental outcomes, and that some of these links may not persist into adulthood. Our findings lay the groundwork for future investigations on how and why childhood family SES relates to brain functioning in adulthood.

A bioecological longitudinal study of depressive symptoms from pregnancy to 36 months postpartum

PurposeDepressive symptoms during the perinatal period have broad and enduring health implications for birthing parents and their offspring. Rising prevalence rates of perinatal depression highlight the need for research examining factors influencing depressive symptoms during pregnancy, and trajectories during the early postnatal period. Grounded in bioecological systems theory, this longitudinal multimethod study examined whether prenatal bioecological factors predict depressive symptoms from pregnancy to 36 months postpartum. MethodsParticipants were 162 pregnant individuals, oversampled for high emotion dysregulation, who completed a life stress interview and physiological assessment during the 3rd trimester and a self-report measure of depression at five time-points (3rd trimester, within 48 h of birth, 7, 18, and 36 months postpartum). Multilevel models were used to test study aims. ResultsParticipants exhibited the highest levels of depressive symptoms at 3rd trimester, and substantial variability in depressive symptom trajectories over time. Lower resting respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), an index of parasympathetic nervous system functioning, in the 3rd trimester was associated with higher concurrent depressive symptoms. Higher levels of stress related to partner relationships, finances, and health were concurrently associated with more depressive symptoms during pregnancy and decreases in depressive symptoms over time. Specifically, depressive symptoms decreased only for individuals who reported high levels of stress during pregnancy. LimitationsAlthough grounded in bioecological systems theory, this study did not assess the macrosystem. ConclusionsResults of this study underscore the importance of multilevel predictors of perinatal health and highlights potential targets for preventing depression and promoting well-being during the perinatal transition.

Long-term outcomes of patients affected by Guillain-Barré syndrome in Colombia after the Zika virus epidemic

BackgroundGuillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) can lead to significant functional impairments, yet little is understood about the recovery phase and long-term consequences for patients in low- and medium-income countries. ObjectiveTo evaluate the functional status and identify factors influencing outcomes among patients with GBS in Colombia. MethodsTelephone interviews were conducted with GBS patients enrolled in the Neuroviruses Emerging in the Americas Study between 2016 and 2020. The investigation encompassed access to health services and functional status assessments, utilizing the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), GBS Disability Score (GDS), Barthel Index (BI), and International Classification of Functioning (ICF). Univariate analysis, principal component analysis, linear discriminant analysis, and linear regression were employed to explore factors influencing functional status. ResultsForty-five patients (mean age = 50[±22] years) with a median time from diagnosis of 28 months (IQR = 9–34) were included. Notably, 22% and 16% of patients did not receive rehabilitation services during the acute episode and post-discharge, respectively. Most patients demonstrated independence in basic daily activities (median BI = 100, IQR = 77.5–100), improvement in disability as the median mRS at follow-up was lower than at onset (1 [IQR = 0–3] vs. 4.5 [IQR = 4–5], p < 0.001), and most were able to walk without assistance (median GDS = 2, IQR = 0–2). A shorter period from disease onset to interview was associated with worse mRS (p = 0.015) and ICF (p = 0.019). Negative outcomes on GDS and ICF were linked to low socioeconomic status, ICF to the severity of weakness at onset, and BI to an older age. ConclusionsThis study underscores that the functional recovery of GBS patients in Colombia is influenced not only by the natural course of the disease but also by socioeconomic factors, emphasizing the crucial role of social determinants of health.