Interpersonal Stress Research Articles

QEEG Neuromarkers of Complex Childhood Trauma in Adolescents.

Introduction. Complex childhood trauma (CCT) involves prolonged exposure to severe interpersonal stressors, leading to deficits in executive functioning and self-regulation during adolescence, a critical period for neurodevelopment. While qEEG parameters, particularly alpha oscillations, have been proposed as potential biomarkers for trauma, empirical documentation in developmental samples is limited. Aim. This preregistered study investigated whether adolescents with CCT exhibit qEEG patterns similar to those reported for PTSD, such as reduced posterior alpha power, increased individual alpha peak frequency (iAPF), right-lateralized alpha frequencies, and lower total EEG power (RMS) compared to controls. Materials and Methods. EEG data from 26 trauma-exposed adolescents and 28 controls, sourced from an open database, underwent similar preprocessing. qEEG features, including alpha power, iAPF, alpha asymmetry, and RMS, were extracted from eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions and analyzed using mixed ANOVAs. Results. Significant group differences were found in total EEG power, with trauma-exposed adolescents showing lower RMS than controls. No significant differences were found in posterior absolute alpha power, iAPF, or alpha asymmetry. However, we observed that posterior relative alpha power was higher in the trauma group, though the difference was not statistically significant but showing a small to medium effect size. Additionally, a negative correlation between CPTSD severity and EEG power in the EO condition was observed, suggesting trauma-related cortical hypoactivation. Conclusion. Reduced total EEG power and modified alpha dynamics may serve as candidate neuromarkers of CCT. These findings underscore the need for further research to validate qEEG biomarkers for understanding and diagnosing trauma-related disorders in developmental populations.

The relationship between impostor phenomenon and emotional exhaustion among Chinese nurses: the mediating role of bi-directional work-family conflict

AimsThe study aims to explore the relationship between impostor phenomenon and emotional exhaustion among nurses and to examine the potential mediating role of bi-directional work–family conflict.MethodsA cross-sectional survey using convenience sampling was conducted from January to April 2023, involving 4,088 Chinese nurses. Of those, 3,977 nurses across 43 public hospitals completed the web-based survey that included a sociodemographic information questionnaire, the short Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale, the Bi-directional Scale of Work–Family Conflict, and the Emotional Exhaustion Scale. SPSS with Hayes’s PROCESS v4.2 Macro was employed to examine the mediation model using bootstrap techniques.ResultsAfter controlling for confounding factors, impostor phenomenon was found to have a direct positive effect on emotional exhaustion (𝛽 = 0.134, 95% CI [0.122 to 0.145]); the two dimensions of work–family conflict, work interfering with family (𝛽 = 0.099, 95% CI [0.090 to 0.109]) and family interfering with work (𝛽 = 0.017, 95% CI [0.012 to 0.022]), served as parallel mediators in the relationship between impostor phenomenon and emotional exhaustion. Compared to family interfering with work, impostor phenomenon had a greater influence on emotional exhaustion through the mediation of work interfering with family, with a difference in the mediating effects of 0.082 (95% CI [0.073 to 0.096]). (The symbol β denotes the regression coefficient, estimated through mediation analysis using a bias-corrected bootstrapping procedure. CI represents the confidence interval for the specified parameter).ConclusionThis study reveals that impostor phenomenon not only directly affects emotional exhaustion but also exerts parallel mediation effects through bi-directional work–family conflict, with work interfering with family exerting a stronger mediating effect than family interfering with work. The findings elucidate the complex interplay between impostor phenomenon, an intrapersonal psychological factor, and work–family conflict, an interpersonal stressor, in contributing to emotional exhaustion among Chinese nurses, providing valuable insights to guide efforts aimed at safeguarding nurses’ mental health and well-being.

Habitual behavioural control moderates the relation between daily perceived stress and purging.

Evidence suggests that interpersonal stress plays a role in maintaining binge eating and purging (e.g., self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives). Stress is especially likely to promote engagement in maladaptive behaviour if the behaviour is habitual; therefore, individuals whose binge eating and/or purging are habitual may be particularly likely to engage in these behaviours in the context of interpersonal stress. We aimed to investigate this hypothesis in a sample of women with binge eating and/or purging using ecological momentary assessment (EMA). Women (N=81) with binge-eating and/or purging symptoms completed a self-report measure assessing habit strength of binge eating and purging followed by a 14-day EMA protocol assessing daily perceived interpersonal stress and binge-eating and purging episodes. Habit strength of purging moderated the within-person effect of interpersonal stress on purging frequency, such that higher daily stress was associated with greater same-day purging frequency when purging was more habitual. Contrary to expectations, the interactive effect of habit strength of binge eating and daily interpersonal stress on same-day binge-eating frequency was non-significant. Findings suggest that individuals with habitual purging may be vulnerable to engaging in purging when they are experiencing high levels of interpersonal stress.

Unraveling the relationship between stress exposure and childhood anxiety: Considering accumulation, impact, and type in the first five years of life.

Exposure to stressful events is linked to anxiety symptoms in children, although research examining this association in the first five years of life is limited. We sought to examine the role of various aspects of family stressful experiences such as the total accumulation, impact, and type (measured longitudinally in the first five years of life) on child anxiety symptoms at age 5 years. A community sample of children and their parents (N = 399) enrolled in a longitudinal study of emotion processing were assessed when the children were infants and at ages 2 years, 3 years, and 5 years. Parents completed the Revised Life Events Questionnaire (all visits) to assess family exposures to stressful life events and the Child Behavior Checklist (5 years) to assess child emotional and behavioral symptoms. Analyses showed that total stressful events accumulated by 4 years were significantly associated with child anxiety symptoms at 5 years (r = 0.118, p = 0.045). Total stressful events accumulated at earlier time points (by 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years of age) were not significantly associated with child anxiety symptoms at 5 years. Events reported as being impactful by families appeared to be more sensitive than total events, with accumulated impactful events as early as 1 year being significantly associated with child anxiety symptoms at 5 years (r = 0.112, p = 0.042). When considering types of stressors, cumulative exposure from the prenatal period to 5 years to financial stressors (β = 0.12, p = .035) was most saliently and significantly associated with child anxiety symptoms at 5 years (after adjusting for other categories of stress such as health, interpersonal, and logistical stressors). Together, these findings suggest that stressful life events accumulated in early life, particularly those rated as impactful for the family and those related to finances, are associated with child anxiety symptoms at 5 years.

The Family Anesthesia Experience (FAX): Implementing a Social Support-Focused Wellness Programme Across Multiple Residency Programmes.

Lack of social support negatively impacts medical trainees' wellness. Programmes to educate medical trainees and their support persons (SPs) have been developed to improve resident wellness, but implementation of these programmes at other institutions remains unclear. We aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of implementing the Family Anesthesia Experience (FAX) programme across multiple institutions and to assess the programme's utility. FAX includes didactics on wellness, burnout, substance use disorder and institutional resources; a panel of senior residents and their SPs; and small-group simulations of airway management, common procedures and a high-fidelity intraoperative code. We assessed the programme qualitatively using semistructured interviews of 20 first year anaesthesiology residents and 20 SPs. Data analysis was performed via a content analysis approach. Twelve anaesthesiology programmes of varying size and geographic locations implemented FAX with minor adaptations. Minimal direct costs were incurred for the virtual programme. Participants enjoyed the event overall. Content analysis showed that FAX improved SPs' understanding of residency and communication between SPs and residents, had minimal impact on SPs' stress, reduced residents' interpersonal stress with SPs and modified perceptions on wellness and burnout. We developed a conceptual model in which we propose SPs' understanding and empathy for their residents would improve through FAX, which may improve communication with and support for residents. We demonstrated that FAX can be implemented at varying anaesthesiology residency programmes. Family-oriented educational events like FAX may be an effective approach to improve SPs' understanding of a resident's role, thereby increasing social support for residents.

Effects of social mistreatment, academic alienation, and developmental challenge on university students' well-being through coping strategies: A longitudinal study.

Few studies have concurrently examined how different types of stressors influence university students' well-being through their use of coping strategies. Exploring such effects should enrich our understanding of how individuals develop strategies for coping with specific stressful situations and provide insights into the mechanisms by which different stressors impact students' well-being in higher education contexts. This study investigated the effects of social mistreatment, academic alienation, and developmental challenge on emotional and psychological well-being via approach and avoidance coping strategies. The participants were 293 university students in Hong Kong (mean age = 21 years). We collected three waves of data through longitudinal student self-reports and analysed them using structural equation modelling. Social mistreatment can lead to greater use of avoidance coping. Academic alienation can lead not only to a greater reliance on avoidance coping but also less use of approach coping. Developmental challenge can increase the use of approach coping. The effects of social mistreatment on emotional and psychological well-being were mediated by the use of avoidance coping strategies. Moreover, the effects of academic alienation on emotional and psychological well-being were mediated by the use of approach and avoidance coping strategies. The results of this longitudinal study indicate the need to improve teaching practices or learning environments to reduce interpersonal and academic stressors due to their negative impact on coping and well-being. The results also have implications for helping students to adopt better coping strategies and promote their well-being.

Nurses' work environment and health promotion in relation to psychological distress symptoms, and sleep disturbance: A structural equation modeling approach.

The healthcare work environment has numerous stressors that can contribute to distress and poor health outcomes among nurses. The impact of distress can be detrimental, resulting in nurses leaving the profession. Thus, it is critical to explore factors in the work environment that contribute to the distress symptoms and behaviors that promote nurses' health. This study aimed to examine the constructs associated with the conceptual model of distress, such as the work environment, specifically workload and the practice environment (quality of care, salary, staffing, time, and satisfaction) and associations with psychological distress, sleep disturbance, and health promotion behaviors in nurses, using structural equation modeling. This study was a cross-sectional survey design collected as part of the Nurse Worklife and Wellness Study (NWWS) using balanced stratified sampling methods. A confirmatory factor analysis tested the factorial structure of the latent constructs using weighted least squares estimation with missing data (WLSMV) for the sample (n = 1170). A structural equation modeling approach examined the direct and indirect associations between workload, practice environment, health promotion behaviors, psychological distress symptoms, sleep disturbance, and health. Based on the confirmatory factor analysis, the measurement model reported adequate model fit (CFI = 0.96; TLI = 0.95; SRMR = 0.048 and RMSEA = 0.039). The structural model showed that the workload was related to significantly increased psychological distress (β = 1.47, p < 0.001), sleep disturbance (β = 1.22, p < 0.01), and decreased overall health (β = -1.36, p < 0.01). Similarly, a positive practice environment was associated with significantly higher psychological distress (β = 1.61, p < 0.001), sleep disturbance (β = 1.31, p < 0.01), and lower overall health (β = -1.51, p < 0.01). Workload and the practice environment were associated with significantly increased health promotion behaviors such as interpersonal relations, spiritual growth, stress management, physical activity, and nutrition. A statistically significant indirect relationship was found between workload and psychological distress, mediated by health promotion behaviors. Psychological and physical health promotion had restorative effects in relation to decreasing the impact of distress and sleep disturbance while increasing overall health. Our results highlight the need to improve the work environment by decreasing the nurses' workload and using health promotion behaviors to mitigate nurses' psychological distress. Future studies should focus on exploring distress in the context of non-pandemic work conditions and finding ways to promote coping behaviors in nurses. In addition, healthcare organizations should develop policies and strategies to incentivize nurses' participation in health promotion behaviors to promote their well-being and ultimately stabilize the nursing workforce.

Relationships Between Coping With Interpersonal Stress in the Workplace and Depressive Symptoms Among Care Workers.

This study examined the relationships between coping with interpersonal stress and depressive symptoms that care workers encounter in the workplace. Care workers frequently encounter interpersonal stress; however, to date, no study has measured specific coping strategies for dealing with interpersonal stress. In 2017, 138 care workers completed questionnaires on their perceptions of interpersonal stress in the workplace, coping with interpersonal stress, and depressive symptoms. Multiple regression analysis of the survey data revealed that coping strategies for interpersonal stress predicted depressive symptoms, even after controlling for the effects of gender, years of experience as a care worker, and perceived stress. A high level of coping, which involves not acting prematurely when handling a stressful relationship, was associated with reduced depressive symptoms (beta = -.29, p < .001). In contrast, higher scores for the coping type that attempt to actively damage, disrupt, and dissolve a stressful relationship were associated with increased depressive symptoms (beta = .46, p < .001). These results are consistent with those of previous studies involving full-time workers and hospital nurses. Based on our findings, we provide suggestions to improve the mental health of healthcare workers, such as creating a work environment that considers human relationships.

Conditions that increase the perceived likelihood of temporary restriction of firearm access: An investigation in male firearm owners.

This study investigated the trajectories of interpersonal stress and psychological pain and their effects on self-harm behaviors in adolescents and explored the reciprocal associations between interpersonal stress and NSSI/SA. A delay discounting approach was applied to evaluate the degree to which these choices were influenced by two dimensions of reinforcer efficacy-delay and magnitude. The decision-making task sampled choice behavior across various durations of temporary voluntary removal of firearms (Delay) and differences in stated potential risk of suicide (Magnitude) as a result of that choice. Results of mixed-effects modeling indicated that the subjective value of immediate access to a firearm was differentially sensitive to both delay and magnitude. Additionally, the scaling of these effects was linked to various other indicators of firearm-specific safety (e.g., use of trigger locks) and suicidality risk (e.g., intolerance of uncertainty). These results provide additional support for behavioral models of decision-making (i.e., delay discounting) when evaluating how specific environmental arrangements and framing may support (or potentially discourage) engagement in means safety activities, inclusive of temporary firearms access restriction. These findings suggest that further analysis of the ecological underpinnings of these choices may help to guide more targeted efforts to engage with firearm owners in safety planning when there are concerns about the potential for suicide.

SÍNDROME DE BURNOUT ENTRE PROFISSIONAIS ATUANTES NA ASSISTÊNCIA HOSPITALAR

Burnout syndrome is characterized as a psychosocial phenomenon that occurs as a chronic response to interpersonal stressors in work situations. And these occur in the conditions present in a direct situation, related to the organization, to the content of the work and the performance of tasks. This syndrome occurs in a characteristic process followed by three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and decreased professional productivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of burnout syndrome among the nursing team in a hospital located in the north of Minas Gerais. A quantitative and exploratory research was carried out, with field survey, cross-sectional and quantitative analysis. It was found that, in relation to emotional exhaustion and personal fulfillment, there was a change in variance in relation to the maximum expected score. Thus, preventive measures for burnout syndrome should be entitled, such as reducing the workload and favoring working conditions that positively favor the relationship of nursing professionals within the institution.

Cumulative interpersonal risk and suicide ideation/attempts among Chinese early adolescents: Does self-esteem play a moderating role?

Suicide among adolescents is a serious global health concern. Previous research has highlighted that interpersonal factors are vital determinants of suicidality. However, little is known about the cumulative effects of interpersonal risks and the protective factors that buffer individuals from developing suicidal tendencies. The present study examined whether linear or nonlinear models best account for the relationship between cumulative interpersonal risk and suicidal ideation and attempts among early adolescents and the protective value of self-esteem in these associations. A sample of 605 seventh-grade students from in Hunan, China was tracked over a 6month interval. Measures of interpersonal risk, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and self-esteem were obtained from adolescents' self-reports. The findings indicated both concurrent and longitudinal linear associations between cumulative interpersonal risk and adolescent suicidal ideation. Cumulative interpersonal risk was only associated with concurrent adolescent suicide attempts, showing a nonlinear relationship. Self-esteem moderates the association between cumulative interpersonal risk and subsequent suicidal ideation. The results also showed that identifying interpersonal risk early and simultaneously reducing multiple interpersonal risks would benefit high-suicide-risk youths. Adolescents who face more than three interpersonal risks are particularly at risk for suicide attempts. Self-esteem is insufficient to counteract the cumulative impact of interpersonal risk completely. Study analyzing whether personal worth plays a moderating role in the suicidal ideation and attempts of early Chinese adolescents. While suicide among adolescents is a serious global health concern, little is known about the cumulative effects of interpersonal risks and the protective factors that buffer individuals from developing suicidal tendencies. As such, we followed 605 seventh graders over six months to investigate the combined influence of various interpersonal stressors such as low teacher support, limited classmates' support, ineffective communication with parents, and experiences of social ostracism on suicidality. In addition, we explored whether a good sense of personal worth (self-esteem) made a difference. Our findings showed that, as interpersonal risks accumulate, the likelihood of an adolescent experiencing suicidal thoughts increases. Although self-esteem offers some protection, it does not fully counteract the detrimental effects of combined interpersonal problems. In particular, when an adolescent faces three or more interpersonal stressors, the risk of suicide attempts increases. Based on our findings, we believe that interventions aimed at reducing these interpersonal risks and bolstering adolescent self-esteem could be pivotal for suicide prevention.

Developmental trajectories of interpersonal stress in school and psychological pain contributing to self-harm in adolescents.

This study investigated the trajectories of interpersonal stress and psychological pain and their effects on self-harm behaviors in adolescents and explored the reciprocal associations between interpersonal stress and NSSI/SA. The participants included 1149 adolescents (50.3% women; Mage = 12.86, SD = 0.69) who participated in three waves of data collection. Latent class growth models and cross-lagged panel models were used to identify subgroups of individuals and interactions between interpersonal stress and NSSI/SA. Controlling for sex and age, compared to the low interpersonal stress class, the moderate to high and increasing classes have higher risks of NSSI and SA. Compared to adolescents in the low increasing feelings with high increasing avoidance class, those in the low increasing feelings with low decreasing avoidance class reported lower probabilities of NSSI and SA. Pain avoidance and painful feelings mediated the pathway from interpersonal stress to NSSI/SA, whereas pain arousal mediated the pathway from NSSI/SA to interpersonal stress. Shared impact of interpersonal stress and distinct effects of psychological pain over time on maintaining and distinguishing self-harm behaviors were found. Adolescent crisis interventions should simultaneously focus on building social networks within the school context and regulating maladaptive minds.

Tri-Level Anxiety and Depression Symptom Trajectory in Adolescents:the Role of Emotion Regulation Diversity

Anxiety and depression are associated with impaired emotion regulation (ER). Recently, a novel construct named ER diversity has been proposed to assess the diversity in ER strategy use. Low ER diversity, particularly under stressful circumstances, may be a transdiagnostic vulnerability factor for anxiety and depression. This study utilized a longitudinal design to examine the association between ER diversity and transdiagnostic anxiety and depressive symptom trajectory in adolescents (N = 627 at baseline), while accounting for life stress. Measures of ER strategy use, chronic interpersonal life stress, neuroticism, and transdiagnostic dimensional symptoms of anxiety and depression were assessed. The ER diversity index and the traditional ER sum score were computed. Higher ER diversity index was associated with steeper decline in the Fears symptom factor over time, above and beyond the ER sum score and neuroticism. Moreover, chronic interpersonal life stress influenced these associations. When chronic interpersonal life stress was low, Fears declined over time regardless of the ER diversity level; when chronic interpersonal life stress was high, Fears only declined when ER diversity was high. Thus, low diversity in ER strategy use, particularly under stressful circumstances, may be a vulnerability factor for fear symptom development.

Interpersonal Stressors Predicting Inflammation in Adolescents: Moderation by Emotion Regulation and Heart Rate Variability?

This study assessed interpersonal stressors (peer adversity and parental rejection) as predictors of adolescents’ circulating inflammatory markers, while examining emotion regulation and parasympathetic nervous system activity (at rest, reactivity, and recovery) as potential protective moderators. Data were collected in a Belgian cohort of adolescents in 2017 (n=185, 51.4% boys, 10-18y) and 2018 (n=98), and included serum inflammatory markers (CRP, TNFα, IFNγ, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10), peer adversity, parental rejection, emotion regulation and heart rate variability (RMSSD-HRV, at rest and in 2018 also in response to a Trier Social Stress Test). Contrary to the hypothesis, interpersonal stressors were negatively related to TNFα (in 2017 and 2018), IFNγ (in 2017 and longitudinally) and IL-6 (in 2018). In 23% of the tested associations, HRV at rest was a significant moderator: the negative stressor-inflammation associations were present only among adolescents with low HRV resting values. No significant moderation by HRV reactivity or recovery was detected. After correction for multiple testing, all above-mentioned significant findings disappeared. These unexpected findings may suggest that the positive association between stress exposure and circulating markers of inflammation is not yet detectable in adolescence and perhaps becomes evident only later in life.

Arts and psychomotor therapies in personality disorder treatment: An appropriate therapeutic entrance to personal development: A commentary.

Personality disorders (PD) are based not just on maladaptive ideas about self and others, they also are grounded on embodied patterns of behaviors and reactions to interpersonal stressors. There is growing interest in working with the body and through the body so to address automatisms that lead to suffering and dysfunctional social action. In this issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychology: In-Session the use of art and psychomotor therapies for these patients was explored by seven different clinical perspectives. Patients described presented with different PD and associated symptoms. The arts and psychomotor therapies deployed in personality disorder treatment are: (visual) art therapy, music therapy, drama therapy, dance (movement) therapy, and psychomotor therapy making psychotherapeutic use of the different modalities: art, music, play, role-play, performance, improvisation, dance, body awareness and movement. Interventions provide kinesthetic, sensory, perceptual, and symbolic opportunities to invite alternative modes of meaning-making, accessing own needs and wishes, and communicating them to others. In this commentary we summarize some of the different topics covered by the clinical-based papers, including working mechanisms of arts and psychomotor therapies, the importance of bottom-up emotion regulation processes, how to treat trauma in the presence of a PD, how to integrate art and psychomotor therapies in a fine-grained formulation and how to understand the process of change. Although there is a need for more empirical research, we hope this issue makes a solid case that clinicians can effectively include art and psychomotor therapies when treating the full range of PD.

A viewpoint on stress generation methodology.

This article provides an overview of Stress Generation Methodology. Stress generation is a phenomenon in which individuals with depression or vulnerability to depression experience greater dependent stressful life events (SLEs), defined as stressors in which individuals at least partially contributed to occurrence. The stress generation process demonstrates how depressed individuals shape their environments, contributing to depression maintenance and exacerbation. Subsequent extensions have shown that other forms of psychopathology and a variety of cognitive and personality risk factors also predict stress generation. The focus on stress generation in women is accompanied by an emphasis on interpersonal stress. In addition to emphasizing communal SLEs, stress generation studies have also focused on communal vulnerability factors. However, men do not typically exhibit communal vulnerabilities to the degree that women do. Thus, it is also important to broaden the scope of vulnerability factors examined to include vulnerabilities associated with stress generation in men. These could include impulsivity, anger and aggression, and the need for autonomy and self-definition, all of which tend to be more common in males. Lastly, studies often employ self-report measures of SLEs which could artificially accentuate gender differences in stress generation findings. As existing studies may be more sensitive to detecting stress generation in women, future research should examine this phenomenon with the following methodological refinements: (a) use male-only or adequately sized samples with equal gender representation to test gender moderation effects, (b) expand the range of SLEs to include agentic and achievement-oriented stressors and use wider assessment windows, and (c) examine vulnerability factors that may be relevant to men such as impulsivity, anger, aggression, and the need for autonomy and self-definition. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Mental health symptoms and treatment for common mental disorders among sexual minority immigrants in Sweden – a national population-based study

Abstract Background Although sexual minorities are at greater risk of poor mental health, less is known about mental health among dual minority statuses individuals based on sexual orientation and migration status. The current study investigated disparities in mental health symptoms and psychiatric treatment for common mental disorders among Swedish-born and immigrant heterosexuals and sexual minorities. It further explored the role played by interpersonal and social stress in explaining these disparities. Methods Participants (n = 104,652) were drawn from the Swedish Public Health Survey in 2018. Six groups were compared based on sexual orientation (heterosexual, sexual minority) and migration status (Swedish-born, European-born, non-European). The survey was complemented with information on psychiatric treatment from nationwide registries. Odds ratios were calculated using logistic regression. Results Compared to Swedish-born heterosexuals, Swedish-born and non-European sexual minorities had the greatest risk of mental health symptoms (odds ratios [OR]=2.20, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.89-2.57, and OR = 2.10, 95% CI 1.34-3.29, respectively). Swedish-born sexual minorities had greater risk of psychiatric treatment (OR = 2.58, 95% CI 2.20-3.01), while non-European heterosexuals had lower risk (OR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.52-0.72). No differences in psychiatric treatment was found for non-European sexual minorities (OR = 0.82, 95% CI 0.46-1.48). Interpersonal and social stress factors mediated the associations between migration status and mental health symptoms and psychiatric treatment differently depending on sexual orientation. Conclusions No excess risk of mental health symptoms was found among sexual minority immigrants compared to their Swedish-born counterparts. Key message • Non-European sexual minority immigrants’ risk of mental health symptoms was equally high to the risk among Swedish-born sexual minorities, but they received less psychiatric treatment.

Common neural correlates of disgust processing in childhood maltreatment and peer victimisation.

Childhood maltreatment and peer victimisation are common sources of early-life interpersonal stress. Childhood maltreatment is associated with atypical frontolimbic emotion processing and regulation, and increased vulnerability for self-harm/suicide. However, few studies have compared the neurofunctional correlates between caregiver- versus peer-inflicted mistreatment. We compared the alterations of neurofunctional correlates of facial emotion processing in youths exposed to childhood maltreatment or peer victimisation, and explored their associations with self-harm. Functional magnetic resonance imaging data were collected from 114 age- and gender-matched youths (39 childhood maltreatment, 37 peer victimisation and 38 controls) during an emotion discrimination task. Region-of-interest (amygdala, insula) and whole-brain analyses were conducted. Groups differed significantly during disgust processing only. Both groups had lower activation in the right amygdala and bilateral posterior insula than controls; left insular underactivation was furthermore related to increased self-harm in maltreated youths. Compared with controls, at the whole-brain level, both groups also had underactivation in a cluster of bilateral limbic-thalamic-striatal, precuneus/posterior cingulate, temporal, fusiform/lingual and cerebellar regions, which was negatively associated with emotional problems in controls, as well as a cluster of somatosensory regions associated with increased self-harm in maltreated youths. Early-life interpersonal stress from caregivers or peers is associated with common underactivation of limbic-thalamic-striatal, precuneus/posterior cingulate and somatosensory regions during disgust processing. The hypoactivation of key emotion and sensory processing and self-referential brain regions could be a potential suppressive mechanism to cope with the aversive emotion; however, it may also entail increased risk of affective psychopathology in seemingly healthy youths.

The impact of job stress on job satisfaction and turnover intentions among bank employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The main objective of this study is to explore the relationships among job stress, job satisfaction, and turnover intentions among bank employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on variations across different demographic characteristics. A cross-sectional design was employed, and data were collected from 501 bank employees using the Job Stress Questionnaire (JSQ), the Simplified Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ), and the Intention to Leave Scale (ILS). Descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analyses were used to test the research hypotheses. The findings show that job stress is significantly negatively correlated with job satisfaction and positively correlated with turnover intention. Interpersonal relationship stress emerged as the strongest predictor of turnover intention, while job autonomy stress significantly influenced job satisfaction. Demographic factors, including age, income, and education level, moderated these relationships, with younger, higher-income, and more educated employees reporting lower stress and higher satisfaction. Employees with dependents reported higher stress levels, lower job satisfaction, and greater turnover intentions compared to those without dependents. This study underscores the importance of managing workplace stress and enhancing job satisfaction to reduce turnover intention, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interventions focused on improving interpersonal relationships and providing targeted support for older and lower-income employees are recommended to mitigate stress and improve retention rates.

Development and Validation of the Emergency Medical Technicians Occupational Stress Scale

Introduction. The population of interested workers for this study included Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) in the United States. This group of workers was chosen because of the nature of their work, which requires their presence at the scenes of life and death situations. Certainly, their work conditions can have an effect on their psychological well-being. Yet, the work of these workers, with all of its stressors, has not been adequately studied through the use of appropriate measuring instruments. Emergency Medical Technicians are not unknown in occupational stress research. This report discusses previous studies on EMT workers and occupational stressors and explains the curative process through the development and validation of an EMT Occupational Stress Scale. The report also highlights the psychometric investigation of this scale. Paramedics/EMTs face increased risk of physical and psychological stress due to the nature of their work. It is crucial to understand the stressors affecting their well-being in order to develop appropriate management strategies. Research suggests that EMTs may lack preparation for their roles, requiring additional training in empathy and emotional intelligence. The relationship between stressors experienced and clinical service provided needs further investigation. Standardized measures of stress for paramedics/EMTs are lacking and more comprehensive instruments are needed. This report aims to develop a comprehensive stress scale specifically for EMTs/paramedics, addressing validation concerns and incorporating environmental stress within a larger theoretical framework. Methods. This study was This study was conducted using a mixed-methods approach to develop and validate the Emergency Medical Technicians Occupational Stress Scale. The scale was pilot tested with a sample of EMTs to ensure reliability and validity. by the ethics committee and is based on a literature review. The Canadian EMT Job Satisfaction Questionnaire was used to measure organizational stress levels of EMTs. The questionnaire was reviewed by professionals and academics, resulting in the inclusion of five new items. The final item list consisted of 58 questions. Permission was obtained. Results. The outcomes and findings obtained from the comprehensive study conducted on the Development and Validation of the Emergency Medical Technicians Occupational Stress Scale have shed light on significant discoveries pertaining to the intricate realm of stress levels experienced by our dedicated EMT professionals. Conclusion. The rapidly evolving scope of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) practice has placed increasing demands on the relatively small professional community that consists of EMTs and paramedics. An Occupational Stress model was developed to examine interpersonal work stressors unique to the EMT role, and a measure was developed to assess the construct. Initial results suggest that the OSM is an accurate, reliable, and potentially valuable assessment tool. High levels of interpersonal stress may influence the EMTs to cope with their daily activities by seeking outlets for tension and depression through increased use of alcohol, legal drugs, and caffeine. Alcohol is used more frequently than other legal drugs are to modify interpersonal stress symptoms. The EMTs are in a prime position to help each other identify these symptoms when arising and offer assistance. Staff stress management programs are essential in solving and preventing occupational stress. A move toward prevention rather than reaction to such stress, which for many results in alcoholism, drug addiction, or job related emotional illness, will serve to preserve the health of the EMTs. The medical community has a vested interest in the health of these dedicated professionals. Not only does such prevention attempt to manage the human tragedy of alcoholism, legal drug addiction, and job related emotional illness, but it also prevents the more tangible, but no less important cost factors to the EMT.