Propofol, an anesthetic known for its safety, efficacy and neuroprotective properties, has potential novel antidepressant effects. However, its specific mechanisms still require further elucidation. Presently, we established a learned helplessness (LH) depression model to investigate the effects of propofol treatment on depression-like impairment. Thirty adult male C57BL/6j mice were randomly divided into three groups: control group (CON), model group (LH), and propofol group (PRO), with 10 mice per group. Behavioral analyses were conducted using weight measurement, sucrose preference test (SPT), forced swim test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), and Morris water maze test (MWM). Subsequently, HE staining was performed to examine pathological changes in the hippocampal region. Western blotting was conducted to assess changes in Notch signaling pathway components, synaptic plasticity-related proteins, and proteins in the glutamate system. Immunofluorescence was used to detect expression changes of NICD, SYP, and DCX. Hippocampal glutamate concentration was determined using a glutamate assay kit. Consequently, stressed mice exhibited pronounced depressive behaviors and decreased spatial learning and memory, accompanied by significant neuronal death in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampal region and reduced levels of neuronal regeneration as well as synaptic plasticity. Additionally, glutamate reuptake function was impaired in depression, manifested specifically as increased glutamate concentrations in the hippocampal region and neuronal glutamate transmission levels. Meaningfully, propofol upregulated Notch signaling pathway activity and improved glutamate reuptake function significantly resulting in enhanced adult hippocampal neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. These findings demonstrated the effectiveness of propofol as a potential antidepressant and contributed to discovering novel antidepressant drugs.

This study investigated whether meaning in life moderates the relationship between learned helplessness and SNS addiction proneness among Korean young adults. Data were collected through an online self-report survey measuring learned helplessness, SNS addiction proneness, and meaning in life (search for meaning and presence of meaning). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and bootstrapping methods with the SPSS Macro. The results showed, first, that learned helplessness had a significant positive effect on SNS addiction proneness. Second, both search for meaning and presence of meaning moderated the relationship between learned helplessness and SNS addiction proneness. Specifically, individuals with higher levels of meaning in life showed lower SNS addiction tendencies, even when experiencing high levels of learned helplessness. These findings suggest the need for educational and counseling programs that not only reduce learned helplessness but also enhance meaning in life in order to prevent and alleviate SNS addiction among young adults.

Background: Emotional intelligence (EI) is increasingly recognized as a protective psychological resource that supports resilience, motivation, and well-being in athletes. Learned helplessness (LH), conversely, reflects a maladaptive belief system in which individuals perceive diminished control over outcomes. University athletes participating in team sports often encounter substantial academic and competitive pressures, making the interplay between EI and LH an important area for investigation. Despite growing interest in sports psychology, limited evidence exists regarding gender-specific pathways through which EI influences LH in athletic populations. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the gender-specific impact of emotional intelligence on learned helplessness among university student-athletes competing in team sports. Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was employed using a sample of 400 university team-sport athletes, comprising 200 male athletes (M = 20.59, SD = 1.672) and 200 female athletes (M = 20.29, SD = 1.609), recruited from eight universities. Emotional intelligence was measured using the Brief Emotional Intelligence Scale (BEIS-10), while learned helplessness was assessed through the Learned Helplessness Scale (LHS-20). Multiple linear regression analyses were performed separately for male and female athletes to determine the predictive influence of EI components on LH. Ethical procedures, including informed consent and confidentiality assurances, were fully observed. Results: Among male athletes, the regression model was significant, showing that higher regulation of own emotions (B = –0.68, SE = 0.34, p = .045) was associated with significantly lower LH, explaining 12.3% of the variance (R² = .123). Among female athletes, the model explained 22.0% of the variance (R² = .220), with both appraisal of own emotions (B = –0.57, SE = 0.25, p = .021) and utilization of emotions (B = –0.91, SE = 0.27, p < .001) significantly predicting lower LH. Conclusion: The findings demonstrated distinct gender-specific pathways linking EI to LH in university athletes. Male athletes benefited primarily from emotion regulation skills, whereas female athletes gained advantage from self-appraisal and constructive emotional utilization. These insights highlight the importance of gender-sensitive psychological training programs aimed at enhancing emotional competencies among university team-sport athletes.

Childhood psychological trauma casts a long shadow over lifelong mental health andstrongly predisposes individuals todepressive disorders. Despite consensus on the childhood trauma-depressionconnection, thetranslational mechanismsoperating between them are not yet fully understood. Drawing on learned helplessness theory, this investigation advances the view that hopelessness acts as acore mechanismin the relationship between early trauma and later depression. This research seeks to elucidate themechanismsthrough which different childhood traumas influence adult depression, with a specific focus oninterrogating the mediating effectof hopelessness. A questionnaire survey was administered to 113 adults (38 males, 74 females) with an average age of 22. The study found that all types of childhood trauma except sexual abuse (emotional abuse, physical abuse, emotional neglect, physical neglect) significantly influenced depression levels through the full mediating effect of hopelessness. However, there was no significant association between sexual abuse and hopelessness, thus hopelessness could not mediate this relationship. The results support learned helplessness theory, showing that prolonged uncontrollable trauma fosters hopelessness and subsequent depression. While emotional and physical abuse harm mental health by damaging future expectations and causing hopelessness, future intervention for trauma victim can focus on intervening against the sense of hopelessness to prevent depression. This study also underscores the need to distinguish trauma types and their specific mechanisms for understanding and intervening in childhood traumas long-term effects.

Abstract The author, a stress psychologist and keynote speaker, discusses her insight that “The leaders who perform at the highest levels don’t eliminate stress—they springboard from it.” She describes what she calls the “wellness trap,” in which trying to control stress, even in well‐meaning ways, can lead to more of it. She uncovered the following leadership paradox, that the “responsibilities that create the most stress are often the ones that provide the most meaning and purpose.” She developed the “FEAR[less] Stress Formula,” with three stages, which in her words are: (1) acknowledge the tiger, (2) transfer the energy, (3) set your trajectory. She describes ways to take advantage of spheres of control in your life and work, even if those spheres are limited. In her own experience, this has led to the creation of a nonprofit called GameChanger, which provides opportunities for women to play organized basketball after college, without going professional, at ages ranging from 21 to 78. In moving from “learned helplessness to learned hopefulness,” leaders must, in her words: identify the smallest sphere of control, take imperfect action, reframe setbacks as data collection, and focus on service beyond self.

To evaluate behavioral changes in rats after repeated gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) administrations, focusing on locomotor activity, anxiety, and depression-like behavior. Gadodiamide (linear GBCA), gadobutrol (macrocyclic GBCA), or saline were administered via the tail vein every 2days for 2weeks (n = 12/group, 6 injections). Behavior tests were conducted 3days after the final administration. Locomotor activity and anxiety-like behavior were assessed using the open field test and depression-like behavior with the learned helplessness test. Gadolinium concentration in the brain was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Data were presented as means ± standard deviation (S.D.). Gd retention decreased from gadodiamide (1.061 ± 0.162μg/g), gadobutrol (0.291 ± 0.098μg/g) to saline (0.027 ± 0.090μg/g; P < 0.001) administration. In the open field test, total distance moved (control = 2451.2 ± 316.3cm, gadodiamide = 2574.3 ± 318.6cm, gadobutrol = 2835.5 ± 563.5cm, P = 0.080) and center time (control = 2.3 ± 1.8%, gadodiamide = 1.7 ± 1.7%, gadobutrol = 1.6 ± 1.3%, P = 0.540) didn't differ between groups. In the learned helplessness test, escape failures and times were higher for gadodiamide (16.0 ± 8.2 times, P = 0.020; 14.6 ± 6.1s, P = 0.030) and gadobutrol (17.5 ± 8.5 times, P = 0.007; 16.0 ± 7.3s, P = 0.010) than saline (8.3 ± 6.7 times, 9.4 ± 5.0s). Learned helplessness was higher with gadodiamide (6/12) and gadobutrol (7/12) administration than saline (1/12; P < 0.001). In rats repeatedly administered GBCA, no locomotor activity or anxiety was observed, but depression-like behavior increased.

Unravelling the interplay of grit, learned helplessness, and vocabulary proficiency in ELT students.

The purpose of this study is to develop a hybrid model for the socio-economic rehabilitation of monofunctional cities as a spatially adaptive tool for Ukraine’s post-war recovery. The model integrates mechanisms of cognitive resocialization, social decompression, medical genetic monitoring, mobile employment economy, and smart regeneration to address the syndrome of learned helplessness, reduce infrastructural pressure, and enhance the role of resource-based communities in shaping quality of life. The methodological framework combines systemic, scenario-based, cognitive-behavioral, and institutional approaches with the principles of regional decompression and reconstructive development. The study employs an interdisciplinary toolkit, including scenario modeling, cluster and spatial-geographic analysis, psychometric assessment of learned helplessness, logic-project modeling, equilibrium and financial-economic evaluations, as well as the estimation of infrastructure costs and natural resource adaptation. The empirical base consists of official socio-economic indicators, legislative documents, and case studies of post-industrial city transformations in countries that have experienced prolonged crises. The scientific novelty lies in the construction of a hybrid model of spatial rehabilitation that combines scenario-based mechanisms of social decompression, rotational labor mobility, cognitive resocialization, and financial planning tailored to the specificities of seven typologized post-war macro-regional zones in Ukraine. The study proposes a scenario programmatic approach to financing rehabilitation processes, incorporating differentiated indicators of the socio-ecological-economic conditions of territories, the extent of war-related destruction, and their recovery potential. The findings provide a methodological foundation for designing spatial rehabilitation strategies grounded in the principles of spatial development, reconstructive justice, fiscal efficiency, multilevel coordination, and cognitive empowerment in the context of post-crisis recovery.

Human trafficking is a severe violation of human rights and a complex criminal phenomenon that intertwines legal, social, and psychological dimensions. This paper explores the psychological vulnerability of victims as both a risk factor for being trafficked and a consequence of prolonged exploitation. The primary aim of this study is to analyze how psychological mechanisms—such as coercion, trauma bonding, learned helplessness, and dissociation—facilitate criminal exploitation and influence the victim’s behavior, cooperation with legal authorities, and perceived responsibility. Integrating theoretical frameworks from forensic psychology with relevant jurisprudence, the research highlights the role of trauma-informed approaches in legal proceedings involving trafficked persons. Particular attention is given to the challenges of victim identification, credibility assessment, and the potential for re-victimization during the legal process. The paper also examines how psychological manipulation—often subtle and prolonged—can undermine the legal notion of free will and consent, raising questions about culpability, testimony reliability, and access to justice. By bridging the gap between psychological insights and legal practices, this study underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing human trafficking. The findings support the development of victim-sensitive legal protocols and advocate for enhanced training of professionals in both criminal justice and mental health fields. Ultimately, the paper contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the invisible psychological chains that bind trafficking victims, with implications for both prevention and rehabilitation.

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDStress is a risk factor for developing psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD). Compounds targeting the serotonin type 4 receptor (5-HT4R) hold promise as novel rapid-acting treatments of mood disorders. However, a lack of selectivity and numerous side effects have been limiting factors for their clinical use. Here, we developed and characterized novel-composition 5-HT4R compounds in mouse models of stress.METHODSThree 5-HT4R-targeting compounds were designed and synthesized based on PF-04995274, a high-affinity 5-HT4R ligand reported to be a partial agonist. G-protein assays were utilized to characterize molecular activity. Saline, PF-04995274, or a novel compound were administered before or after stress in male and female mice. Drug effects were assayed using behavioral paradigms. Patch clamp electrophysiology was used to determine the effect of drug on glutamatergic activity in hippocampal Cornu Ammonis 3 (CA3).RESULTSProphylactic administration of DL5, DL7, or DL8 was effective at reducing stress-induced maladaptive behaviors in male and female mice; DL7 and DL8 were effective when administered after stress. When administered following learned helplessness (LH), DL7 reduced behavioral despair and increased c-Fos in the dentate gyrus (DG) and CA3. All novel compounds attenuated large-amplitude AMPA receptor–mediated bursts in ventral CA3 (vCA3). In aged male mice, prophylactic DL7 reduced behavioral despair.CONCLUSIONSThese results characterize novel 5-HT4R-targeting compounds for stress-induced psychiatric disease with the potential to address unmet needs in adult and aged patients with stress-induced psychiatric illness. Future work will characterize their mechanism of action with the goal of clinical development.

In the recent history of Russia, it is customary to distinguish two “lost generations” — whose youth fell on the turn of the 1960s–1970s and the 1980s of the twentieth century. A number of contemporary researchers put forward hypotheses about the possible formation of a new, third lost generation. Among the grounds for such assumptions are the growth of alienation in the context of digital society, the transformation of values, and difficulties in social self-realization. To test the stated hypothesis, the authors conducted an empirical study within a quantitative paradigm: a representative telephone survey of Russian residents was carried out in July–September 2022 (N=2500). For analysis, questionnaires of respondents aged 18 to 35 were selected (n=840). The results of cluster analysis revealed three stable youth groups. The first cluster (56.9% of respondents) is characterized by an optimistic assessment of contemporary conditions as the most favorable for self-realization; its representatives evaluate youth as hardworking, striving for knowledge and high ideals, and problems among their peers, according to their assessments, occur rarely. The second cluster (29.4% of respondents), on the contrary, experiences alienation from contemporary society: youth are perceived as lacking initiative and ideals, and respondents’ peers, in their opinion, face a wide range of difficulties, primarily related to housing and material well-being. The third cluster (13.7% of respondents) believes that modern society provides youth with the best opportunities for development, yet considers that youth do not seek to take advantage of them, demonstrating absenteeism. The relatively small size of the second cluster does not allow one to speak of the formation of a new lost generation. The results obtained contribute to the existing academic discussion on the possible causes of youth radicalization, as well as the prevalence of the phenomenon of learned helplessness.

Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients frequently experience psychological distress, including learned helplessness(LH), which impairs self-management and adversely affects health-related quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the latent profiles of LH among MHD patients and to identify the bio-psycho-social determinants influencing these profiles. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in five hospitals in Guangdong, China, from May to July 2024, enrolling 548 MHD patients. Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) was applied to classify patients into distinct LH subgroups. Chi-square tests and multinomial logistic regression analyses were employed to identify factors influencing LH profiles. LPA identified three distinct LH profiles: High Helplessness-Resigned Group (49.0%), Moderate Helplessness-Adaptive Group (36.4%) and Low Helplessness-Hopeful Group (14.6%). Regression analyses revealed that sex, income, history of kidney transplantation, symptom distress, hope, and family support were significant determinants of LH profiles. Patients with high symptom distress, lower levels of hope, and reduced family support were more likely to belong to the High Helplessness-Resigned Group. The findings underscore the complex nature of LH in MHD patients and emphasize the importance of symptom management, hope enhancement, and family support in interventions. Tailored psychological and social support strategies may alleviate LH, improving the mental health and quality of life of MHD patients. Future studies should examine the long-term impact of these interventions on patient outcomes.

Meaning in life, particularly among emerging adults, is considered a crucial factor in navigating mental health difficulties, coping with life's challenges, and fostering inner peace, life satisfaction, and overall well-being. This cross-sectional study aimed to explain the mediating roles of free will and agency in the relationship between learned helplessness and meaning in life among Turkish emerging adults. The sample consisted of 349 participants (72.80% female, n = 254; 27.20% male, n = 95), aged between 18 and 26 years (M = 21.92, SD = 2.19). The findings revealed that learned helplessness significantly predicted levels of meaning in life, free will, and agency. Moreover, free will was found to mediate the association between learned helplessness and agency. While free will contributes to the development of agency, it also helps explain the link between learned helplessness and meaning in life. Agency also acted as a mediator in the association between learned helplessness and meaning in life, underscoring its potential significance in understanding how individuals maintain a sense of meaning. Overall, the study offers an explanatory framework for the central roles of free will and agency in the context of meaning-making during emerging adulthood and how these constructs may buffer against the psychological consequences of learned helplessness.

Depression, a prevalent mental illness affecting brain chemistry, presents as a state of low mood and reduced activity levels. Conventional synthetic medications offer symptomatic relief but fail to address the root cause. This study investigates the antidepressant potential of Camellia sinensis (tea plant) and Boerhavia diffusa (punarnava), traditional remedies for nervous shock and CNS disorders. Pharmacognostic and phytochemical analyses were conducted to evaluate their quality and purity. Polyherbal suspensions were prepared and assessed using various parameters, including forced swim, tail suspension, and elevated maze tests. Significant reductions in immobility time were observed in animals treated with the polyherbal suspension, akin to the effects of imipramine, a standard antidepressant. Furthermore, the drugs exhibited enhanced avoidance responses and reduced escape failures in learned helplessness tests. While locomotor activity showed varying results, suggesting potential side effects, the overall findings indicate promising antidepressant activity. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. This study underscores the potential of natural remedies in addressing depression, calling for continued exploration in this field.

Regulation of sociability by the cortico-habenula pathway in an animal model of depression.

In the last decade, activity-dependent strategies for labeling multiple immediate early gene ensembles in mice have generated unprecedented insight into the mechanisms of memory encoding, storage, and retrieval. However, few strategies exist for brain-wide mapping of multiple ensembles, including their overlapping population, and none incorporate capabilities for downstream network analysis. Here, we introduce a scalable workflow to analyze traditionally coronally sectioned datasets produced by activity-dependent tagging systems. Intrinsic to this pipeline is simple multi-ensemble atlas registration and statistical testing in R (SMARTTR), an R package which wraps mapping capabilities with functions for statistical analysis and network visualization, and support for import of external datasets. We demonstrate the versatility of SMARTTR by mapping the ensembles underlying the acquisition and expression of learned helplessness (LH), a robust stress model. Applying network analysis, we find that exposure to inescapable shock (IS), compared to context training, results in decreased centrality of regions engaged in spatial and contextual processing and higher influence of regions involved in somatosensory and affective processing. During LH expression, the substantia nigra emerges as a highly influential region that shows a functional reversal following IS, indicating a possible regulatory function of motor activity during helplessness. We also report that IS results in a robust decrease in reactivation activity across a number of cortical, hippocampal, and amygdalar regions, indicating suppression of ensemble reactivation may be a neurobiological signature of LH. These results highlight the emergent insights uniquely garnered by applying our analysis approach to multiple ensemble datasets and demonstrate the strength of our workflow as a hypothesis-generating toolkit.

In the last decade, activity-dependent strategies for labeling multiple immediate early gene ensembles in mice have generated unprecedented insight into the mechanisms of memory encoding, storage, and retrieval. However, few strategies exist for brain-wide mapping of multiple ensembles, including their overlapping population, and none incorporate capabilities for downstream network analysis. Here, we introduce a scalable workflow to analyze traditionally coronally sectioned datasets produced by activity-dependent tagging systems. Intrinsic to this pipeline is simple multi-ensemble atlas registration and statistical testing in R (SMARTTR), an R package which wraps mapping capabilities with functions for statistical analysis and network visualization, and support for import of external datasets. We demonstrate the versatility of SMARTTR by mapping the ensembles underlying the acquisition and expression of learned helplessness (LH), a robust stress model. Applying network analysis, we find that exposure to inescapable shock (IS), compared to context training, results in decreased centrality of regions engaged in spatial and contextual processing and higher influence of regions involved in somatosensory and affective processing. During LH expression, the substantia nigra emerges as a highly influential region that shows a functional reversal following IS, indicating a possible regulatory function of motor activity during helplessness. We also report that IS results in a robust decrease in reactivation activity across a number of cortical, hippocampal, and amygdalar regions, indicating suppression of ensemble reactivation may be a neurobiological signature of LH. These results highlight the emergent insights uniquely garnered by applying our analysis approach to multiple ensemble datasets and demonstrate the strength of our workflow as a hypothesis-generating toolkit.

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of learned helplessness among vocational nursing students and to analyze its influencing factors, to provide insights for nursing education.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among vocational nursing students from two vocational colleges in Fuyang, China using a stratified random sampling method. Data were collected using Learned Helplessness Scale (LHS, higher scores indicating a more severe degree of helplessness) and Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90).ResultsA total of 1,373 valid questionnaires were ultimately included in the analysis, yielding a response rate of 98.1%. The mean score on the LHS was 38.18 ± 16.67. The association between LHS scores and SCL-90 scores was not statistically significant (p = 0.09). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that the following factors were significantly associated with learned helplessness: low per capita household income (< 3000 yuan), non-voluntary choice of major (joint decision, parental preference, or other), non-passive future career orientation (further education or employment), low self-perceived major satisfaction, and poor interpersonal relationships with classmates (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe degree of learned helplessness exhibited by vocational nursing students is characterized as moderate, and it is influenced by many factors. Therefore, it is essential for educators, including instructors, head teachers, and clinical preceptors, to pay attention to the mental health status of nursing students. Schools should enhance their mental health education programs and strengthen home-school collaboration to provide timely and appropriate guidance to students.

Academic burnout and learned helplessness are significant psychological challenges faced by vocational college students in China, with detrimental effects on their academic performance and mental health. This study explores the interplay between these two phenomena, examining their causes and consequences within the unique context of China's vocational education system. Drawing on theoretical frameworks such as Maslach's burnout model and Seligman's learned helplessness theory, the research highlights how systemic issues—including high academic workloads, societal stigma, and inadequate support systems—contribute to emotional exhaustion, disengagement, and diminished self-efficacy among students. A comprehensive literature review reveals a bidirectional relationship between burnout and helplessness, creating a vicious cycle that exacerbates psychological distress. The study identifies gaps in current research, such as the lack of integrated models and context-specific interventions. To address these challenges, the paper proposes actionable recommendations for educators, institutions, families, and policymakers, emphasizing student-centered pedagogy, mental health support, and societal recognition of vocational education. By adopting a multidimensional approach, stakeholders can mitigate these issues and foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for vocational students, ultimately enhancing their well-being and academic success.

Introduction: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is exhibiting an upward trend, demanding urgent action. Chronic stress, a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), prompts our investigation into the potential of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a proven first-line treatment for psychosocial disorders. The study explores the application of CBT in alleviating signs of distress, aiming to enhance overall well-being in T2DM patients. Objective: To assess CBT’s effectiveness in T2DM patients. Methods: A randomized controlled trial enrolled 45 T2DM patients (aged 18 + years). The intervention group (n = 30) received six structured CBT sessions totaling 255 h (mean: 8.5 h) over 1 month, while the control group (n = 15) received standard diabetes care. Perceived stress levels were measured using Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) before and after the intervention. Additional scales, including Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale further evaluated psychological distress in the intervention group. The CBT intervention was tailored to address distress, incorporating cognitive restructuring, stress management techniques, and coping strategies. Results: An independent t-test revealed a statistically significant difference in mean PSS-10 scores between the control and intervention groups (P &lt; 0.0001). Notably, within the intervention group (n = 30), paired t-tests showed a highly significant change (P &lt; 0.0001) in pre- and post-CBT scores, indicating lower stress levels. HbA1c levels decreased remarkably, with a mean difference of −1.01 (P &lt; 0.0001), signifying improved glycemic control. Conclusion: These findings align with previous studies, reinforcing CBT’s effectiveness in mitigating distress and improving glycemic control. In addition, it unveils captivating insights into learned helplessness, feelings of loss, repressed anger linked to diabetes onset, and the potential benefits of gratitude practices in stress management. The complex interplay between psychological and physical health underlines the importance of integrating psychological interventions into holistic healthcare paradigms. Furthermore, future endeavors should explore the long-term impact of CBT on stress levels and other pivotal outcomes among T2DM patients.