Levels Of Anxiety Research Articles

The Effect of Internet Addiction on Preoperative Anxiety in Adolescents

Internet addiction has been associated with mental health issues such as anxiety, sleep disorders, and depression in adolescents. However, its effects on preoperative anxiety have not been adequately studied. Our goal is to investigate the consequences of internet addiction on preoperative anxiety in adolescents undergoing surgery. The study was carried out by the approval of the Karatay University Ethics Committee at Konya City Hospital between August and December 2023. A total of 150 patients aged 12–18 who would undergo general anesthesia were included. Preoperative anxiety was evaluated utilizing the "Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory" (STAI-1), and internet addiction was assessed using the "Young Internet Addiction Scale" (IAS). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS, and Pearson correlation, ANOVA, and regression analyses were used. It was found that 45.3% of the patients were internet addicts, and this group experienced higher levels of preoperative anxiety (r = 0.728, p<0.01). Pairwise comparisons revealed statistically significant differences among all groups. We observed a strong positive connection between internet addiction and preoperative anxiety. Additionally, it was observed that age and easy access to the internet increased anxiety levels, with individuals having more accessible access to the internet experiencing higher anxiety levels compared to those with limited access (β = 0.189, p = 0.018). Internet addiction is an important factor that increases preoperative anxiety levels in adolescents undergoing surgery. Age and ease of internet access are other variables affecting anxiety levels. These findings suggest that internet addiction should be taken into account during preoperative processes.

Change in depression and anxiety symptoms among university students, staff, and faculty during the COVID-19 pandemic: Trojan pandemic response initiative

Objective, Participants, & Methods The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health challenges of university students, staff, and faculty alike. We used linear mixed models to examine demographic predictors of, and change over time in, self-reported depression and anxiety symptoms of a cohort of university students and staff/faculty between surveys administered in August–November 2021 and December 2021–March 2022. Results Students who identified as “other” race/ethnicity, Lesbian Gay Bisexual or Queer, and female, reported high baseline levels of both depression and anxiety. The disparity in self-reported depression among students who identify as “other” race/ethnicity compared to White students widened between surveys. Staff/faculty in younger age groups and Trans/Non-Binary staff reported high baseline levels of both depression and anxiety. Conclusion Mental health challenges have continued well into the pandemic, however there are disproportionate impacts on sexual and gender and racial/ethnic minorities. University administrations should prioritize mental health services and resources accordingly.

A Convenience Sample Looking at Microbiome Differences Between Anxious and Non-Anxious Patients in a GI Clinic

Background: The gut–brain axis, significantly influenced by the gut microbiome, is a growing focus in mental health research. This study aimed to investigate gut microbiome differences between anxious and non-anxious participants. Methods: A convenience sample of 119 participants consisted of 56 participants with self-assessed low to zero levels of anxiety and 63 with self-assessed mild to severe levels of anxiety, using the self-rated Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) test. Fresh stool samples were collected for bacterial DNA extraction. DNA library preparation was performed using shotgun methodology, sequenced with the NextSeq 500/550 High Output v2.5 300 cycle kit, and mapped using minimap2. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted using One Codex. Results: The study participants were all of white race/ethnicity and the mean age, 54 (anxious group) vs. 55 (non-anxious) yr old, was not different between groups (p = 0.75). In the anxious group, 33% were females versus 25% in the non-anxious group, p = 0.46. Six percent of the anxious group reported a prior diagnosis of depression and 8% had irritable bowel syndrome, compared to none in the non-anxious group (p = 0.02, p = 0.006, respectively). Mann–Whitney tests revealed higher relative abundances of the genera Clostridioides (p = 0.011) and Bacteroides (p = 0.002) in the anxious group. Conversely, the anxious group had lower levels of the genera Bifidobacterium (p = 2.118 × 10−10), Faecalibacterium (p = 0.020), and the Phylum Actinobacteria (p = 1.516 × 10−8). Conclusions: Our findings corroborate previous studies, showing significant gut microbiome differences between anxious individuals and their non-anxious counterparts. These results support further exploration of microbiome-centric anxiety research.

Depression, Anxiety, and Aggression Disorders in Patients with Gender Identity Disorder Based on Personality Type: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Any deviation from the normal trajectory of gender identity formation creates a basis for incompatibilities, a specific and severe form of which is gender identity disorder (GID). Gender identity disorder affects an individual’s development, growth, and overall performance. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and aggression among individuals with GID, based on their personality type (type A or type B), referred to the Forensic Medicine Department of Ilam city in 2020. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all patients diagnosed with GID and referred to the Forensic Medicine Department for gender reassignment were included. All participants received psychological counseling from a psychiatrist. To determine levels of depression, anxiety, personality type, and aggression, Beck’s Depression and Anxiety Inventory, the Aggression Questionnaire (AGQ), and Spencer’s Type A or B Personality Type Questionnaire were used, respectively. Data were analyzed using t-tests, Fisher’s exact test, and linear regression through STATA 12 software. Results: The findings revealed that the mean ± SD total scores for depression and anxiety were 15.2 ± 9.2 and 21.4 ± 13.2, respectively. Among the patients, 21 (52%) exhibited no or very low depressive symptoms, three (8%) had mild symptoms, 12 (30%) had moderate symptoms, and four (10%) had severe depressive symptoms. Regarding anxiety, seven (17.5%) had no or very low symptoms, seven (17.5%) had mild symptoms, 12 (30%) had moderate symptoms, and 14 (35%) had severe symptoms. Among patients with personality types B and A, 11 (64.1%) and 10 (45.5%) individuals, respectively, had no depressive symptoms, while six (33.3%) and one (4.6%), respectively, exhibited no anxiety symptoms. The linear regression model indicated that aggression levels in type A personalities were approximately 6.23 points higher than those in type B personalities (P = 0.03). Conclusions: Individuals with GID who have a type A personality are more susceptible to mental health disorders compared to those with a type B personality. Additionally, aggression levels in individuals with GID can be partially predicted based on personality type.

Symptoms of acute stress, anxiety, and depression following Türkiye-Syria earthquake among Syrian population: national survey during the acute phase

ABSTRACT Background: On 6 February 2023, an earthquake with a 7.8 magnitude wreaked destruction in northern Syria to add a new emergency status in the country. This study aims to evaluate the mental health status of the Syrian population in the immediate phase of the earthquake. Methods: This nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted in Syria from 17 February to 6 April. Data were collected on socio-demographics, trauma exposure characteristics, and levels of acute stress, depression, and anxiety. The NSESSS Checklist for the APA was used to assess ASD symptoms, PHQ-9 for depression, and GAD-7 for anxiety. Linear mixed-effects models were employed to identify predictive factors while accounting for governorate as a random effect and time elapsed as a fixed factor. Results: The rate of probable ASD symptoms was significant, with 55.3% of participants exhibiting these symptoms, including 10.3% reporting severe-to-extreme levels of severity. Similarly, 71.6% of participants exhibited symptoms of depression and 59.1% showed symptoms of anxiety. Furthermore, 40.4% of participants displayed a co-occurrence of ASD along with anxiety and depression. Linear mixed effects models indicated that symptoms were predicted by female sex, displacement, poor economic status, and a positive mental health history time elapsed, physical trauma, belief in the ongoing risk of earthquakes, feelings of dizziness, recurrent night-time fear arousal, and a continued sensation of seismic activity. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the high rates of symptoms of ASD, anxiety, and depression across the Syrian population during the immediate aftermath of the earthquake. High portions of people may acquire co-occurring symptoms represented by different mental health problems. These findings highlight the need for immediate actions to enhance mental health support in Syria.

Evaluating the effect of a virtual reality digital therapeutic on maternal stress among expectant and postpartum Black and Latina mothers: a protocol paper

BackgroundMaternal mental health is vital to overall well-being, particularly among expectant and postpartum Black and Latina women who experience higher stress levels and mental health challenges. Traditional healthcare systems often fail to meet these needs, underscoring the need for innovative and accessible interventions. NurtureVR, a digital maternal mental health and educational program, leverages virtual reality to offer mindfulness, relaxation, and guided imagery to support these women.ObjectivesThis protocol aims to evaluate whether NurtureVR, a digital therapeutic, can reduce stress levels and mental health symptoms in pregnant and postpartum Black and Latina women, improve sleep, enhance pregnancy and childbirth experiences, and increase pregnancy and postpartum health literacy.MethodsThe Nurturing Moms study uses a pre- and post-intervention design with a 5-week NurtureVR program. Fifty participants, 25 expectant and 25 postpartum Black and Latina women, will be recruited through clinics, community organizations, and online platforms. The study involves three phases: baseline assessments of stress, mood, self-efficacy, demographics, and health history; daily use of NurtureVR for 15 minutes during the third trimester and six weeks postpartum; and follow-up assessments at six weeks postpartum. The program includes 49 modules on labor and delivery, stress during pregnancy, nutrition, breastfeeding, hormonal changes, 3D VR representations of fetal development, pain management simulations, and mindfulness exercises for labor. Participants will report stress, anxiety, mood, and pain levels following each VR session. Additional qualitative insights will be gathered through focus groups, and an optional survey will be administered one-year post-intervention to evaluate long-term effects.ConclusionsThe Nurturing Moms study seeks to create a more inclusive and equitable healthcare landscape, demonstrating that digital interventions like NurtureVR are essential for providing high-quality maternal care. By democratizing access to clinical research and healthcare, this decentralized trial promotes equity, improves the generalizability of findings, and accelerates the development of new treatments. The study’s innovative approach has the potential to improve maternal experiences of stress, sleep, and overall health outcomes for Black and Latina mothers and children, despite limitations such as sample size, language barriers, and the preliminary nature of a pilot and feasibility study.

The Influence of Deep Breathing Techniques and Nature-Based Sound Therapy on Oxygen Saturation and Covid-19 Patients’ Anxiety

The treatment for COVID-19 patients with hypoxia is typically limited to invasive and non-invasive oxygenation therapy without any complementary therapy to accelerate improvement in the patient’s health status. The physiological disorders faced by COVID-19 patients also affect their psychology. Anxiety disorders can interfere with physiological processes, such as respiratory processes, aggravating the patient’s oxygenation problems and leading to worsened conditions and death. Therefore, oxygen therapy and pharmacotherapy must be supported by complementary therapies, such as deep breathing. This research aims to investigate the effects of deep breathing relaxation techniques and nature-based sound therapy on the oxygen saturation and anxiety of COVID-19 patients. This study used a quasi-experimental approach with a pretest-posttest control group design approach with 66 samples selected by non-probability sampling. The sample comprised 33 patients in the control group and 33 in the intervention group. The statistical analysis used the Wilcoxon test. The results showed that deep breathing relaxation techniques and nature-based sound therapy increase the patient’s oxygen saturation values and decrease the anxiety score of COVID-19 patients with a p- value of < 0.001. The control group that received the deep breathing relaxation intervention obtained a p-value of <0.001 for increasing oxygen saturation and reducing anxiety levels. Therefore, deep breathing relaxation interventions and nature sound music therapy positively affect COVID-19 patients’ oxygen saturation values and anxiety scores. There are changes in oxygen saturation and anxiety values in the intervention group and control group

The Role of Dispositional Optimism in Psychological Well-Being and Social Anxiety Among University Students

Objectives: The primary goal of this study was to investigate the association between dispositional optimism psychological well-being and social anxiety in university students.Method: The correlational research design was used, and the sample was recruited employing the non-probability purposive sampling technique. The life Orientation Scale developed by Scheier et al., in 1994, the Psychological Well-being scale by Ryff & Keyes (1995), Social Anxiety Scale developed by Ejaz et al., (2020) along with the demographic sheet were utilized for the data collection. Results: The sample constituted 350 participants (165 males and 185 females), with ages ranging from 20-30 years (M=23.46, SD=3.22). Results revealed a significant association between dispositional optimism and all subscales of social anxiety and psychological well-being (p<.05). Similarly, significant differences among both genders were observed in levels of dispositional optimism, psychological well-being, and social anxiety (p<.01). Dispositional optimism and psychological wellbeing were also observed as the significant predictors of social anxiety in university students (p<.001). Likewise, the results proved that dispositional optimism was a significant moderator between psychological well-being and social anxiety (p<.01).Conclusion: the study concluded that dispositional optimism moderates the association between psychological well-being and a level of social anxiety.

Understanding of Body Dysmorphic Disorder - An Ayurvedic conceptual study

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is common mental health condition characterized by an obsessive focus on perceived flaws in physical appearance. These perceived imperfections, often not visible to others, can cause significant emotional distress and impair daily functioning. BDD affects both men and women and can manifest at any age, though it commonly begins in adolescence. In Ayurveda, this appearance preoccupation can be understood in terms of Chintyam (thinking) or Atichintana (overthinking). Chintyam is also considered as objective of mind which means to be thought about or to be imagined and by regulating the thought process Manonigraha can be achieved.[1] Chinta and Chita (fire) have only a difference of dot. Chita burns the dead while Chinta burns the alive.[2] In a recent systematic review it was found that weighted prevalence of BDD in adults in the community was estimated to be 1.9% though this was increased when looking at specific psychiatric settings (adult psychiatric outpatients (5.8%) and adult psychiatric inpatients 7.4%) and even further increased in the context of other nonpsychiatric specialties such as general cosmetic surgery 13.2%; in rhinoplasty surgery 20.1%; in orthognathic surgery 11.2%; in orthodontics/cosmetic dentistry settings 5.2%; in dermatology outpatients 11.3%; and in cosmetic dermatology outpatients 9.2%.[3] Many individuals affected with this condition will have high level of anxiety and depressed mood and some may even end up with major depressive disorder.

Role of RNA m6A reader YTHDF2 in neurodegeneration of the aged mice

Objective: To investigate the role of RNA m6A reader YTHDF2 in neurodegeneration of the aged mice. Methods: Eighteen 18-month-old control C57BL/6 mice and 22 Ythdf2 conditional knockout (cKO) mice of the same age (that exhibited significant aging characteristics) were used. Five pairs of mice were used for morphological analysis. Thirteen control mice and 17 cKO mice were used for behavioral experiments. Immunofluorescence analysis was performed to detect the expression of YTHDF2 in the brains of 18-month-old C57BL/6 mice. After establishing the neural progenitor cell-specific knockout mice of Ythdf2, their phenotypes were analyzed through comparison of body weight, brain weight and H&E staining. Subsequently, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analyses were used to detect the expression of various neural cell-specific markers in the aged control mice and Ythdf2 cKO mice. Finally, behavioral tests, including the open field test, new object recognition, and water maze, were used to assess the levels of anxiety, depression, learning and memory abilities. Results: Immunofluorescence staining showed that YTHDF2 was mainly expressed in the neurons. Compared with the age-matched control mice, there was no significant change in the body weight of the Ythdf2 cKO mice, but the brain weight decreased significantly (P<0.05). The immunostaining showed that Ythdf2 cKO mice had fewer neurons, fewer astrocytes with defective morphology, more microglia and activation of microglia (P<0.05). Behavioral tests showed that the aged Ythdf2 cKO mice exhibited impaired movement, learning and memory abilities (P<0.05). Conclusions: YTHDF2 is mainly expressed in the neurons of the aged brain. Conditional knockout of Ythdf2 causes quantitative and structural abnormalities in hippocampal neuronal cells, and impairs motor ability and learning and memory of the aged mice, suggesting that YTHDF2 plays an important role in neurodegeneration of the aged mice.

The relationship between the stress of parental and teacher academic expectations and student anxiety: The mediating role of social skills

Background: Elevated academic expectations imposed by parents and teachers can adversely affect student well-being and contribute to heightened anxiety levels. This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of social skills in the relationship between the stress of parental and teacher academic expectations and anxiety in high school students. Methods: This investigation employed a cross-sectional, correlational descriptive research design. The statistical population encompassed all high school students enrolled in Isfahan during the 2022-2023 academic year. A cluster sampling technique was utilized to select a sample of 225 students. Data collection was facilitated through the administration of the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), Social Skills Rating System-Secondary Students Form (SSRS-SS), and Academic Expectations Stress Inventory (AESI). The proposed theoretical model was assessed using structural equation modeling with the aid of SPSS-23 and SmartPLS-4 software. Results: The findings revealed a positive and significant correlation between both parental (r=0.44, P&lt;0.01) and teacher (r=0.41, P&lt;0.01) academic expectations and student anxiety. Conversely, a negative and significant correlation was observed between parental (r=-0.36, P&lt;0.01) and teacher (r=-0.42, P&lt;0.01) expectations and students’ social skills. Furthermore, social skills demonstrated a negative and significant association with student anxiety (r=-0.31, P&lt;0.01). Notably, social skills mediated the relationship between parental and teacher academic expectations and student anxiety (P=0.001). Conclusion: High academic expectations from parents and teachers can increase student anxiety. However, strong social skills can buffer this negative impact. To improve student well-being, interventions should focus on both academic success and social-emotional development.

Efficacy of Ayurvedic Medication on Anxiety-induced Migraine: A Case Study

Anxiety-induced Migraine is a complex and debilitating condition where physiological and psychological stress trigger severe headache episodes. Throbbing pain which is typical of Migraine headache presented with distressing symptoms of anxiety, significantly impacts the quality of life for sufferers. The relationship between stress and Migraine is bidirectional; not only can anxiety provoke Migraine, but the chronic pain and disruption caused by Migraine can also heighten anxiety levels, creating a vicious cycle. In Ayurveda, Ardhavabhedaka is mentioned with the characterization of headache in half of the head (hemicrania) which is the main feature of Migraine. A 29-year-old man with complaints of headache visited Shalakya Tantra OPD of the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Jamnagar for his Anxiety-induced Migraine. He was treated with Laghu Sutashekhara Rasa, Brihata Dashmoola Taila Nasya, Tablet Anzee (combination of Tagar, Ashwagandha, Brahmi, and Sankhapusphi) and Rasayana Yoga. There was a significant improvement in all three parameters of duration, severity, and frequency of headache and the most important was a reduction in frequency of headaches. The combination of medications shows improvement in the signs and symptoms of Migraine with Anxiety. This study recommends the importance of clinical protocol and evaluation with the clinical study for evaluating efficacy and safety.

ВЛИЯНИЕ НА СТРАХОВАТА КОМПОНЕНТА ВЪРХУ РЕЛИГИОЗНАТА ДИСПОЗИЦИЯ ПРИ СТУДЕНТИ ОТ СПЕЦИАЛНОСТ „ТЕОЛОГИЯ“ ПРИ ШУМЕНСКИЯ УНИВЕРСИТЕТ

The paper presents results of a research conducted among students of humanities at Shumen University. The purpose of the study is to find out whether there is any relationship between fear and religious disposition. To the posed research question: What is the degree of representativeness of personal religious constructs in correlation with the levels of anxiety and depressive states?, answers were sought by surveying 2 groups of students: one from the Theology major and one with students from other humanities majors. The proposed paper presents the results of the conducted research.

Levels of Anxiety, Depression, Self-Esteem, and Guilt in Women with High-Risk Pregnancies.

Objectives: Pregnancy is an inherently delicate process characterized by physiological and psychological changes, even in the absence of any health complications. This study compares the levels of anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and guilt in women diagnosed with high-risk pregnancies to those in a control group consisting of women with healthy pregnancies. Methods: A total of 172 women participated in the study, 108 of whom had high-risk pregnancies, and 64 had healthy pregnancies. All participants were administered a semi-structured Sociodemographic Data Form, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Scale (BAI), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and Guilt Inventory (GI). The findings were statistically analyzed and compared. Results: Women with high-risk pregnancies had significantly higher scores on the BAI (p = 0.002), BDI (p = 0.035), and GI (p = 0.001) compared to the control group. In the logistic regression analysis for calculating the risk of high-risk pregnancy, the multivariate analysis revealed that living in rural areas posed 3.5 times higher risk for high-risk pregnancy compared to urban living (OR = 3.500, 95% CI = 1.484-8.254). Additionally, for every one-point increase in the GI score, the risk of high-risk pregnancy increased by 1.064 times (OR = 1.064, 95% CI = 1.017-1.114). In the patient group, significant positive correlations were found between the BAI score and BDI, RSES, and GI scores, while a significant negative correlation was observed between BAI and parity. There were also significant positive correlations between the BDI and RSES as well as the GI scores. Additionally, a positive significant correlation was found between the RSES and GI scores. Conclusions: Our findings may help in identifying the psychological states of women with high-risk pregnancies and.

COVID-19 Anxiety and Mental Health in Healthcare Workers: Examining the Role of Compassion Fatigue During the Last Wave of the Pandemic

Objective Pandemics have been shown to affect both physical and mental health, with healthcare workers (HCWs) bearing a particularly heavy burden. During the COVID-19 pandemic, HCWs faced a high volume of cases, extended work hours, and heightened pandemic-related stressors, which placed them at increased risk for mental health issues. This study examines the effects of COVID-19-related anxiety on HCWs’ mental health, specifically exploring the roles of compassion fatigue (comprising burnout and secondary traumatic stress) as potential mediators in this relationship. Method A sample of 104 HCWs completed an online survey measuring their demographic characteristics (such as gender, age, length of service, marital status, and education), levels of COVID-19 anxiety, compassion fatigue, and mental health outcomes. Path analysis and bootstrapping procedures were used to analyze the data. Results Results indicated that COVID-19 anxiety was positively associated with compassion fatigue, defined as the emotional strain of caring for others, which includes both burnout (emotional exhaustion from work) and secondary traumatic stress (stress from exposure to others’ trauma). Compassion fatigue, particularly secondary traumatic stress, mediated the relationship between COVID-19 anxiety and various mental health indicators, including symptoms of anxiety, depression, and psychological distress. Both COVID-19 anxiety and compassion fatigue were significant predictors of these mental health outcomes. Conclusions These findings suggest that COVID-19 anxiety alone does not fully explain mental health outcomes among HCWs, as compassion fatigue, specifically secondary traumatic stress, plays a substantial role. Recognizing the complex interplay of pandemic-related stressors and compassion fatigue may guide interventions to better support HCWs’ mental health.

Relationship between group activities and social anxiety among college students and the intervention effect of group activities

Abstract Background: Due to environmental changes, personal pressure, and other reasons, college students' social anxiety is severe, which is not conducive to the healthy development of individuals. Therefore, intervention is needed. Objective: This paper aims to understand the relationship between group activities combined with mindfulness technology and college students' social anxiety and the intervention of group activities to explore whether mindfulness group activities can alleviate college students' social anxiety. Methods: Using social avoidance and distress scale (SAD), interaction anxiousness scale (IAS), and five facet mindfulness questionnaire (FFMQ) as tools, 110 college students with social anxiety from Enshi Polytechnic were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group. The former group underwent mindfulness activity intervention for eight weeks, and the pre- and post-test levels of social anxiety and mindfulness of the two groups were compared. Results: Significant differences were not observed in pre-test IAS, SAD, and FFMQ scores between the two groups (p &amp;gt; 0.05). In the post-test, the experimental group exhibited significantly lower IAS scores (43.28 ± 8.36) and SAD scores (11.45 ± 2.07) compared to both their pre-test scores and those of the control group (p &amp;lt; 0.05). The experimental group showed a significantly higher FFMQ score of 118.78 ± 12.87 points compared to both the pre-test and control group (p &amp;lt; 0.05). No obvious changes were observed in the IAS, SAD, and FFMQ scores of the experimental group during the follow-up period (p &amp;gt; 0.05).

The Impact of Hospice Care on the Prognosis, Quality of Life, and Emotional Well-being of Patients With Chronic Heart Failure.

Chronic heart failure (CHF) represents a substantial public health challenge, impacting patients' emotional well-being, quality of life, and overall prognosis. Palliative care and hospice services are increasingly recognized in managing advanced CHF, yet their evidence-based benefits remain underexplored. This study aimed to assess the influence of hospice care on CHF patient outcomes. A total of 120 inpatients with CHF were randomly assigned to receive either hospice care in addition to standard treatment (experimental group) or standard care alone (control group). Patient assessments included heart function classification, activities of daily living, Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire, anxiety scale, and pain assessment. Results demonstrated significant improvements in cardiac function, activities of daily living, anxiety levels, pain scores, and heart failure-related quality of life in the experimental group compared with controls. Reduced anxiety, enhanced emotional well-being, and overall health status improvements were particularly notable postintervention. Hospice care was associated with enhanced functional abilities, emotional well-being, pain management, and overall quality of life for CHF patients. In conclusion, this study underscores hospice care's positive impact on prognosis, quality of life, and emotional well-being in CHF, emphasizing its potential as a critical component in comprehensive CHF management strategies.

Effects of a SWELE program for improving mental wellbeing in children and adolescents with special educational needs: protocol of a quasi-experimental study

BackgroundUnstructured play has also been found effective on promoting positive emotions and emotional competence among children and adolescents with special educational needs (SEN). Unstructured Outdoor Play coupled with Mindfulness-based Interventions via ‘Supporting Wellness in E-Child Learning Environments’ (SWELE) program can foster the mental health and wellbeing of children and adolescents with SEN. Currently there is a lack of the unstructured play with mindfulness-based interventions in the special schools in Hong Kong. Thus, aim of the SWELE program is to examine the effects of unstructured play with mindfulness-based interventions—(SWELE) program combining unstructured outdoor play activities with mindfulness-based interventions to promote mental wellbeing among SEN children and adolescents.MethodsThis 16-week SWELE program focuses on combining unstructured outdoor play activities with mindfulness-based interventions to promote mental wellbeing among children and adolescents with SEN. Training workshops for schoolteachers, school principals, parents and student mental health ambassadors in each special school together with a 16-week SWELE program and each last 45–60 min. Unstructured play allows students the freedom to explore, create and discover without predetermined rules or guidelines. Outdoor unstructured play activities include naturally run, jump and move on a playground, riding a bike, climbing trees, playing tag, playing with blocks, colour, water play, and boxes. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design both with a quantitative measure using a single group pre- and post-tests quasi-experiment behavioural observational method to preliminarily evaluate the impact of SWELE Program on SEN children’s and adolescents’ mental wellbeing; and with a qualitative design to conduct eight focus group discussions including schoolteachers, school principals, parents, SEN students, school nurses from six selected special groups and to explore their perceptions and experiences after participated the SWELE program.DiscussionThe purpose of this protocol is to examine the effects of a 16-week SWELE program on the mood, anxiety level, social skills and playfulness behaviours among children and adolescents with SEN in the special schools in Hong Kong. From the evaluation and observation, the pre-set aim and objectives on the improvement of mental wellbeing in children and adolescents with SEN can be confirmed.Trial registrationClinicalTrial.gov, NCT06112483. Registered on 31 October 2023.

Mental health and cannabidiol: an initial test

ABSTRACT Objective Cannabidiol (CBD) is a specific cannabinoid found in cannabis that has become increasingly popular in the United States and worldwide. Anecdotally, many CBD users report using it to help address negative emotional symptoms like anxiety and depression. However, little empirical research has, in fact, been conducted to understand the mental health characteristics of persons who use CBD compared to those who do not. To address this limitation, the current study examined differences in depression and anxiety among adults who currently use CBD compared with those that do not use CBD. Methods Participants were 1,116 adults (68.9% female, Mage = 21.4 years, SD = 3.6). Results Compared to individuals who do not use CBD, individuals who used CBD reported higher depression (p = 0.020, ηp 2=.006) and anxiety (p = 0.009, ηp 2=.007); however, the group differences were small in magnitude. Conclusion Overall, the current findings suggest that current CBD use is associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety, but these effects are small. Future prospective research is needed to explicate the interrelations between CBD use and depression and anxiety as well as other negative emotional states to better understand the time pattern and interplay between these factors.

Investigating the Effectiveness of Character Empowerment Training on Primary School Teachers’ Teaching Emotions

Background: Intervention programs focused on character empowerment provide teachers with the tools to achieve personal well-being and develop resilience in challenging situations. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of character empowerment training on the emotional responses of primary school teachers in Yazd city during the 2021 - 2022 academic year. Methods: The research employed a semi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest approach and a control group. The statistical population consisted of primary school teachers in Yazd, from which 30 individuals were selected using convenience sampling. These individuals were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (15 teachers) or the control group (15 teachers). Teachers were first paired based on their teaching experience, prior participation in similar courses, and educational level. One individual from each pair was then randomly allocated to the experimental group, and the other to the control group. The research instrument used was the Teachers' Emotions Questionnaire. The experimental group underwent character empowerment training over two months, comprising 12 sessions of 50 minutes each. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 26, employing an ANCOVA model and MANCOVA test. Results: The findings revealed a significant difference between the two groups in terms of the emotions of pride (32%), anxiety (18%), and anger (47%). Specifically, character empowerment training increased the emotion of pride (P &lt; 0.01) while reducing anger and anxiety (P &lt; 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the experimental and control groups regarding the emotion of enjoyment (P &lt; 0.01). Conclusions: Enhancing awareness of character empowerment and integrating it into daily practices can help teachers experience heightened pride, reduced anger, and lower anxiety levels, while also enabling them to recognize and appreciate their positive attributes.