Lower Levels Of Depressive Symptomatology Research Articles

The Effects of Romantic Involvement on Psychological Well-Being in Late Adolescence

The Effects of Romantic Involvement on Psychological Well-Being in Late Adolescence

Prevalence and correlates of current depressive symptomatology among a community sample of MDMA users in Ohio

Research suggests that MDMA can cause serotonin depletion as well as serotonergic neurodegradation that may result in depression among users of the drug. Several small-scale studies have used various editions of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to quantify depressive symptomatology among MDMA users. This study represents the largest application of the BDI to date to explore symptoms of current depression among a community sample of young adult MDMA users ( n = 402). Internal consistency testing of the BDI-II with this sample revealed Cronbach's α = .92. Results show a mean BDI-II score of 9.8, suggesting low levels of depressive symptomatology among study participants. Two-thirds of the sample had scores that placed them in the non-depressed/minimal depression category, while 4.7% had scores indicative of severe depression. Logistic regression analysis revealed that men were significantly less likely than women and people who used opioids were significantly more likely than non-users to have higher levels of depressive symptomatology. Higher lifetime occasions of MDMA use were marginally related to symptoms of serious depression.

The Efficacy of a Universal School-Based Program to Prevent Adolescent Depression

Evaluated whether a universal school-based program, designed to prevent depression in adolescents, could be effectively implemented within the constraints of the school environment. Participants were 260 Year 9 secondary school students. Students completed measures of depressive symptoms and hopelessness and were then assigned to 1 of 3 groups: (a) Resourceful Adolescent Program-Adolescents (RAP-A), an 11-session school-based resilience building program, as part of the school curriculum; (b) Resourceful Adolescent Program-Family (RAP-F), the same program as in RAP-A, but in which each student's parents were also invited to participate in a 3-session parent program; and (c) Adolescent Watch, a comparison group in which adolescents simply completed the measures. The program was implemented with a high recruitment (88%), low attrition rate (5.8%), and satisfactory adherence to program protocol. Adolescents in either of the RAP programs reported significantly lower levels of depressive symptomatology and hopelessness at post-intervention and 10-month follow-up, compared with those in the comparison group. Adolescents also reported high satisfaction with the program. The study provides evidence for the efficacy of a school-based universal program designed to prevent depression in adolescence.

Future Employment Among Homeless Single Mothers: The Effects of Full-Time Work Experience and Depressive Symptomatology

SUMMARY This study examines the relationship between work and depressive symptomatology for extremely destitute single mothers–mothers who have experiencedan episode of homelessness. Using longitudinal data collected from 294 respondents who became homeless in 1992 and were followed for approximately two years, we find that a history of full-time work is the best predictor of whether a woman will find full-time employment in the aftermath of an episode of homelessness. Even an extensive history of part-time or informal work was not predictive of finding employment after leaving a homeless shelter. A woman's level of depressive symptomatology at the onset of homelessness predicted her strategy in dealing with the shelter bureaucracy. Women with full-time work histories who experienced high levels of depressive moods at the onset of a shelter episode were likely to leave the shelter quickly. Those with lower levels of depressive symptomatology stayed and were more likely than others to complete an education or job training program. Both types of women with full-time work histories were more likely than others to find full-time employment after a homeless episode. These findings suggest that policy makers must focus on providing full-time, and not part-time, work for impoverished mothers and take depressive symptomatology into account when offering assistance to homeless mothers.

Impact of Positive and Negative Aspects of Marital Relationships and Friendships on Well-Being of Older Adults

This study examined associations between well-being and positive and negative aspects of social relationships among 128 married older adults with a best friend. Women were more depressed than men if they did not have a friend in whom to confide, but women who did have a friend in whom to confide reported lower levels of depressive symptomatology, closer to levels reported by men. Men's depressive symptomatology was not related to having a friend confidant. Similarly, women who did not have a same-sex best friend in whom to confide were less satisfied with life than women who did have a friend confidant and men in general. Having a best friend who gets on their nerves was negatively related to men's life satisfaction and positively related to women's. Thus, positive and negative aspects of friendships were related to women's and men's well-being in different ways and were more important for women. Positive and negative aspects of marital relationships, on the other hand, related to depressive symptomatology and life satisfaction of women in comparable ways as for men. Results are considered in terms of the practical implications for supportive relationships to help older people meet the challenges of aging.

Fathers' coping style, antenatal preparation, and experiences of labor and the postpartum.

In recent years the trend for fathers in Western postindustrial countries to attend childbirth has increased. This study examined the interaction between fathers' information-seeking coping predispositions and their level of attendance at antenatal classes with respect to their experiences of attending childbirth. Associations between fathers' childbirth experiences, their relationship with their baby, and level of depressive symptomatology at 6 weeks postpartum were also examined. A quantitative methodology was employed in which 78 fathers completed several questionnaires, some within 6 days of childbirth and others at 6 weeks postpartum. Fathers who were characterized as high blunters (avoiders) of threat information, from antenatal classes reported that experiencing childbirth was less fulfilling than fathers with similar coping styles who did not attend classes. Fathers' reports of fulfillment and delight while attending childbirth were negatively related to their level of depressive symptomatology at 6 weeks postpartum. Levels of distress were associated with subsequent depressive symptoms, but their effect was removed when preexisting depressive symptoms were partialled out. Fathers whose children were born by cesarean delivery used significantly more negative adjectives to describe their baby at 6 weeks postpartum compared with those born by vaginal delivery. More married fathers attended antenatal classes and reported lower levels of depressive symptomatology than unmarried fathers. Although fathers' attendance at antenatal classes may have positive consequences for them and their partner, for some fathers, attendance at classes may be associated with less positive reports of experiencing childbirth. The way in which men experience childbirth may have some influence on their subsequent emotional well-being.

Measurement properties of the Center for Epidemiologic studies—Depression Scale in a homeless population.

The measurement properties of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies--Depression Scale (CES-D; L. S. Radloff, 1977) were evaluated in a probability sample of homeless adults residing in a large and demographically diverse community. The findings from this investigation suggest that the CES-D is a reliable measure of depressive symptoms among homeless adults and that the factor structure of the scale replicates the factor structure found in the general population. Change in the CES-D scores was associated with change in residential status, with participants who had made a transition from homelessness to regular domicile, reporting significantly lower levels of depressive symptomatology. This result indicates the scale's sensitivity to current depressive mood, as affected by significant life events encountered by homeless persons.

Measurement properties of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale in a homeless population.

The measurement properties of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies--Depression Scale (CES-D; L. S. Radloff, 1977) were evaluated in a probability sample of homeless adults residing in a large and demographically diverse community. The findings from this investigation suggest that the CES-D is a reliable measure of depressive symptoms among homeless adults and that the factor structure of the scale replicates the factor structure found in the general population. Change in the CES-D scores was associated with change in residential status, with participants who had made a transition from homelessness to regular domicile, reporting significantly lower levels of depressive symptomatology. This result indicates the scale's sensitivity to current depressive mood, as affected by significant life events encountered by homeless persons.

Gender and racial correlates of personal control among emotionally disturbed older adults.

Black and white community-dwelling women and men over sixty-five years of age, all of whom had been referred for psychotherapy, were interviewed to determine their perceived control (internal vs. external) over the causes and solutions to their problems. Personal control orientations were found to vary both by race and by gender. Men perceived themselves as having more control over causes than did women, but women perceived themselves as having more control over solutions than did men. Blacks perceived themselves as more responsible both for causes and solutions than did whites. Of the four groups studied, white females saw themselves as having the least control over the causes of their problems, but those perceiving higher levels of control over causes were most depressed. White males saw themselves as having the least control over solutions, but those with higher levels of perceived control had lower levels of depressive symptomatology.

Six months of desipramine for dysthymia: can dysthymic patients achieve normal social functioning?

Background: There is evidence that antidepressant medication improves social dysfunction during acute treatment in dysthymic patients but it is unknown if the gain in social functioning persists or progresses with longer-term antidepressant treatment. We examine the effect of 6 months of desipramine treatment on social functioning in dysthymic patients. Methods: Forty-six subjects with DSM-III-R dysthymia (70% with superimposed major depression) who had responded to 10 weeks of open-label desipramine (DMI) treatment received 16 additional weeks of continuation DMI. Social functioning was measured at weeks 0, 10 and 26 with the Social Adjustment Scale-Self Report. Results: Euthymia was maintained and a marginally significant trend for further improvement in overall social functioning appeared during continuation treatment. Only 24% of subjects achieved normative level of social adjustment after 6 months of DMI treatment. Limitations: The main limitation was the lack of a placebo control group. Conclusion: Acute improvement in social functioning persists during continuation treatment. However, most dysthymic patients did not achieve a community level of social adjustment. Significant social dysfunction persists in dysthymic patients with low levels of depressive symptomatology after 6 months of intense DMI treatment.

Religious activity and depression among community-dwelling elderly persons with cancer: the moderating effect of race.

Research has been oriented toward elucidating the links between religion and mental health. The purpose of this article is to further our knowledge in this area by examining the effect of religious activity on depressive symptomatology among community-dwelling elderly persons with cancer. We also test whether these effects differ between Blacks and Whites. We use two waves of data collected from a community-dwelling sample of elderly persons living in North Carolina. Depressive symptomatology is measured using four subscales from the CES-D 20 scale: somatic-retarded activity, depressed affect, positive affect, and interpersonal relations. Measures of religious activity include service attendance, religious devotion, and watching or listening to religious programs. The findings indicate that among Blacks with cancer, religious activity is related to lower levels of depressive symptomatology; no such relationship is found for respondent with other illnesses or no illness. Further, the effects of religious activity are stronger among Blacks than Whites. The analyses lend support to the hypothesis that religious activity is a strong predictor of depression in elderly adults with cancer. This finding, however, is not as strong as we had anticipated.

Assessment of Cognitive-Behavioral Skills and Depression Among Female Prison Inmates

This study examined assessment of differences in self-reported cognitive-behavioral skills among 64 female prison inmates reporting either high or low levels of depressive symptomatology. This population was chosen for its exposure to negative life events inherent to a prison environment. Sixty-six percent of the sample could be classified as at least mildly depressed on the basis of Beck Depression Inventory scores. MANOVA results showed that participants with high depressive symptomatology had significantly higher mean scores on measures of aggression and dysfunctional attitudes, as well as significantly lower mean scores on measures of assertion and self-reinforcement. Results were interpreted in favor of a multivariate approach to assessment of depression and other responses to negative life circumstances.

Work-related stress and depression among practicing emergency physicians: An International study

To compare the levels of work-related stress and depression reported by practicing emergency physicians in three survey sites and to determine the effects of gender and marital status on the stress and depression experienced by these physicians. Cross-sectional mail surveys. Seven hundred sixty-four practicing emergency physicians from the United States, 91 fellows in full-time practice from Australasia, and 154 consultants and 47 senior registrars from the United Kingdom. Administration of questionnaires requesting demographic information and including an inventory to assess work-related stress and a scale to measure depressive symptomatology. A 3 x 2 x 2 multivariate analysis of variance performed to compare scores on the stress inventory and depression scale simultaneously by survey site, gender, and marital status revealed significant differences in stress and depression by survey site and marital status. Univariate analyses of variance revealed significant differences in both stress and depression among the three survey sites and in depression by marital status. Adjusted means indicated that physicians from the United Kingdom reported higher levels of stress and depression than physicians from the United States and Australasia. Physicians from the United States and Australasia did not differ with respect to stress or depression. Physicians who were not married reported higher levels of depression than married physicians. No large mean differences, actual or adjusted, were found for any of the grouping factors. Statistical differences among practicing emergency physicians from the United States, Australasia, and the United Kingdom were observed, but the actual levels of work-related stress and depression were similar and did not appear severe. Marriage was associated with lower levels of depressive symptomatology.

Providing support to others and well-being in later life.

Although there is now a voluminous literature on supportive social relations in later life, most of this research has been concerned with assessing the beneficial effects of receiving support from others. The purpose of this study is to assess whether giving support to others within informal as well as formal settings might also benefit older help-providers. Findings from a recent nationwide survey of the elderly suggest that giving informal assistance to others (but not formal assistance) appears to bolster feelings of personal control in later life. The data further reveal that greater feelings of personal control are in turn related to lower levels of depressive symptomatology.