Measures Of Depressed Mood Research Articles

Understanding mechanisms of depression prevention: study protocol of a randomized cross-over trial to investigate mechanisms of mindfulness and positive fantasizing as intervention techniques for reducing perseverative cognition in remitted depressed individuals

BackgroundMajor Depressive Disorder (MDD) is one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders, and involves high relapse rates in which persistent negative thinking and rumination (i.e., perseverative cognition [PC]) play an important role. Positive fantasizing and mindfulness are common evidence-based psychological interventions that have been shown to effectively reduce PC and subsequent depressive relapse. How the interventions cause changes in PC over time, is unknown, but likely differ between the two. Whereas fantasizing may change the valence of thought content, mindfulness may operate through disengaging from automatic thought patterns. Comparing mechanisms of both interventions in a clinical sample and a non-clinical sample can give insight into the effectivity of interventions for different individuals. The current study aims to 1) test whether momentary psychological and psychophysiological indices of PC are differentially affected by positive fantasizing versus mindfulness-based interventions, 2) test whether the mechanisms of change by which fantasizing and mindfulness affect PC differ between remitted MDD versus never-depressed (ND) individuals, and 3) explore potential moderators of the main effects of the two interventions (i.e., what works for whom).MethodsIn this cross-over trial of fantasizing versus mindfulness interventions, we will include 50 remitted MDD and 50 ND individuals. Before the start of the measurements, participants complete several individual characteristics. Daily-life diary measures of thoughts and feelings (using an experience sampling method), behavioural measures of spontaneous thoughts (using the Sustained Attention to Response Task), actigraphy, physiological measures (impedance cardiography, electrocardiography, and electroencephalogram), and measures of depressive mood (self-report questionnaires) are performed during the week before (pre-) the interventions and the week during (peri-) the interventions. After a wash-out of at least one month, pre- and peri-intervention measures for the second intervention are repeated.DiscussionThis is the first study integrating self-reports, behavioural-, and physiological measures capturing dynamics at multiple time scales to examine the differential mechanisms of change in PC by psychological interventions in individuals remitted from multiple MDD episodes and ND individuals. Unravelling how therapeutic techniques affect PC in remitted individuals might generate insights that allows development of personalised targeted relapse prevention interventions.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06145984, November 16, 2023.

Exploring measurement invariance by gender in the profile of mood states depression subscale among cancer survivors.

The Profile of Mood States-Short Form (POMS-SF) is a well-validated tool commonly used in medical/clinical research. Less attention has been paid to the measurement invariance of the POMS-the degree to which the structure and items behave similarly for different groups (e.g., women and men). This study investigated the measurement invariance of the POMS Depression subscale across gender groups in a sample of cancer survivors. The POMS Depression subscale has 8 items (Unhappy, Sad, Blue, Hopeless, Discouraged, Miserable, Helpless, and Worthless). Invariance was measured using multigroup confirmatory factor analysis. This study used data from American Cancer Society Studies of Cancer Survivors-II, a population-based survey of adult cancer survivors (n=9170). We found factor structures and factor loadings were invariant for gender groups, but moderate differential item functioning (DIF) in the question containing the word blue. With regard to cancer survivors' gender, we found the Depression subscale of the POMS-SF had configural invariance, and partial metric and scalar invariance. This suggests that results should be interpreted with caution, especially when gender is considered important. More broadly, our finding suggests that questions with the word blue may introduce DIF into other measures of depressive mood. More research is needed to replicate these findings in other samples and with other instruments.

Association between depressive symptoms, use of antidepressant medication and the metabolic syndrome: the Maine-Syracuse Study.

BackgroundBoth depression and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) are two major public health issues. The aim of this study was to examine associations between depressive symptoms, the use of antidepressant medications, and the prevalence of MetS.MethodsCross-sectional analyses were undertaken on 970 participants from the Maine-Syracuse Study. Depressive symptoms were measured using two self-reported depression scales, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and the Zung self-rating depression scale. Antidepressant medication use was also self-reported. MetS was defined according to the recent harmonized criteria.ResultsThe risk of MetS were approximately 79 and 86 % higher for those in the highest quartile for the CESD and the Zung (CES-D: OR = 1.79, p = 0.003; Zung: OR = 1.71, p = 0.006), compared to those in the lowest quartile. With adjustment for socio-demographic variables, lifestyle factors and C-reactive protein (CRP), risk was attenuated, but remained statistically significant for the CES-D. In those who reported using antidepressant medication, the odds of having MetS were over 2-fold higher (OR = 2.22, p < 0.001, fully adjusted model), compared to those who did not use antidepressants. Both measures of depressed mood were also associated with low high density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. Antidepressant use was associated with elevated fasting plasma glucose concentrations, hypertension, and low HDL-cholesterol.ConclusionDepressive symptoms and the use of antidepressant medications are associated with the prevalence of MetS, and with some of the individual components of the syndrome.

A Dimensional Approach to Measuring Antidepressant Response: Implications for Agomelatine

Current antidepressant treatments for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) have limited efficacy and effectiveness. While measurement of response and remission is typically based on overall symptom reduction, the utilization of a dimensional approach, involving mood, cognitive and neurovegetative symptoms, may be more effective in predicting response to different antidepressant classes. In addition to these dimensions, evaluation of function is increasingly recognized as an important patient indicator of antidepressant efficacy. This paper reviews the efficacy of second generation antidepressant classes across the proposed symptom dimensions, and explores the potential benefits of agomelatine. While further research is required, agomelatine generally performed well in the mood dimension including measures of depressed mood, anxiety and anhedonia without inducing emotional blunting. Improvements in daytime alertness and clear thinking, combined with measures of subjective and objective sleep differentiate agomelatine from other currently available antidepressants, and likely contribute to favourable functional outcomes.

Perceived Extent and Effectiveness of Reflection and Brooding in Relation to Depressed Mood

The goal of this study was to determine whether the perceived effectiveness of two components of rumination, namely reflection and brooding, would differ, and whether these perceptions would interact with the extent that reflection and brooding were personally experienced, to predict depressed mood states. Participants completed measures of depressed mood, rumination, and measures of the personal and general effectiveness of rumination. Brooding was perceived to be less personally and generally effective compared to reflection. Depressed moods were predicted by high levels of brooding irrespective of effectiveness perceptions. High levels of reflection predicted depressed mood scores when the general effectiveness of reflection was perceived to be low. From a therapeutic perspective, these results suggest that brooding should be targeted irrespective of beliefs about the effectiveness of brooding but interventions designed to attenuate reflection should do so in the context of an individual’s beliefs about its general effectiveness.

The Relationship of a Measure of Frustration Intolerance with Emotional Dysfunction in a Student Sample

This study extended earlier research (Harrington in Cong Ther Res 30:699–709, 2006) on the relationship of the multidimensional Frustration Discomfort Scale (FDS) with measures of depressed mood, anxiety and anger, independent of self-esteem. The study employed a non-clinical student sample (N = 323) and measures of both state and trait anger and anxiety. In addition, the Unconditional Self-Acceptance Questionnaire (USAQ) was also used to specifically assess REBT self-acceptance beliefs regarding self-worth, as well as a measure of self-esteem. A Serbian version of the FDS was developed for use in the study. Consistent with the earlier research, significant predictive relationships were found, whilst controlling for self-worth, between entitlement and anger, emotional intolerance and anxiety, and discomfort intolerance with depressed mood. Emotional intolerance also proved to be a significant positive predictor of depression, whilst achievement frustration had a negative relationship with depression. Overall, the FDS dimensions had a weaker relationship with emotional states than traits. The results are discussed in regard to the relationship between FDS dimensions and dysfunctional emotions in a non-clinical sample.

Sources of Income, Mental Health and Quality of Life in Rural Russia

This article reports on a survey examining sources of income and their effects on the mental health and subjective quality of life of residents in nine rural Russian regions. Using conventional measures of depressed mood and respondents' assessments of the quality of their lives in different domains, the authors find that the emergence of a mixed economy, that generates income from salary and wages and household enterprises, as well as government transfers, has produced differentiation in the subjective psychological as well as material quality of rural residents' lives.

Relationship Between Inflammatory Cytokines and Self-Report Measures of Training Overload

It has been purported that inflammatory cytokines may be responsible for the aetiology of overtraining. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between self-reported measures of overtraining and inflammatory cytokines. Eight elite male rowers were monitored in their natural training environment for 8 weeks prior to the 2007 Rowing World Championships. During this period of intense endurance training, self-report measures of overtraining and inflammatory cytokines (Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α) were assessed fortnightly. Consistent with previous findings, proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α were significantly associated (p ≤ 0.05) with measures of depressed mood, sleep disturbances, and stress. Similarly, IL-6 was significantly associated (p ≤ 0.01) with measures of depressed mood, sleep disturbances, and fatigue. These results are consistent with previous hypotheses describing how overtraining may be caused by excessive cytokine release, and lend further support for a cytokine hypothesis of overtraining.

The persecution and deservedness scale

To design a brief measure to assess both the severity of paranoid thinking and the perceived deservedness of persecution, which can be employed in clinical and non-clinical populations. No existing measure is adequate for these purposes. In Study 1, we selected 10 items for a persecution and deservedness scale (PaDS) using data from 318 UK and 290 Portuguese undergraduate students, who also completed the Beck Depression Inventory and the Fenigstein's Paranoia Scale. In Study 2, we made comparisons between 45 clinical participants with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or delusional disorder and the UK students from Study 1. The psychometric properties of the PaDS were analysed for separate persecution (P) and deservedness (D) subscales. The 10-item PaDS subscales were internally reliable for both clinical and student samples. Correlations with other measures of depressive mood and paranoid thinking indicate that the P subscale has concurrent validity. Higher P and D scores were observed in UK students compared to Portuguese students. The clinical participants' P scores subscale were significantly higher than the students' scores but their D scores were lower. The PaDS is a reliable and valid measure of paranoid thinking and perceived deservedness of persecution, which is sensitive for use in clinical and non-clinical populations. Paranoid thinking appears to be mainly bad-me in non-clinical groups but poor-me in psychotic psychiatric patients.

No clear evidence of an association between plasma concentrations of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and depressed mood in a non-clinical population

Previous research suggests that low n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3PUFA) status is associated with higher levels of depression in clinical populations. This analysis aimed to investigate the relationship between depressed mood and n-3PUFA status in a non-clinical population. The analysis was conducted on data collected as part of a large randomized controlled trial investigating the impact of n-3PUFA supplementation on depressed mood in a community-based population. On entry into the trial, data on depressed mood were collected using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Plasma concentrations of various n-3PUFAs and n-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6PUFAs) were obtained from fasting venous blood samples, and various demographics were also measured. Using regression, there was no evidence of an association between either measure of depressed mood and any of the measures of n-3PUFA status or of n-6PUFA:n-3PUFA ratios. Clear associations were also not found when demographic factors were included in the analyses. These findings suggest that n-3PUFAs may not have a role in the aetiology of minor depression. This is also consistent with the results of other studies that have not demonstrated an association between depressed mood and n-3PUFA status in non-clinical populations and epidemiological studies that have not demonstrated an association between depressed mood and n-3PUFA intake in these populations.

Frustration Intolerance Beliefs: Their Relationship with Depression, Anxiety, and Anger, in a Clinical Population

Beliefs regarding the toleration of frustration and discomfort are often described as underlying psychological disturbance, and represent a fundamental concept in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Nevertheless, there has been little systematic analysis of the content of these beliefs, which are often treated as a unidimensional construct. This paper investigates the relationship between a multidimensional Frustration Discomfort Scale (FDS) and measures of depressed mood, anxiety, and anger, in a clinical population. Results indicated that FDS sub-scales were differentially related to specific emotions, independent of self-esteem and negative affect. The entitlement sub-scale was uniquely associated with anger, discomfort intolerance with depressed mood, and emotional intolerance with anxiety. These results supported the validity of the FDS, the importance of distinguishing between frustration intolerance dimensions, and of separating these beliefs from those related to self-worth.

Attentional bias and general orienting processes in bipolar disorder

Attentional biases for emotional stimuli and general orienting processes were examined in bipolar disorder, using a modified dot-probe task with a spatial cueing paradigm incorporated in it. Bipolar patients in a euthymic state (i.e., remission), bipolar patients in a mildly depressed state, and non-psychiatric controls participated. General orienting results showed that within the patient group as a whole, measures of depressed mood were positively associated with a relative inability to disengage attention. Attentional bias results showed that bipolar patients in a mildly depressed state, in comparison with controls, directed their attention away from depression-related words and positive words. The bias away from positive words was equally present in both patient groups and part of a trait effect, demonstrated by the comparison of patients in a euthymic state and controls. The bias away from depression-related words was mood state-dependent and within the patient group as a whole correlated negatively with measures of depressed mood. It is proposed that biases for emotional stimuli are related to the transition of mood states, characteristic for bipolar disorder.

Psychometric Properties of the 15‐Item Geriatric Depression Scale in Functionally Impaired, Cognitively Intact, Community‐Dwelling Elderly Primary Care Patients

To examine the psychometric properties of the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), a brief depression screening measure. Cross-sectional. Nineteen counties in western New York, West Virginia, and Ohio. Nine hundred sixty functionally impaired, cognitively intact, community-dwelling primary care patients aged 65 and older. The GDS-15, major depression as measured using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, depressed mood, life satisfaction, suicidal ideation, and reported suicide attempts. Exploratory factor analyses suggested a two-factor structure for the GDS-15 in this category of patients, with component subscales assessing depression and positive affect. Cronbach alpha coefficients provide evidence for moderate, although acceptable, internal consistency reliability. Significant associations between the GDS-15 and measures of depressed mood, life satisfaction, and suicidal ideation demonstrated construct validity, whereas acceptable sensitivity and specificity to discriminate between depressed and nondepressed patients demonstrated criterion validity. Internal consistency reliability and construct validity did not differ significantly between patients with low and high functional impairment. A significant weakness of the scale is its low correlation with suicide attempt status. In general, this study provides evidence of impressive psychometric properties of the GDS-15 when administered to a sample of functionally impaired, cognitively intact, community-dwelling primary care patients.

Are depressed drinking/driving offenders more receptive to brief intervention?

The relationship between depressed mood and interest in additional counseling was examined in three samples of adjudicated first DUI (drinking/driving) offenders who were participating in a court-mandated program. Based on prior research suggesting a relationship between depressed mood, higher motivation to change drinking and drinking/driving, and greater effectiveness of additional supportive brief intervention during the program, it was hypothesized that offenders expressing a depressed mood would be more receptive and less resistant to counseling than would offenders not expressing a depressed mood. In three sub-studies using several different measures of depressed mood, depressed mood was related to higher receptivity/lower resistance to counseling. Resistance rates were lowest for counseling that would occur within the program at no additional cost and highest when counseling required extra sessions or extra cost. Overall, Caucasian males were more resistant to counseling than were females or African-American males, although a differential relationship between depression and counseling resistance was not confirmed in comparisons of gender by ethnic groups.

EFFECTS OF LIGHT THERAPY ON SLEEP, MOOD, AND TEMPERATURE IN WOMEN WITH NONSEASONAL MAJOR DEPRESSION

Research has supported the applicability and efficacy of light therapy in the treatment of nonseasonal depression. The investigators examined the effects of light therapy on sleep, core temperature, depressed mood, and perception of fatigue and energy in a sample of pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women diagnosed with nonseasonal, nonbipolar depression. Women were randomly assigned to either light therapy (n = 16) or placebo (n = 13) for a 28-day period. Pre and post measures of sleep and core temperature were collected. In addition, measures of depressed mood, fatigue, and energy were collected throughout the study period. Significant changes in depression and energy were found in the treatment group, but not in the placebo group. There was a significant reduction in the temperature mesor and less wake time during the first third of the sleep period in the treatment group but not in the placebo group. Light therapy yielded significant improvement in depression when compared with placebo intervention and core temperature mesor returned to normal. There was no significant phase shift, perhaps due in part to the absence of any baseline circadian phase disturbances. Relationships between temperature, sleep, depressed mood, fatigue, and energy variables offer potential directions for future research and clinical intervention.

Gender differences in rates of depression among undergraduates: measurement matters

Two studies tested for gender differences in rates of depression among undergraduates using three conceptualizations of depression (mood, syndrome, disorder). The first sample consisted of 325 non-referred undergraduate students, who completed pencil-and-paper measures of depressed mood, depressive syndrome and a depressive disorder analogue. The second sample consisted of 894 undergraduate students seeking counselling services, who participated in clinical intake interviews assessing depressed mood and depressive disorder. Results of analyses provide no evidence of gender differences in rates of depressed mood in either samples or of depressive syndrome in the non-referred sample. However, in both samples, gender differences in rates of depressive disorder were found, with male students more likely than female students to be depressed. Copyright 2002 The Association for Professionals in Services for Adolescents Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Examination of Affective, Cognitive, and Behavioral Factors and Suicide-Related Outcomes in Children and Young Adolescents

Examined the role of affective, cognitive, and behavioral factors in the occurrence of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and suicidal intent in child and young adolescent (N = 175, ages 6 to 13 years) psychiatric inpatients. The results indicated that (a) self-reported depressed mood, negative automatic thoughts, hopelessness about the future, and anhedonia were all significantly associated with suicide-related outcomes, and these relations remained statistically significant even after depressed mood was controlled; (b) suicidal participants (both ideators and attempters) were distinguished from nonsuicidal participants by higher scores on measures of depressed mood, negative automatic thoughts, and hopelessness; and (c) participants who reported making a suicide attempt were distinguished from those who did not by higher scores on a measure of anhedonia and a higher number of previous suicide attempts. The results demonstrate the importance of negative automatic thoughts and anhedonia, and provide support for the role of hopelessness and previous suicide attempts in the occurrence of different suicide-related outcomes in children and young adolescents.

Depressive Mood Reactions to Failure in the Achievement Domain: A Test of the Integration of the Hopelessness and Self-Esteem Theories of Depression

This prospective study tested the diathesis-stress and causal mediation components of the integration of the hopelessness and self-esteem theories of depression. One hundred and thirty-six high school seniors applying early decision to the University of Pennsylvania completed measures of depressed mood, hopelessness, self-esteem, and depressogenic inferential styles 1–8 weeks before receiving their admissions decision (Time 1). The assessment of self-esteem and depressogenic inferential styles was preceded by a priming task designed to activate latent cognitive vulnerability factors. In addition, participants completed measures of mood and hopelessness shortly after they received their admissions decision (Time 2) and 4 days later (Time 3). In line with the diathesis-stress component of the theory, depressogenic inferential styles about consequences, causes, and the self for achievement events interacted with low self-esteem to predict enduring depressive mood reactions (Time 3) in negative outcome students. In addition, in partial support of the causal mediation component of the theory, in negative outcome students with low self-esteem, the relationship between depressogenic inferential styles and enduring depressive mood reactions was partially mediated by hopelessness.

The Cardiff Depression Study: a sib-pair study of dysfunctional attitudes in depressed probands and healthy control subjects.

Current cognitive theories propose that depression develops as a result of the interaction between dysfunctional cognitive schemata and environmental stressors. There is also consistent evidence of a substantial genetic contribution to depression. This study examines the familiality and stability of dysfunctional attitudes and attempts to distinguish whether they reflect trait vulnerability to depression or the state of being depressed. The 24-item Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS-24) was completed by 108 depressed probands and their nearest-aged siblings and 105 healthy control probands and their nearest-age siblings, at the time of a semi-structured clinical interview and 10-12 months later. Subjects also completed self-report measures of depressed mood on both occasions. Measures of clinical depression were significantly correlated with DAS scores. At retest, DAS scores remained elevated despite improvement in mood, giving support for earlier findings, that dysfunctional attitudes remain active following recovery. The dependency subscale (DAS-D) of the DAS showed modest familiality, although there were no significant differences for DAS-D scores between the two groups of siblings. In a multiple regression analysis, current mood-state was the overwhelming predictor of DAS scores. However for DAS-D, gender as well as current mood influenced scores on this subscale. Although there was modest evidence for temporal stability and familiality for some DAS-24 subscale scores, dysfunctional attitudes were predominantly influenced by current low mood, and therefore reflect the state of being depressed rather than a familial vulnerability trait underpinning depression.

Attributions, strain and depression in carers of partners with MND: a preliminary investigation

Further examination of the data of Goldstein et al. (J Neurol Sci 160 (1998) S114) on the impact of MND in their spouses/partners on 19 caregivers investigated whether carers’ depression and strain scores could be related to their attributional style. Contrary to expectations, carers’ scores on a measure of depressed mood were not correlated with measures of internal/external, stable or global attributions. However, perceived strain was greater in carers who viewed their partners’ illness as having a more global impact on their lives, and was related to self-perceived control over their thoughts about their partner. Female carers anticipated experiencing less strain and distress in the following year than male carers, even though they did not differ in current strain levels. Male and female carers received similar numbers of formal services. The availability of informal support (family and friends) was associated with reduced anticipation of future strain and distress and with reduced perception of the pervasive impact of their partners’ MND on their lives.