Psychological Distress In Young Adults Research Articles

Resilience and Psychological Distress in Early Adulthood with Non-Suicidal Self-Injury: A Scoping Review

According to Orenstein & Lewis (2021), young adults are at a transitional age and have demands on developmental tasks. When these demands are not met, it can cause feelings of suffering, activities that become obstacles and characterized by symptoms of anxiety and depression or called psychological disorders (Kalia & Knauft, 2020; Dharma et al, 2020). Psychological distress that are not balanced with adaptive problem solving can cause maladaptive distress, it called non-suicidal self-injury (Rahmasari, 2021). According to Hans et al (2022) bounce back is needed in young adults, so they can face the problem, or it called resilience. In the previous study by Khan & Ungar (2021), there were limited matters such as the search for coping strategies carried out by the sample in the study and protective factors from the emergence of self-harm and the non-specific definition of NSSI. Aims:identification research on resilience and psychological distress in young adults with NSSI. Method:scoping review. Result: 10 journals that met the inclusion criteria were selected. Hypothesis of this study is the results of the study indicate that the conditions of psychological distress in young adults with NSSI have low resilience and high levels of psychological distress. The benefits of this research theoretically are to enrich scientific references in the field of clinical psychology, especially regarding resilience and psychological disorders in young adults with NSSI and practically this research can be continued by taking into account several limitations and can be developed into interventions for young adults with NSSI.

Scrolling and Stress: Exploring Internet Usage for Social Media and Psychological Distress in Young Adults

Abstract Background: Internet usage is increasing significantly among young adults for various purposes. Understanding the extent of their social media engagement is crucial. This study aims to explore how much young adults use the Internet for social media and its link to psychological distress. Methods: The study included 423 UG and PG students from two private colleges in Ooty, Tamil Nadu. They were selected using a purposive sampling technique. An online survey collected data through a sociodemographic data sheet, the Internet Use Scale, and the Kessler 10 Psychological Distress Scale. Results: The findings revealed that 26% (n = 111) of students excessively use the Internet for social media activities. More males (56.76%) than females (43.24%) use this excessively. Around 23% of these heavy users have four or more social media accounts. Instagram is the most popular platform (32%), followed by combinations such as Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube (28%), and Instagram paired with YouTube (20%). Excessive Internet users (P < 0.001) spend an average of 3.57 h on social media, while nonexcessive users spend 2.51 h. Over half of the excessive users had psychological distress (P < 0.001). Significant positive correlations were found between average social media usage hours, Internet use score, and psychological distress (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Internet usage for social media activity is rising among students, and using multiple social media accounts and excessive use are associated with psychological distress.

Long COVID and psychological distress in young adults: Potential protective effect of a prior mental health diagnosis

BackgroundAlthough young adulthood is a period characterized by marked psychological vulnerability, young adults are typically considered to be in good physical health and are therefore understudied with respect to the effects of COVID-19 infection and long COVID. The present study examined associations between post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) and serious psychological distress during young adulthood, and tested whether prior mental health diagnosis moderated this association. MethodsParticipants were 44,652 young adults who completed the Spring 2022 administration of the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment III (ACHA-NCHA). Blockwise logistic regressions tested the odds of meeting the clinical threshold for serious psychological distress. ResultsPASC was associated with 53 % increased likelihood of meeting the clinical threshold for serious psychological distress. Among young adults with a prior mental health diagnosis, PASC predicted 36 % increased odds of serious psychological distress; among those without a diagnosis, PASC predicted 81 % increased odds. LimitationsPASC was assessed using a single self-report item rather than a clinical diagnosis of specific symptomatology. The analyses were cross-sectional and relied on concurrent reports of PASC and psychological distress which precluded us from making claims regarding directionality of the associations. The outcome of generalized psychological distress limited us from generating targeted treatment recommendations. ConclusionsPASC may confer elevated psychological distress among young adults. The association of PASC to serious psychological distress was stronger in young adults without a mental health diagnosis than those with a diagnosis. Prior experience with mental illness may mitigate the psychological burden of long-term symptomatology.

Relationship of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders and Psychological Distress in Young Adults

Background: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) relate to dysfunctions that impact the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), masticatory muscles, and connected structures. Psychological well-being can be among the various factors that TMD affects. Prior studies conducted in different countries have demonstrated a correlation between TMD symptoms and psychological distress in young adults. However, research on this topic is limited in Indonesia. Objective: To assess the association of symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder and psychological stress in young adults. Materials and Methods: This research employed an analytical cross-sectional design and involved 354 participants (141 males and 213 females) aged 19-21 from Kampus A of Universitas Trisakti. The subjects' general characteristics, including gender, age, and ethnicity, were described. The data were gathered through two types of questionnaires: DC/TMD axis I (Symptom Questionnaire) and axis II (Patient Health Questionaire-PHQ-4), and were analyzed using the Spearman correlation test administered through Google Form. Result: The study's findings revealed that 141 participants (39.8%) were male, while 213 (60.2%) were female. Among the research subjects, 91 individuals - 32 males and 59 females - experienced the most discomfort in the pain category, with the mean PHQ-4 score for pain being the highest at 4.68. The bivariate analysis demonstrated a moderate correlation coefficient value (r = 0.401) and a significant relationship (p 0.05) between temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in the pain category and psychological distress. The prevalence of TMD was 39.8% in males and 60.2% in females. Conclusions: TMD is a common problem among young adults aged 19-21 years, and pain associated with TMD can lead to psychological distress in this age group.

Psychological Distress in Young Adults with Acute Myeloid Leukemia Undergoing Induction Chemotherapy.

Young adults (YAs), aged 18-39 years, with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) navigate life disruptions amid an unpredictable illness trajectory. We conducted a secondary analysis of patient-reported outcomes for hospitalized YAs with high-risk AML receiving intensive chemotherapy, collected during a multisite randomized clinical trial. Of the 160 patients, 14 (8.8%) were YAs. At week 2 of hospitalization, YAs demonstrated significant worse quality of life (β = -18.27; p = 0.036), higher anxiety (β = 2.72; p = 0.048), and higher post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD; β = 10.34; p = 0.007) compared with older adults. Our analysis demonstrated a longitudinal presence of anxiety and PTSD, suggesting persistent unmet psychological needs for YAs with AML.

Psychological Distress as a Predictor for Weight Self-Stigma among Youth in Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Background: Weight-related self-stigma has well-known psychological consequences. There is growing evidence that psychological problems, including depression, anxiety, stress, predict the existence of weight stigma. The purpose of the present survey was to examine the association between weight self-stigma and psychological distress among Saudi young adults in Jazan region.
 Objectives: The rationale of this study was to investigate the correlation between weight self-stigmatization and psychological distress in young adults In Jazan region, Saudi Arabia.
 Materials and Methods: We performed a cross-sectional investigation using the wight-self stigma questionnaire (WSSQ) and the depression, anxiety, and stress scale 21 (DASS 21) in a convenience sample of 399 participants. The statistical analysis included descriptive analysis, independent-samples t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and linear regression.
 Expected Results: We hypothesize that there is correlation between weight self-stigma and psychological distress among young people In Jazan region, Saudi Arabia.
 Results: The mean age was 21.12 years ± 2.91 years. Stigmatization of oneself weight (both self devaluing and enacted stigmatization concern) was significantly associated with respondents' body mass index (BMI) (p < .001), depression, anxiety, and stress (p < .001). There was a significant correlation between respondents' scores on the WSSQ and DASS 21. The main predictors for weight self-stigma were BMI (p < .001) and psychological distress (p < .001).
 Conclusion: The study revealed a strong association between weight self-stigma and psychological distress among young adults in Jazan region, Saudi Arabia. Further epidemiological and clinical studies on the national level are warranted.

Internet gaming disorder, aggression and psychological distress in young adults

IntroductionInternet gaming has become a topic of interest since it has positive but also negative effects.ObjectivesTo explore the relationship between internet gaming, aggression and psychological distress in young adults.Methods229 Portuguese subjects (55.5% females), with a mean age of 21.13 years old (SD = 2.075, range: 18-29) filled in the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form, the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire, and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales-21.ResultsThe total score of internet gaming was of 15.90 (SD=6.32), 79.9% (n=183) of the sample used to play videogames and 24.5% (n=56) spent more than ten hours playing a week. Internet gaming was correlated with physical aggression (r=.23**), anger (r=.31**) and hostility (r=.35**); and with depression (r=.36**), anxiety (r=.28**), and stress (r=.31**). A Mann Whitney U test revealed significant differences in internet gaming disorder levels of males (Md=130.75, n=102) and females (Md=102.35, n=127), U=4871.000 z=-3.232, p=.001, r=4.49.ConclusionsInternet gaming disorder is associated with aggression and psychological distress, and males presented higher internet gaming disorder levels. Future studies are needed to explore the bidirectional relationships between gaming disorder, aggression and psychological distress.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Flood exposure and psychological distress among Ghanaian adults in flood-prone settings

Urban floods have long-term mental health implications, yet this subject remains largely neglected in flood-related studies. This paper examines the psychological distress (PD) of adults exposed to floods in Ghana. Cross-sectional data involving 767 flood-prone community-dwelling household heads aged ≥20 years were analyzed [mean = 47.3 years (SD = 13.7); males = 61.4%]. We used the Exposure to Flood-related Events Scale, and PD was assessed with the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regressions evaluated crude and adjusted associations of flood exposure with PD. The mean scores of PD (37[SD = 8]) and exposure to flood events (6[SD = 3]) significantly varied by age and sex (p < .05). After full adjustment for potential confounders, exposure to flood events was significantly and positively associated with PD index in the total sample (β = 0.030; p < .005), among male participants (β = 0.019; p < .05) and female participants (β = 0.048; p < .001). Furthermore, age-wise analysis revealed significant association of flood exposure with PD in young adults (β = 0.033; p < .001) but not in older adults (β = 0.048; p = .062). Exposure to floods increased the risk of PD. Policy and public health efforts to manage PD should include selective flood reduction interventions, including land use regulations and sustained public education.

Attachment relationships and psychological distress in young adults: The mediating role of self-esteem

• In youth the relationship between attachment and psychological distress is unexplored. • Here, effects of primary and secondary attachment on distress were examined. • Findings show mediation effects of both attachment types through self-esteem. • First empirical evidence for the individual roles of both types of attachment. The relationship between attachment security and psychological distress (such as depressive and anxiety symptoms) is well established. However, the role of attachment security beyond primary attachment, referred to as secondary attachment, and the mechanism underlying this relationship is under-explored among young adults. This study sought to investigate the effects of primary attachment and secondary attachment on psychological distress with self-esteem as a mediator in young adults. Four hundred and fifty two UK participants aged 18–25 (55.76% females; Mean age = 20.72; SD = 2.29) completed measures of attachment, self-esteem and psychological distress. Using two mediation models, we tested the effects of primary attachment and secondary attachment separately on psychological distress mediated by self-esteem, while controlling for the other type of attachment (i.e. primary or secondary). The findings supported the mediation effects of both primary attachment and secondary attachment through self-esteem on psychological distress. This study provides the first empirical evidence for the individual role of primary and secondary attachment relationships through self-esteem, which has important implications for preventive and intervention strategies to lessen psychological distress among young adults.

COVID-19 mitigation policies and psychological distress in young adults

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen an unusually high proportion of the population suffering from mental health difficulties, but of particular concern is the disproportionate increase in psychological distress among younger adults. In this article, we exploit an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design to examine which aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic 18-25-year-olds found most challenging. We report analyses of American Voices Project (AVP) qualitative in-depth interview data, a MyVoice text-message open-ended survey, and Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey (HPS) data, all collected in 2020. Our interview and text-message results show that young adults were distressed about the effects of COVID-19 on the health of loved ones and older Americans. Young adults expressed concerns that the pandemic was not being treated sufficiently seriously by some politicians and the general public. The policy response was seen to be inadequate to the task of containing the disease, and some feared that the pandemic would never end. Statistical analyses of the HPS confirm that young adults’ scores on the HPS’s anxiety scale were significantly negatively associated with state-level policy responses. Overall, our results show that young adults found virus mitigation strategies challenging, but that a strong policy response was associated with reduced levels of psychological distress. Our results suggest that public health policy might have also operated as mental health policy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sleep education improves knowledge but not sleep quality among medical students.

Poor sleep quality, often resulting from poor sleep hygiene, is common among medical students. Educational interventions aimed at improving sleep knowledge are beneficial for sleep quality in healthy populations. However, sleep education is often given minimal attention in medical school curriculums. The aim of the study was to explore whether a short educational intervention could improve sleep knowledge, and consequently sleep quality, among medical students. We recruited preclinical- and clinical-stage medical students during the 2017-2018 academic year. Students completed a demographic survey, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and the Assessment of Sleep Knowledge in Medical Education (ASKME) questionnaire. Students then attended a lecture on the physiology and importance of sleep. To assess the efficacy of the intervention, questionnaires were repeated 4 months thereafter. A total of 87 students (31 preclinical) with a mean age of 25.86 years (standard deviation [SD], 3.33), 51 of whom were women, participated in the study. At baseline, students had poor sleep quality with a PSQI mean score of 5.9 (SD, 2.37), without significant sleepiness, and a mean ESS score of 8.86 (SD, 4.32). The mean ASKME scores were consistent with poor sleep knowledge at 11.87 (SD, 4.32). After the intervention, the mean ASKME results improved to 14.15 (SD, 4.5; P < .001), whereas sleep quality did not. The effect was similar in preclinical and clinical medical students. Sleep knowledge was inadequate among medical students, who also experienced poor sleep quality. A short educational intervention improved sleep knowledge but was insufficient at improving sleep quality. Further studies are needed to determine which interventions may provide benefit in both sleep knowledge and sleep quality.

Psychological Distress in Young Adults with Acute Myeloid Leukemia Undergoing Induction Chemotherapy

Introduction: Young adults (YAs), ages 18-39 years diagnosed with cancer have distinct physical, developmental, and psychosocial needs that are often unmet during oncologic treatment. In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a disease affecting both younger and older adults, patients navigate several treatment intensity choices, and with intensive induction chemotherapy are often balancing a chance of cure with a risk of death. Furthermore, YAs with AML can have marked life disruptions with this unpredictable illness trajectory and prolonged induction hospitalization, further conflicting with normal development at this stage. Fundamentally different than solid tumors, we lack an understanding of the YA experience in AML induction compared to their older counterparts. This study explores patient-reported outcomes (PROs) including quality of life (QOL) and physical and psychological symptom burden among YAs undergoing induction chemotherapy. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of 160 patients with high-risk AML hospitalized to receive intensive chemotherapy who were enrolled in a randomized control trial of palliative care (PC) intervention versus standard oncology care. Patients with newly diagnosed, relapsed, or refractory AML receiving intensive treatment requiring a 4-6 week hospitalization were enrolled in the study. We used the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Leukemia (FACT-Leu), the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist to assess QOL, symptom burden, and psychological distress respectively. Assessments were administered at baseline, week-2, and week-4 following initiation of chemotherapy. We used descriptive statistics to compare PROs at baseline between YAs (&amp;lt; 40 years) and older adults. We used linear regression models controlling for PC intervention effect when examining the association between age (YAs versus older adults) and PROs at week-2. We used linear mixed effect models controlling for randomization to the PC intervention to assess the association between age and PROs longitudinally throughout the hospitalization. Results: Of the 160 patients with high-risk AML enrolled in this study, 14 (8.8%) were YAs &amp;lt; 40 years. Demographic characteristics highlight that the majority of YAs had relapsed AML (n=10, 71.4%) and there was a greater presence of racial and ethnic diversity compared to older adults. The baseline mean QOL score for YAs was 110.5 (SD 34.2). Overall, 57.1% (8/14) reported clinically significant anxiety and 50% (7/14) reported clinically significant PTSD symptoms at baseline. Fewer YA patients, 21.4% (3/14) reported clinically significant depression. Evaluation of PROs at week-2 nadir adjusted for randomization to the PC intervention, highlighted a significant lower QOL (β=-18.27; p=0.036), higher anxiety (β=2.72; p=0.048), and higher PTSD symptoms (β=10.34; p=0.007) for YAs compared to older adults. Longitudinal analyses exploring the impact of age on PROs across induction hospitalization demonstrated that YAs had consistently significant higher anxiety (β=3.66; p=0.024) and PTSD symptoms (β=15.64; p&amp;lt;0.001) compared to older adults [Figure 1]. Conclusions: For YAs with AML undergoing induction chemotherapy, anxiety and PTSD symptoms are highly prevalent both at baseline and longitudinally throughout the induction hospitalization. This demonstrates a continued unmet need of the significant psychological distress and intensified hospitalization experience for YAs compared to their older counterparts. Given that distress during induction hospitalization can be predictive of post-treatment outcomes, it is imperative to tailor integrated supportive care and psychosocial interventions for YAs with AML during induction chemotherapy. Disclosures Walker: Geron: Research Funding; Newave Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding. Bhatnagar:KaryoPharm Therapuetics: Research Funding; Cell Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astellas: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; KITE: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

The impact of attachment styles and defense mechanisms on psychological distress in a non-clinical young adult sample: A path analysis

IntroductionInsecure attachment styles and immature or neurotic defense mechanisms are related to psychological distress. However, their mutual interaction in influencing psychological distress deserves further investigation. MethodsOne-thousand-one-hundred-twenty-nine University students were evaluated using the Global Severity Index of Symptoms Check List 90-Revised for psychological distress, Relationship Questionnaire for attachment styles and Defense Style Questionnaire for defense mechanisms. Following exploratory analyses, a Path Analysis was performed with psychological distress as outcome. ResultsFearful and preoccupied attachment styles had a substantial impact on psychological distress. About 30% of their effect was mediated by Immature and Neurotic defenses, with the former having the major effect. Dismissing attachment showed no substantial effect on psychological distress. Secure Attachment and Mature Defenses had a small protective effect on psychological distress, but their inclusion in the path model did not improve overall goodness-of-fit. Attachment style and defense mechanisms accounted for nearly 25% of the variance in psychological distress. ConclusionsThe results showed that attachment styles and defense mechanisms have a substantial impact on psychological distress. The effect of attachment style is mediated by defense mechanisms. Individual differences in attachment style and defense mechanisms represent risk factors for psychological distress in young adults.

Motor coordination problems and psychological distress in young adults: A test of the Environmental Stress Hypothesis

Background and aimsThe Environmental Stress Hypothesis (ESH) has been used to examine how the relationship between poor motor coordination and psychological distress is affected by physical health and psychosocial factors. However, work applying the ESH is still limited, and no studies have used this framework with adults. The current investigation aims to examine the association between motor coordination and psychological distress among emerging adults, and examine potential mediators to this relationship based on the ESH. Methods225 young adults aged 17–23 years completed a survey of motor coordination, physical activity, secondary stressors (i.e., general stress and global relationships), perceived social support, self-concept, and psychological distress. Structural equation modeling was conducted to examine mediating pathways and overall model fit. ResultsThe final model of the ESH showed good model fit (x2 = 83.24, p < .01; RMSEA=0.056; NNFI = 0.927; CFI = 0.954; GFI = 0.947), and indicated that the relationship between poor motor coordination and psychological distress was mediated by secondary stressors, perceived social support, and self-concept. ConclusionsThis study highlights the effect of poor motor coordination on psychological distress in young adults, and suggests that interventions should target psychosocial well-being, in addition to motor coordination, to prevent psychological distress.

What was once essential, may become detrimental: The mediating role of depersonalization in the relationship between childhood emotional maltreatment and psychological distress in adults

ABSTRACTDepersonalization (DP) is a dissociative phenomenon, characterized by feeling “unreal” or detached from one’s own emotions, thoughts, and behavior (APA, 2013). It is considered to be a defense mechanism, employed in response to overwhelming events, whereby thoughts and emotions are suppressed in order to enhance the individual’s capacity to function in traumatic environments. DP has been found to co-occur with anxiety and depressive disorders, and childhood emotional maltreatment (EM) has been identified as an important predisposing factor. The study’s primary aim was to investigate the mediating role of DP in the relationship between childhood EM and psychological distress in young adults. Additionally, it aimed to confirm that a history of childhood EM (emotional abuse and emotional neglect) predicted current levels of DP and to explore how both a person’s attitude towards experiencing and expressing emotions (with an emphasis on the affect phobia model) and their current attachment security are related to current DP. A cross-sectional design was employed, which included young adults (N = 761) aged between 18 and 25 years. Participants completed an online survey that comprised of several self-report measures. Regression and mediation analyses were conducted. The results indicated that: (1) DP significantly mediated the relationship between childhood EM and current psychological distress; (2) that a history of EM, but no other forms of childhood abuse, significantly predicted current DP experiences; and (3) EM, attachment-related anxiety, and negative attitudes toward emotions predicted clinical cutoff levels of DP. The results are discussed in detail, including clinical implications and direction for future research.

Neurocognitive functions and psychological distress in young adults with cancer (YAC): A prospective, longitudinal study.

10064 Background: Non-CNS cancer and treatments are associated with neurocognitive sequelae in older adults; whether YAC (age 18-39 yrs) are protected from these effects is unknown. In YAC, cancer interferes with education and occupational attainment and is associated with psychological distress. This prospective, inception-cohort study characterizes neurocognitive functions and psychological distress in YAC. Methods: YAC completed a 2-hr battery of standardized neurocognitive tests and questionnaires 1.7 ± 1 months after diagnosis prior to chemotherapy (mean ± SD, T1) and 8.2 ± 1.2 (T2) and 14.2 ± 1.6 (T3) months later. Healthy YA with no cancer history (HYA) were tested at similar time points. Tests were scored using published norms, transformed to T-scores, and grouped into neurocognitive domains. Results: YAC (n = 108; lymphoma, breast, gyne, GI, GU, sarcoma) were grouped according to whether they required chemotherapy (n = 70) or not (n = 38), and compared to 63 HYA. At baseline, there were no group differences in neurocognitive performance, number of impaired tests, or neurocognitive complaints (Kruskal Wallis, all p-values &gt; .4). About 70% of each group completed assessments at T2 and T3. Mean performance improved over time (random effects models, all p-values &lt; .01), but there were no group differences or interactions between group and time. There were also no differences in proportions of participants in each group whose test scores improved ( &gt; 10 points) or declined ( &lt; 10 points) from T1 to T2 or T3. Adjusting for psychological distress, fatigue, or neurocognitive complaints did not change these results, despite higher symptoms of somatic distress, anxiety and fatigue in YAC compared to healthy YA over time (all p-values &lt; .03). Conclusions: Before chemotherapy and up to about 14 months later, YAC have elevated distress and fatigue, but do not demonstrate the cognitive decline reported in older cancer patients. Our findings are consistent with research suggesting that aging brains are more vulnerable to neurotoxic insult. Whether the effects of cancer treatment emerge later in YAC, placing them at risk for accelerated aging as reported in older patients, remains to be examined.

Masculine norms about emotionality and social constraints in young and older adult men with cancer.

Beliefs that men should restrict their display of emotions, or restrictive emotionality, might contribute to adjustment to cancer and this might be sensitive to social receptivity to disclosure. The present research examined relationships of restrictive emotionality, social constraints, and psychological distress in young adults with testicular cancer (N=171; Study 1) and older men with prostate cancer (N=66; Study 2). Study 1: positive associations were observed for social constraints and restrictive emotionality with depressive symptoms. Social constraints moderated the relationship, such that high restrictive emotionality was associated with higher depressive symptoms in those with high constraints. Study 2: only social constraints (and not restrictive emotionality) was positively associated with depressive symptoms and cancer-related intrusive thoughts. The social constraints×restrictive emotionality interaction approached significance with depressive symptoms, such with high social constraints low restrictive emotionality was associated with higher depressive symptoms compared to those with less constraints. No significant associations were found for intrusive thoughts in either study. Findings demonstrate unique relationships with psychological distress across the lifespan of men with cancer given perception of constraints and adherence to masculine norms about emotionality.

Neurocognitive function and psychological distress in young adults (YA) with cancer.

199 Background: Cancer treatment is associated with neurocognitive sequelae and changes in structural and functional brain imaging in older adults, even if they do not receive central nervous system directed therapy. Because the brain continues to develop into the 3rd decade of life, YA (age 18-39 yrs) may also be vulnerable to neurocognitive dysfunction. In YA, cancer disrupts acquisition of developmental milestones and is associated with psychological distress. This study aims to characterize neurocognitive functions and its relation to psychological distress in YA. Here we present baseline results of our longitudinal study. Methods: In this prospective, inception-cohort study, we recruited 3 groups of YA from ambulatory oncology clinics: YA with cancers (YAC; lymphoma, breast, gynecology, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, sarcoma) who required chemotherapy (YAC+, n = 55), YAC who do not require it (YAC-, n = 31), and healthy YA (HYA, n = 54). Participants completed a 2-hr battery of standardized neurocognitive tests and validated self-report questionnaires. YAC were assessed within 3 months of diagnosis, and YAC+prior to chemotherapy. Test scores were converted to age-corrected scaled scores and transformed to z-scores (mean 0, SD 1). A global neurocognitive function score and 6 domain scores were evaluated. Results: There were no group differences in neurocognitive domains (ANOVA, all p-values &gt; .1), or in the number of impaired test scores (defined as z &lt; -1). YAC+ reported greater symptoms of somatic distress (p = .001) and anxiety (p = .004) than both HYA and YAC-. Symptoms were unrelated to neurocognitive performance (ρ &lt; .16 for all). However, each group had poorer memory compared to population norms (1-sample t-tests: YAC+ p = .007; YAC- p = .047; HYA p = .023). Conclusions: Prior to treatment, neurocognitive functions of YAC were not different from HYA, suggesting that cancer itself is not a neurocognitive risk factor in YA. It is important to use appropriate control groups, rather than relying on normative data for comparison. We continue to follow this cohort to document neurocognitive function and distress over time, and to identify risk factors that contribute to outcomes in YA.

Psychological Distress in Young Adult Males with Atopic Dermatitis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The relationship between atopic dermatitis (AD) and psychological distress has been well established for children and adolescents. However, it is unclear whether this relationship exists in young adults. This study aimed to assess the relationship between AD and psychological distress in young male adults in South Korea.A cross-sectional study was conducted using regional conscription data from 2008 to 2012. A dermatologist diagnosed AD based on historical and clinical features, and determined severity using the eczema area and severity index. A psychiatrist used medical records, an interview, and a psychological test to examine psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and somatization). The relationship between psychological distress and AD was assessed by multivariate logistic regression analyses.Among the 120,508 conscripts, 1517 (1.2%) presented with AD. The odds of having each type of psychological distress were significantly greater for individuals with AD compared with those without AD. The adjusted odds ratios for depression, anxiety, and somatization were 1.79 (95% CI 1.40–2.29), 1.38 (95% CI 1.08–1.76), and 1.75 (95% CI 1.40–2.20), respectively. Moderate-to-severe AD was significantly related to depression and somatization to a greater extent compared with mild AD.Depression, anxiety, and somatization are strongly and independently associated with AD in young adult males. Early treatment of skin inflammation might modify the risk of psychiatric problems. Prospective cohort studies are needed to verify causal relationships.

Mediating and moderating role of attributional style in the association between victimisation and wellbeing

This study examined whether attributional style for negative events plays a mediating or moderating role in the association between victimisation by bullying and psychological distress in young adults. A total of 127 undergraduate students completed the Attributional Style Questionnaire, a newly developed Victimisation and Bullying Inventory and the Psychological Distress subscale from the Mental Health Inventory. As expected, the tendency to attribute negative events to internal, stable and global causes predicted higher psychological distress. There was also a positive association between extent of victimisation and psychological distress. Although attributional style did not mediate in this relationship, there was evidence of moderation. Individuals with more negative attributional styles showed a clear association between victimisation and psychological distress, while those with less negative styles showed no association. These results suggest that a tendency towards a negative attributional style may increase the risk of psychological distress in victims of bullying.