Psychological Stress Reactions Research Articles

Stress vulnerability in male youth with Internet Gaming Disorder

Internet Gaming Disorder [IGD] was introduced as new behavioral addiction in DSM-5 Section 3. Vulnerability to stress is a potential predisposing factor for IGD. Given a lack of preexisting empirical data, the study investigated differences in the psychological and neurobiological response to acute stress in patients with IGD. 24 young men (mean age 18.38 years; range 13–25 years) fulfilling DSM-5 criteria for IGD and 25 matched controls underwent the Trier Social Stress Test [TSST]. Participants provided hair samples for the analysis of basal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal [HPA] axis activity and clinical interviews were conducted to assess psychopathology. During the experiment, participants reported on their subjective stress experience and momentary affect, provided samples of salivary cortisol and their heart rate was continuously recorded. Patients with IGD reported greater everyday and chronic stress, as well as psychopathological comorbidity. No differences were found on measures of hair cortisol. Compared to controls, IGD patients showed an attenuated cortisol response (χ2(7)=25.75, p<0.001) and greater negative affect (χ2(7)=17.25, p=0.016) in response to acute stress. Heart rate (χ2(1)=5.49, p=0.019), negative affect (χ2(1)=5.60, p=0.018) and subjective stress (χ2(1)=5.55, p=0.019) were transiently increased in IGD patients. After adjusting for sportive activities, IGD patients showed transiently decreased cortisol (χ2(1)=5.20, p=0.022), potentially indicating general HPA-axis dysfunction beyond altered reactivity. Stress reactivity showed correlations with IGD symptom severity. Findings illustrate differences in acute psychological and neurobiological stress reactivity in patients with IGD. Alterations of the stress response system may be involved in the development and maintenance of IGD.

STRESS CONDITIONS OF STUDENTS IN RESOLVING THESIS

This study aimed to describe the condition of stress student in completing the thesis viewed from a physiological reaction, psychological, cognitive and behavioral. This study was a descriptive study with a sample of 93 people using simple random sampling. The instrument used in this study is the Student Stress Measurement Scale Completed Thesis (SPSMMS). The study findings revealed that 1) most of the students in completing the thesis stressed in general at a moderate level with a percentage of 35.5%, 2) most of the students in completing the thesis under stress with physiological reactions at a moderate level with a percentage of 40%, 3) most of the students in complete the thesis experiencing psychological stress reactions at a moderate level with a percentage of 38%, 4) most of the students in completing the thesis stressed with cognitive reaction at a moderate level of 35.5%, 5) most students in completing the thesis stressed by the reaction behavior at moderate levels 38.7%. The study recommends necessary counseling services in order to reduce student stress conditions in completing the thesis.

Trier Social Stress Test in vivo and in virtual reality: Dissociation of response domains

The Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) is considered a reliable paradigm for inducing psychosocial stress. Virtual reality (VR) has successfully been applied to ensure a greater degree of efficiency and standardization in the TSST. Studies using the TSST in VR (VR-TSST) have reported significant stress reactions, with subjective and peripheral physiological reactions comparable to those in response to the in vivo TSST and with lower cortisol reactions. The current study examined whether an additional virtual competitive factor triggers larger stress responses than a standard VR-TSST. Forty-five male participants were randomly assigned to either in vivo TSST, VR-TSST (VR) or VR-TSST with a virtual competitor (VR+). A significant increase of self-reported stress, electrodermal activity, and heart rate indicated a pronounced stress reaction with no differences between groups. For salivary cortisol, however, responder rates differed significantly between groups, with in vivo participants showing overall higher response rates (86%) than participants of both VR groups (VR: 33%, VR+: 47%). In contrast, participants of both VR groups judged the task significantly more challenging than did in vivo TSST participants. In sum, our results indicate successful stress induction in all experimental conditions, and a marked dissociation of salivary cortisol levels on the one hand, and the physiological and psychological stress reactions on the other hand. The competitive scenario did not significantly enhance stress reactions. VR technology may serve as a standardized tool for inducing social stress in experimental settings, but further research is needed to clarify why the stress reaction as assessed by cortisol differs from peripheral and subjective stress reactions in VR.

Fluoxetine Ameliorates Atopic Dermatitis-Like Skin Lesions in BALB/c Mice through Reducing Psychological Stress and Inflammatory Response.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disorder, and patients with AD suffer from severe psychological stress, which markedly increases the prevalence rate of depression and anxiety disorders in later life. Fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, has recently been reported to exert anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. However, it is unclear whether fluoxetine is effective in the treatment of AD through reducing psychological stress and inflammatory reaction. Here, we reported that a BALB/c mouse model of AD was induced by application of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) onto hairless dorsal skin. Chronic fluoxetine treatment (10 mg/kg per day, i.p.) significantly attenuated AD-like symptoms, as reflected by a dramatic decrease in scratching bouts, as well as a decrease in anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors. Furthermore, these behavioral changes were accompanied by a significant decrease in epidermal thickness, the number of mast cells in skin tissue, mRNA levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13 in the spleen, as well as serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) in the DNCB-treated mice by treatment with fluoxetine. Taken together, these results indicate that fluoxetine may suppress psychological stress and inflammatory response during AD development, and subsequently ameliorate AD symptoms, suggesting that fluoxetine may be a potential therapeutic agent against AD in clinic.

Abstract # 1783 Metabolic dysfunction, inflammation, and task-induced emotional stress reactivity: Neural and cognitive correlates in 331 middle-aged adults

Pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes (T2D) etiology is characterized by insulin resistance (IR) and systemic inflammation. These factors can cause deficits in cognitive and affective processing, particularly psychological stress reactivity. The neural correlates of these deficits are unknown. We wished to determine how T2D, IR, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were related to psychophysiological, behavioral, and hormonal measures of psychological stress reactivity and negative affect predisposition. Among 331 adults (36–84 years old) from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study, we reviewed startle eye-blink response (EBR) to “unpleasant” versus “pleasant” international affect picture system (IAPS) stimuli. Using resting electroencephalography (EEG), we analyzed right frontal alpha asymmetry, a well-established biomarker of negative affect predisposition. Finally, cognitive performance and cortisol output were gauged during an arithmetic stressor task. Fasting glucose and insulin characterized T2D or the homeostatic model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR). High-sensitivity ELISA was used to derive IL-6. For EBR startle magnitude, higher HOMA-IR strongly corresponded to greater EBR for “unpleasant” versus “pleasant” stimuli [R2 = 0.218, p = .020]. For resting EEG, IL-6 [p = 0.030], or T2D showed greater right frontal alpha asymmetry [p = .011]. During the stressor task, participants with T2D scored 26 ± 2% worse than those with euglycemia [p = .040]. Surprisingly, cortisol output at baseline was lower in participants with T2D and pre-diabetes [p = .025]. These results suggest that dysmetabolism and inflammation may increase stress sensitization both at the neuronal and behavioral level.

Burnout Status at Work among Health Care Professionals in aTertiary Hospital

Burnout is a physical, physiological and psychological stress reaction syndrome Caused by long-term exposure to intense work-related emotional and interpersonal pressures. There is no evidence on the issue in Ethiopian setting. An institution based cross-sectional study design was conducted on 403 health care providers. Burnout was detected using Copenhagen's burnout inventory tool. Other structured questionnaire on work-related condition and substance use habits was used to collect data. Binary logistic regression was used to identify the associated factors of burnout at work. Of all the study participants, 36.7% scored above the mean level of burnout. Highest prevalence (82.8%) of burnout status was found among nurses. The least prevalence of burnout was observed among laboratory technicians which was 2.8% (n=4). Job insecurity, history of physical illness, low interest in profession, poor relationship status with managers, worry of contracting infection or illness and physical/verbal abuse were found to be predictors of burnout. The prevalence of burnout at work was found to be high. The predictors were job insecurity, history of physical illness, low interest in profession, poor relationship status with managers, worry of contracting infection or illness and physical/verbal abuse.

Angiotensin II centrally induces frequent detrusor contractility of the bladder by acting on brain angiotensin II type 1 receptors in rats.

Angiotensin (Ang) II plays an important role in the brain as a neurotransmitter and is involved in psychological stress reactions, for example through activation of the sympatho-adrenomedullary system. We investigated the effects of centrally administered Ang II on the micturition reflex, which is potentially affected by the sympatho-adrenomedullary system, and brain Ang II receptors in urethane-anesthetized (1.0 g/kg, intraperitoneally) male rats. Central administration of Ang II (0.01, 0.02, and 0.07 nmol per rat, intracerebroventricularly, icv) but not vehicle rapidly and dose-dependently decreased the urinary bladder intercontraction interval, without altering the bladder detrusor pressure. Central administration of antagonists of Ang II type 1 but not type 2 receptors inhibited the Ang II-induced shortening of intercontraction intervals. Administration of the highest dose of Ang II (0.07 nmol per rat, icv) but not lower doses (0.01 and 0.02 nmol per rat, icv) elevated the plasma concentration of adrenaline. Bilateral adrenalectomy reduced Ang II-induced elevation in adrenaline, but had no effect on the Ang II-induced shortening of the intercontraction interval. These data suggest that central administration of Ang II increases urinary frequency by acting on brain Ang II type 1 receptors, independent of activation of the sympatho-adrenomedullary system.

Impact of nursing care program on psychological stress reaction in patients undergoing digestive endoscopy

Impact of nursing care program on psychological stress reaction in patients undergoing digestive endoscopy

Modeling Tumor Initiation as Ricci Flow

Small variations in magnetic fields can be environmental stresses. For example cell phones, which give off very weak magnetic fields. It is a question, whether these magnetic fields cause brain tumors in cell-phone users. We can model cancer as invasion from social, through psychological to deepest molecular level by Ricci flow. Mechanism of integrated stress response starts with rapid hormone induced changes in receptor conformation which lead to slower modulations of gene transcription. Inhibition of programmed cell death is a major aspect of tumorigenesis (by oncogenic transcription factors NF-kB, STAT3) through upregulation of survival genes. The afferent input from the limbic network conveys purely psychological stress reactions to the HPA axis. Even dominant oncogenes such as v- Src or K-Ras are unable to induce cancer in adult animals without injury. A strong tumor-associated inflammatory response is initiated by the dynamics of Ricci flow collapsing into an injury point that becomes a rounder cellular dysfunction. Tufts biologists show bioelectrical signals control tumors arising from cancer-causing genes; fatty acid involved in process. The have proved, that cancer, bioelectrical signals and the microbiome are connected.

Psychophysiological Stress Reactivity Relationships across the Menstrual Cycle.

While evidence suggests that women exhibit psychophysiological differences in stress reactivity across the menstrual cycle, the relationships among psychological and physiological stress reactivity states are not well understood. Healthy, normally cycling women (N = 44) participated in two counterbalanced laboratory sessions during the follicular and luteal phases where heart rate and subjective stress were assessed in response to stressors. There were no differences in the magnitudes of psychophysiological stress responses across the cycle. Psychological and physiological states were largely unrelated in the follicular phase but interrelationships were found in the luteal phase and these relationships were influenced by autonomic perception and trait anxiety. For women with high trait anxiety, autonomic perception appeared to buffer psychological and physiological stress reactivity during the luteal phase, suggesting that autonomic perception may be a protective factor for more anxious women during times of acute stress.

Perception of a hectic hospital environment at admission relates to acute stress disorder symptoms in myocardial infarction patients.

Hospital crowding is a public health problem that may impact on the quality of medical treatment and increase the risk of developing traumatic stress, e.g., after myocardial infarction (MI). This study examines whether subjective appraisal of crowding at hospital admission due to MI is associated with acute stress disorder (ASD) symptoms. We investigated 102 consecutive patients with acute MI within 48h after having reached stable circulatory conditions. The appraisal of crowding was measured by the retrospective assessment of the perception of a hectic hospital environment at admission. Furthermore, patients completed the Acute Stress Disorder Scale to rate the psychological stress reaction. The perception of a hectic hospital environment was associated with the development of ASD symptoms (r=0.254, P=.013) independently of demographic, peritraumatic and medical factors. Post hoc analysis revealed associations with dissociative (r=0.211, P=.041), reexperiencing (r=0.184, P=.074) and arousal (r=0.179, P=.083) symptoms. The findings suggest that, besides objective circumstances, the way hospital admission due to MI is perceived by the patient may influence the development of MI-triggered ASD symptoms. The psychological and physiological long-term outcomes of the perception of a hectic hospital environment and the role of preventive interventions need further examination.

Associations of workplace bullying and harassment with stress reactions: a two-year follow-up study.

The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate the effect of the patterning of workplace bullying and harassment over two time points (chronic, remission, onset, and never) on psychological and physical stress reactions. The subjects were 543 workers at welfare facilities for the elderly in Japan who completed a self-administered questionnaire at Time 1 (from August to September, 2009) and at Time 2 (from September to October, 2011). Workplace bullying and harassment were assessed using the Negative Acts Questionnaire (NAQ). Stress reactions were assessed using the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire. In the multiple logistic regression analyses, onset of person-related bullying was significantly (p<0.05) positively associated with both psychological and physical stress reactions at Time 2. Chronic form of person-related bullying was significantly (p<0.05) positively associated with psychological stress reaction at Time 2. Onset of sexual harassment was significantly (p<0.05) positively, and remission of sexual harassment was significantly (p<0.05) negatively associated with physical stress reaction at Time 2. Onset and chronic form of person-related bullying and onset of sexual harassment can cause stress reactions. Remission of sexual harassment can terminate physical stress reaction.

Psychological and cortisol reactivity to experimentally induced stress in adults with ADHD

Individuals with ADHD suffer from increased vulnerability to environmental and mental stressors and may be at increased risk for chronic stress in everyday life. The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis is a critical physiological system that mediates responses to stress. The present study seeks to examine test performance, test anxiety, self-reported psychological stress and cortisol reactivity to mental-cognitive stress in adults with ADHD when compared with healthy controls. Stress was induced by an arithmetic ability test. Psychological stress was assessed repeatedly throughout the experimental session. Salivary cortisol, an indicator of the HPA axis function, was evaluated immediately upon arrival, as well as 1 min and 20 min post-test completion. Results revealed higher levels of test anxiety and poorer performance on the test in the ADHD group. The ADHD and control groups showed no difference in base-line levels of subjective stress and in subjective stress levels 20 min after the test. In contrast, individuals with ADHD reported significantly higher levels of stress at the test anticipation phase and 1 min post-test completion. Cortisol response to stress differed according to group: in the ADHD group, 20 min post-test cortisol levels were significantly higher than base-line cortisol levels. This was not evident in the control group. These results suggest greater activation of the HPA axis in response to stress in adults with ADHD when compared with healthy controls. Adults with ADHD do not differ from controls in basal levels of subjective stress and cortisol, but do have stronger psychophysiological reactions in response to stressful challenges. The present findings are among the first to demonstrate significant alterations in cortisol reactivity to stress in adults with ADHD.

Effect of psychological stress defense training on military flight personnel

Objective To investigate the effects of psychological stress defense training on military flight personnel for providing basis on further applications and studies. Methods 46 military flight personnel were divided into 2 groups randomly: the experiment group(n=26) and the control group(n=20). All person underwent psychological stress(additive mental calculation and flight simulation operation) and then their indexes of heart rate variability(HRV) and brain wave(α&β) were measured.Floating feedback training was performed to defend psychological stress in the experiment group for 30 minutes, while deep breathing and relaxation training was performed in the control group for 30 minutes.All person's indexes of HRV and brain wave(α&β) were measured again and training assessment questionnaire was filled in. Results (1)HRV time domain indexes: compared with control group((15.06±15.03)%) and before training's, experiment group gained significant increase(P<0.05, P<0.01) in PNN50((24.29±17.02)%). (2)HRV frequency domain indexes: compared with control group and before training's, experiment group gained significant increase(P<0.05, P<0.01) in HFnorm((22.35±13.32)ms2) and significant reduction(P<0.05, P<0.01)in LF/HF(5.11±3.45) and LFnorm((77.65±13.32)ms2). (3) Brain wave indexes: compared with control group and before training's, experiment group gained significant increase(P<0.05, P<0.01) in α waves index(11.08±2.47) and significant reduction(P<0.05, P<0.01) in β waves(5.66±4.46). (4)The necessity and effectiveness of psychological stress defense training was 96% according to the result of assessment questionnaire. Conclusion Psychological stress defense training is an effective and popular way to regulate the psychological stress reaction of military flight personnel. Key words: Military flight personnel; Psychological stress; Training

Factors associated with psychological and physiological stress reactions to blood donation: a systematic review of the literature.

Blood donation is generally seen as a safe, voluntary and socially useful activity, based on the altruism of donors1. A number of positive effects of blood donation are described in scientific literature, such as feelings of satisfaction, feelings of being more alert and feeling better in general2. However, the majority of the literature concerning blood donation describes adverse events, such as fatigue, vasovagal symptoms, fainting and bruises2–5. In addition to the discomfort experienced by the donor, these might also impede blood donation in the future. Studies report that up to 10 to 20% of donors experience such adverse events6,7. For a blood supply organisation, it is crucial to maintain the donor pool in order to be able to deliver an optimal supply of blood. This can be achieved by recruiting new donors and retaining existing ones. Either way, negative donor experiences should be kept to a minimum. In blood donor research, several studies have investigated the occurrence of adverse events, retention, or the interaction between adverse events and retention. For instance, Bravo et al. investigated factors associated with fainting and donating blood and showed that vasovagal reactions are more common during or after phlebotomy than during registration8. Newman et al. showed that donors who experienced an adverse event were less likely to return to the blood centre9. In line with this, Veldhuizen et al. showed a strong association between reporting a vasovagal reaction and stopping donating, especially among men6. Adverse events may upset the donors, causing increased anxiety. However, despite some indications that anxiety is increased before and during donating blood10, it remains largely unclear what factors are associated with such a stress reaction. Stress reactions are quite common phenomena11,12. Various factors, known as stressors or stress stimuli, can induce a stress reaction. Although any situation and any object may elicit a stress reaction, the resulting stress experience may differ between individuals and circumstances12. After being confronted with a stressor, a psychological stress reaction occurs, which can consist of higher levels of anxiety, irritation, fear, worry, tension or anger13. At the same time, physiological stress reactions take place, such as increases in the levels of cortisol and (nor-)adrenaline14, a decrease in heart rate variability15, and negative changes in blood coagulation parameters16. As mentioned earlier, blood donation does not always elicit positive feelings, but can be accompanied by anxiety-eliciting factors as well8–17. These factors (stressors) may induce a stress reaction. The relation between blood donation on the one hand, and anxiety and stress reactions on the other remains largely unclear. Although stress reactions (e.g. anxiety) do seem to be present, the factors capable of inducing or enhancing these reactions (i.e. stressors) are largely unidentified. The aim of this study was, therefore, to perform a systematic review of the literature in order to evaluate existing knowledge on the following research question: what factors are associated with psychological and physiological stress reactions in blood donors in a blood donation setting? We hypothesised that both physiological (e.g. increased levels of adrenaline or cortisol) and psychological (e.g. increased levels of anxiety or fear) stress reactions take place in a blood donation setting. We also hypothesised that a greater stress reaction would be associated with factors such as donation-related adverse events, e.g. bruises or fainting, as opposed to not experiencing such an event. Knowing and identifying potential stressors could help to optimise the donation experience for the donor.

児童の体力ならびにスクリーンタイムと心理的ストレス反応との関連性 −地方都市郊外の公立および都市部私立小学校における検討−

Very few studies have reported an independent association of the physical activity- related indices with the psychological stress reaction. The present study therefore investigated the association of fitness and screentime as one of the indices of sedentary behavior with the four types of psychological stress reactions and the number of days absent from school for 249 children at a local public school and a metropolitan private school while considering confound- ing factors. No significant difference was observed in the fitness level of both schools; however, the rate of obesity, the screentime and the level of all psychological stress reactions were signifi- cantly worse in the public school. Further, significant differences and trends among the groups classified by fitness level were recognized in the rates of participation in after school activities, feeling of powerlessness and days of absence per year. In addition, the odds ratio of the screen- time for depressive and anxiety symptoms was 1.004 (95%CI: 1.000-1.007, p=0.039), while the odds of the fitness level for high feeling of powerlessness and more than five days of absence were 1.582 (95%CI: 1.045-2.396, p=0.030) and 1.434 (95%CI: 1.045-2.396, p=0.015), respec- tively, after adjusting for the school type, differences in lifestyle and participation in after school activities. In conclusion, the fitness level and the screentime were associated with high psycho- logical stress reactions and the days of absence, independent of the above-mentioned adjusting factors among the children in the present study. Prospective and interventional studies to verify these results are needed. Jpn J Phys Fitness Sports Med, 64(1): 195-206 (2015)

Stress, behavior, and biology: risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in youth.

Psychological stress reactivity is associated with atherogenesis in youth. The novel hypothesis is that stress promotes atherogenic behaviors, including snacking on energy-dense food and reducing physical activity, and increases adiposity. Stress also increases systolic blood pressure cardiovascular reactivity, which also may be atherogenic. Exercise dampens stress reactivity and may be one mechanism by which it protects against the development of cardiovascular diseases.

Mental health in women experiencing preterm birth.

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to explore the degree of psychological distress, anxiety, and trauma related stress reactions in mothers who experience preterm birth. Secondarily, we wanted to identify possible predictors of maternal mental health problems.MethodsTwenty-nine mothers of 35 premature children born before 33rd week of pregnancy were assessed within two weeks after given birth. The standardized psychometric methods; Impact of Event Scale (IES), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and State Anxiety Inventory (STAI) assessed mental health problems. The predictors for maternal distress, anxiety, and trauma related stress reactions were pregnancy variables, preterm delivery, Gestation Age, maternal trait anxiety and parity. In addition, maternal prevalence of mental health problems was assessed by clinical diagnoses.ResultsOur study revealed a high prevalence (52%) of posttraumatic stress responses in the mothers.ConclusionsOur results suggest an early examination of mothers’ psychological reactions to preterm birth at the maternity ward. An early intervention should be considered while the child still is in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Brief mindfulness meditation training alters psychological and neuroendocrine responses to social evaluative stress.

To test whether a brief mindfulness meditation training intervention buffers self-reported psychological and neuroendocrine responses to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) in young adult volunteers. A second objective evaluates whether pre-existing levels of dispositional mindfulness moderate the effects of brief mindfulness meditation training on stress reactivity. Sixty-six (N=66) participants were randomly assigned to either a brief 3-day (25-min per day) mindfulness meditation training or an analytic cognitive training control program. All participants completed a standardized laboratory social-evaluative stress challenge task (the TSST) following the third mindfulness meditation or cognitive training session. Measures of psychological (stress perceptions) and biological (salivary cortisol, blood pressure) stress reactivity were collected during the social evaluative stress-challenge session. Brief mindfulness meditation training reduced self-reported psychological stress reactivity but increased salivary cortisol reactivity to the TSST, relative to the cognitive training comparison program. Participants who were low in pre-existing levels of dispositional mindfulness and then received mindfulness meditation training had the greatest cortisol reactivity to the TSST. No significant main or interactive effects were observed for systolic or diastolic blood pressure reactivity to the TSST. The present study provides an initial indication that brief mindfulness meditation training buffers self-reported psychological stress reactivity, but also increases cortisol reactivity to social evaluative stress. This pattern may indicate that initially brief mindfulness meditation training fosters greater active coping efforts, resulting in reduced psychological stress appraisals and greater cortisol reactivity during social evaluative stressors.

The developmental process of psychological stress reactions of Chinese in Japanese companies advancing into the Chinese market

The developmental process of psychological stress reactions of Chinese in Japanese companies advancing into the Chinese market