Psychosocial Exposures Research Articles

Psychosocial Risk Exposure Limits Routine Pediatric Oral Health Care

ObjectivesTo identify social, psychological, and contextual factors that influenced attendance at routine oral health visits in a cohort of 189 preschool children who were followed over a 2-year period. MethodsGeneralized estimating equation was used to examine the association between clinic attendance and the predictors. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were reported in the multiple logistic regression models. The study was conducted in Rochester, NY between February 2016-February 2021. ResultsPrior to the COVID-19 pandemic declaration, the rate of cancelled and no-show appointments was greater for routine clinic visits (20% and 24%, respectively) than for research visits (14% and 9% respectively) for the same participants; these rates increased during the pandemic. After adjusting for socio-demographic factors, the likelihood of a cancelled or no-show appointment was associated with parental depression (OR 1.06 CI 1.03-1.09), regardless of the type or occurrence of the visit. ConclusionsFindings from this study demonstrate that attendance to oral health care in young children is reliably reduced with parental depression and that this may provide one mechanism for early emerging health inequalities of oral health.

Exploring the Interaction between Physical, Psychosocial, and Neck Pain Symptoms in Construction Workers.

Construction workers are significantly vulnerable to musculoskeletal disorders, yet the number of studies conducted in developing nations-where these workers significantly contribute to the economy-remains insufficient. This study aims at exploring the interaction between physical and psychosocial exposure to the onset of neck pain or symptoms amongst construction workers in a developing country. Using a cross-sectional study design, a total of 235 respondents from various construction projects participated in this study. Participants were assigned into one of four exposure groups: low physical and low psychosocial (which served as the reference group); low physical and high psychosocial; high physical and low psychosocial, and high physical and high psychosocial. To quantitatively assess the interaction, we calculated the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributable proportion (AP), and synergy index (SI). Workers experiencing high levels of both physical and psychosocial risk factors had the highest odds ratio (OR) of neck symptoms (OR: 12.63, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.39 - 46.99) compared to other groups. The AP (AP: 0.33, 95% CI: -0.24 - 0.90), RERI (RERI: 0.40, 95% CI: -0.99 - 1.79), and SI (SI: 1.69, 95% CI: -1.77 - 5.15) revealed an interaction between physical and psychosocial factors that increases the OR of neck symptoms. This result suggests that physical risk factors at work become significantly more detrimental when paired with high psychosocial stress. Hence, ergonomic interventions in the construction industry aiming to reduce musculoskeletal disorders should consider both physical and psychosocial risk factors concurrently.

Determinants of adult sedentary behavior and physical inactivity for the primary prevention of diabetes in historically disadvantaged communities: A representative cross-sectional population-based study from Reunion Island.

Populations undergoing extensive and rapid socio-economic transitions including historically disadvantaged communities face an increased risk of type-2 diabetes (T2D). In recent years, sedentary behavior and physical inactivity have been considered modifiable determinants when developing primary prevention programs to reduce T2D incidence. Reunion Island is a French overseas department with an increasing T2D population and a high level of socio-economic inequality. The objectives of our study were to identify the individual, social, and environmental factors associated with sedentary behavior and physical inactivity among the Reunion Island adult population, and to highlight these findings in order to propose T2D primary prevention strategies aiming at alleviating local social inequalities in health (SIH). In 2021, we conducted a population-based cross-sectional telephone survey using random sampling. Participants included adults over 15 years old living in ordinary accommodation on Reunion Island (n = 2,010). Using a sequential approach, multinomial logistic regression model (explaining 3 profiles of interest: sedentary/inactive, sedentary/active, non-sedentary/inactive), and sampling-design weighted estimates, we found that 53.9% [95% confidence interval: 51.1 to 56.7%] of participants had sedentary behavior and 20.1% [95% CI: 17.8 to 22.5%] were inactive. Abandoning physical activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic (p<0.001), final secondary school diploma or above (p = 0.005), student as professional status (p≤0.005) and living in fewer poor neighborhoods located far from city centers (p = 0.030) were four conditions independently associated with sedentary/inactive and/or sedentary/active profiles. Based on these findings, to help reduce SIH, we used a typology of actions based on the underlying theoretical interventions including four main action categories: strengthening individuals (using person-based strategies), strengthening communities, improving living and working conditions, and promoting health-based macro-policies. Our findings suggest several directions for reducing lifestyle risk factors and enhancing T2D primary prevention programs targeting psychosocial, behavioral, and structural exposures.

Psychosocial stressors and breast cancer gene expression in the Black Women's Health Study.

Prior studies indicate that the physiologic response to stress can affect gene expression. We evaluated differential gene expression in breast cancers collected from Black women with high versus low exposure to psychosocial stressors. We analyzed tumor RNA sequencing data from 417 Black Women's Health Study breast cancer cases with data on early life trauma and neighborhood disadvantage. We conducted age-adjusted differential gene expression analyses and pathway analyses. We also evaluated Conserved Transcriptional Response to Adversity (CTRA) contrast scores, relative fractions of immune cell types, T cell exhaustion, and adrenergic signaling. Analyses were run separately for estrogen receptor positive (ER+; n = 299) and ER- (n = 118) cases. Among ER+ cases, the top differentially expressed pathways by stress exposure were related to RNA and protein metabolism. Among ER- cases, they were related to developmental biology, signal transduction, metabolism, and the immune system. Targeted analyses indicated greater immune pathway enrichment with stress exposure for ER- cases, and possible relevance of adrenergic signaling for ER+ cases. CTRA contrast scores did not differ by stress exposure, but in analyses of the CTRA components, ER- breast cancer cases with high neighborhood disadvantage had higher pro-inflammatory gene expression (p = 0.039) and higher antibody gene expression (p = 0.006) compared to those with low neighborhood disadvantage. There are multiple pathways through which psychosocial stress exposure may influence breast tumor biology. Given the present findings on inflammation and immune response in ER- tumors, further research to identify stress-induced changes in the etiology and progression of ER- breast cancer is warranted.

Return to work after cancer-the impact of working conditions: A Norwegian Register-based Study.

The purpose of this study is to compare a cohort of cancer survivors with a cohort of cancer-free employees (1) with respect to employment prospects over a 15-year period and (2) with respect to the differential impact of working conditions on employment over this time period. The cancer cohort is retrieved from the Cancer Registry of Norway, while data on the non-cancer cohort are retrieved from register data managed by Statistics Norway. Job exposure matrices were used to remedy the lack of working-conditions information in the register data. We use nearest-neighbor matching to match the non-cancer cohort (the control group) to the cancer-survivor cohort (the treatment group). Cox regression analysis was applied to examine the relationships between working conditions, employment, and cancer. The results are reported separately for mechanical-job exposures and psychosocial exposures, as well as by gender. Cancer survivors are more likely to experience reduced employment as compared to individuals without a history of cancer. Male cancer survivors in physically demanding occupations have an increased risk of reduced employment after being diagnosed with cancer. This does not apply to female cancer survivors. Regarding the impact of psychosocial exposures on employment, we find no differences over time between cancer survivors and the non-cancer population. Male cancer survivors in physically demanding occupations have an increased risk of reduced employment after being diagnosed with cancer, whereas this is not the case for female cancer survivors. Psychosocial exposures do not impact the relative risk of reduced employment over time. We suggest that return to work after cancer should be considered a process rather than only the re-entry step of resuming work. Thus, it is important to provide long-term support for cancer survivors. We recommend providing more attention to working conditions, particularly in occupations that involve a high level of mechanical-job exposures.

Patterns and Life Course Determinants of Black–White Disparities in Biological Age Acceleration: A Decomposition Analysis

Despite the prominence of the weathering hypothesis as a mechanism underlying racialized inequities in morbidity and mortality, the life course social and economic determinants of Black–White disparities in biological aging remain inadequately understood. This study uses data from the Health and Retirement Study (n = 6,782), multivariable regression, and Kitagawa–Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition to assess Black–White disparities across three measures of biological aging: PhenoAge, Klemera–Doubal biological age, and homeostatic dysregulation. It also examines the contributions of racial differences in life course socioeconomic and stress exposures and vulnerability to those exposures to Black–White disparities in biological aging. Across the outcomes, Black individuals exhibited accelerated biological aging relative to White individuals. Decomposition analyses showed that racial differences in life course socioeconomic exposures accounted for roughly 27% to 55% of the racial disparities across the biological aging measures, and racial disparities in psychosocial stress exposure explained 7% to 11%. We found less evidence that heterogeneity in the associations between social exposures and biological aging by race contributed substantially to Black–White disparities in biological aging. Our findings offer new evidence of the role of life course social exposures in generating disparities in biological aging, with implications for understanding age patterns of morbidity and mortality risks.

Late life learning, dementia, and overall health in underresourced settings: an investigation of the University for Seniors in Beirut, Lebanon

AbstractBackgroundIdentifying modifiable factors that reduce Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) risk is a global public health priority. Several key social determinants of ADRD, such as years of education, are completed earlier in life, and thus are unamenable to change in older age. Evidence on the protective benefits of engaging in cognitively stimulating activities suggests that late life learning (“LLL”, non‐formal educational activities outside formal credentialed learning) may provide a unique window of opportunity, in older age, to mitigate ADRD risk by providing prospects for intellectual stimulation and social engagement. Yet, studies assessing assessed the benefits of LLL are scarce. Evaluations of cognitive and social benefits for LLL are particularly relevant for low‐resourced settings, where opportunities for engaged aging are limited.MethodWe designed a prospective cohort study (the LLL and Cognition 3LC study), capitalizing on an established and ongoing LLL program at the American University of Beirut, The U niversity f or S eniors (UfS). The UfS has been running for over 11 years, allowing to assess shorter‐ and longer‐term LLL influences on cognitive and overall health. Living in Lebanon, our population of older adults have endured multiple lifecourse and recent adverse psychosocial exposures. Our project will also examine the role of LLL in older age in mitigating the impacts of earlier psychosocial adversities on health.ResultOur project is embedded within a capacity building program and close collaborations between researchers in the US and Lebanon, providing an infrastructure for research on dementia and psychosocial disparities in Lebanon and the region. We aim to recruit 500 previously enrolled UfS participants, 200 newly/prospectively enrolled UfS participants, and 700 age‐ and sex‐matched non‐UfS‐participating community residents (Figure 1). We plan to conduct cognitive assessments at baseline and a follow‐up visit using cognitive batteries designed aligned with the Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP). For a formal program evaluation of LLL on cognition and related outcomes, we will implement advanced analytical techniques (e.g., difference‐in‐difference estimation) (Figure 2).ConclusionOur project aims to build a longitudinal cohort study, together with research and infrastructure capacities, to delineate LLL opportunities for dementia prevention in Lebanon and neighboring countries.

Immune-neuroendocrine patterning and response to stress. A latent profile analysis in the English longitudinal study of ageing

Psychosocial stress exposure can disturb communication signals between the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems that are intended to maintain homeostasis. This dysregulation can provoke a negative feedback loop between each system that has high pathological risk. Here, we explore patterns of immune-neuroendocrine activity and the role of stress. Using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), we first identified the latent structure of immune-neuroendocrine activity (indexed by high sensitivity C-reactive protein [CRP], fibrinogen [Fb], hair cortisol [cortisol], and insulin growth-factor-1 [IGF-1]), within a population-based cohort using latent profile analysis (LPA). Then, we determined whether life stress was associated with membership of different immune-neuroendocrine profiles. We followed 4,934 male and female participants, with a median age of 65 years, over a four-year period (2008–2012). A three-class LPA solution offered the most parsimonious fit to the underlying immune-neuroendocrine structure in the data, with 36 %, 40 %, and 24 % of the population belonging to profiles 1 (low-risk), 2 (moderate-risk), and 3 (high-risk), respectively. After adjustment for genetic predisposition, sociodemographics, lifestyle, and health, higher exposure to stress was associated with a 61 % greater risk of belonging to the high-risk profile (RRR: 1.61; 95 %CI = 1.23–2.12, p = 0.001), but not the moderate-risk profile (RRR = 1.10, 95 %CI = 0.89–1.35, p = 0.401), as compared with the low-risk profile four years later. Our findings extend existing knowledge on psychoneuroimmunological processes, by revealing how inflammation and neuroendocrine activity cluster in a representative sample of older adults, and how stress exposure was associated with immune-neuroendocrine responses over time.

Risk of psychosis in autism spectrum disorder individuals exposed to psychosocial stressors: A 9-year chart review study.

Psychosocial stressors have been suggested to precipitate psychotic episodes in patients with pre-existing psychosis and otherwise healthy subjects. However, such a risk has never been formally investigated in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Sixty-nine autistic adolescents hospitalized for psychotic/manic symptoms (PSY) and other mental health issues (NPSY) over a 9-year period were compared with reference to their previous exposure to psychosocial stressors. ASD diagnoses satisfied the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 criteria. Psychotic/manic symptom assessment followed the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS). Psychosocial stressor exposure was collected separately at each admission. Preliminarily, univariate between-group comparisons were conducted. Then, a binomial model was adopted to investigate associations with previous exposure to psychosocial stressors. Results were reported with a change in AIC (ΔAIC). PSY patients presented with higher previous exposure to adverse life events (30.43% vs. 6.52%, OR = 6.079 [1.209, 40.926], p = 0.013) and school/work difficulties (30.43% vs. 8.70%, OR = 4.478 [0.984, 23.846], p = 0.034) than NPSY ones. Admissions for psychotic/manic symptoms occurred more likely in the context of family disturbances (OR = 2.275 [1.045, 5.045], p = 0.030) and adverse life events (OR = 3.489 [1.194, 11.161], p = 0.014). The fitted binomial model was found to be significant compared to the random effects model (ΔAIC = -1.962; χ2 10 = 21.96, p = 0.015), with the risk of presenting psychotic/manic symptoms being increased by family disturbances (z = +4.118) and school/work difficulties (z = +2.455). The results suggest a potential psychosis-inducing effect of psychosocial stressors in ASD, which has clinical and policy implications.

Psychosocial factors associated with 7-year change in cognition among middle-aged and older Hispanics/Latinos: The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos-Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging (SOL-INCA) and Sociocultural ancillary studies.

Few studies have examined the associations of psychosocial factors with cognitive change in Hispanics/Latinos. Data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos-Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging (HCHS/SOL INCA) and Sociocultural studies were used (n=2,155; ages ≥45 years). Psychosocial exposures included intrapersonal (ethnic identity, optimism, purpose in life), interpersonal (family cohesion, familism, social networks, social support), and social factors (ethnic discrimination, loneliness, subjective social status). Survey-linear regression models examined associations between psychosocial exposures and 7-year cognitive change (global cognition [GC], verbal learning, memory, word fluency [WF], and digit symbol substitution [DSS]). Familism predicted decline in GC, verbal learning, and memory; family cohesion predicted DSS decline; and loneliness predicted memory decline. Ethnic identity was protective against decline in GC and memory, optimism and social support were protective against decline in memory, and purpose in life was protective against WF decline. Psychosocial factors are differentially related to cognitive changes. Culturally relevant factors should be explored in Hispanic/Latino cognitive aging research. Psychosocial factors are differentially related to cognitive changes in Latinos. Role of culturally relevant factors on cognition should be further explored. Familism predicted decline in global cognition, verbal learning, and memory. Ethnic identity predicted increase in global cognition and memory.

Psychosocial study environment characteristics associated with exposure to sexual harassment at a large public university in southern Sweden: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Background Universities can be understood as work-like environments for students, with similar risks and expectations regarding psychosocial environment. Limited research has examined this study environment from a Demand-Control-Support perspective with regard to sexual harassment. Understanding this environment is key to designing protective measures. This study aimed to examine the association between individual and psychosocial study environment characteristics and exposure to sexual harassment among students at Lund University, Sweden. Methods This cross-sectional study utilised data from an online survey conducted among students. Questions on background characteristics, exposure to sexual harassment while at university and psychosocial study environment as measured by a Demand-Control-Support-instrument were used. Bivariate, and multivariable logistic regressions were used, together with Population Attributable Fractions (PAF), and synergy indexes (SI). Results High demands and low control were independently associated with higher odds of being exposed to sexual harassment among both females and males (OR 1.41, OR 1.26 and OR 1.55, OR1.34, respectively). When adjusting for background characteristics, high study strain (combination of high demands and low control) was associated with exposure to sexual harassment among both female and male respondents (aOR 1.67 and 1.98 respectively) and could account for PAF of 14% and 15% of study environment sexual harassment for females and males, respectively. Low lecturer support was associated with higher odds for sexual harassment among females (aOR 1.19) but not males. Little evidence was found for a buffering effect of student support on high strain and sexual harassment (SI 0.7). Conclusion Working to reduce situations of high strain study environments could be an effective strategy for reducing sexual harassment in university settings. Improving support from lecturers could also modify this relationship, but more research is required to identify causal pathways underlying this result.

Association Between Insomnia, Stress Events, and Other Psychosocial Factors and Incident Atrial Fibrillation in Postmenopausal Women: Insights From the Women's Health Initiative.

Background The association between psychosocial factors and atrial fibrillation (AF) is poorly understood. Methods and Results Postmenopausal women from the Women's Health Initiative were retrospectively analyzed to identify incident AF in relation to a panel of validated psychosocial exposure variables, as assessed by multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression and hierarchical cluster analysis. Among the 83 736 women included, the average age was 63.9±7.0 years. Over an average of 10.5±6.2 years follow-up, there were 23 954 cases of incident AF. Hierarchical cluster analysis generated 2 clusters of highly correlated psychosocial variables: the Stress Cluster included stressful life events, depressive symptoms, and insomnia, and the Strain Cluster included optimism, social support, social strain, cynical hostility, and emotional expressiveness. Incident AF was associated with higher values in the Stress Cluster (hazard ratio [HR], 1.07 per unit cluster score [95% CI, 1.05-1.09]) and the Strain Cluster (HR, 1.03 per unit cluster score [95% CI, 1.00-1.05]). Of the 8 individual psychosocial predictors that were tested, insomnia (HR, 1.04 [95% CI, 1.03-1.06]) and stressful life events (HR, 1.02 [95% CI, 1.01-1.04]) were most strongly associated with increased incidence of AF in Cox regression analysis after multivariate adjustment. Subgroup analyses showed that the Strain Cluster was more strongly associated with incident AF in those with lower traditional AF risks (P for interaction=0.02) as determined by the cohorts for heart and aging research in genomic epidemiology for atrial fibrillation score. Conclusions Among postmenopausal women, 2 clusters of psychosocial stressors were found to be significantly associated with incident AF. Further research is needed to validate these associations.

Development and Cognitive Testing of Occupational Safety and Health Questions for a Youth Survey: Addressing the Research Needs for a Vulnerable Working Population.

While more than 2.5 million U.S. high students worked in 2020, data to assess how work affects this group are sparse. To facilitate such research, a set of occupational safety and health questions for inclusion on the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) and other youth-focused surveys was developed. Survey questions about occupational experiences of young workers were adapted from other surveys or created de novo. Key audiences were engaged to define priority topic areas and develop draft questions, which were further refined through cognitive interviews with working youth. Twenty-one resulting questions spanned multiple work-related topics: employment status; health outcomes; psychosocial exposures; and safety climate. Cognitive testing revealed that youth (aged 14-19) had difficulty with temporal concepts. Some difficulties reflected the propensity of youth to engage in multiple, online, and informal jobs. During 3 rounds of interviews, questions were adjusted to better reflect youth employment circumstances and language. Four states added at least 1 work-related question to their 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey questionnaire, and the full set of questions has been disseminated to federal agencies and partners. Including tailored questions about employment in surveys of youth will facilitate occupational health surveillance for this group. Analysis of resulting data can help to close knowledge gaps, provide current prevalence data, inform policy, and allow development of focused prevention and intervention strategies to reduce adverse outcomes among young workers.

Prospective associations of psychosocial work factors with sickness absence spells and duration: Results from the French national working conditions survey.

Some psychosocial work factors are associated with sickness absence, however little information is available on the associations of various psychosocial work factors and multiple exposures with sickness absence spells and duration, and gender differences. Data were from the French working conditions survey conducted on a nationally representative sample of the working population. The study sample included 17,437 employees (7292 men, 10,145 women) followed from 2013 to 2016 and/or from 2016 to 2019. Occupational exposures (20 psychosocial work factors, 4 working time/hours factors, 4 physical work exposures) were measured at the beginning of each follow-up period. Hurdle and multinomial models were used to study the associations with the number of days and spells of sickness absence. Most of the psychosocial work factors predicted the risk of at least 1 day of sickness absence. Stronger associations were found among women than men for some factors. Psychosocial work factors were more likely to predict the number of spells than the number of days of sickness absence. Some physical work exposures predicted sickness absence spells and days, whereas shift work in women predicted the risk of at least 1 day of sickness absence. Dose-response associations were found between multiple psychosocial work exposures and sickness absence spells, and between multiple physical exposures and sickness absence spells and days. Comprehensive prevention policies oriented toward the whole psychosocial and physical work environment should be useful to reduce sickness absence among men and women.

Peripheral and Cerebral Vasodilation in Black and White Women: Examining the Impact of Psychosocial Stress Exposure Versus Internalization and Coping.

Black women have among the highest rates of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease prevalence and mortality in part due to blunted vascular function. Psychosocial stress likely also contributes but its relationship to vascular function remains incompletely understood. Recent studies suggest that stress internalization and coping strategies are more important than stress exposures alone. We hypothesized that Black women would have blunted peripheral and cerebral vasodilation and that, among Black women, this would be inversely related with psychosocial stress internalization/coping but not stress exposures. Healthy Black (n=21; 20±2 years) and White (n=16; 25±7 years) women underwent testing for forearm reactive hyperemia, brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and cerebrovascular reactivity. Psychosocial stress exposures (adverse childhood experiences; past week discrimination) and internalization/coping techniques (John Henryism Active Coping Scale; Giscombe Superwoman Schema Questionnaire) were assessed. Reactive hyperemia and cerebrovascular reactivity were not different between groups (P>0.05), whereas FMD was lower in Black women (P=0.007). Neither adverse childhood experiences nor past week discrimination were associated with FMD in either group (P>0.05 for all). John Henryism Active Coping Scale scores were negatively associated with FMD in Black women (P=0.014) but positively associated with FMD in White women (P=0.042). Superwoman Schema-Succeed was negatively associated (P=0.044) and Superwoman Schema-Vulnerable tended to be negatively associated (P=0.057) with FMD in Black women. These findings indicate that blunted FMD in Black women may be due more to stress internalization and maladaptive coping than stress exposures alone.

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Social Isolation, Job Strain, and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality in U.S. Older Employees.

Stress is a key driver of cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet the contribution of psychosocial stressors to the development of CVD has not been systematically examined in United States (U.S.) populations. The objective of this study was to assess prospective associations of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), social isolation, and job strain with CVD mortality. Data were from the large, nationally representative, population-based Health and Retirement Study (HRS). ACEs, social isolation and job strain were assessed using validated survey instruments at baseline between 2006-2008, and death information was followed up through 2018. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to examine prospective associations of ACEs, social isolation, and job strain with CVD mortality among 4046 older employees free from CVD at baseline. During 42,149 person-years of follow-up time, 59 death cases of CVD were reported. After adjustment for covariates, ACEs and job strain were significantly associated with increased risk of CVD mortality (aHR and 95% CI = 3.67 [1.59, 8.48] and 2.24 [1.21, 4.11], respectively), whereas social isolation demonstrated an inflated but nonsignificant association (aHR and 95% CI = 1.62 [0.72, 3.66]). These findings highlight the role of psychosocial exposures as novel and clinically relevant risk factors for CVD.

Nx4 ameliorated peripheral and central stress-induced changes at resting state - A post hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial

Psychosocial stress provokes restlessness and perpetuates anxiety states, which may subsequently lead to major psychiatric disorders. Momentary adaptive responses to psychosocial stress can be reflected by electrophysiological (electroencephalogram: EEG) and physiological (heart rate variability: HRV) signals. A recent double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial (NEURIM, NCT02602275) investigated the stress-reducing effects of Neurexan (Nx4) on neurophysiological and physiological changes in response to acute psychosocial stressors. This post hoc analysis aims to explore the stress-reducing effect of Nx4 on peripheral physiological (HRV) and central electrophysiological (EEG) levels at resting state. Thirty-nine healthy male participants received a single dose of Nx4 before exposure to a psychosocial stress paradigm. EEG and photoplethysmogram (PPG) data were acquired before and after psychosocial stress exposure induced by the ScanSTRESS task. Stress responsivity under placebo and Nx4 were assessed by HRV parameters and EEG frequency power. Psychosocial stress induction led to changes (i) in various parameters of heart rate variability, including increased LF/HF ratio, increased Baevsky’s Stress Index, and reduced RMSSD. As well as (ii) to changes in EEG frequency power with increased alpha and decreased theta power, both indicating successful stress induction. Nx4 reduced the stress-induced changes on both peripheral physiological and central electrophysiological levels. In the current study, we showed that the Nx4 reduced the acute peripheral physiological and central electrophysiological stress responses to psychosocial challenges. We suggest Nx4 may be a significant means to buffer the bodily responses of daily life stress exposure.

Psychosocial Risks among Quebec Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Social Media Analysis.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) were at high risk of exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and to work-related psychosocial risks, such as high psychological demands, low social support at work and low recognition. Because these factors are known to be detrimental to health, their detection and mitigation was essential to protect the healthcare workforce during the pandemic, when this study was initiated. Therefore, using Facebook monitoring, this study aims to identify the psychosocial risk factors to which HCWs in Quebec, Canada reported being exposed at work during the first and second pandemic waves. In this study, HCWs mainly refer to nurses, respiratory therapists, beneficiary attendants and technicians (doctors, managers and heads of healthcare establishments were deemed to be less likely to have expressed work-related concerns on the social media platforms explored). A qualitative exploratory research based on passive analysis of Facebook pages from three different unions was conducted. For each Facebook page, automatic data extraction was followed by and completed through manual extraction. Posts and comments were submitted to undergo thematic content analysis allowing main coded themes to emerge based on known theoretical frameworks of the psychosocial work environment. In total, 3796 Facebook posts and comments were analyzed. HCWs reported a variety of psychosocial work exposures, the most recurrent of which were high workload (including high emotional demands), lack of recognition and perceived injustice, followed by low workplace social support and work-life conflicts. Social media monitoring was a useful approach for documenting the psychosocial work environment during the COVID-19 crisis and could be a useful means of identifying potential targets for preventive interventions in future sanitary crises or in a context of major reforms or restructuring.

Association between occupational exposures and chronic low back pain: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The association between occupational mechanical exposures and chronic low back pain (LBP) has been widely studied, however, few systematic reviews have evaluated the evidence of an association. Furthermore, little is known of the impact of occupational psychosocial exposures on chronic LBP. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to study the association between occupational mechanical and psychosocial exposures and chronic LBP. The study will be conducted as a systematic review using another systematic review published in 2014 as basis and has been registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) with registration number CRD42021281996. A systematic literature search will be performed in 6 scientific databases to identified potential relevant studies published after 2014. Studies will systematically be excluded through a screening process performed independently by 2 reviewers. Exposures will include occupational mechanical and psychosocial exposures, and outcome will include chronic LBP (LBP ≥3 months, "degenerative" diseases, and lumbosacral radiculopathy). Study population will include persons in or above working age, and study designs will comprise cohort and case-control studies. The quality of each included study will be methodologically assessed by 2 independent reviewers and level of evidence of an association will be graded using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) system. In meta-analyses, effect sizes will be addressed using random-effect models, sensitivity analyses will explore the robustness of the meta-analysis, and heterogeneity assessed. This systematic review and meta-analysis will assess the evidence available of the association between occupational mechanical and psychosocial exposures and chronic LBP. The review can provide essential knowledge on the association, exposure-response relationships, thresholds, which may pave the way for political decisions on the occupational environment and the labour market insurance policy.

NIH Toolbox Cognitive Battery in non-Hispanic Black individuals: role of cerebral vascular function, pulse wave velocity, and psychosocial stress exposure

Non-Hispanic Black (BL) individuals are ~ 2 times more likely to develop cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, and related dementias (ADRD) relative to other populations. ADRD prevalence is expected to double by 2060, with a greater increase in BL and Hispanic populations. Reduced cerebral vascular function and large elastic artery health increases risk for cognitive decline and ADRD. In addition, psychosocial stress exposure, including at a young age, is a significant predictor of intellectual function and executive attention. However, the relationship between 1) cerebral &amp; peripheral vascular function/health and indices of cognitive function, and 2) psychosocial stress exposure and indices of cognitive function in relatively young, healthy BL individuals are incompletely understood. We tested the hypothesis that cerebral vascular function and large elastic artery health are blunted in BL individuals, which will be associated with reduced cognitive performance. We also hypothesized that psychosocial stress exposure in the BL individuals is negatively associated with cognitive performance. METHODS: Eight BL (2 males; age: 20±1 yr; BMI: 22±3 kg/m2) and 8 WH (4 males; age: 20±3 yr; BMI: 23±2 kg/m2) individuals participated. Cognitive function was indexed using the NIH Toolbox Cognitive Battery which compiles a fluid score (i.e., capacity for new learning and information processing in novel situations), a crystallized score (i.e., past learning experiences), and a total cognition score. Cerebral vascular function was assessed as the % increase in cerebral vascular conductance (CVCi = middle cerebral artery blood velocity/mean arterial pressure) during hypercapnia (6% CO2). Large elastic artery health was assessed as aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV). Psychosocial stress exposure was assessed as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). RESULTS: The national percentile and age-adjusted fluid and total scores were lower in the BL individuals ( P&lt;0.05 for each), whereas the crystallized score was not different ( P=0.79). The % increase in CVCi during hypercapnia (BL: 32±15, WH: 54±50%, P=0.26) and PWV (BL: 5.7±0.9, WH: 5.7±0.9 m·s-1, P=0.96) was similar between groups. Within the BL individuals there was not a significant correlation between %CVCi or PWV and the fluid, crystallized, or total scores ( P&gt;0.05 for each) while ACEs tended to be negatively associated with total ( P=0.06) but not fluid or crystallized scores ( P&gt;0.05 for each). CONCLUSION: These preliminary data suggest that young, healthy BL individuals may have reduced indices of cognitive function, particularly in the fluid domain, which may be associated with ACEs. This does not appear to be related to cerebral vascular function or large elastic artery stiffness. Future work will continue to assess these relationships in a population with a wider age range and more diverse life experiences. NIH R15 (HL156128, RMB) &amp; Peanut Institute (982307, RMB) This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.