Psychosomatic Health Research Articles

Феномен стійкості як здатності формувати ефективні методи подолання негативних екологічних впливів

The article discloses the psychological meaning of resilience, which includes meaningful life orientations that shape a person's adaptive potential. The purpose of the article is to study the phenomenon of resilience as the ability to form effective ways to overcome negative environmental impacts. The Connor-Davidson Stress Resistance Scale-10 (CD-RISC-10) was used among the psychodiagnostic methods of assessing stress resistance. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI) and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) were used to assess the functional status of respondents (trauma witnesses). The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) was used to determine the activity of psychotrauma. To assess the quality of life, a specific questionnaire of the quality of life of the studied Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (ASQoL) was used. Vitality is ensured by a number of physiological, personal and social factors. The identification and specification of a person's characterological resources contribute to the determination of his resistance, personal potentials that would contribute to the preservation of a person's psychosomatic health, his According to the research results, we defined the categories of low stress resistance, which corresponded to 50 people (24 women and 26 men), moderate stress resistance was determined in 12 people, and the category of high stress resistance corresponded to 1 male respondent. We found certain gender differences in the stress resistance of the victims: it is higher in men. Respondents with high trauma were characterized by a significant loss of psychofunctional ability according to the BASFI scale. The presence of significant violations of psychofunctional ability was confirmed by the BASMI metrological index and the ASQoL quality of life questionnaire.

Посттравматичне зростання в контексті організації волонтерської діяльності як екологічна особистісна потреба

The article is devoted to the study of the relationship between post-traumatic growth and the vitality of the individual in the context of the organization of volunteer activities according to the current ecological situation. The purpose of the article is the justification of post-traumatic growth in the context of the organization of volunteer activities as an environmental problem of personality formation in modern conditions. During the research, the following psychodiagnostic methods were used: the ‘Alexithymia Level Diagnosis (Toronto Aleximism Scale (TAS))’ method, ‘The Changes in Outlook Questionnaire’ (CiOQ) and ‘The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory’ (PTGI, Questionnaire of post-traumatic growth), which is applied in the context of the author's ideas about post-traumatic growth.The theoretical approaches to the peculiarities of the post-traumatic growth of volunteers in the context of the formation of their positive experience and preservation of health in the conditions of war are substantiated. It has been established that the preservation of psychosomatic health depends on personal, psychological, physiological and social indicators of vitality. Post-traumatic positive experience in the context of the formation of the volunteer's environmentalism testifies to the quality of interpersonal relations, the growth of sensitivity and closeness to the personal environment. Post-traumatic stress disorders in volunteers affect the personal sphere of relationships and cause destructive disorders in the sphere of communicative relations. There are differences between volunteer students of various specializations and psychology students in the field of sustainability indicators, but they are not significant enough in the organization of volunteer activities.

Safer spaces in youth development programs and health in Canadian youth

Abstract Engagement in youth programs is a potential means to promote health and well-being across populations of young people. Safer spaces in these youth programs are likely critical in fostering positive health outcomes, but current research on the links between safer spaces and health is limited. In this exploratory study, we examined links between program safety in youth development programs and minoritized status, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and psychosomatic health complaints. Participants (N = 282; Mean age = 16.97 years; SD = 2.97) self-identified across various minority status groups, including LGBTQ (30%) and a range of perceived income levels. We tested a statistical model in which safer spaces, LGBTQ status and perceived income predicted HRQoL and health complaints in youth development program participants. LGBTQ status and lower perceived income were related to lower HRQoL and more health complaints, and safer space in youth development programs was related to better HRQoL. We also found an interaction effect, such that safer spaces in youth programs appeared to be especially beneficial for HRQoL for youth with higher incomes. Findings reinforce past research on LGBTQ status and income as factors for youth wellness and mental health. Findings also suggest that perceived safer spaces in youth development programs support better HRQoL and lower health complaints, across populations of participating youth.

Study of psychosomatic disorders in adynamia among students and cyber addicts

Objective. To study psychosomatic health in adynamia in cyber addicts and students.Material and methods. 100 people at the stages 3-4 of cyber addiction underwent rehabilitation and reintegration into society, and 82% of them got employed. Surveys, research on autonomic balance, calculation of the health coefficient, and assessment of psycho-emotional state based on the characteristics of the HTP test, were conducted among 24 cyber addicts and 24 students.Results and discussion. The health coefficient of the cyber addicts averaged 2.38, while that of the students averaged The average emotional tension index is 10.53 for students and 10.63 for those with cyber addiction. Autonomic disorders were identified in the female subgroup of gamers using the Kerdo Students displayed normotonia. The Hildebrandt index for students averaged 4.51, while for those with cyber addiction it was 3.03. These indicators are within normal limits.Conclusion. The effectiveness of treatment methods for cyber addiction and the social rehabilitation of cyber addicts has been identified based on health coefficient A low level of this metric was observed in the control group. Students require such rehabilitation in the process of A comprehensive and informative set of tests has been selected to determine the psychosomatic health and adaptation of addicts and individuals who spend extended periods on the computer in a state of

Psychosocial school factors and mental health of first grade secondary school students-Results of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Survey in Serbia.

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between psychosocial school factors and life satisfaction, symptoms of depression and psychosomatic health complaints among first grade secondary school students in Serbia. We analysed data from the 2018 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study in the Republic of Serbia. Analyzed psychosocial school factors included satisfaction with school, schoolwork pressure, teacher support, classmate support and being bullied at school. Life satisfaction was assessed by the 11-step Cantril's ladder (cutoff >5). Symptoms of depression were measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10) and psychosomatic health complaints by using the HBSC symptom checklist. Univariable and multivariable binary logistic regression was used to determine independent predictors of students' life satisfaction, symptoms of depression and psychosomatic health complaints in the school environment, while also considering their socio-demographic characteristics and perceived family and friend support. The study included 1605 students (average age 15.26 ±0.44 years), of whom 50.3% were females. Results from the binary logistic regression analyses showed that life satisfaction was positively related to school satisfaction and classmate support, and negatively to being bullied at school. Symptoms of depression were positively associated with schoolwork pressure and being bullied at school, and negatively with teacher and classmate support. All analyzed factors of the school environment were significantly related to psychosomatic health complaints, whereby schoolwork pressure and being bullied at school were positively associated, while teacher and classmate support and satisfaction with school were negatively associated. Given the established association of psychosocial school factors with mental health, there is a need for targeted measures both at school and community level with the aim of improving social support in the school environment, reducing schoolwork burden and preventing bullying at school, potentially resulting in the overall improvement of mental health of the first grade secondary school students.

Особенности социально-психологической адаптации к учебно-служебной деятельности слушателей факультета профессиональной подготовки Казанского юридического института МВД России

The article presents preliminary results of an empirical study on the problems and characteristics of the socio-psychological adaptation of students of the faculty of vocational training, retraining and advanced training of the Kazan Law Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia to educational and service activities. The methodological basis of the study was the scientific principles of cognition: the principle of determinism, the unity of consciousness and activity (psyche and behavior), the principle of development, as well as such approaches to scientific cognition as functional, personal, systemic.
 Methods of scientific and cognitive activity: observation and experience, survey in the form of a questionnaire, description, comparison, universal analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, abstraction, generalization and systematization.
 Professional adaptation in educational institutions of the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia involves adaptation to the requirements of educational activities, which is aimed at improving the professionally necessary knowledge, skills, training in methods and techniques for quickly solving official problems, respectively, manifests and develops the ability of students to adapt to educational and service, and later on to professional activity, which, in turn, is a factor in the psychosomatic health of a developing subject.
 In an empirical study of the characteristics of socio-psychological adaptation of students to educational and service activities (the level achieved, characteristic difficulties in its process), a positive dynamics of the studied indicators of personality adaptability during training was revealed. Low, medium and high levels of formation of social and psychological adaptation of listeners are revealed.
 The effectiveness of students' educational and service activities depends on the individual psychological characteristics of the individual and the integrated work of the Institute's employees to provide comfortable conditions for students to assimilate knowledge, develop skills and abilities to effectively resolve operational and service tasks.

Change in resilience among spousal caregivers of patients with newly-diagnosed advanced cancer over the first six months posttreatment in China

ObjectiveA longitudinal observational study was conducted and aimed to examine the change in resilience among spousal caregivers of newly-diagnosed advanced cancer patients over the first six months after initial treatment. MethodsIn total, 312 Chinese spousal caregivers who were taking care of their patients with newly-diagnosed advanced cancer were recruited. The level of resilience was measured using the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale at the first month post-initial treatment (T1), three-month post-initial treatment (T2), and six-month post-initial treatment (T3). Latent growth modeling analyses were performed to examine changes in resilience using Mplus 8.3. ResultsThe mean scores of resilience in spousal caregivers were 54.01 ± 7.68 at T1, 56.20 ± 6.38 at T2, and 57.97 ± 6.70 at T3, respectively. Results of latent growth modeling indicated that spousal caregivers showed a significant increase in their resilience scores over the first six months post-treatment (Mean slope = 1.98, p < 0.001). Furthermore, a significant individual variation in the rate of changes in resilience scores allowed spouses to be categorized into two groups: 42.9% participants with fast growth and 57.1% participants with slight growth. ConclusionOur findings highlight the importance that new knowledge about change patterns of resilience in the nursing field is beneficial to reveal different psychosomatic health. Acknowledging that resilience is a dynamic process that changes over time, it is crucial for healthcare providers to monitor the psychological adjustment and focus of vulnerable caregivers, particularly spouses.

The inter-familiar issues of Greek parents facing childhood cancer

Cancer as a whole, but especially childhood cancer, creates a number of psychological, social, and family problems as well as practical and financial issues, which every parent is called upon to solve. This study focuses on childhood cancer and aims at a thorough analysis of the physical/organic, psychological, and social problems associated with the parents and relatives of a child with cancer. The special element in pediatric neoplasms is not only the vulnerable population target group, but also the set of secondary effects it has on the environment of the sick child. The research was conducted on a sample of 133 families of children with cancer, and the results were displayed after statistical processing and data analysis with R statistical software. The results of the study confirm with statistically significant data the effect of childhood cancer on the physical, mental, and social health and behavior of the parent. Thus, 53.8% of the respondents stated 5 and above on the 7-point Likert scale for fatigue issues, 55.6% for sleep disorders, 78.1% for stress, and 82.7% for fear. The key findings are characterized by high specificity as it is a unique study that reveals particular aspects of the Greek parent’s behavior, mind, and body during the period of their child’s illness. Conclusion: The effects of childhood illnesses, particularly when they are severe, such as neoplasms, present a looming threat, ushering in a multitude of adverse alterations in the daily lives of the affected child's family.What is Known – What is New:• We know the effects that a childhood illness brings not only to the sick child, but also to the entire family circle. The new element in the present research is that these data reflect the situation in Greece, for which the research data in this area is quite limited. Our research is one of the few studies that demonstrate with statistical data the change in the psychosomatic health of the parent who has a child with cancer.

Cyberbullying Victimization, Perpetration and Psychosomatic Health Symptoms among Students in a Ghanaian University

Cyberbullying as deviant behavior is a growing public health concern and affects cyber victims in many ways. This study sought to examine cyberbullying victimization, perpetration, and psychosomatic health symptoms (PHS) among students in a Ghanaian university. The aim was to explore the extent of cyberbullying among students and the association between demographic factors and cyberbullying victimization, perpetration, and PHS of cyberbully victims. The study was a cross-sectional survey of 420 students in a public university in Ghana. The survey results show that female students were less likely than male students to suffer from cybervictimization. There was no gender difference in cyberbullying perpetration and experiencing PHS. Also, students from intact families were less likely to be victimized than students from single-parent families. Bystanders who tried to intervene in cybervictimization were less inclined to perpetrate cyberbullying but were more likely to experience PHS when cyberbullied. Students who lived alone or with friends were four times more likely to experience PHS after being cyberbullied. These findings point to the far-reaching effects of cyberbullying and the need for educators and other stakeholders to devise policies to mitigate the phenomenon and put in place structures to help cyberbully victims.

Multiple Passions and Psychosomatic Health

People are often passionate about different activities in their lives. This study examined the role of multiple passions in psychosomatic health (i.e., subjective vitality and somatic symptoms) using variable-centered and person-centered approaches. Our sample consisted of 267 Polish adults, who filled out the measures on harmonious passion (HP), obsessive passion (OP), subjective vitality as a trait, and somatic symptoms in four categories (exhaustion, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular complaints). In general, HP showed protective properties against individual somatic complaints, whereas OP was associated with higher levels of somatic symptoms, chiefly cardiovascular complaints. We highlighted that, unlike the first passion, the second passion can explain the differences in well-being and ill-being. Our study indicated the moderate health-promoting effects of HP, and the moderate-to-strong adverse effects of OP on somatic health. Having multiple passions of obsessive nature may be harmful for somatic health. In order to be healthy, prevention of the development of multiple passions with high obsessive levels seems to be a priority. Potential psychosomatic pathways were discussed.

The negative association of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic with the health of mother and child considering maternal childhood maltreatment

BackgroundSocial distancing strategies during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic have left families facing a variety of different constraints. Especially in this stressful time, children need a stable parental home to prevent developmental consequences. Additional risk factors such as maternal childhood maltreatment (CM) may affect mother’s psychosomatic health and children’s physical well-being in this period.ObjectiveIt was aimed to analyze the associations between maternal CM, mother’s mental health, and children’s physical complaints during the SARS-CoV-2-pandemic.MethodMothers of a well-documented birth cohort from a longitudinal study were included in this study. Psychosomatic health was assessed with the PHQ-D and children’s physical health with the GBB-KJ during the pandemic. N = 159 mothers completed the online survey. To describe the maternal CM, data from a longitudinal survey were used.ResultsThe calculation of three mediation analyses demonstrate that maternal depression symptoms (c-path: β = 0.10, p = .02; c’-path: β = 0.07, p = .13), somatic symptoms (c-path: β = 0.10, p = .02; c’-path: β = 0.07, p = .13) and psychosomatic symptoms (c-path: β = 0.10, p = .02; c’-path: β = 0.06, p = .19) fully mediate the relationship between CM and children’s physical health complaints.ConclusionsMaternal CM experiences seem to be one relevant risk factor during the pandemic and seem to influence the way in which parents deal with stressful situations and increase the risk for depressive symptoms. The present results highlight the importance to provide individually adjusted assistance to help the families to get through the pandemic.

Cyber-victimization and Its Impact on Victim’s Psychosomatic Status

Cyberbullying is an important issue to discuss and investigate. This study is a theoretical and empirical research aimed at proving cyber-victimization’s negative impact on psychosomatic health. A direct relationship between these two phenomena is that poor mood regulation in childhood entails dissatisfaction with surrounding world causing rage against weaker peers, victimization, which affects victims’ psychosomatic status. Methods used are literature analysis for the research and empirical part assessing aggressiveness in children (Buss-Darkey Inventory), their emotional state and psychosomatic health problems caused by victimization (authors’ questionnaire. As a result young victims’ psychosocial problems are seen as having negative consequences in later life. Because of these consequences, bullying becomes a hot topic and causes researchers, parents’, as well as school teachers and school psychologists’ concern. Cyberbullying will continue as long as electronic gadgets and communication devices are plugged in and used which is becoming an increasing problem due to dissemination of information, telecommunication technologies and the involvement of children and adolescents in the widespread digitalization of various spheres of life. In conclusion we recommend teachers and parents to develop understanding of cybervictimization, besides to pay attention to their children’s emotional intelligence development that should help them resist victimization and avoid health problems.

English

It is our contention that Aikido may have sufficient support for its use in complementary therapies in the field of clinical treatment. However, as far as we are aware, no extensive scientific studies highlighting the application of Aikido as a psychosomatic therapy in the field of psychological behavioural disorders has been carried out. Our aim here was to conduct a systematic review of scientific studies associated with the possible psychosomatic benefits of Aikido practice and to examine whether there is any theoretical basis for this psychosomatic health connection. In terms of methodology, a systematic review of published scientific literature on health and Aikido was conducted in adherence with PRISMA guidelines. Three aspects of the application of Aikido were identified, one corresponding to phases more susceptible to psycho-emotional instability such as during the period of adolescence; another aspect related to the treatment of overcoming trauma in subjects with post-traumatic stress disorder and the final aspect related to the improvements as a result of the practical intervention of mindfulness. It is evident from our review, that the treatment of Aikido as a discipline with psychotherapeutic potential requires further expert analysis from a cross-disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspective, which would involve establishing a suitable intervention model in order to attain a deeper understanding of the discipline of Aikido. Moreover, a mastery of the field of psychology and psychiatry is required to understand the internal cognitive processes of the subjects studied.

English

It is our contention that Aikido may have sufficient support for its use in complementary therapies in the field of clinical treatment. However, as far as we are aware, no extensive scientific studies highlighting the application of Aikido as a psychosomatic therapy in the field of psychological behavioural disorders has been carried out. Our aim here was to conduct a systematic review of scientific studies associated with the possible psychosomatic benefits of Aikido practice and to examine whether there is any theoretical basis for this psychosomatic health connection. In terms of methodology, a systematic review of published scientific literature on health and Aikido was conducted in adherence with PRISMA guidelines. Three aspects of the application of Aikido were identified, one corresponding to phases more susceptible to psycho-emotional instability such as during the period of adolescence; another aspect related to the treatment of overcoming trauma in subjects with post-traumatic stress disorder and the final aspect related to the improvements as a result of the practical intervention of mindfulness. It is evident from our review, that the treatment of Aikido as a discipline with psychotherapeutic potential requires further expert analysis from a cross-disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspective, which would involve establishing a suitable intervention model in order to attain a deeper understanding of the discipline of Aikido. Moreover, a mastery of the field of psychology and psychiatry is required to understand the internal cognitive processes of the subjects studied.

Suspended, restrained, and secluded: Exploring the relationship between school punishment, disability, and black and white parents’ health outcomes

Several studies confirm that school suspension is associated with declines in students’ academic performance, school dropout, and incarceration. Despite the extensive literature documenting the adverse impact of school suspension on students, few studies have investigated how out-of-school suspension, seclusion, and restraint impact parents of children with disabilities. Using DisCrit as a theoretical framework, we interviewed fifty parents of Black and white children who were diagnosed with cognitive, physical, and behavioral disabilities. Parents stated that school officials suspended, restrained, and secluded their children between 1 and over 30 times. This article features data that suggests the burden of navigating the disciplinary processes associated with out-of-school suspension, seclusion, and restraint are so stressful that they contribute to a deterioration in parents’ physical and mental health. Irrespective of their racial backgrounds, parents expressed that the trauma associated with their child’s school punishment led them to develop physiological and psychosomatic health challenges, such as depression, hypertension, stroke, peri-traumatic emesis, and other health impairments. In this article, we shed light on parents' accounts of how school punishment harmed their children, contributed to job loss, and disrupted their household.

ВОЗМОЖНОСТИ САНАТОРНО-КУРОРТНЫХ МЕТОДИК В РЕАБИЛИТАЦИИ ПАЦИЕНТОК С РАННИМИ ГЕСТАЦИОННЫМИ ПОТЕРЯМИ

Introduction. Early pregnancy loss is still an unresolved problem in obstetric and gynecology. The pathogenesis is based on the comorbidity of pathological factors such as subclinical hormonal, immune, psychoneurotic disorders and endometrial pathology. It requires complex rehabilitation pregnancy planning programs for such patients. Aim. Aim of research is to optimize treatment and rehabilitation measures in patients with the history of early pregnancy lost using the Belokurikha’s spa and resort clusters. Material and methods. 79 patients with early reproductive lost history underwent a course of medical and rehabilitation treatment in the «Altai Castle» spa and resort (Belokurikha, Altai Region). Complex spa treatment included climatotherapy and combination of various methods: balneo-, peloid-, physiotherapy and a prolonged course of herbal medicine. Results and discussion. Women with a history of early pregnancy loss had significant improvement in physical and mental health, ultrasound chronic endometritis markers were decreased. The first year onset pregnancy occurred in 70.9% after rehabilitation and most of them (92.8%) delivered at term. Proposed rehabilitation program is highly efficient due to the multidirectional potentiating action of natural factors that have powerful immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and regenerating effects. Conclusion. A complex rehabilitation program for patients with a history of early pregnancy lost in Belokurikha’s spa and resort with a prolonged course of herbal medicine helps to make rapid psychosomatic and reproductive health recovery.

Associations between sedentary behavior and health and the moderating role of physical activity in young people within a cross-sectional investigation

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of sedentary behavior (SB) on the frequency of health complaints (fHC) as well as on self-rated health (SRH) and body mass index (BMI), and to determine whether physical activity (PA) moderated this influence. Data were obtained from the Youth Survey Luxembourg 2019 (N = 2,802), a nationally representative stratified random sample of all youths aged 16 to 29 years who were living in Luxembourg. fHC is a composite measure of eight common psychosomatic health complaints, SRH was measured on a five-point scale, and BMI was calculated by dividing participants’ body weight by the square of their body height (kg/m2). PA and SB values were obtained from factor analyses of the relevant questionnaire items. SB was evaluated as both leisure-time SB and gaming-associated SB. Multiple regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, socioeconomic status, and migration status were used to determine the association between SB, fHC, BMI, and SRH. We found that leisure-time SB was positively associated with fHC, but not with SRH or BMI. Gaming-associated SB was positively associated with fHC and BMI but was negatively associated with SRH. PA was negatively associated with fHC, BMI and SRH. No statistically significant moderating effects were observed. We found that both leisure-time and gaming-associated SB showed statistically significant impacts on health. Although PA is known to be beneficial to health, we conclude that its potential to mitigate the negative effects of SB is limited in young people.

The role of somatic factors in early childhood and adolescent psychosomatic disorders

Objective. This study aimed to establish practical evidence of the leading role of somatic factors in psychosomatic health disorders in the early stages of the mental development of children and adolescents.&#x0D; Materials and methods. An interview method was used to obtain complete and reliable historical data for children and youth who applied for primary medical care. In addition, an anonymous questioning method was implemented. It allowed gathering of a reliable database of basic information on the psychosomatic health of children and adolescents in the Western European region. A study enrolled a sample of 1000 children, including 498 girls and 502 boys, aged 13 to 18 years.&#x0D; Results and Discussion. Psychosomatic pathologies were detected in 54% of cases, of which 63% were female. The influence of somatic factors on psychosomatic pathology progression was found to be greater in the early stages of mental development.&#x0D; Conclusion. The study’s findings may serve as a primary basis for understanding the role of somatization factors on psychosomatic disorders in children and adolescents in the early stages of mental development. The study also highlights the need to enhance the methodological basis for preventing psychosomatic disorders in children and adolescents.&#x0D; Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 22 No. 03 July’23 Page : 687-694

Bridge connection between depression and anxiety symptoms and lifestyles in Chinese residents from a network perspective.

Lifestyle habits are vital components of the culture of mental health treatment settings. We examined the bridge connection between depressive and anxiety symptoms and lifestyles from a network perspective using a population-based study. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with a provincially representative sample of 13,768 inhabitants from the Guangdong Sleep and Psychosomatic Health Survey based on standardized evaluation techniques. We identified the central symptoms by expected influence. The interconnection between depression and anxiety symptoms, as well as the bridge connectivity linking depression-anxiety symptoms and lifestyle factors, were assessed using the bridge centrality index. Network stability and sensibility analyses were performed using a case-dropping bootstrap procedure. The core symptom that exhibited the highest expected influence was fatigue or little energy, followed by uncontrollable worry, trouble relaxing, and sad mood in the depression-anxiety symptoms network, while guilt was the most interconnected symptom and had the highest bridge strength. Surrounding nodes of each node explained an average variance of 57.63%. Additionally, suicidal thoughts were recognized as collective bridging symptoms connecting lifestyle variables in the network integrating depression-anxiety symptoms with lifestyle factors. Current tobacco and alcohol consumption were positively associated with suicidal thoughts and irritability. Habitual diet rhythm and physical exercise frequency were linked to suicidal thoughts, guilt, and poor appetite or overeating. Suicidal thoughts, irritability, and guilt indicated the greatest connectivity with lifestyle factors. All networks had high stability and accuracy. These highlighted core and bridge symptoms could serve as latent targets for the prevention and intervention of comorbid depression and anxiety. It might be crucial for clinical practitioners to design effective and targeted treatment and prevention strategies aiming at specific lifestyles and behaviors.

COVID-19 vaccination exacerbates ex vivo IL-6 release from isolated PBMCs

Ex vivo culturing of isolated PBMCs from individuals vaccinated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine BNT162b1 revealed a pronounced T cell response in the presence of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein. The latter was 10-fold more pronounced than the ex vivo response of PBMCs from the same individuals to other common pathogen T cell epitope pools, suggesting COVID-19 vaccination to induce RBD-specific T cell responses and not to facilitate T cell (re)activity in general. In the current study we investigated whether COVID-19 vaccination long-lastingly affects plasma interleukin (IL)-6 concentrations, complete blood counts, ex vivo IL-6 and IL-10 secretion of PBMCs cultured under basal conditions or in the presence of concanavalin (Con) A and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), salivary cortisol and α-amylase, mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) as well as mental and physical health status. The study was initially designed to investigate whether the presence vs. absence of own pets during urban upbringing has protective effects against psychosocial stress-induced immune activation during adulthood. However, as COVID-19 vaccines were approved while the study was ongoing and as, therefore, both vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals have been recruited, we were able to stratify our data set with respect to the COVID-19 vaccination status and to assess the long-lasting effects of COVID-19 vaccination on physiological immunological, cardiovascular and psychosomatic health parameters. This data is presented in the current study. We show that isolated PBMCs from individuals vaccinated against COVID-19 show a ~ 600-fold increase in basal and a ~ 6000-fold increase in ConA-induced proinflammatory IL-6 secretion, and a ~ 2-fold increase in basal and ConA-induced antiinflammatory IL-10 secretion, both in comparison with non-vaccinated individuals. In contrast, LPS-induced ex vivo IL-6 and IL-10 secretions were not affected by vaccination status, as were plasma IL-6 concentrations, complete blood counts, salivary cortisol and α-amylase, cardiovascular measures and psychosomatic health. In summary, our findings are of relevance for many clinical studies ran before/during the pandemic, clearly indicating that consideration of participants’ vaccination status is critical, at least when assessing ex vivo PBMC functionality.