Role Of Psychological Distress Research Articles

Association of parental adverse childhood experiences with offspring sleep problems: the role of psychological distress and harsh discipline

BackgroundSleep problems are common in early childhood and may be affected by parental adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). However, few studies have examined the longitudinal effect of parental ACEs on offspring sleep problems and the underlying mechanism. This study examined parents’ psychological distress and harsh discipline (psychological aggression and corporal punishment) as mediators in the longitudinal pathway from parental ACEs to offspring sleep problems.MethodsThe participants included 617 3-year-old children (mean age of 43.13 months, SD = 3.82) and their parents (mean age of 33.24 years, SD = 4.01) from Wuhu, China. The participants completed an online questionnaire on ACEs, psychological distress, and demographic characteristics in September 2022 (Time 1). Parents completed another online questionnaire in September 2023 (Time 2) on harsh discipline and offspring sleep problems. A path model was used to examine the associations.ResultsParental ACEs did not directly predict offspring sleep problems. Psychological distress (β = 0.041, 95% CI [0.005, 0.111]) and harsh discipline in the form of psychological aggression (β = 0.019, 95% CI [0.006, 0.056]) separately mediated the relationship between parental ACEs and offspring sleep problems. Psychological distress and psychological aggression also played a serial mediating role in the association of parental ACEs with offspring sleep problems (β = 0.014, 95% CI [0.007, 0.038]).ConclusionsOur findings showed the importance of psychological distress and psychological aggression in the intergenerational effect of trauma on offspring sleep problems. Specific interventions aimed at improving mental health and parenting practices should be provided for parents who were exposed to ACEs.

The contribution of maladaptive personality traits to PTSD and depression symptoms among Israeli female veterans.

Exposure to potentially traumatic events during military service is associated with mental health problems such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptoms. However, knowledge regarding the implications of maladaptive personality traits in psychopathology among female veterans is sparse. The present study aims to use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition-an alternative model of personality disorder, to examine associations between maladaptive personality traits, PTSD and depression symptoms, among female Israeli veterans. A volunteer sample of female Israeli combat veterans (n = 616) and noncombat veterans (n = 484) responded to self-report questionnaires in a cross-sectional study. Combat veterans reported higher levels of combat exposure and PTSD symptoms, but not depressive symptoms, than noncombat veterans. Combat veterans also reported lower levels of negative affectivity but higher levels of disinhibition than noncombat veterans. All five traits were positive predictors of PTSD and depression symptoms, with psychoticism constituting the strongest predictor. A moderated-mediation analysis indicated four traits (negative affectivity, detachment, disinhibition, and psychoticism) that had a moderating effect on the relationship between combat exposure and PTSD symptoms, and two of the traits (antagonism and disinhibition) that had a moderate effect on the relationship between combat exposure and depressive symptoms. Maladaptive personality traits play an important role in psychological distress following female veterans' combat service. Future prospective research is necessary to determine the temporal associations between preenlistment maladaptive personality traits and postdeployment mental health of veterans. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Differentiating the relationships between traditional and new media use and sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic: roles of psychological distress and age.

Numerous studies have consistently demonstrated a decline in sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary objective of this study is to explore the impact of engaging with pertinent epidemic information through the media amid the COVID-19 crisis on individuals' sleep quality and the underlying mechanisms through which this influence operates. An online cross-sectional study design was employed. A total of 1,063 British adults (36.2% males; M age = 38.85, SD age = 13.36, ranging from 18 to 77 years old) participated in the study and completed our questionnaires, which included media usage frequency during the pandemic, the 10-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and the Ten-item Personality Inventory (TIPI). Pearson's correlation analyses indicated that there was no significant correlation between COVID-19-related traditional media use (television, radio, newspaper) and psychological distress or sleep quality. However, exposure to information related to COVID-19 through new media use (Facebook, Tik Tok, Twitter) was correlated with greater psychological distress and poorer sleep quality. A moderated mediation analysis showed that psychological distress fully mediated the relationship between new media use and poor sleep, which was moderated by age, with the association between psychological distress and poor sleep quality being stronger among older adults. Exposure to information of COVID-19 via new (but not traditional) media use deteriorated sleep quality through greater psychological distress, and this relationship was stronger among older adults.

The role of psychological distress in the relationship of financial strain with oral health and dental attendance in Dutch adults: A mediation analysis based on cross-sectional data.

The study aimed to assess whether psychological distress mediates the association between financial strain and oral health and dental attendance in the Dutch adult population. The study followed a cross-sectional design based on 2812 participants from the 2014 wave of the Dutch population-based GLOBE study. Financial strain was considered the exposure, while psychological distress measured with the Mental Health Inventory-5 (MHI-5) was the mediator. The outcomes included self-reported number of teeth, self-rated oral health, and self-reported dental attendance. Generalized regression analyses were used for the mediation analysis adjusted for several covariables. Greater financial strain was significantly associated with poorer self-rated oral health (total effect: 0.09, 95%CI: 0.05; 0.14) and restorative or no dental attendance (i.e. participants never visiting a dentist or only visiting a dentist for regular treatments or when they have complaints with their mouth, teeth, or prosthesis) (total effect: 0.05, 95%CI: 0.02; 0.09). Greater financial strain was not significantly associated with self-reported number of teeth (total effect: -0.14, 95%CI: -0.91; 0.64). Psychological distress significantly mediated the association of financial strain with self-rated oral health (average causal mediation effect [ACME]: 0.02, 95%CI: 0.01; 0.03) and self-reported dental attendance (ACME: 0.01, 95%CI: 0.00; 0.02), respectively. However, it did not significantly mediate the association of financial strain with self-reported number of teeth (ACME: -0.11, 95%CI: -0.25; 0.02). The estimated proportion of the total effect of financial strain on self-rated oral health and self-reported dental attendance that could be explained by psychological distress was respectively 24% (95%CI: 14%; 48%) and 19% (95%CI: 6%; 62%). Psychological distress partly explains the association of financial strain with self-rated oral health and dental attendance, but not with self-reported number of teeth. Future studies using longitudinal data are necessary to confirm the results.

Paths from adverse and benevolent childhood experiences to personal growth after childbirth: The role of psychological distress, social support, and self-compassion.

Dealing with the difficulties and demands of the postpartum period may be distressing for the mother, but it is also an opportunity for her to experience personal growth. One factor that may contribute to this growth is the mother's childhood experiences. Using a prospective study design, and based on Belsky's parenting model and personal growth theory, we examined the direct and indirect contribution of mothers' adverse and benevolent childhood experiences and their current psychological distress, self-compassion, and social support to their personal growth following childbirth and motherhood. A convenience sample of 392 women was recruited through social media and participated in the study about 16 weeks after childbirth (Phase 1) and again 6-10 months postpartum (Phase 2). The direct effects of adverse and benevolent childhood experiences on personal growth were not significant. However, multiple significant paths of indirect associations were found through psychological distress, self-compassion, and social support. To understand the roots of the mother's personal growth, researchers and clinicians alike should not only explore her personal resources, but also the primary processes that contribute to the creation of those resources, that is, childhood experiences. Addressing the mother's childhood experiences may help her to better understand the connections between the past and the present, and to identify the implications of her "ghosts and angels" for her mental state, personal resources, and experience of personal growth. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Smoking Behavior in Adolescents: The Role of Psychological Distress and COVID-19

Smoking Behavior in Adolescents: The Role of Psychological Distress and COVID-19

The Contribution of Maladaptive Personality Traits to Psychological Distress Among Israeli Women Veterans

IntroductionExposure to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) during military service is associated with mental health problems such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptoms. However, knowledge regarding the implications of maladaptive personality traits in psychopathology among female veterans is sparse.ObjectivesThe present study aims to use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM–5) -- an alternative model of personality disorder, to examine associations between maladaptive personality traits, PTSD and depression symptoms, among female Israeli veterans.MethodsA volunteer sample of female Israeli combat veterans (n=616) and non-combat veterans (n=484) responded to self-report questionnaires in a cross-sectional study.ResultsCombat veterans reported higher levels of combat exposure and PTSD symptoms, but not depressive symptoms, than non-combat veterans. Combat veterans also reported lower levels of negative affectivity but higher levels of disinhibition than non-combat veterans. All five traits were positive predictors of psychological distress, with psychoticism constituting the strongest predictor. A moderated-mediation analysis indicated four traits (negative affectivity, detachment, disinhibition, and psychoticism) that had a moderating effect on the relationship between combat exposure and PTSD symptoms, and two of the traits (antagonism and disinhibition) that had a moderate effect on the relationship between combat exposure and depressive symptoms.ConclusionsMaladaptive personality traits play an important role in psychological distress following female veterans’ combat service. Future prospective research is necessary to determine the temporal associations between pre-enlistment maladaptive personality traits and post-deployment mental health of veterans.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Z-Drug Use and Benzodiazepine Use and Misuse Among LGB Populations: The Role of Psychological Distress.

Z-drugs (hypnotics such as zolpidem, zopiclone, and zaleplon) and benzodiazepines (BZDs) are sedative medications with misuse liability. The goals of this study are to report the (1) prevalence of past-year any Z-drug use, any BZD use, and any BZD misuse by sexual identity category and psychological distress; (2) associations among these 3 categories between sexual identity and past-year psychological distress; (3) associations among these 3 categories with sexual identity by past-year psychological distress status. Data were collected from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (years 2015-2019 [n = 210,392]), a yearly representative national household survey of the American population. We report prevalences of any Z-drug use, any BZD use, and any BZD misuse by sexual identity and past-year psychological distress status. We ran logistic regressions with complex survey design with the 3 dichotomous variables described above as the dependent variables, stratified and not-stratified by psychological distress. Prevalence of any Z-drug an BZD use and any BZD misuse were higher among LGB (lesbian/gay/bisexual) populations, especially gay men and bisexual women. Psychological distress was positively associated with any Z-drug and BZD use and any BZD misuse. Women were at higher risk of Z-drug (odds ratio [OR], 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18-1.37) and BZD use (OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.55-1.73), but lower risk of BZD misuse (OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.76-0.88). When stratifying by psychological distress, differences between LGB and heterosexuals were more pronounced among those without past-year psychological distress, especially gay men and bisexual women. The presence of psychological distress attenuates the disparities between LGB and heterosexual individuals in Z-drug use and BZD use and misuse.

Abusive supervision and turnover intention among public servants: the roles of psychological distress and person-organization fit

ABSTRACTThis study integrates social cognitive and cognitive dissonance theories to examine the influence of abusive supervision on public servants. By employing Hayes’ Process macro and investigating a cohort of 468 US public servants, we found that abusive supervision is positively related to turnover intention via psychological distress. Notably, the adverse impact of abusive supervision is more pronounced among subordinates with a strong person-organization fit. Given the prevailing retention challenges in the public sector, our research offers novel insights into retaining well-matched personnel through the cultivation of positive workplace social connections.

Psychological Distress in Alzheimer’s Disease Family Caregivers: Gender Differences and the Moderated Mediation of Resilience

Different studies have reported gender differences in the variables of psychological distress, burden, social support, and resilience in family caregivers of relatives with Alzheimer’s disease; however, there is no clear evidence of the specific role of burden, social support, and resilience between gender and psychological distress. The aim of the present study is to clarify the role of these variables. Burden, psychological distress, social support, and resilience have been assessed in a cross-sectional design with a convenience sample of 140 family caregivers of relatives with Alzheimer’s disease. Our results confirm gender differences in terms of psychological distress, with higher scores found in female than in male caregivers, whilst male caregivers showed higher scores in terms of resilience than female caregivers. No gender differences have been found in terms of burden and social support. In addition, moderated mediation was obtained via the interaction of gender and social support on resilience, which plays a mediating role in psychological distress. Social support and resilience have shown a protective role concerning the mental health of caregivers, but female caregivers need higher social support to present a similar level of resilience to male caregivers.

Exploring the Relationship Between Self-Compassion and Compassion for Others: The Role of Psychological Distress and Wellbeing.

We addressed construct validity and explored the relationship between self-compassion and compassion for others using the two main current operationalizations of compassion (Neff's and the Sussex-Oxford Compassion Scales, SOCSs). Relationships with psychological distress and wellbeing, and potential differences in the association between self-compassion and compassion for others by level of psychological distress and wellbeing were also explored. Participants (n = 811) completed the Spanish adaptations of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), the Compassion Scale (CS), the SOCSs (for the self/others), the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (SWEMWBS), and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21). We fitted bifactor models to estimate the general factor of each construct for the different operationalizations, and calculated correlations between them. Relationships between self-compassion and compassion for others from the same operationalization were intermediate, while those between the same constructs from different operationalizations were large. Both constructs showed positive associations with wellbeing, while only self-compassion was associated with decreased psychological distress. Participants with good mental health showed higher associations between self-compassion and compassion for others than those with poorer mental health. Self-compassion and compassion for others appear to be dimensional constructs that can converge or diverge. When they converge, it is associated with better mental health.

The role of psychological distress, stigma and coping strategies on help-seeking intentions in a sample of Italian college students

BackgroundMental health issues are common among university students, but the latter are unlikely to seek professional help even when mental health services are available. Coping strategies, stigma and psychological distress are often considered as factors that can affect help-seeking intentions in university students.MethodsThis study aimed to determine the role of coping strategies, stigma and psychological distress on the intentions to seek professional help for psychological problems. All students (N = 13,886) from an Italian medium-sized university were asked to participate in a multidimensional online survey and 3754 (27.1%) agreed to participate. A Structural Equation Modelling approach was applied to explore the simultaneous direct and indirect effects of distress, stigma and coping strategies on professional help-seeking intentions.ResultsResults showed that students were not very likely to seek professional help and, through the Structural Equation Model, psychological distress was found to be positively correlated with coping strategies, which in turn was negatively associated with the stigma of seeking help. The latter was negatively associated with professional help-seeking intentions. These effects suggest that students with significant psychological distress use coping strategies to face the stigma of seeking help: the lower the stigma of seeking help, the higher the chance of developing intentions to seek professional help.ConclusionsThis study suggests the importance of implementing programs to encourage college students to seek help, including measures that foster a stigma-free environment, reduce psychological distress and promote the use of adaptive coping strategies. Interventions should be focused firstly on self-stigma and secondly on perceived stigma, taking into consideration the level of psychological distress and social stereotypes associated with mental disorders and help seeking behaviours. Programs about coping are also essential and should focus on promoting emotion-focused strategies and problem-focused strategies.

E-learning and the factors that influence the fear of failing an academic year in the era of Covid-19

The aim of this research has enabled us to establish the influential relationship between factors associated with e-learning, such as individual impact and depression, and the mediating role in psychological distress and computer anxiety related to the fear of failing an academic year in times of COVID-19 in university students at two universities in the Arequipa region of Peru. The methodology used was developed in two stages; in the first stage, an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was performed, which enabled us to compare the initial results from the theoretical matrix proposed with the observed matrix; in the following stage, a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was performed, as an analytic condition for the factors and to determine the robustness of the proposed model. For this purpose, the Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used, based on partial minimum squares. The sample for the study was made up by 252 students. It is concluded that there are significant influential relationships among the variables observed, such as the individual impact of e-learning, depression, mediated by psychological distress and anxiety for fear of failing the academic year.

The Role of Psychological Distress in the Relationship between Personality Dimensions and Pregnancy Outcome of Women Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Treatment (IVF/ICSI).

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the role played by psychological distress in the relation between personality dimensions and pregnancy outcome of women undergoing in vitro fertilization/Intra-Cytoplasmic Injections (IVF/ICSI) treatment. Method : This prospective cohort study was conducted for 12 months on 154 infertile women who were receiving IVF/ICSI assisted reproductive treatment for the first time. Research instruments for measuring psychological distress included the Fertility Problem Inventory (FPI) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). One of these was completed prior to ovarian stimulation and the other during the embryo transfer stage. The temperament and Character Inventory-Revised (TCI-R 125) was employed once to assess personality dimensions prior to the ovarian stimulation stage. Independent t-test, Mann Whitney test, Repeated Measures and path analysis were performed for statistical analysis of data. Results: The results of this study showed no significant difference between the pregnant and non-pregnant groups in personality traits (Harm avoidance and self-directness) and psychological distress (FPI and DASS scores). Repeated measures showed a significant difference in stress, anxiety, and depression levels between the two stages of ovarian stimulation and embryo transfer (P < 0.01). Path analysis showed no significant direct and indirect effect for harm avoidance on the pregnancy outcome when psychological distress was mediated. Conclusion: The effect of psychological factors on IVF outcomes is more complicated than is generally assumed and more studies are mandatory to clarify the relationship between personality traits and infertility treatments.

What is eating Gilbert’s grades? Examining the impact of food insecurity and psychological distress on weighted average marks within a sample of Australian university students

ABSTRACT There is a growing issue of university students not being able to afford or have access to nutritious food. Although research reveals that food insecurity negatively impacts student well-being and engagement, few studies have explored its impact on academic performance. Most of these studies use self-reported measures of academic performance in college samples from the United States. The current study is novel in that it explores food insecurity in an Australian university sample and uses actual academic performance (weighted average marks; WAM) rather than relying on self-reported grades. We also consider the role of psychological distress in the relationship between food insecurity and academic performance. Participants comprised 664 undergraduate students aged 18 to 25 years at a public university in Melbourne, Australia. One-quarter of students (25.5%) were classified as food insecure. Renting, receiving government benefits, having a disability and being older were positively associated with food insecurity and food insecurity was associated with poorer academic performance and increased psychological distress. Psychological distress partially mediated the relationship between WAM and food insecurity, meaning that students experiencing food insecurity are more likely to experience increased psychological distress which then impairs their academic performance. The prevalence of food insecurity in university students suggest that interventions aimed at improving both mental health and access to food could serve to enhance success at university, especially for students who cannot afford or do not have access to nutritious food.

Impact of early memories and current experiences of warmth and safeness on adolescents' psychological distress.

A variable-centered and a person-centered approach were performed to examine the role of early memories of warmth and safeness (EMWS) and current experiences of warmth and safeness (CEWS) on depressive and anxious symptoms among adolescents from community and residential youth care (RYC) settings. Variable-centered results revealed EMWS were only indirectly (through CEWS) associated with depressive and anxious symptoms. Person-centered outcomes allowed to identify four different profiles based on EMWS and CEWS, which differed on depressive and anxious symptoms. EMWS and CEWS seem to play an important role in psychological distress during adolescence. CEWS seem to have a protective role on RYC adolescents' psychological distress, even when EMWS were poor.

“Illness perceptions and factors of distress as mediators between trait emotional intelligence and quality of life in endometriosis”

ABSTRACT Past findings highlighted the presence of distress symptoms and poor quality of life in people with endometriosis. Several studies showed that trait Emotional Intelligence (trait EI) is a key component of one’s wellbeing, whilst Illness Perceptions may play an important role in psychological distress and perceived quality of life. The current study sought to test the hypothesis that an association between trait EI and Quality of Life in individuals with endometriosis would be mediated by Illness Perceptions, examining also the relations with General Distress (depression, anxiety, and stress). 364 women with endometriosis aged between 18 and 58 years old (M = 33.87; SD = 8.64) filled a protocol to assess Trait EI, Illness Perceptions, General Distress, and Quality of Life. Structural Equation Modelling was used to assess the relationship between the observed variables. Illness Perception was a mediator in the relationship between Trait EI, General Distress, and Quality of Life. Moreover, General Distress was a mediator between Trait EI and Quality of Life, and between Illness Perceptions and Quality of Life. Results showed that both Trait EI and Illness perceptions are key components for levels of distress and quality of life in women with endometriosis.

Personal growth initiative as a predictor of psychological distress in college students during the covid-19 pandemic

This study aims to determine the role of personal growth initiatives (PGI) in psychological distress among undergraduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study hypothesizes that there is a role of PGI in psychological distress among undergraduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Respondents in this study were 200 active undergraduate students in Indonesia. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling. The measuring instruments were the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) and the PGI scale. The results show that PGI had a significant role in psychological distress, with F(1.198) = 13.784, p= 0.000, R2 = 0.065, and R2 adjusted = 0.060. The regression coefficient (β = -0.175) indicated that an increase in PGI, on average, could decrease the psychological distress score by 0.175. Thus, the hypothesis proposed in this study can be accepted.

Hotel Employees’ Burnout and Intention to Quit: The Role of Psychological Distress and Financial Well-Being in a Moderation Mediation Model

Continuous changes, such as pandemics and increasing competition, as well as high workload, affect the workplace behavior of hotel organizations today, resulting in employee burnout and intention to quit. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of burnout on intention to quit among male hotel employees, integrating the mediating effect of psychological distress and moderating effect of financial well-being. Male employees in four- and five-star hotels in the UAE completed a total of 304 questionnaires. All direct relationships were positive and statistically significant, there was a partial mediating relationship, and only one of the moderating effects was statistically significant. This study found that burnout predicts the intention to quit as well as psychological distress. Psychological distress partially mediates the relationship between burnout and the intention to quit. Financial well-being moderates the relationship between burnout and psychological distress-making this relationship stronger for employees with high-income prospects-but not the relationship between burnout and intention to quit; regardless of the financial well-being of the employee, burnout will lead to the intention to quit their job. Hotel organizations must be aware of the consequences of employee burnout and concentrate on identifying and treating its causes.

Sleep disorder among IT professionals: the role of psychological distress and work-family conflict

Sleep disorder among IT professionals: the role of psychological distress and work-family conflict