Stress-related Symptoms Research Articles

Cortisol and cortisone determination by disposable pipette extraction (DPX) and ultra-efficient liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) in urine and saliva samples from patients with Parkinson's disease.

Higher serum cortisol levels appear to be associated with stress that can overlap or manifest anxiety, fatigue, depression, and sleep dysfunction. These are common and intrusive non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Thus, stress has been proposed to mediate Parkinson's disease development, and cortisol has been suggested as a biomarker for the generation of stress-related symptoms in Parkinson's disease. This study describes sensitive and robust disposable pipette extraction (DPX) and ultra-efficient liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method to determine cortisol and cortisone (as potential endocrine biomarkers for Parkinson's disease) in 24-h urine and saliva samples obtained from Parkinson's disease patients. Important parameters on DPX extraction were optimized to achieve the best extraction recovery and cleanup efficiency. The proposed method was linear from 0.5 (lower limit of quantification) to 500ngmL-1 for cortisol and from 3.0 (lower limit of quantification) to 500ngmL-1 for cortisone. To determine whether urinary cortisol and urinary cortisone are adequate as biomarkers to evaluate the level of anxiety in patients suffering from Parkinson's disease, twenty-nine Parkinson's disease patients (18 with anxiety and 11 without anxiety) were selected for urine analysis. Based on the obtained results, 24-h urine samples obtained from Parkinson's disease patients with anxiety had higher cortisone levels than samples obtained from healthy controls. Receiving operating curves (ROC) analysis, which presented the area under the ROC curve (AUC = 0.733), showed that urinary cortisone levels (µg/24-h urine) were sensitive (56.3%) and specific (93.3%) for distinguishing Parkinson's disease patients with anxiety from healthy controls. In terms of salivary results, PD patients' samples taken 30min after waking up had higher cortisol and cortisone levels than healthy controls, while their samples taken at night had lower cortisol and cortisone levels.

A guided single session intervention to reduce intrusive memories of work-related trauma: a randomised controlled trial with healthcare workers in the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Background Intrusive memories of psychologically traumatic events bring distress both sub-clinically and clinically. This parallel-group, two-arm randomised controlled trial evaluated the effect of a brief behavioural intervention on reducing intrusive memories in frontline healthcare workers exposed to traumatic events during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Participants with at least two intrusive memories of work-related trauma in the week before recruitment were randomised 1:1 to an imagery-competing task intervention (n = 73) or attention-based control task (n = 71). The number of intrusive memories was assessed at baseline and 5 weeks after the guided session (primary endpoint). Results The intervention significantly reduced intrusive memory frequency compared with control [intervention Mdn = 1.0 (IQR = 0–3), control Mdn = 5.0 (IQR = 1–17); p < 0.0001, IRR = 0.30; 95% CI = 0.17–0.53] and led to fewer post-traumatic stress-related symptoms at 1, 3 and 6 month follow-ups (secondary endpoints). Participants and statisticians were blinded to allocation. Adverse events data were acquired throughout the trial, demonstrating safety. There was high adherence and low attrition. Conclusions This brief, single-symptom, repeatable digital intervention for subclinical-to-clinical samples after trauma allows scalability, taking a preventing-to-treating approach after trauma. Trial registration 2020–07-06, ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04460014.

Exploring the Confluence of Animal Medicine and its Implications for Human Health: A Systematic Literature Review.

The abuse of veterinary drugs has emerged as a concerning trend, with global fatalities on the rise. Our understanding of this phenomenon remains limited. This study aims to identify the veterinary drugs being misused, the reasons behind their misuse, and how they are obtained. Utilising PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, along with related grey literature, we applied the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) framework for data collection. Screening and cross-referencing yielded 66 relevant articles, encompassing case reports, surveys, reports, and systemic literature reviews. The analysis identified 28 distinct veterinary drugs being misused in humans, primarily falling into categories, e.g., α-2- and β-2-adrenergic receptor agonists, GABAergic receptor modulators, opioid receptor agonists, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists. These drugs were used for various purposes, including recreational use, weight loss, bodybuilding, pain relief, and self-medication for stress-related symptoms. Routes of administration predominantly included parenteral, oral, and inhalation methods. Veterinary workers/assistants and individuals connected to animals were identified as contributors to the misuse of these medications. Motivations for their utilisation ranged from affordability and accessibility to the ease of obtaining multiple prescriptions from various veterinary sources, often in conjunction with other illicit substances. Dependence and addiction were common outcomes of the misuse of veterinary medicines by humans. Overall, this systematic review underscores the increasing popularity of veterinary prescription drug misuse despite being under-reported with limited available data. Healthcare professionals are urged to remain vigilant to potential overdose events involving these medications.

Mentalising and self-efficacy – disentangling their impact on well-being and symptom severity in novice special education teachers

ABSTRACT The transition from university education to daily work at school is recognised as a significant challenge for teachers and special education teachers, termed ‘reality shock’. This study investigates the role of mentalising – the capacity to perceive and interpret behaviour based on intentional mental states – and teaching-related self-efficacy as potential intrapsychic mechanisms that mediate the impact of current stress experiences on the development of stress-related symptoms and declines in well-being. Analysing data from 696 novice special education teachers in southern Germany, a structural equation model revealed that mentalising and teaching-related self-efficacy mediate the relationship between stress experiences, the levels of stress-related symptoms, and impaired well-being. Furthermore, the findings suggest that both psychological processes may reflect largely independent coping mechanisms. Practical implications are discussed.

Change in occupational burnout measures in emergency medical service workers after a psychedelic experience induced by a single self-administered dose of psilocybin mushrooms

AbstractBackground and AimsThis naturalistic mixed methods field study, aimed to assess the potential of a psilocybin induced experience, to help Emergency Medical Service Workers (EMSW) to address psychological and stress related symptoms stemming from a challenging working environment, known to contribute to occupational burnout (OB).MethodsThis exploration was conducted with an intentional sample of five participants, recruited through an online survey who self-administered a therapeutic dose of psilocybin mushrooms to manage psychological symptoms resulting from their work as EMSW, allowing the authors to assess the outcome. To measure the impact of the experience, changes in OB measures were assessed with psychometric instruments previously used in this population at three timepoints, before and after the session. The subjective impact of the psychedelic experience, through psychological insights and emotional breakthroughs, was also assessed, and two follow-up interviews were conducted to collect further data.ResultsThe results showed that, two weeks after the session, a visible improvement was noticed in several measures of pre-existent OB, that remained stable after two months. Additionally, most participants reported a strong subjective impact, that they perceived as fundamental for the positive outcome.ConclusionsAfter one therapeutic psylocibin session, several measures of OB showed an encouraging level of improvement and may constitute an important step towards finding alternative and innovative solutions to address high rates of psychological distress experienced by EMSWs, also benefiting the organization and the quality of patient care. The limitations and implications of the study and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Effect of Motor Interference Therapy on Distress Related to Traumatic Memories: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Feasibility Trial.

Traumatic memories (TM) are a core feature of stress-related disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Treatment is often difficult, and specific pharmacological interventions are lacking. We present a novel non-pharmacological intervention called motor interference therapy (MIT) as a promising alternative for these symptoms. To determine the feasibility of MIT, a brief, audio-delivered, and non-pharmacological intervention that uses cognitive and motor tasks to treat TM. We designed a randomized, double-blind trial. Twenty-eight participants from an outpatient clinic with at least one TM were included to receive either MIT or progressive muscle relaxation (PMR). Spanish versions of the PTSD symptom severity scale (EGS), visual analog scale for TM (TM-VAS), and quality of life (EQ-VAS) were applied prior to intervention, 1 week, and 1 month following intervention. Mean scores on all measures improved from baseline to posttest for both groups. MIT participants showed significantly more positive scores at 1 week and 1 month (TM-VAS baseline: 9.8±0.4; immediate: 6.0±2.0; 1 week: 3.8±3.1 [d=1.57]; 1 month 2.9±2.8 [d=1.93]) than PMR participants on measures of distress due to TM, trauma re-experiencing, anxiety, and a composite measure of PTSD. MIT is a simple, effective, and easy-to-use tool for treating TM and other stress-related symptoms. It requires relatively few resources and could be adapted to many contexts. The results provide proof-of-principle support for conducting future research with larger cohorts and controls to improve clinical effectiveness and research on brief interventions. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03627078.

The Occupational Heat Exposure-related Symptoms Prevalence and Associated Factors Among Hospitality Industry Kitchen Workers in Ethiopia: Wet Bulb Globe Temperature

BackgroundOccupational heat stress caused by excessive environmental heat gain disrupts thermoregulatory mechanisms and harm workers' health and productivity. Kitchens are known for their thermal risks; however, research on heat stress in kitchen is limited. This study aimed to bridge this knowledge gap by assessing, the prevalence of heat-stress-related symptoms, and associated factors among kitchen workers in Gondar City, Ethiopia. MethodsThis institutional-based cross-sectional study (April to June 2023) evaluated heat stress among hospitality kitchen workers in Ethiopia. Heat exposure was measured using hygrometers. A simple random sample of 605 participants completed a survey and data was exported to Statistical Package for Social Science version 26. To assess strength and direction an adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI) was employed. A p-value of less than 0.05 was utilized to identify significant associations. ResultsOver the last 6 months 67.1% (95% CI: 63.0, 71.1), of the participants reported heat-stress symptoms. Multivariable analysis revealed that age ≥40 years [AOR: 2.28; 95% CI (1.08, 4.82)], high workload [AOR: 1.89; 95% CI (1.04, 3.49)], poor heat mitigation practice [AOR: 2.39; 95% CI (1.58, 3.59), wood fuel [AOR: 2.60; 95% CI (1.54, 4.40)], improper ventilation [AOR: 3.28; 95% CI (1.56, 6.87)], and higher heat index value [AOR: 2.15; 95% CI (1.35, 3.42)] were factors significatly associated with heat stress related symptoms. ConclusionThis study identified a high prevalence of heat–stress-related symptoms among kitchen workers. Mitigation strategies include improved ventilation, cooling, advanced building designs, and heat reduction technologies. Future research should utilize standard heat-stress assessment tools.

RESTART: a stepped-care approach to facilitate return to work for employees with psychological distress: design of a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundCommon mental health problems, such as stress, anxiety and depression, are highly prevalent among workers and often lead to long-term absenteeism and work disability. Effective elements found in previous researched interventions were to explicitly focus on return to work (RTW) and not solely on symptom reduction, to take into account the employees’ cognition towards RTW and to include the workplace environment. Based on these elements, a stepped-care approach was developed. The aim of this paper is to present the study design of a randomized controlled trial (RESTART), evaluating the effectiveness of the stepped-care approach on lasting RTW and the implementation process.MethodsRESTART is a randomized controlled trial with a 2 × 2 factorial design and a follow-up of one year. Employees eligible for this study are those who reported sick within 2 to 8 weeks with psychological distress based on a distress screener. Participants will be randomized to a group receiving a tailored e-Health app or usual care, as well as randomized to a group receiving a Participatory Approach (PA; conversational method) in the workplace or usual care. The PA will however only be provided in case of persistent sickness absence at 8 weeks. Measurements take place at baseline, after the e-Health intervention period (3 months), and after the PA intervention period (6 months) and 12 months. Primary outcome is lasting RTW, defined as full RTW in previous or equal work for at least four consecutive weeks. Secondary outcomes are (the severity of) stress-related symptoms, total number of sickness absence days, self-efficacy for RTW and self-reported health. A process evaluation including a realist evaluation will also be conducted.DiscussionEarly intervention that focuses on RTW, the cognition towards RTW despite symptoms and involves the workplace environment, plays a crucial role in managing sickness absence among employees with psychological distress. If effective, the stepped-care approach is relevant for employees, employers and society as a whole.Trial RegistrationISRCTN: 90663076. Registered on 5 October 2023.

The restraint stress-induced antinociceptive effects decreased by antagonism of both orexin receptors within the CA1 region of the hippocampus

Studies have indicated that stress-related symptoms can lead to hormonal and neural changes, affecting the pain threshold and nociceptive behaviors. The precise role of orexin receptors (OX1r and OX2r) in stress-induced analgesia (SIA) remains an inquiry yet to be comprehensively elucidated. The current investigation aimed to assess the impact of acute immobilization restraint stress on pain-related behavioral responses after administering antagonists targeting OX1r and OX2r in a rat model using the tail-flick test. After a period of five to seven days post-stereotaxic surgery in CA1, the baseline tail-flick latency (TFL) was recorded for each animal. Subsequently, rats were unilaterally administered varying doses of the OX1r antagonist (SB334867; 1, 3, 10, and 30 nmol), the OX2r antagonist (TCS OX2 29; 1, 3, 10, and 30 nmol), or a vehicle (0.5 μl solution containing 12% DMSO) through an implanted cannula. Following a 5-min interval, the animals were subjected to a restraint stress (RS) lasting for 3 h. The tail-flick test was conducted after the stress exposure, and the TFLs were assessed at 60-min intervals. The findings of this study revealed that RS elicits antinociceptive responses in the tail-flick test. Microinjection of OX1r and OX2r antagonists into the CA1 attenuated RS-induced analgesia during the tail-flick test. Furthermore, the results underscored the preeminent role of OX2 receptors in modulating SIA. In conclusion, the orexin system localized within the hippocampal CA1 region may, in part, contribute to the manifestation of SIA in the context of acute pain.

Implication of locus coeruleus dysfunction in Prader–Willi syndrome: Insights from a mouse model

Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is a multisystemic disorder. Notably, many characteristic symptoms of PWS are correlated with locus coeruleus norepinephrine system (LC-NE) dysfunction, including impairment in arousal, learning, pain modulation, and stress-induced negative affective states. Although electrophysiological experiments in necdin-deficient mice, an established PWS animal model, have revealed decreased spontaneous neuronal firing activity in the LC and impaired excitability, the behavioral phenotypes related to LC-NE dysfunction remain unexplored. In this study, heterozygous necdin-deficient mice (B6.Cg-Ndntm1ky) were bred from wild-type (WT) females to generate WT (+m/+p) and heterozygous (+m/−p) animals. Compared to WT mice, Ndn + m/−p mice demonstrated impaired visual-spatial memory in the Y-maze test, reduced social interaction, impaired sexual recognition, and shorter falling latency on the Rotarod. Using the open field test (OFT) and elevated plus maze (EPM), we observed similar locomotion activity of Ndn + m/−p and WT mice, but Ndn + m/−p mice were less anxious. After acute restraint, Ndn + m/−p mice exhibited significant impairment in stress-induced anxiety. Additionally, the plasma norepinephrine surge following exposure to acute restraint stress was also impaired. Pretreatment with atomoxetine, a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor aimed to enhance LC function, restored Ndn + m/−p mice to exhibit a normal response to acute restraint stress. Furthermore, by employing chemogenetic approaches to facilitate LC neuronal firing, post-stress anxious responses were also partially rescued in Ndn + m/−p mice. These data strongly suggest that LC dysfunction is implicated in the pathogenesis of stress-related neuropsychiatric symptoms in PWS. Manipulation of LC activity may hold therapeutic potential for patients with PWS.

Perceived childhood family cohesiveness prior to deployment prospectively moderates risk for war-zone psychopathology in theater among deployed U.S. soldiers.

Several studies have demonstrated robust protective effects of childhood family support and cohesiveness on adult stress-related psychopathology. However, there is little evidence regarding the prospective relationship between the perceived childhood family environment and the in-theater emergence of war-zone stress-related psychological symptoms. The present report is from data collected from the Texas Combat PTSD Risk Project, which aims to identify risk and resilience factors at predeployment that predict the subsequent impact of war-zone stressors in terms of psychological symptom emergence in U.S. soldiers deployed to Iraq. Soldiers (N = 150) completed a battery of standardized interview and self-report assessments at predeployment, including a measure of perceived childhood family cohesion. Once deployed, soldiers completed monthly web-based self-report assessments of war-zone stressors, posttraumatic stress symptoms, depression, and anxiety. Consistent with predictions, greater perceived childhood family cohesiveness prior to deployment robustly mitigated subsequent in-theater symptoms. However, contrary to predictions, childhood family cohesiveness did not reliably moderate the linkage between war-zone stressors and in-theater symptoms. Consistent with a wealth of other evidence demonstrating protective stress resilience effects of childhood family cohesion that extend across the lifespan, the present findings suggest they also extend to the war-zone environment among deployed soldiers. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Major cardiovascular events and death in parents of children with type 1 diabetes: a register-based matched cohort study in Sweden

Aims/hypothesisParenting a child with type 1 diabetes has been associated with stress-related symptoms. This study aimed to elucidate the potential impact on parental risk of major cardiovascular events (MCE) and death.MethodsIn this register-based study, we included the parents of 18,871 children, born 1987–2020 and diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in Sweden at <18 years. The median parental age at the child's diagnosis was 39.0 and 41.0 years for mothers and fathers, respectively. The cohort also encompassed 714,970 population-based matched parental control participants and 12,497 parental siblings. Cox proportional hazard regression models were employed to investigate the associations between having a child with type 1 diabetes and incident MCE and all-cause death, and, as secondary outcomes, acute coronary syndrome and ischaemic heart disease (IHD). We adjusted for potential confounders including parental type 1 diabetes and country of birth.ResultsDuring follow-up (median 12 years, range 0–35), we detected no associations between parenting a child with type 1 diabetes and MCE in mothers (adjusted HR [aHR] 1.02; 95% CI 0.90, 1.15) or in fathers (aHR 1.01; 95% CI 0.94, 1.08). We noted an increased hazard of IHD in exposed mothers (aHR 1.21; 95% CI 1.05, 1.41) with no corresponding signal in fathers (aHR 0.97; 95% CI 0.89, 1.05). Parental sibling analysis did not confirm the association in exposed mothers (aHR 1.01; 95% CI 0.73, 1.41). We further observed a slightly increased hazard of all-cause death in exposed fathers (aHR 1.09; 95% CI 1.01, 1.18), with a similar but non-significant estimate noted in exposed mothers (aHR 1.07; 95% CI 0.96, 1.20). The estimates from the sibling analyses of all-cause death in fathers and mothers were 1.12 (95% CI 0.90, 1.38) and 0.73 (95% CI 0.55, 0.96), respectively.Conclusions/interpretationHaving a child diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in Sweden was not associated with MCE, but possibly with all-cause mortality. Further studies are needed to disentangle potential underlying mechanisms, and to investigate parental health outcomes across the full lifespan.Graphical

Study protocol for the MIND-PD study: a randomized controlled trial to investigate clinical and biological effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in people with Parkinson’s disease

BackgroundPeople with Parkinson’s disease (PD) are very sensitive to the effects of stress. The prevalence of stress-related neuropsychiatric symptoms is high, and acute stress worsens motor symptoms. Animal studies suggest that chronic stress may accelerate disease progression, but evidence for this in humans is lacking. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) train participants to focus on the present moment, on purpose and without judgement. Previous studies suggest that MBIs may alleviate stress and reduce depression and anxiety in PD. We aim to demonstrate the efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) as a non-pharmacologic treatment strategy for neuropsychiatric (and motor) symptoms in PD, and to identify the mechanisms underlying stress and stress reduction in PD.MethodsIn a prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT), we investigate whether 8 weeks of MBCT, as compared to care as usual, can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in people with PD. We aim to include 124 PD patients, who experience mild-moderate symptoms of anxiety and depression, are eligible for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and naïve to mindfulness, and who have a disease duration ≤ 10 years. Every participant is followed for 12 months. Clinical and biochemical assessments take place at baseline (T0), after 2 months (T1), and after 12 months (T2); MRI assessments take place at T0 and T2. Our primary outcome is the total score on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at T1, while correcting for the HADS score at T0, age, and gender. Beyond testing the effects of MBCT on symptoms of anxiety and depression in PD, we explore whether MBCT: (1) has an effect on motor symptom severity, (2) influences cerebral and biochemical markers of stress, and (3) leads to a change in biomarkers of PD progression.DiscussionMIND-PD is one of the first RCTs with a 1-year follow-up to investigate the effects of MBCT on symptoms of anxiety and depression in PD, and to explore possible mechanisms underlying stress and stress reduction in PD. Insight into these mechanisms can pave the way to new treatment methods in the future.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05779137. Registered on 12 January 2023.

Genetic polymorphisms in the 5-HT and endocannabinoid systems moderate the association between childhood trauma and burnout in the general occupational population

BackgroundInteractions between the serotonin (5-HT) and endocannabinoid (eCB) systems have been reported in the psychopathology of stress-related symptoms, while their interplay in regulating the relationship between childhood trauma and burnout remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the interaction of childhood trauma with genetic polymorphisms in these two systems in predicting burnout. MethodsBurnout, childhood trauma, and job stress were assessed using rating scales in 992 general occupational individuals. Genetic polymorphisms including HTR2A rs6313, 5-HTT rs6354 and FAAH rs324420, were genotyped. Linear hierarchical regression analysis and PROCESS macro in SPSS were used to examine two- and three-way interactions. ResultsThere were significant interactions of job stress × HTR2A rs6313 and childhood abuse × FAAH rs324420 on reduced personal accomplishment. Moreover, we found significant three-way interactions of childhood abuse × FAAH rs324420 × HTR2A rs6313 on cynicism and reduced personal accomplishment, childhood abuse × FAAH rs324420 × 5-HTT rs6354 on emotional exhaustion, and childhood neglect × FAAH rs324420 × 5-HTT rs6354 on reduced personal accomplishment. These results suggest that the FAAH rs324420 A allele carriers, when with some specific genetic polymorphisms of 5-HT system, would show more positive associations between childhood trauma and burnout. ConclusionsGenetic polymorphisms in the 5-HT and eCB systems may jointly moderate the impact of childhood trauma on burnout.

Early puberty associated with the COVID-19 pandemic: systematic review

Introduction: In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic swiftly escalated into a significant global health emergency. To curb the virus spread, many countries implemented emergency measures such as strict school closures. The pandemic has dramatically impacted the daily lives of children and adolescents, leading to sedentary lifestyles, increased use of electronic devices, and heightened stress-related symptoms. These substantial changes interfere with normal child development. Since the onset of the pandemic, numerous studies have reported an increased incidence of early puberty compared to prepandemic years, with puberty itself progressing at a faster pace. In this review, the aim was to estimate the incidence of new cases of precocious puberty and early puberty during the Covid-19 pandemic. Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess the incidence of early puberty and the progression of puberty during and after the pandemic to compare the results with data from the same period over the last five years and consider potential links between births and data trends. Materials and Methods: This review utilized various databases for article compilation using MESH terminology and identified 09 potential outcomes related to precocious puberty associated with COVID-19

Stress, hardiness and eating disorder symptoms in military academy cadets

ABSTRACT Eating disorders are a persistent and debilitating problem, especially among college age men and women. This problem is exacerbated in occupations such as the military, where maintenance of strict standards regarding weight, fitness and appearance is important for job retention and promotion. Also, previous research confirms that stress is a contributing element to eating disorders. It is thus important to identify factors that may assist individuals to remain resilient and avoid stress-related health and eating difficulties. The present study utilizes historical data to examine the impact of stress on health and eating disorder symptoms in a representative sample of West Point military academy cadets, while testing the role of gender and hardiness as stress moderators in this relation. A survey containing measures of stress, hardiness and eating disorders symptoms was completed by 387 cadets in the fall and spring of 2000–2001. Moderation effects were tested with advanced conditional process analysis procedures developed recently by Hayes (2022). Results show that hardiness was a significant moderator, with cadets low in hardiness showing increased eating disorder symptoms and more general health symptoms. While gender was not a significant moderator with respect to eating disorder symptoms, it was significant for general health symptoms; female cadets showed more stress-related health symptoms than their male counterparts. These results suggest that eating disorder symptoms in military academy cadets and college students more generally may be reduced through programs aimed at developing hardiness attitudes and stress coping approaches.

Effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on the well-being of healthcare workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundGrowing evidence attests to the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), but their effectiveness for healthcare workers remains uncertain.AimsTo evaluate the evidence for MBIs in improving healthcare workers’ psychological well-being.MethodsA systematic...

Anxiety, Depression, and Stress on School-Aged Children and Adolescents in 2021: An Urgent Need for Comprehensive Intervention and Support

IntroductionIn the year 2021, there was a notable increase in behaviors associated with anxiety, depression, and stress among school-aged children and adolescents, possibly attributed to the pervasive effects of social isolation and confinement measures.ObjectivesThis study conducted a thorough analysis of cases involving students aged 11 to 17 years who exhibited risk factors, anxious and depressive symptoms, and mood disturbances.MethodsThis study focused on students aged 11 to 17 years and employed a comprehensive approach to assess the impact of anxiety, depression, and stress. Cases were meticulously analyzed, and key categories were established to characterize the multifaceted challenges faced by the students. These categories included the availability of family support, utilization of psychopharmacological treatment, engagement in psychological therapies, participation in psychopedagogical interventions, and patterns of school absenteeism.ResultsThe analysis revealed a concerning prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress-related symptoms among the student population. Many students exhibited risk factors that warranted immediate attention, including social isolation, disrupted routines, and uncertainty about the future. Furthermore, a significant portion of students displayed anxious and depressive symptoms, often leading to altered mood and behavioral challenges. In the context of family support, it was apparent that students with robust familial backing tended to cope more effectively with the psychological strain induced by the pandemic. However, a noteworthy number of students lacked adequate family support systems, exacerbating their mental health struggles. Students in need of such interventions benefited significantly from their implementation, demonstrating improved emotional well-being and a reduction in symptom severity. Nonetheless, the accessibility of these services remained a concern, with disparities in access evident among different demographic groups. Psychopedagogical interventions played a pivotal role in addressing issues related to school absenteeism and facilitating a smoother transition to remote learning. Students who engaged in these interventions showed positive progress in terms of school attendance and academic performance.ConclusionsThe findings of this study underscore the urgency of a holistic approach to addressing anxiety, depression, and stress in school-aged children and adolescents. It is imperative that consultations with child and adolescent psychiatry specialists be conducted promptly and in a manner that considers the unique contextual factors influencing each student’s mental health. Moreover, efforts should be directed toward enhancing family support, expanding access to psychopharmacological treatment and psychological therapies, and promoting the implementation of psychopedagogical interventions.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Depression: Monocytes on my mind

Activation of the peripheral immune system contributes to stress-related neuropsychiatric symptoms. Recently in Nature, Cathomas etal. demonstrate that stress-induced social avoidance is mediated by monocyte-derived MMP8 that remodels the extracellular space of the nucleus accumbens.

Fluctuations of stress and resilience in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: Insights and recommendations

BackgroundHealthcare workers (HCW) have faced unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19, with significant impact on their well-being. We aimed to monitor stress-related symptoms and resilience in HCW over time in relation to various factors during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsBetween June 2020 and May 2022, data was collected among HCW of Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC) through a digital self-monitoring application. The application included a 14-items self-monitoring tool (i.e., 7-items on Supporting factors, 7-items on Stressful burden), and a set of validated questionnaires (i.e., the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), Impact of Event Scale – Revised (IES-R), Resilience Evaluation Scale (RES), and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). ResultsThe self-monitoring tool and validated questionnaires were completed by 1070 and 413 participants respectively. Mean stress-related symptom scores (as measured by the self-monitoring, CBI, IES-R, and DASS-21) exhibited significant changes over time (all p’s < 0.001), which correlated with the waves of COVID-19 patients admitted and the national COVID-19 mortality rate (all p’s < 0.005). Resilience, as measured by the RES, showed a significant decrease from the start of data collection onwards (p = 0.001), whereas supporting factors showed significant decreases the first few months, followed by fluctuations after January 2021 (p = 0.02). LimitationsSelection bias may have arisen as those participating may have been more concerned with the burden on mental wellbeing. ConclusionsThe current study underscores the need for active psychosocial support for all HCW particularly during periods of increased admissions due to pandemics.