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Jelsma E, Zhang A, Goosby BJ, Cheadle JE. Sympathetic arousal among depressed college students: Examining the interplay between psychopathology and social activity. Psychophysiology 2024:e14597. [PMID: 38745361 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Depressed individuals exhibit altered sensitivity to both positive and negative social contact, and may not reap the same psychological and emotional benefits to socializing as non-depressed individuals. Although depressive symptoms and loneliness predict social withdrawal and decreased pleasure, little is currently understood about immediate affective arousal dynamics during real-time socializing. Using a novel ambulatory protocol that tracked both objective features of affective arousal (electrodermal activity) and subjective valence (self-reported) during college students' social interactions, we evaluated the moderating role of depression and loneliness symptoms on the associations between socializing with others (specifically, with a romantic partner, a close friend, or a group of friends) and the arousal and valence dimensions of affect. Among a racially and ethnically diverse sample of 118 college students (64% African American/Black/Continental African, 20% Latinx, 8% Asian, and 8% White) recruited from a large, predominantly White Midwestern university, those lower in depression and loneliness symptomatology evinced decreased average arousal (Β = -0.10, SE = 0.04, p < .01) when in relaxed and intimate socializing contexts (e.g., with a romantic partner and a close friend), consistent with the idea that these contexts facilitate important opportunities for psychological rest and recovery. Those lower in depression and loneliness symptoms also showed higher average arousal when socializing in the energizing context of being with a group of friends. Overall, the results suggest psychopathology is reflected in patterns of sympathetic arousal when socializing, with more depressed and lonely individuals generally feeling worse while receiving fewer psychophysiological rewards in multiple socializing contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Jelsma
- Psychological, Health, & Learning Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Amy Zhang
- Department of Sociology & Population Research Center, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Bridget J Goosby
- Department of Sociology & Population Research Center, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Jacob E Cheadle
- Department of Sociology & Population Research Center, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
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Anthony M, Turnbull A, Tadin D, Lin FV. Positive affect disrupts neurodegeneration effects on cognitive training plasticity in older adults. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2024; 19:nsae004. [PMID: 38252656 PMCID: PMC10939393 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsae004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Cognitive training for older adults varies in efficacy, but it is unclear why some older adults benefit more than others. Positive affective experience (PAE), referring to high positive valence and/or stable arousal states across everyday scenarios, and associated functional networks can protect plasticity mechanisms against Alzheimer's disease neurodegeneration, which may contribute to training outcome variability. The objective of this study is to investigate whether PAE explains variability in cognitive training outcomes by disrupting the adverse effect of neurodegeneration on plasticity. The study's design is a secondary analysis of a randomized control trial of cognitive training with concurrent real or sham brain stimulation (39 older adults with mild cognitive impairment; mean age, 71). Moderation analyses, with change in episodic memory or executive function as the outcome, PAE or baseline resting-state connectivity as the moderator and baseline neurodegeneration as the predictor are the methods used in the study. The result of the study is that PAE stability and baseline default mode network (DMN) connectivity disrupted the effect of neurodegeneration on plasticity in executive function but not episodic memory. The study concludes that PAE stability and degree of DMN integrity both explained cognitive training outcome variability, by reducing the adverse effect of neurodegeneration on cognitive plasticity. We highlight the need to account for PAE, brain aging factors and their interactions with plasticity in cognitive training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia Anthony
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - Adam Turnbull
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - Duje Tadin
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
| | - F Vankee Lin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
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Hsieh S, Chang YH, Yao ZF, Yang MH, Yang CT. The effect of age and resilience on the dose-response function between the number of adversity factors and subjective well-being. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1332124. [PMID: 38406308 PMCID: PMC10884289 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1332124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Encountering challenges and stress heightens the vulnerability to mental disorders and diminishes well-being. This study explores the impact of psychological resilience in the context of adverse events, considering age-related variations in its influence on well-being. Methods A total of 442 participants (male vs. female =48% vs. 52%) with a mean age of 41.79 ± 16.99 years were collected and completed the following questionnaires Brief Betrayal Trauma Survey (BBTS), Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), Peace of Mind (PoM), The World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), and Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ). They all underwent structural and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Results Participants were categorized based on adversity levels: 34.39% faced one, 26.24% none, and 19.91, 9.50, and 8.14% encountered two, three, and four adversities, respectively. This categorization helps assess the impact on participants' experiences. As adversity factors increased, PoM decreased. Controlling for age improved PoM model fit (ΔR2 = 0.123, p < 0.001). Adversity factors and age explained 14.6% of PoM variance (df = 2, F = 37.638, p < 0.001). PoM decreased with more adversity and increased with higher age. Conclusion The study found most participants faced at least one adversity. Adversity negatively affected PoM scores, while resilience acted as a protective factor. Resilience plays a crucial role in buffering the impact of adversities on well-being. Among those with high adversity, higher resilience correlated with stronger DMN-right frontal pole connectivity. Brain volume showed no significant differences, but the quality of life and social support varied between subgroups, with no differences in personal demographic and biophysical features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shulan Hsieh
- Department of Psychology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Institute of Allied Health Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng-Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Hsuan Chang
- Department of Psychology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Institute of Gerontology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics, College of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Zai-Fu Yao
- College of Education, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Research Center for Education and Mind Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Basic Psychology Group, Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Department of Kinesiology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Heng Yang
- Department of Psychology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Ta Yang
- Department of Psychology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Institute of Allied Health Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain, and Consciousness, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Farris S, Dempsey N, McEwan K, Hoyle H, Cameron R. Does increasing biodiversity in an urban woodland setting promote positive emotional responses in humans? A stress recovery experiment using 360-degree videos of an urban woodland. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297179. [PMID: 38324517 PMCID: PMC10849218 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Green spaces can support human stress reduction and foster positive emotional well-being. Previous research has suggested that biodiversity (i.e. the variety of species of plants and animals in a given location) can enhance recovery from stress even further. However, there is limited experimental evidence testing this hypothesis and results, to date, have been mixed. This study aimed to provide further understanding of the role of biodiversity (actual or perceived) on human well-being by experimentally manipulating species richness and stress. Participants (372 in total) took part in an online experiment, where they received an episode of mild stress before watching a 360-degree video to recover. The video showed the same location, an urban woodland, but at one of four artificially manipulated levels of biodiversity. The participants reported their Positive and Negative Affect before and after the stress induction and after watching the video, providing a measure of their stress and well-being throughout the experiment. Participants also reported their perceptions of biodiversity (i.e. how diverse they thought the location was) and elaborated on their responses with brief comments. Repeated Measure Analysis of Variance revealed that exposure to all levels of biodiversity reduced the participants' Negative Affect, but with no significant difference between the conditions. However, the analysis showed higher Positive Affect in those participants who perceived the environment as more biodiverse. Comments from participants indicated that those who reported noticing flowers and trees in the environment also showed higher Positive Affect. This suggests that perceiving biodiversity promotes more positive emotions, but critically one needs to actually notice (engage with) the components of biodiversity to elicit these extra benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Farris
- Department of Landscape Architecture, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Dempsey
- Department of Landscape Architecture, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Kirsten McEwan
- College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby, United Kingdom
| | - Helen Hoyle
- Department of Landscape Architecture, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Ross Cameron
- Department of Landscape Architecture, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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Ho MY, Liang S, Hook JN. Development and Validation of the Forbearance Scale. J Pers Assess 2023; 105:779-788. [PMID: 36511899 DOI: 10.1080/00223891.2022.2153691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The character strength of forbearance contributes to peace in broader society, as well as familial harmony. Although forbearance is essential to healthy interpersonal relationships, no psychometrically sound measure has been developed to assess the multi-dimensional nature of forbearance. The present set of studies describes the development and initial validation of the Forbearance Scale (FS). In Study 1, items were generated from focus group interviews with college students (n = 43) to establish the content validity of the scale. In Study 2, the factor structure of the FS was determined using exploratory factor analysis of data from college students (n = 466). In Study 3, the factor structure of the FS was cross-validated with a community sample (n = 579) by means of confirmatory factor analysis. The final scale, the FS-16, consists of 16 items with four factors: (1) emotional calmness, (2) overlook others' misdeeds, (3) tolerance and acceptance, and (4) self-restraint. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses provided evidence of convergent and concurrent validity. The FS-16 demonstrates potential as a new personality assessment tool for measuring forbearance.
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Liao YC, Huang TY, Lin SH, Wu CH, Chang KT, Hsieh S, Lin SH, Goh JOS, Yang CT. Mediating role of resilience in the relationships of physical activity and mindful self-awareness with peace of mind among college students. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10386. [PMID: 37369802 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37416-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Peace of mind (PoM) is an index of mental health in Asian culture and emphasizes low arousal, happiness, harmony, and an internal state of peacefulness. While previous studies have found that mindful self-awareness can contribute to PoM, regular physical activity (PA) is also an important factor contributing to one's PoM due to its function in promoting one's resilience. The study aims to investigate a hypothetical model that assumes PA is associated with resilience while controlling for mindful self-awareness, contributing to PoM. The PoM scale, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Chinese translation of Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, and PA self-report questionnaire were used. A path analysis was applied to test the association between these variables and the mediating role of resilience. A total of 436 students from a university in Taiwan were recruited; the mean age was 20.87, with 46.3% female and 73.6% engaging in over 150 min/week of moderate PA. Gender and age negatively correlated with PA. After controlling for age and gender, there was no direct effect of physical activity on PoM; both mindful self-awareness and PA predict resilience, which in turn predicts PoM, suggesting that both cognitive (i.e., mindful self-awareness) and PA are important to cultivate resilience and thus PoM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chi Liao
- Department of Psychology, College of Medical and Health Sciences, Asia University, No. 500, Lioufeng Rd., Wufeng Dist., Taichung, 41354, Taiwan.
- Center for Prevention and Treatment of Internet Addiction, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan.
- Clinical Psychology Center, Asia University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - Tzu-Yun Huang
- Department of Psychology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Szu-Hung Lin
- Department of Psychology, School of Science, Soochow University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Huei Wu
- Department of Human Resource Management and Employment Relations, King's Business School, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Kun-Tang Chang
- International Doctoral Program in Principles and Implications of Mind Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Shulan Hsieh
- Department of Psychology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Institute of Allied Health Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Hsiang Lin
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Biostatistics Consulting Center, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Joshua Oon Soo Goh
- Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Ta Yang
- Department of Psychology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
- Institute of Allied Health Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Health and Biotechnology Law, Taipei Medical University, No. 250, Wuxing St., Xinyi Dist., Taipei, 110, Taiwan.
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7
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Takayama A, Sekiya H. Effects of various sitting and standing postures on arousal and valence. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286720. [PMID: 37267405 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
According to research on the effects of posture on psychological states, high-power poses-with the body spread wide open-lead to high-arousal positive emotions, whereas low-power poses-with the body slumped and constricted-lead to low-arousal negative emotions. However, postures that lead to both high-arousal negative and low-arousal positive emotions have not been investigated yet. Although relative comparisons between postures have been made, the positioning of postures on the two-dimensional coordinates created by arousal and valence has not been clarified. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore and clarify which postures lead to the four types of emotions: high-arousal negative, high-arousal positive, low-arousal negative, and low-arousal positive. In Experiment 1, 29 participants (13 men and 16 women) adopted 12 sitting postures for 1 minute each. In Experiment 2, 25 participants (13 men and 12 women) adopted six sitting and six standing postures for 1 minute each. Arousal and valence were measured after each posture, and heart rate was measured during posture maintenance. Arousal and valence after adopting the postures were compared with the neutral arousal and valence. As a result, postures leading to high-arousal negative and low-arousal positive emotions were identified. In addition, postures leading to high-arousal positive emotions, which are the high-power poses, were identified. There were no differences in the magnitude of psychological effects between sitting and standing postures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Takayama
- Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Sekiya
- Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
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Lomas T, VanderWeele TJ. Toward an Expanded Taxonomy of Happiness: A Conceptual Analysis of 16 Distinct Forms of Mental Wellbeing. JOURNAL OF HUMANISTIC PSYCHOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.1177/00221678231155512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Recent decades have seen a surge of scientific interest in happiness. However, its theoretical conceptualization is a work in progress. Much of the literature focuses on two main forms: hedonic (encompassing life satisfaction and positive affect) and eudaimonic (encompassing phenomena such as character development and meaning in life). However, this binary has been critiqued as being incomplete, in part because it reflects a Western-centric perspective that overlooks forms emphasized in non-Western cultures. As a result, scholars have begun to highlight other forms besides hedonia and eudaimonia. This article surveys the literature to identify 16 potential forms in total, classified according to whether they primarily pertain to feelings (hedonic, contented, mature, chaironic, and vital), thought (evaluative, meaningful, intellective, aesthetic, and absorbed) or action (eudaimonic, masterful, accomplished, harmonic, nirvanic, and relational). This article thus offers a more expansive, albeit still just provisional, taxonomy of this vital and still-evolving topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Lomas
- Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
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Schweitzer VM, Rivkin W, Gerpott FH, Diestel S, Kühnel J, Prem R, Wang M. Some positivity per day can protect you a long way: A within-person field experiment to test an affect-resource model of employee effectiveness at work. WORK AND STRESS 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/02678373.2022.2142987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vera M. Schweitzer
- Chair of Leadership, WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management, Vallendar, Germany
| | - Wladislaw Rivkin
- Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fabiola H. Gerpott
- Chair of Leadership, WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management, Vallendar, Germany
| | - Stefan Diestel
- Schumpeter School of Business and Economics, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Jana Kühnel
- Department of Occupational, Economic, and Social Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Roman Prem
- Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Mo Wang
- Warrington College of Business, University of Florida, Gainesville, US
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10
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Wu Q, Zhao J, Zhao G, Li X, Du H, Chi P. Affective Profiles and Psychosocial Adjustment among Chinese Adolescents and Adults with Adverse Childhood Experiences: A Person-Centered Approach. JOURNAL OF HAPPINESS STUDIES 2022; 23:3909-3927. [PMID: 36217552 PMCID: PMC9533975 DOI: 10.1007/s10902-022-00566-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Two studies were conducted to explore the patterns of positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA) while considering collectivist cultural specificity (dialecticism) and to examine the associations of affective profiles with psychosocial adjustment. METHODS We used two Chinese samples, one comprising adults with adverse childhood experiences (N = 488) and one comprising ordinary adolescents (N = 635). The participants completed scales on PA, NA, and psychosocial adjustment, including mental health problems (depressive symptoms, anxiety), personal strengths (self-esteem, gratitude, resilience), and life satisfaction. RESULTS Three profiles were identified through latent profile analysis: well-adjusted (high PA, low NA), low affective (low PA, low NA), and moderate affective (moderate PA, moderate NA). Participants in the well-adjusted profile had the fewest mental health problems (depressive symptoms, anxiety) and scored highest on personal strengths (self-esteem, gratitude, resilience) and life satisfaction. Participants in the low affective profile had fewer mental health problems than those in the moderate affective profile. CONCLUSION Individual differences and cultural variations should be considered when exploring affective profiles. Future interventions aimed at promoting affective well-being should accommodate dialecticism and individual differences in the target population. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10902-022-00566-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinglu Wu
- Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, China
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Junfeng Zhao
- Institute of Psychology and Behavior, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan China
| | - Guoxiang Zhao
- Department of Psychology, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan China
| | - Xiaoming Li
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC US
| | - Hongfei Du
- Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Peilian Chi
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
- Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
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11
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Fleury J, Sedikides C, Wildschut T, Coon DW, Komnenich P. Feeling Safe and Nostalgia in Healthy Aging. Front Psychol 2022; 13:843051. [PMID: 35444598 PMCID: PMC9015039 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.843051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The population of older adults worldwide is growing, with an urgent need for approaches that develop and maintain intrinsic capacity consistent with healthy aging. Theory and empirical research converge on feeling safe as central to healthy aging. However, there has been limited attention to resources that cultivate feeling safe to support healthy aging. Nostalgia, "a sentimental longing for one's past," is established as a source of comfort in response to social threat, existential threat, and self-threat. Drawing from extant theory and research, we build on these findings to position nostalgia as a regulatory resource that cultivates feeling safe and contributes to intrinsic capacity to support healthy aging. Using a narrative review method, we: (a) characterize feeling safe as a distinct affective dimension, (b) summarize the character of nostalgia in alignment with feeling safe, (c) propose a theoretical account of the mechanisms through which nostalgia cultivates feeling safe, (d) highlight the contribution of nostalgia to feeling safe and emotional, physiological, and behavioral regulatory capabilities in healthy aging, and (e) offer conclusions and direction for research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Fleury
- Center for Innovation in Healthy and Resilient Aging, Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Constantine Sedikides
- Centre for Research on Self and Identity, Department of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Tim Wildschut
- Centre for Research on Self and Identity, Department of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - David W. Coon
- Center for Innovation in Healthy and Resilient Aging, Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Pauline Komnenich
- Center for Innovation in Healthy and Resilient Aging, Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, United States
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12
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Paetzold I, Hermans KSFM, Schick A, Nelson B, Velthorst E, Schirmbeck F, van Os J, Morgan C, van der Gaag M, de Haan L, Valmaggia L, McGuire P, Kempton M, Myin-Germeys I, Reininghaus U. Momentary Manifestations of Negative Symptoms as Predictors of Clinical Outcomes in People at High Risk for Psychosis: Experience Sampling Study. JMIR Ment Health 2021; 8:e30309. [PMID: 34807831 PMCID: PMC8663470 DOI: 10.2196/30309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Negative symptoms occur in individuals at ultrahigh risk (UHR) for psychosis. Although there is evidence that observer ratings of negative symptoms are associated with level of functioning, the predictive value of subjective experience in daily life for individuals at UHR has not been studied yet. OBJECTIVE This study therefore aims to investigate the predictive value of momentary manifestations of negative symptoms for clinical outcomes in individuals at UHR. METHODS Experience sampling methodology was used to measure momentary manifestations of negative symptoms (blunted affective experience, lack of social drive, anhedonia, and social anhedonia) in the daily lives of 79 individuals at UHR. Clinical outcomes (level of functioning, illness severity, UHR status, and transition status) were assessed at baseline and at 1- and 2-year follow-ups. RESULTS Lack of social drive, operationalized as greater experienced pleasantness of being alone, was associated with poorer functioning at the 2-year follow-up (b=-4.62, P=.01). Higher levels of anhedonia were associated with poorer functioning at the 1-year follow-up (b=5.61, P=.02). Higher levels of social anhedonia were associated with poorer functioning (eg, disability subscale: b=6.36, P=.006) and greater illness severity (b=-0.38, P=.045) at the 1-year follow-up. In exploratory analyses, there was evidence that individuals with greater variability of positive affect (used as a measure of blunted affective experience) experienced a shorter time to remission from UHR status at follow-up (hazard ratio=4.93, P=.005). CONCLUSIONS Targeting negative symptoms in individuals at UHR may help to predict clinical outcomes and may be a promising target for interventions in the early stages of psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabell Paetzold
- Department of Public Mental Health, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Karlijn S F M Hermans
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Contextual Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Anita Schick
- Department of Public Mental Health, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Barnaby Nelson
- Orygen, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Eva Velthorst
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Frederike Schirmbeck
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Arkin, Institute for Mental Health, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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- See Acknowledgments, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Jim van Os
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.,Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht University Medical Centre, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Craig Morgan
- ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Health Service and Population Research, Centre for Epidemiology and Public Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, School of Mental Health & Psychological Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mark van der Gaag
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Psychosis Research, Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, The Hague, Netherlands
| | - Lieuwe de Haan
- Department of Early Psychosis, Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Lucia Valmaggia
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Philip McGuire
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Kempton
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Inez Myin-Germeys
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Contextual Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ulrich Reininghaus
- Department of Public Mental Health, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.,ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Health Service and Population Research, Centre for Epidemiology and Public Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, School of Mental Health & Psychological Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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13
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Hermans KSFM, Myin-Germeys I, Gayer-Anderson C, Kempton MJ, Valmaggia L, McGuire P, Murray RM, Garety P, Wykes T, Morgan C, Kasanova Z, Reininghaus U. Elucidating negative symptoms in the daily life of individuals in the early stages of psychosis. Psychol Med 2021; 51:2599-2609. [PMID: 32438944 PMCID: PMC8579154 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291720001154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 01/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It remains poorly understood how negative symptoms are experienced in the daily lives of individuals in the early stages of psychosis. We aimed to investigate whether altered affective experience, anhedonia, social anhedonia, and asociality were more pronounced in individuals with an at-risk mental state for psychosis (ARMS) and individuals with first-episode psychosis (FEP) than in controls. METHODS We used the experience sampling methodology (ESM) to assess negative symptoms, as they occurred in the daily life of 51 individuals with FEP and 46 ARMS, compared with 53 controls. RESULTS Multilevel linear regression analyses showed no overall evidence for a blunting of affective experience. There was some evidence for anhedonia in FEP but not in ARMS, as shown by a smaller increase of positive affect (BΔat-risk v. FEP = 0.08, p = 0.006) as the pleasantness of activities increased. Against our expectations, no evidence was found for greater social anhedonia in any group. FEP were more often alone (57%) than ARMS (38%) and controls (35%) but appraisals of the social situation did not point to asociality. CONCLUSIONS Overall, altered affective experience, anhedonia, social anhedonia and asociality seem to play less of a role in the daily life of individuals in the early stages of psychosis than previously assumed. With the experience of affect and pleasure in daily life being largely intact, changing social situations and appraisals thereof should be further investigated to prevent development or deterioration of negative symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karlijn S. F. M. Hermans
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Contextual Psychiatry, Catholic University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Inez Myin-Germeys
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Contextual Psychiatry, Catholic University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Gayer-Anderson
- Health Service and Population Research Department, Centre for Epidemiology and Public Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Matthew J. Kempton
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Lucia Valmaggia
- Psychology Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Philip McGuire
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Robin M. Murray
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Philippa Garety
- Psychology Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Til Wykes
- Psychology Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Craig Morgan
- Health Service and Population Research Department, Centre for Epidemiology and Public Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Zuzana Kasanova
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Contextual Psychiatry, Catholic University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ulrich Reininghaus
- Health Service and Population Research Department, Centre for Epidemiology and Public Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Public Mental Health, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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14
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Le F, Yap Y, Tung NYC, Bei B, Wiley JF. The Associations Between Daily Activities and Affect: a Compositional Isotemporal Substitution Analysis. Int J Behav Med 2021; 29:456-468. [PMID: 34608593 DOI: 10.1007/s12529-021-10031-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Daily activities are associated with affective experiences. A 24-h day can be separated into five mutually exclusive activity types: sleep, awake in bed, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), light-intensity physical activity (LIPA), and sedentary behavior (SB). Most research has examined these activities independently and not collectively, yet increased time in one activity must be offset by decreasing other activities. Using compositional isotemporal substitution analyses, this study examined the associations between time spent in daily activities and affect, including both high and low arousal positive and negative affect. METHOD Across three separate studies, daily activities and affect were measured throughout 7-15 days (Mdays = 10) in 361 healthy community adults (72.5% females, Mage = 22.79 years). Activities were objectively assessed using accelerometry and self-reported affect was assessed using repeated ecological momentary assessments. Minutes spent in each activity and affect values across the three studies were averaged for each participant. RESULTS Longer sleep duration at the expense of time awake in bed was associated with lower high arousal negative affect (e.g., nervousness, b = - 0.24, p = .007). More MVPA at the expense of LIPA or SB was associated with higher high arousal positive affect (e.g., happiness, b = 0.35, p = .027). Activity composition was not associated with low arousal positive or negative affect (all p ≥ .06). CONCLUSION Associations between 24-h activity composition and affect differed based on types of activities, types of affect, and the interrelationships between activities within the composition. Findings can aid interventions to develop integrated guidance on the optimal activity patterns for mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora Le
- School of Psychological Science, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Yang Yap
- School of Psychological Science, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Natasha Yan Chi Tung
- School of Psychological Science, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Bei Bei
- School of Psychological Science, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Joshua F Wiley
- School of Psychological Science, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
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15
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Griffith JM, Hankin BL. Affective Benefits of Parental Engagement with Adolescent Positive Daily Life Experiences. J Youth Adolesc 2021; 50:2036-2051. [PMID: 34331661 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-021-01484-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Positive affect and positive parent-adolescent relationships have been found to reinforce one another across youth development in a pattern of an "upward spiral," yet little is known regarding processes facilitating such "upward spirals" of social and emotional wellbeing among parent-adolescent dyads. This study addressed this gap by examining interpersonal capitalization, or the process of sharing positive news with others, as one candidate interpersonal process contributing to increases in both parent and adolescent experiences of positive affect in naturalistic settings. Participants included 146 adolescents (52.1% girls; ages 10-14; M[SD] = 12.71[0.86]) and a participating caregiver (N = 139; 78.7% mothers; ages 33-58; M[SD] = 44.11[5.08]) who completed a dyadic experience sampling method procedure assessing both parent and adolescent momentary affect and patterns of engagement in interpersonal capitalization in daily life settings (31 surveys across 9 days). Multilevel models indicated that adolescent positive affect increased following instances of interpersonal capitalization, and increases in positive affect were specific to high-arousal positive emotions (e.g., excited, energetic) relative to low-arousal positive emotions (e.g., calm, relaxed). Parental high-arousal positive affect also increased following instances in which they provided validating, enthusiastic responses to their children's capitalization attempts. The results of the present study indicate that interpersonal capitalization may be one mechanism facilitating "upward spirals" of positive affect for both parents and adolescents, with implications for health and wellbeing across development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julianne M Griffith
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 603 E. Daniel St., Champaign, IL, 61820, USA.
| | - Benjamin L Hankin
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 603 E. Daniel St., Champaign, IL, 61820, USA
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16
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Iarrobino I, Bongiardina A, Dal Monte O, Sarasso P, Ronga I, Neppi-Modona M, Actis-Grosso R, Salatino A, Ricci R. Right and left inferior frontal opercula are involved in discriminating angry and sad facial expressions. Brain Stimul 2021; 14:607-615. [PMID: 33785407 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2021.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroimaging studies suggest that the inferior frontal operculum (IFO) is part of a neuronal network involved in facial expression processing, but the causal role of this region in emotional face discrimination remains elusive. OBJECTIVE We used cathodal (inhibitory) tDCS to test whether right (r-IFO) and left (l-IFO) IFO play a role in discriminating basic facial emotions in healthy volunteers. Specifically, we tested if the two sites are selectively involved in the processing of facial expressions conveying high or low arousal emotions. Based on the Arousal Hypothesis we expected to find a modulation of high and low arousal emotions by cathodal tDCS of the r-IFO and the l-IFO, respectively. METHODS First, we validated an Emotional Faces Discrimination Task (EFDT). Then, we targeted the r-IFO and the l-IFO with cathodal tDCS (i.e. the cathode was placed over the right or left IFO, while the anode was placed over the contralateral supraorbital area) during facial emotions discrimination on the EFDT. Non-active (i.e. sham) tDCS was a control condition. RESULTS Overall, participants manifested the "happy face advantage". Interestingly, tDCS to r-IFO enhanced discrimination of faces expressing anger (a high arousal emotion), whereas, tDCS to l-IFO decreased discrimination of faces expressing sadness (a low arousal emotion). CONCLUSIONS Our findings revealed a differential causal role of r-IFO and l-IFO in the discrimination of specific high and low arousal emotions. Crucially, these results suggest that cathodal tDCS might reduce the neural noise triggered by facial emotions, improving discrimination of high arousal emotions but disrupting discrimination of low arousal emotions. These findings offer new insights for treating clinical population with deficits in processing facial expressions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Iarrobino
- Psychology Department, University of Turin, Torino, Italy; Institute of Neuroscience, Université Catholique de Louvain, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | | | - Olga Dal Monte
- Psychology Department, University of Turin, Torino, Italy; Psychology Department, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Pietro Sarasso
- Psychology Department, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Irene Ronga
- Psychology Department, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Rossana Actis-Grosso
- Psychology Department, University Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy; NeuroMi, Milan Center for Neuroscience, Milano, Italy
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17
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Popa-Velea O, Mihăilescu AI, Diaconescu LV, Gheorghe IR, Ciobanu AM. Meaning in Life, Subjective Well-Being, Happiness and Coping at Physicians Attending Balint Groups: A Cross-Sectional Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:3455. [PMID: 33810429 PMCID: PMC8037588 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18073455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to measure the scores of well-being, subjective happiness, sense of meaning, and coping in Romanian physicians and the potential impact on them of systematically attending Balint groups. Eighty participants (33 men, 47 women, mean age 38.90, SD 9.73) were included in the study. From them, 43 had systematically attended a Balint group in the last two years, while the others represented the controls. All participants were administered the Meaning of Life Questionnaire, the Job-related Affective Well-being Scale, the Brief COPE Scale, and the Subjective Happiness Scale. t-tests and MANOVA were used to compare the group scores and the impact of Balint training on the study variables. Results showed that Balintian participants had a lower use of denial and self-blame and were more oriented towards the seeking of emotional and instrumental support. They also reported higher scores in high pleasurable-low arousal emotions, positive emotions, and in the perception of the presence of meaning. Still, when considering other additional predictors (gender, age), the distinct impact of Balint training remained limited to the preference for certain coping mechanisms. These results could stimulate the use of Balint groups as a tool for the physician's formation programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ovidiu Popa-Velea
- Department of Medical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (A.I.M.); (L.V.D.)
| | - Alexandra Ioana Mihăilescu
- Department of Medical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (A.I.M.); (L.V.D.)
| | - Liliana Veronica Diaconescu
- Department of Medical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (A.I.M.); (L.V.D.)
| | - Iuliana Raluca Gheorghe
- Department of Marketing and Medical Technology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 050474 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Adela Magdalena Ciobanu
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 050474 Bucharest, Romania;
- Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Hospital Alexandru Obregia, 041914 Bucharest, Romania
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18
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Joseph NT, Jiang Y, Zilioli S. Momentary emotions and salivary cortisol: A systematic review and meta-analysis of ecological momentary assessment studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 125:365-379. [PMID: 33662445 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.02.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
An integrated view of the stress response requires consideration of both the emotional and hormonal sequelae of stress, which are regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Understanding the extent of the association between emotions and cortisol at the momentary level can shed light on the biopsychological pathways linking stress to health. Research in this area has adopted heterogeneous approaches and produced mixed findings; thus, it is critical to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis. Systematic searches in major databases identified 22 studies (negative emotions [k = 19; 38,418 momentary observations]; positive emotions [k = 15; 31,721 momentary observations]). Meta-analysis found a significant positive association between momentary negative emotions and cortisol (r = .06, p < .001) and a significant negative association between momentary positive emotions and cortisol (r = -.05, p = .003). No methodological differences moderated these associations. Our findings suggest that emotional states correlate with cortisol levels at the momentary level. We discuss the health implications of our findings and provide recommendations for advancing this area of research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yanping Jiang
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, United States
| | - Samuele Zilioli
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, United States; Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Wayne State University, United States.
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19
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McEwan K, Richardson M, Sheffield D, Ferguson FJ, Brindley P. A Smartphone App for Improving Mental Health through Connecting with Urban Nature. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16183373. [PMID: 31547286 PMCID: PMC6765898 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16183373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In an increasingly urbanised world where mental health is currently in crisis, interventions to increase human engagement and connection with the natural environment are one of the fastest growing, most widely accessible, and cost-effective ways of improving human wellbeing. This study aimed to provide an evaluation of a smartphone app-based wellbeing intervention. In a randomised controlled trial study design, the app prompted 582 adults, including a subgroup of adults classified by baseline scores on the Recovering Quality of Life scale as having a common mental health problem (n = 148), to notice the good things about urban nature (intervention condition) or built spaces (active control). There were statistically significant and sustained improvements in wellbeing at one-month follow-up. Importantly, in the noticing urban nature condition, compared to a built space control, improvements in quality of life reached statistical significance for all adults and clinical significance for those classified as having a mental health difficulty. This improvement in wellbeing was partly explained by significant increases in nature connectedness and positive affect. This study provides the first controlled experimental evidence that noticing the good things about urban nature has strong clinical potential as a wellbeing intervention and social prescription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten McEwan
- Human Sciences Research Centre, The University of Derby, Derby DE22 1GB, UK.
| | - Miles Richardson
- Human Sciences Research Centre, The University of Derby, Derby DE22 1GB, UK.
| | - David Sheffield
- Human Sciences Research Centre, The University of Derby, Derby DE22 1GB, UK.
| | - Fiona J Ferguson
- Human Sciences Research Centre, The University of Derby, Derby DE22 1GB, UK.
| | - Paul Brindley
- Department of Landscape Architecture, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK.
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