From Stress to Psychopathology: Relationship with Self-Reassurance and Self-Criticism in Czech University Students

Childhood Emotional Neglect, Self-Criticism, and Meaning in Life Among Adults Living in Therapeutic Communities

BACKGROUND

Childhood emotional neglect (CEN) may contribute to the emergence of self-critical tendencies, which may be particularly pronounced in individuals living in therapeutic communities and which can have a substantial impact on their overall sense of meaning in life (MiL).

METHOD

This study analyzed the influence of self-criticism (self-criticizing [S-C], self-attacking [S-A], and self-reassuring [S-R]) on the link between CEN and MiL (presence of meaning [PoM] and search for meaning [SfM]) in individuals living in therapeutic communities. The study also aimed to investigate whether this mediating model differed between genders. A total of 1086 participants (18-25 years, 50% women) completed self-report questionnaires.

RESULTS

The findings indicated intricate links between the variables. Notably, S-A emerged as a mediator between CEN and both PoM and SfM, whereas S-C solely mediated the path between CEN and SfM, and S-R only mediated the connection between CEN and PoM. Furthermore, the study confirmed the model's invariance between genders.

CONCLUSIONS

The results underscore the necessity for targeted interventions tailored to this unique population in order to alleviate CEN's adverse effects, address the multifaceted nature of self-criticism, and foster a resilient sense of MiL.

Exploring the longitudinal dynamics of self-criticism, self-compassion, psychological flexibility, and mental health in a three-wave study

Self-compassion has been emphasized in its association with reducing anxiety, narcissism, and self-criticism. At the same time, self-judgment as the counter side of self-kindness tends to interchange with the description of self-criticism, which can lead to potential stress and mental illness. Meanwhile, psychological flexibility enhanced through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) emerges and is engaged as a therapeutic action after self-compassion. Hence, based on The Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, this three-wave longitudinal study examined longitudinal connections between (1) cognitive appraisal - self-criticism (comparative self-criticism and internalized self-criticism); (2) coping - self-compassion and psychological flexibility (acceptance and action), and (3) outcome - mental health. Regarding the results, at baseline, 412 participants (M age = 39.73, SD = 12.75; 83% female) were enrolled; follow-up rates were 56% at 6 months and 28%(N=115, M age = 40.88, SD = 13.00, 78.3% female) at 12 months. Using the Repeated Measures Panel Analysis Framework, the model investigation with the good fit model index supports the hypothesized pathways based on the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping. Self-compassion and psychological flexibility have been examined to be consistent and stable coping strategies negatively associated with self-criticism. Hence, the current study outcome serves as a theoretical foundation that supports the development of the intervention, evidenced by the potential mediating role or function of self-compassion or compassion-focused therapy and enhancing psychological flexibility through acceptance and commitment therapy.

Prevalence and distribution of Plasmodium falciparum multidrug resistant 1 D1246Y allele among children in Ibadan Southwest, Nigeria

The emergence and spread of the Plasmodium falciparum multidrug-resistant 1 (Pfmdr1) allele pose a significant setback to global efforts to control and eradicate malaria infection by diminishing the efficacy of commonly prescribed antimalarial drugs, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where malaria remains endemic. The Pfmdr1 D1246Y mutation is of specific importance due to its potential role in modulating parasite susceptibility to antimalarial medicines and treatment outcomes. This study aimed to determine the presence and prevalence of the wild-type and mutant D1246Y alleles of Pfmdr1 among children in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria. A total of 133 archived DNA samples collected between March 2016 and June 2021 from children aged 6 to 132 months with varying malaria phenotypes (asymptomatic infection, uncomplicated, and severe malaria) were analyzed. The Pfmdr1 D1246Y allele was amplified via nested PCR, and the mutation was detected using the restriction enzyme EcoRV. The digested nested PCR products were resolved on a 2% agarose gel and visualized under ultraviolet light. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 25, and statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Among the 133 samples, 97 (72.9%) were successfully genotyped. Of these, 50 (51.55%) carried the wild-type allele, while 47 (48.45%) had the mutant allele. Notably, the Pfmdr1-1246Y mutation was detected in all severe malaria cases (41/41, 100%), whereas its prevalence was significantly lower in asymptomatic (3/36, 8.3%) and uncomplicated malaria cases (3/20, 15%). The difference in mutation prevalence across the malaria phenotypes was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The study provided valuable insight into the coexistence of wild-type and mutant Pfmdr1 D1246Y alleles within the population. It revealed a significantly higher mutation rate in all severe malaria cases, while the wild-type allele remained more prevalent overall. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the possible role of the wild-type and mutant D1246Y alleles in the various clinical manifestations of malaria.

Stressful but Not Unhappy: A Review of the Positive Aspects of Parenting a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This review aimed to identify and synthesise the evidence for the positive aspects of parenting a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To date, ASD parental research has predominantly focused on the negative aspects; parents and carers are left uninformed of how to strengthen their positive mental wellbeing. Three electronic databases-PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science -were searched for literature reporting positive aspects of parenting a child with ASD, published between January 2013 and December 2023. The PRISMA 2020 checklist was used for reporting. Two hundred and fifty-four articles were retrieved from the databases. After title/abstract screening (n = 213) and full-text reviews (n = 32), six papers were included (n = 6). Sixteen positive aspects of parenting a child with ASD were identified and grouped into three themes: joyful moments, journey to resilience, and social connection. These three themes are eudaimonic wellbeing constructs and often under-represented in ASD parental studies. Focusing on joyful moments, building resilience through the parenting journey, and finding support and connection with others in similar situations can support the mental wellbeing of parents and carers of children with ASD. Future research is needed to further evaluate the positive aspects of parenting a child with ASD.

Psychotherapeutic Applications of the SASB Cluster Analysis of Intrapsychic Behaviors in Women With Breast Cancer: A Step by Step Approach

BackgroundThis study describes the approach and phases of psychotherapeutic interventions in women with breast cancer on the basis of a personality cluster analysis performed using the Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (SASB) Model by Lorna S. Benjamin.MethodsThe SASB Model is a tool for diagnosing and planning the stages of psychotherapeutic intervention. Therefore, based on the cluster analysis of the intrapsychic problems of the 2 different profiles SASB-Love and Autonomy and SASB-Control and Hate Traits, it was possible to describe the phases and methods of the psychotherapeutic SASB intervention for each profile and the most suitable therapeutic approaches.ResultsThe results of the analysis, based on the intrapsychic profile derived from the SASB model and distributed along a continuum, indicate the need for specific psychotherapeutic interventions. Although some common intrapsychic issues were identified, their intensity varied across individuals, suggesting that tailored therapeutic approaches are necessary for each patient. The identified intrapsychic profiles, characterized by passive adaptation, low self-affirmation, and self-criticism, highlight the importance of facilitating self-contact, enhancing self-awareness, and promoting the elaboration and integration of emotional experiences.ConclusionIn this context, a targeted psychotherapeutic treatment aimed at fostering self-affirmation and reducing self-criticism can help women with breast cancer to transform their approach to dealing with their condition, leading to more effective adaptation and improved quality of life.

Adolescent Social Anxiety, School Satisfaction, Family Emotional Support, and School Absenteeism: Findings from Young-HUNT3 and Norwegian National Education Data

Background: Adolescents grappling with social anxiety may experience poor school satisfaction, resorting to school-related avoidance behaviors, exemplified by absenteeism, as a coping mechanism. Understanding the role of family support in alleviating the adverse effects of social anxiety on school satisfaction is imperative for fostering supportive educational settings. Although there is literature regarding how school satisfaction promotes positive adolescent outcomes, empirical knowledge on the interrelation between social anxiety, school satisfaction, and family emotional support is limited. This study investigates the association between social anxiety, family emotional support, school satisfaction, and school absenteeism within the theoretical framework of the stage-environment fit theory to offer insight into how family emotional support can moderate the influence of social anxiety on school-related outcomes. Methods: Utilizing a population-based sample of 1861 upper secondary school pupils from the Trøndelag Young Health study "Young-HUNT3 study", we employed an index of moderated mediation to examine the role of family emotional support in moderating the association between social anxiety and school-related avoidance behavior related to school satisfaction. Results: Family emotional support had moderated mediation association for school absenteeism (β = 0.128, 95% CI 0.019, 0.278) and extracurricular activity (β = -0.003, 95% CI -0.008, -0.000). Conclusions: This urges further investigation into the specific mechanisms and individual differences influencing these relationships, aiming to deepen our understanding of adolescents' experiences and inform comprehensive strategies for promoting their well-being within school communities.

Self-Compassion Interventions to Target Secondary Traumatic Stress in Healthcare Workers: A Systematic Review

Healthcare professionals' wellbeing can be adversely affected by the intense demands of, and the secondary traumatic stress associated with, their job. Self-compassion is associated with positive wellbeing outcomes across a variety of workforce populations and is potentially an important skill for healthcare workers, as it offers a way of meeting one's own distress with kindness and understanding. This systematic review aimed to synthesise and evaluate the utility of self-compassion interventions in reducing secondary traumatic stress in a healthcare worker population. Eligible articles were identified from research databases, including ProQuest, PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and EBSCO. The quality of non-randomised and randomised trials was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The literature search yielded 234 titles, from which 6 studies met the inclusion criteria. Four studies reported promising effects of self-compassion training for secondary traumatic stress in a healthcare population, although these did not use controls. The methodological quality of these studies was medium. This highlights a research gap in this area. Three of these four studies recruited workers from Western countries and one recruited from a non-Western country. The Professional Quality of Life Scale was used to evaluate secondary traumatic stress in all studies. The findings show preliminary evidence that self-compassion training may improve secondary traumatic stress in healthcare professional populations; however, there is a need for greater methodological quality in this field and controlled trials. The findings also show that the majority of research was conducted in Western countries. Future research should focus on a broader range of geographical locations to include non-Western countries.

Qualitative Investigation into the Perception towards Compassionate Parenting among Parents of Autistic Children: Cross-Cultural Comparison between the UK and The Netherlands

Parenting a child with autism spectrum disorder is believed to present challenges that lead to increased levels of stress, as well as a reduction in the quality of the relationship between parent and child. This study aims to investigate parental perceptions toward a compassionate parenting style of parenting to better understand how this style may influence relationships and quality of life in parents. Parents from the United Kingdom (six parents) and the Netherlands (five parents) were invited take part in semi-structured interviews, whereby the data collected were subsequently analysed using thematic analysis. Data from both British and Dutch groups were overall similar to each other. Four themes were identified from the aggregated data: (a) "Parents believe compassionate parenting is important" (parents believed that compassion is an essential element of their parenting style and improves situational outcomes); (b) "Compassionate parenting de-escalates stressful situations" (compassionate parenting reduces stress and improves the quality of life); (c) "High pressure situations as a threat to practice compassion" (challenges and limitations to compassionate parenting style); and (d) "Greater public and professional awareness of autistic behaviours" (the general public and professional services often lack awareness to recognise autistic behaviour traits). Results are consistent with research examining the perceptions of parents of neurotypical children, in that a more compassionate approach to parenting is valued, as it is believed to create a greater connection with the child. Our findings inform researchers and educators as to what parents of children with ASD find useful, important, and worthwhile. Future research needs to investigate how compassionate parenting impacts autistic children's quality of life.

An Analysis by State on The Effect of Movement Control Order (MCO) 3.0 Due to COVID-19 on Malaysians’ Mental Health: Evidence from Google Trends

Due to significant social and economic upheavals brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a great deal of psychological pain. Google Trends data have been seen as a corollary measure to assess population-wide trends via observing trends in search results. Judicious analysis of Google Trends data can have both analytical and predictive capacities. This study aimed to compare nation-wide and inter-state trends in mental health before and after the Malaysian Movement Control Order 3.0 (MCO 3.0) commencing 12 May 2021. This was through assessment of two terms, “stress” and “sleep” in both the Malay and English language. Google Trends daily data between March 6 and 31 May in both 2019 and 2021 was obtained, and both series were re-scaled to be comparable. Searches before and after MCO 3.0 in 2021 were compared to searches before and after the same date in 2019. This was carried out using the differences in difference (DiD) method. This ensured that seasonal variations between states were not the source of our findings. We found that DiD estimates, β_3 for “sleep” and “stress” were not significantly different from zero, implying that MCO 3.0 had no effect on psychological distress in all states. Johor was the only state where the DiD estimates β_3 were significantly different from zero for the search topic ‘Tidur’. For the topic ‘Tekanan’, there were two states with significant DiD estimates, β_3, namely Penang and Sarawak. This study hence demonstrates that there are particular state-level differences in Google Trend search terms, which gives an indicator as to states to prioritise interventions and increase surveillance for mental health. In conclusion, Google Trends is a powerful tool to examine larger population-based trends especially in monitoring public health parameters such as population-level psychological distress, which can facilitate interventions.

Mental Well-Being of Czech University Students: Academic Motivation, Self-Compassion, and Self-Criticism

University students in the Czech Republic suffer from a low level of mental well-being. Research in other university student populations suggests that academic motivation, self-compassion, and self-criticism are strongly related to mental well-being. Students who are motivated to study, are kind toward themselves, and are less judgmental of themselves tend to have a high level of mental well-being. These relationships had not been evaluated in Czech students. Accordingly, this cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the relationships between mental well-being, academic motivation (intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and amotivation), self-compassion (self-reassurance) and self-criticism (self-inadequacy and self-hate). Of 130 students approached, a convenience sampling of 119 psychology students at a university in the Czech Republic completed a survey regarding these constructs. Correlation, regression, and path analyses were conducted. Mental well-being was positively associated with intrinsic motivation and self-compassion, and negatively associated with amotivation and self-criticism. Self-compassion was identified as the strongest predictor of mental well-being. Lastly, intrinsic motivation mediated the pathway from self-compassion to mental well-being, but not the one from self-inadequacy to mental well-being, and the one from self-hate to mental well-being. Our findings can help educators to identify effective means to protect students' mental well-being. Cultivating students' self-compassion may be helpful to protect their mental well-being. University staff and educators in the Czech Republic need to consider ways to embed self-compassion training into their students' programmes or university life.

Academic Motivation of Indonesian University Students: Relationship with Self-Compassion and Resilience

Academic motivation is an important construct for university students, associated with student wellbeing and academic performance. Students who are motivated tend to feel and perform well. Self-compassion, that is kindness and understanding towards oneself in difficult times, and resilience, an ability to bounce back from difficulties, are also associated with student wellbeing and academic achievement. However, how these variables are related to each other has not been evaluated in Indonesian university students. Indonesian higher education has rapidly developed, focusing on student achievement while their wellbeing suffers. Understanding how academic motivation is linked with self-compassion and resilience can inform an effective way to augment their motivation. Accordingly, this cross-sectional study evaluated the relationship among these three variables. An opportunity sample of 156 students in Indonesia completed measures about those three constructs. Correlation, regression and moderation analyses were used. Intrinsic motivation was positively associated with extrinsic motivation and resilience. Amotivation was negatively associated with self-compassion and resilience. Self-compassion was positively associated with resilience. Both self-compassion and resilience predicted all three types of motivation apart from self-compassion for intrinsic motivation. Lastly, self-compassion nor resilience moderated the pathway from extrinsic motivation to intrinsic motivation. Resilience interventions are recommended for Indonesian students to maintain intrinsic motivation. Our findings will help educators and wellbeing staff to identify helpful ways to support healthful motivation in this student population that is undergoing drastic changes.

Mediation of Self-Compassion on Pathways from Stress to Psychopathologies among Japanese Workers

As awareness of mental health increases worldwide, how to improve mental health has begun to be discussed in many countries. Stress is known to cause diverse physical and mental health problems, including psychopathologies. On the other hand, our previous studies identified that self-compassion, kindness and understanding towards oneself are key components for good mental health in many populations, including Japanese workers. The government reports that Japanese workers suffer from high rates of mental health problems. However, the mechanism of how self-compassion helps their mental health remains to be evaluated. Accordingly, this study aimed to elucidate how self-compassion intervenes in pathways from stress to psychopathologies, namely depression and anxiety. One hundred and sixty-five Japanese workers completed an online survey regarding self-compassion, depression, anxiety and stress. Correlation and path analyses were conducted. These four variables were significantly inter-related. While self-compassion mediated the pathway from stress to depression, it did not mediate the pathway from stress to anxiety. These exploratory insights assist in understanding the mechanism of how self-compassion improves mental health and inform effective methods to implement self-compassion interventions to the Japanese workforce.

Mental Wellbeing of Indonesian Students: Mean Comparison with UK Students and Relationships with Self-Compassion and Academic Engagement

The number of Indonesian students in higher education has been increasing rapidly. However, many Indonesian university students report experiencing mental distress. Research on student wellbeing found that self-compassion (i.e., being kind towards oneself in challenging times) and academic engagement (i.e., a commitment and purposeful effort toward study) are essential to students’ mental wellbeing. With the present study, we aimed to assess the mental wellbeing of Indonesian students. A convenience sample of 156 Indonesian students completed self-report measures on mental wellbeing, self-compassion and academic engagement (consisting of vigour, dedication and absorption). To contextualise their mental wellbeing, data from Indonesian students were compared with those from 145 UK students using Welch t-tests. Correlation, regression and mediation analyses were then performed to examine the relationships among these variables. Indonesian students had higher levels of self-compassion and absorption and a lower level of dedication than UK students. Self-compassion and academic engagement explained 36% of variance in mental wellbeing. Self-compassion and vigour were identified as significant predictors of mental wellbeing, whereas self-compassion was the strongest predictor. Lastly, vigour did not mediate the pathway from self-compassion to mental wellbeing. Interventions to support self-compassion and academic engagement, especially vigour, in Indonesian students are recommended to support their mental wellbeing.

Internet Addiction, Symptoms of Anxiety, Depressive Symptoms, Stress Among Higher Education Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Poor mental health is a growing concern among young people during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of this study was to assess the associations of Internet addiction with depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and stress in higher education students during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to examine these mental health problems in the context of study-related characteristics. The research sample consisted of 3,099 participants from the Czech Republic (CZ: 1,422) and Slovak Republic (SK: 1,677). The Internet Addiction Test (IAT), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire for depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) were used to measure mental health problems. The analyses also included demographic data (gender and age) and study-related characteristics (form of study, degree of study, field of study, distance between college and home, and housing during the semester). Based on the results of frequency and descriptive analyses, the prevalence of mental health problems was high. The most serious levels of Internet addiction (IAT cut-off point ≥ 50), to which attention should be paid, were found in 3.5% of Czech and 6.2% of Slovak students. Using the standard cut-off point of GAD-7 ≥ 10, 14.1% of Czech and 11.6% of Slovak students were identified with anxiety symptoms. Regarding the PHQ-9 with the cut-off point ≥ 10, 23.4% of Czech and 19.1% of Slovak students had depressive symptoms, which should be addressed. Using the PSS cut-off point ≥ 27, 12.9% of Czech students and 9.1% of Slovak students perceived high stress. The quantile regression analysis showed that Internet addiction was positively associated with anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and stress in all of the analyzed cases (p-value < 0.001). In terms of study-related characteristics, the binomial logistic regression analysis revealed that risk factors for mental health problems in Czech and Slovak students were mainly full-time form of study and living away from home during the semester. Internet addiction, anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and stress are issues that require increased attention, and professionals and policy-makers should implement interventions to effectively prevent and help students with psychological problems.

Mental Health of Czech University Psychology Students: Negative Mental Health Attitudes, Mental Health Shame and Self-Compassion

High rates of mental health problems are a growing concern in Czech higher education, negatively impacting students’ performance and wellbeing. Despite the serious nature of poor mental health, students often do not seek help because of negative attitudes and shame over mental health problems. Recent mental health research reports self-compassion is strongly associated with better mental health and reduced shame. However, relationships between those constructs remain to be evaluated among Czech students. This study aims to appraise the relationships between mental health problems, negative mental health attitudes, mental health shame, and self-compassion in this population. An opportunity sample of 119 psychology students from a Czech university completed questionnaires regarding these constructs. Correlation, regression, and path analyses were conducted. Mental health problems were positively associated with negative mental health attitudes and shame, and negatively associated with self-compassion. Self-compassion negatively predicted mental health problems, while negative attitudes and shame did not. Last, self-compassion fully mediated the negative attitudes-mental health problems relationship, and partially mediated the shame-mental health problems relationship. Findings suggest self-compassion is essential for mental health in Czech students and associated with negative mental health attitudes and mental health shame. Czech universities can benefit from incorporating self-compassion training into their curricula to protect students’ mental health.