Investigating the protective role of global self-esteem on the relationship between stressful life events and depression: A longitudinal moderated regression model

Employment Stress and Mental Health Among College Graduates: Exploring the Mediating Role of Psychological Resilience and Moderating Role of Proactive Personality

Purpose

Previous research has established a strong correlation between employment stress and mental health; however, the internal mechanisms underlying this relationship remain underexplored. The present study aimed to elucidate the mediating role of resilience in the relationship between employment stress and mental health, as well as the moderating effect of proactive personality.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey with 2348 college graduates from Central China. Mediation and moderated mediation analyses were employed to investigate the roles of psychological resilience and proactive personality in the relationship between employment stress and mental health.

Results

Employment stress significantly predicted negative outcomes in mental health among these graduates. Mediation model analysis revealed that resilience mediated the relationship between employment stress and adverse mental health. Furthermore, analysis of moderated mediation model suggested that proactive personality moderated the mediation pathway and also served as a moderator for the direct relationship between employment stress and mental health. Specifically, individuals with a high proactive personality exhibited a reduction in the adverse effects of employment stress on mental health.

Conclusion

The moderated mediation model of psychological resilience and proactive personality contributes to the existing literature by providing additional insights into the link between employment stress and mental health and by exploring potential intervention strategies to mitigate the impact of employment stress.

Longitudinal associations between white matter integrity, early life adversities, and treatment response following cognitive-behavioral therapy in depression

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a primary treatment for depression. Although previous research has underscored the significant roles of white matter (WM) alterations and maladaptive parenting in depression risk, their associations with CBT response remain largely unknown. This longitudinal study investigated the interplay of WM integrity changes over time, treatment response, and parenting style in patients with depression. Diffusion-tensor-imaging and clinical data were assessed in n = 65 (55% female) patients with depression before and after 20 CBT sessions and n = 65 (68% female) healthy controls (HC) in a naturalistic design. Linear-mixed-effect models compared changes in fractional anisotropy (FA) between groups and tested associations between FA changes and symptom changes. It was investigated whether parenting style predicts depressive symptoms at follow-up and whether FA changes mediate this association. Patients showed differential FA changes over time in the corpus callosum and corona radiata compared to HC (ptfce-FWE = 0.008). Increases in FA in the corpus callosum, corona radiata and superior longitudinal fasciculus were linked to symptom improvement after CBT in patients (ptfce-FWE = 0.023). High parental care (pFDR = 0.010) and low maternal overprotection (pFDR = 0.001) predicted fewer depressive symptoms at follow-up. The association between maternal overprotection and depressive symptoms at follow-up was mediated by FA changes (pFDR = 0.044). Robustness checks-controlling for outliers, non-linear age effects, clinical characteristics, and patient subgroups-supported these results. Overall, patients with depression show changes in WM integrity following CBT, which are linked to treatment response. The results highlight the significance of early life adversities and related microstructural changes in the effectiveness of CBT for treating depression.

Association between grit and depressive symptoms among medical students, moderated by academic performance

Depression amongst medical students is a crucial matter. Grit, which is a potentially modifiable psychological factor, has been inversely linked to depressive symptoms. However, it remains unclear how grit is associated with depression. This study aims to examine the relationship between grit and depressive symptoms and to further investigate the potential effect modification by academic performance on the association between grit and depression among medical students. We focus on the total grit score and its subscales, namely perseverance of effort and consistency of interest. A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from second-year medical students at Tokyo Medical and Dental University in Japan from 2020 to 2023. The participants responded to questionnaire surveys comprising the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and the Short Grit Scale. Linear regression analysis was performed to assess the association between grit and depressive symptoms. We also tested for effect modification by first-year Grade Point Average (GPA) on the association between grit and depression. The total grit score and its subscales, perseverance of effort and consistency of interest, were all inversely associated with depressive symptoms (b =  -4.7 [95%CI - 6.7 to - 2.6], b =  -3.7 [95%CI - 5.3 to - 2.1], b =  -1.8 [95%CI - 3.5 to - 0.2], respectively). While the interaction term for the total grit score and GPA was not significant, the interaction term for perseverance of effort and GPA was significant, indicating that the association between perseverance of effort and depression was stronger among the higher-achieving students. The interaction term for consistency of interest and GPA was also significant, indicating that the association was stronger among the lower-achieving students. We reveal a novel aspect of the association between grit and depressive symptoms in light of academic performance. The findings will contribute to future research on depression amongst medical students.

Daily Hassles, Self-Esteem, and Depressive Symptoms in African American Women Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence

The present cross-sectional study was aimed at investigating the mediating role of self-esteem on the relation between daily hassles and depressive symptoms among traumatized women. The sample, which was drawn from a large public, inner city healthcare system, consisted of 154 low-income African American women with a mean age of 36.66 (SD = 11.43) with a recent history of both one or more suicide attempt(s) and exposure to interpersonal violence in the form of intimate partner violence (IPV). A series of scales were administered to the women including the Survey of Recent Life Events (SRLE), Beck Self-Esteem Scales (BSES), and Beck Depression Inventory - II (BDI-II). Mplus v8.8 was used to estimate the total, direct, and indirect effects simultaneously for other type of self-esteem (views of self [self-esteem: self], perceptions of others' views of them [self-esteem: other]). As predicted, daily hassles were associated positively and significantly with depressive symptoms and negatively and significantly with both forms of self-esteem. In addition, lower levels of self-esteem: self, but not self-esteem: other, was associated positively and significantly with depressive symptoms. Partial support was obtained for the mediational hypothesis; self-esteem according to one's self-evaluation (self-esteem: self), but not projected evaluations of others (self-esteem: other), mediated the daily hassles-depressive symptoms link. Thus, depressive symptoms in African American female suicide attempters exposed to IPV appear to vary based on how these women appraise their own self-worth in the context of managing daily stressors and hassles.

Association between Quality of Life, Confinement, and Sex in Adults: A Multigroup Structural Equation Analysis

The state of confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic affected the quality of life of the general population. This study aims to define and contrast an explanatory model of the quality of life in adults and to analyze the relationships between these variables based on the state of confinement and sex. A total of 872 people from Chile aged between 17 and 50 (M = 21.70 years; SD= 3.272), of both sexes (60.90% male and 39.1% female) participated in this research, of whom 46.6% were not confined when tested and 53.4% were confined, analyzing the quality of life. A model of multi-group structural equations was performed, which adjusted very well (χ2 = 559.577; DF = 38; p < 0.001; IFC = 0.934; NFI = 0.916; IFI = 0.934; RMSEA = 0.061). The results show a positive and direct relationship among all the variables studied and the structural equation model proposed according to confinement and sex reveals a good fit in all the evaluation indexes. Stress and sleep, personality, and introspection were the indicators with the greatest influence in the four models, followed by the family and friends indicator with a medium correlation strength, such as the health monitoring dimension, although this was not as influential in confined individuals. The main conclusions are that the best adjustments are obtained in confined adults and females, and the data show that the psychological indicators obtained (stress and sleep, personality, and introspection) have the greatest influence on adults in the four models proposed with regard to their quality of life.

Cognitive Reappraisal Moderates the Longitudinal Relationship between Adolescents' Peer Victimization and Self-Esteem. A Latent Interaction Model

Poor self-esteem relates closely to youth maladjustment and appears to be predicted by peer victimization experiences. However, not all peer victimized adolescents face the same risk for self-esteem erosion over time. Drawing upon the Bi-Dimensional Framework for resilience and extant research, the present study examined the potential moderating role of cognitive reappraisal in the prospective relationship from peer victimization to self-esteem. To increase precision of findings the long-term impact of self-esteem on peer victimization was also tested. Self-reported data were collected from 285 early adolescents (Mage = 10.53 years, SD = 0.16; 54.0% girls) at two waves, spaced 1-year. Latent moderated structural equation analysis showed that peer victimization was negatively related to later self-esteem, but only for youth displaying low levels of cognitive reappraisal. For adolescents with high levels of cognitive reappraising, peer victimization was not found to predict any changes in self-esteem over time. The long-term impact of self-esteem on peer victimization was not supported. Overall the present study suggests that enhancing cognitive reappraisal could be a promising avenue for lowering risk for poor self-esteem in young individuals experiencing peer victimization.

Self-Esteem Trajectories After Occupational Injuries and Diseases and Their Relation to Changes in Subjective Health: Result From the Panel Study of Workers' Compensation Insurance (PSWCI)

BACKGROUND

Occupational injuries and diseases are life events that significantly impact an individuals' identity. In this study, we examined the trajectories of self-esteem among victims of occupational injury and disease and their relation to health.

METHODS

The Panel Study of Workers' Compensation Insurance conducted annual follow-ups on workers who had experienced occupational injury or disease. A total of 2,000 participants, who had completed medical care, were followed from 2013 to 2017. Growth mixture modeling was utilized to identify latent classes in the self-esteem trajectory. Additionally, logistic regressions were conducted to explore the association between trajectory membership, baseline predictors, and outcomes.

RESULTS

Three distinct trajectory classes were identified. Total 65.8% of the samples (n = 1,316) followed an increasing self-esteem trajectory, while 31.1% (n = 623) exhibited a constant trajectory, and 3.1% (n = 61) showed a decreasing trajectory. Individuals with an increasing trajectory were more likely to have a higher educational attainment (odds ratio [OR], 1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-2.88), an absence of a moderate-to-severe disability rating (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.25-0.96), no difficulty in daily living activities (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.75-0.88), and were economically active (re-employed: OR, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.52-3.98; returned to original work: OR, 4.46; 9% CI, 2.65-7.50). Those with a decreasing self-esteem trajectory exhibited an increased risk of poor subjective health (OR, 1.89; 95% CI, 0.85-4.85 in 2013 to OR, 3.17; 95% CI, 1.04-13.81 in 2017), whereas individuals with an increasing trajectory showed a decreased risk (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.43-0.68 in 2013 to OR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.33-0.57 in 2017).

CONCLUSION

Our findings emphasize the diversity of psychological responses to occupational injury or disease. Policymakers should implement interventions to enhance the self-esteem of victims.

Relationship satisfaction and self-esteem in patients with breast cancer and healthy women: the role of expected and actual personal projects support from the partner

BACKGROUND

For breast cancer patients, the partner's support for personal projects can serve as a means of adaptation. We aimed to investigate the associations between the intimate partner's personal project support and women's well-being.

METHODS

A sample of 274 Hungarian women (breast cancer patients n = 137, control n = 137) took part in the study. Expected and actually received autonomy-, directive- and emotional project support was assessed by the procedure of Personal Project Assessment. Well-being was measured by the Relationship Assessment Scale and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. For investigating the associations between project support and well-being in a multivariate way, structural equation modelling was used.

RESULTS

Except for autonomy support, participants expected more support than they received. A path model indicated multiple associations between types of project support and relationship satisfaction and self-esteem. The partner's emotional project support was predictive of women's relationship satisfaction and self-esteem, while directive support was predictive of self-esteem only. The associations showed similar patterns in the subgroups of patients with breast cancer and control.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results highlight the importance of involving women's subjective perspectives regarding the partner's project support while also have implications for praxis. Teaching women how to communicate their needs to their partner effectively (whether it is the need for autonomy or directive guidance) can help close the gap between expected and received support, which may in turn enhance relationship satisfaction and self-esteem.

A mediated moderation model of negative life events, self-esteem, rumination and parental divorce on depression among Chinese juvenile delinquents

Little attention was paid to the prevalence of depression in Chinese juvenile delinquents who are studied in correctional work-study schools. Hence, the present study aimed to test the unique, mediating and moderating effects of negative life events, self-esteem, rumination and parental divorce on depression among Chinese juvenile delinquents. A total of 236 juvenile delinquents aged between 12 and 17 years old (M = 14.68 SD = 1.30) were recruited to accomplish a battery of self-report questionnaires concerning their negative life events, self-esteem, rumination, depression and demographic profile. The descriptive analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between negative life events and depression in Chinese juvenile delinquents. Moreover, the results from the structural model indicated that self-esteem and rumination played separate and sequential mediating roles between negative life events and depression. In addition, parental divorce had a moderating effect between negative life events and self-esteem in the model. These results suggest that the prevalence of depression among Chinese juvenile delinquents can be reduced through modification of the ruminative way of thinking, improving their self-esteem when they encounter a number of negative life events. Furthermore, more attention should be paid to the juvenile delinquents who experienced parental divorce.

Stressful Life Events and Depression During the Recurrent Outbreak of COVID-19 in China: The Mediating Role of Grit and the Moderating Role of Gratitude

Purpose

COVID-19 has been exerting tremendous influence on an individual’s physical behavior and mental health. In China, prolonged isolation may lead to depression among college students during the recurrent outbreak of COVID-19. We conducted this study to explore the relationship among stressful life events, grit, gratitude, and depression in college students during the recurrent outbreak of COVID-19.

Methods

We investigated 953 college students from across China, with an average age of 20.38 (SD=1.39) years. Participants completed four scales (Stressful Life Events Scale, Oviedo Grit Scale, Gratitude Questionnaire, and Patients’ Health Questionnaire Depression Scale-9 item).

Results

The present study found that (1) stressful life events were positively correlated with depression in college students; (2) grit mediated the positive relationship between stressful life events and depression; (3) gratitude moderated the relationship between grit and depression, and such that there was a stronger association between grit and depression for college students with high gratitude.

Conclusion

This study was of great significance for studying the relationship between stressful life events and depression in Chinese college students during the recurrent outbreak of COVID-19. Results indicated that grit and gratitude of college students may be the main targets of depression prevention and intervention. The research conclusion has theoretical and reference value for solving and preventing depression in college students during the recurrent outbreak of COVID-19.

How Should Self-Esteem Be Considered in Cancer Patients?

Numerous studies showed that cancer significantly increases the risk of developing depressive and anxious symptoms. It has been shown that self-esteem is an important psychological resource and is associated with many health behaviors. Furthermore, the vulnerability model of low self-esteem, which has received strong empirical support, highlights that low self-esteem is a real risk factor in the development of depressive disorders. This article aims at providing an overview of the involvement of self-esteem in the psychological adjustment to cancer. After briefly reviewing the literature, we suggest that its implication in the development of depressive disorders and its association with coping strategies and social support in cancer patients justify the consideration of self-esteem in oncology psychological care, especially in young adult patients and those with significant physical impairment following treatment.