Effect of stress and avoidant coping on depression and the moderating role of age among men who have sex with men: Findings from a 6-month prospective cohort study

Depression, positive affect, and sexual behavior: a moderated mediation model of drug use among men who have sex with men in Hong Kong

BACKGROUND

Drug use can be associated with poor mental health and risky sexual behaviors among men who have sex with men (MSM) and has become an important public health concern. The present study investigated the association between depression, positive and negative affect, number of sex partners, and drug use among MSM.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 420 MSM in Hong Kong. Participants completed a self-reported questionnaire that measured demographic characteristics, drug use, depression, sexual behaviors, and positive and negative affect. Hierarchical logistic regression was first conducted to examine the moderating role of the number of sex partners on the association between depression and drug use. A mediation model was then created to test the role of positive affect, negative affect and depression on drug use. A moderated mediation model was finally developed to test the overall associations.

RESULTS

After adjusting for significant demographic and other confounding factors, depression was positively associated with drug use (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.05, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.09). The association between depression and drug use was positively moderated by number of sex partners. Positive affect significantly mediated the association between depression and drug use, exerting a negative indirect effect.

LIMITATIONS

The casual inference was constrained by the cross-sectional design.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the moderating role of the number of sex partners and the mediating role of positive affect on the association between depression and drug use, interventions to reduce drug use among MSM should aim to reduce risky sexual behaviors and promote mental health.

Coping strategies and correlations with depressive symptoms among female nurses working in Japanese general hospitals

Introduction

Preventing depression among nurses is a critical issue from the perspective of occupational welfare, but associations between depressive symptoms in nurses and stress-coping strategies remain unclear.

Methods

In the present study, an epidemiological study was conducted based on a cross-sectional questionnaire survey. Data obtained from 2,534 female nurses working at three general hospitals in Tokyo, Japan, were analyzed. Participants completed a questionnaire comprising 42 items, including depressive symptoms and stress-coping strategies, in addition to sociodemographic information and perceived mental stress.

Results

Our study showed that the emotional distraction strategy "Engaging in hobbies or relaxing" was negatively associated with both depressed mood and loss of interest. In addition, the problem-solving strategy "Making an effort to think optimistically" was negatively associated with loss of interest. Conversely, use of avoidant strategies was positively associated with both depressive symptoms.

Discussion

Our findings may indicate the importance of focusing on types of coping styles when developing strategies to prevent depressive symptoms in nurses.

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

Background

Numerous studies have consistently demonstrated a decline in sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary objective of this study is to explore the impact of engaging with pertinent epidemic information through the media amid the COVID-19 crisis on individuals' sleep quality and the underlying mechanisms through which this influence operates.

Methods

An online cross-sectional study design was employed. A total of 1,063 British adults (36.2% males; M age = 38.85, SD age = 13.36, ranging from 18 to 77 years old) participated in the study and completed our questionnaires, which included media usage frequency during the pandemic, the 10-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and the Ten-item Personality Inventory (TIPI).

Results

Pearson's correlation analyses indicated that there was no significant correlation between COVID-19-related traditional media use (television, radio, newspaper) and psychological distress or sleep quality. However, exposure to information related to COVID-19 through new media use (Facebook, Tik Tok, Twitter) was correlated with greater psychological distress and poorer sleep quality. A moderated mediation analysis showed that psychological distress fully mediated the relationship between new media use and poor sleep, which was moderated by age, with the association between psychological distress and poor sleep quality being stronger among older adults.

Conclusion

Exposure to information of COVID-19 via new (but not traditional) media use deteriorated sleep quality through greater psychological distress, and this relationship was stronger among older adults.

H is for hypersexual: Sexuality in youths with ADHD

Background

Recent research into the association between ADHD and hypersexuality has been extremely skewed toward male patients and contribute to stigma against individuals engaging in same sex sexual behaviors. We sought to expand research on this important relationship and to address these shortcomings.

Methods

Using data from the TriNetX database, we created two patient cohorts of patients 21 years or younger, separated by presence or absence of ADHD diagnosis. We analyzed disorders of sexual behavior, comorbid psychiatric illness, and medication type. Those with ADHD were subdivided into same-sex high risk sexual behavior (HRSB) and opposite-sex HRSB. The ADHD group was analyzed based on the presence or absence of any disorder of sexuality. The outcomes measured were disorders of sexual behavior, comorbid psychiatric illness, and medication type.

Results

In a study of 1,355,184 analyzed patient records, patients ADHD were more likely to have all measured outcomes. Orientation of HRSB did not impact for disorders of sexual behavior, but individuals with same-sex HRSB were at higher risk for comorbid psychiatric illness. Those with hypersexuality and ADHD were a higher risk for psychiatric illnesses.

Conclusion

Our study is the largest to date examining associations between hypersexual behaviors and ADHD. Increased awareness of this association may aid in addressing some problematic behaviors before they become detrimental to the individuals with ADHD or others within their lives.