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Luczejko AA, Hagelweide K, Stark R, Weigelt S, Christiansen H, Kieser M, Otto K, Reck C, Steinmayr R, Wirthwein L, Zietlow AL, Schwenck C. Empathy and psychopathology in children and adolescents: the role of parental mental illness and emotion regulation. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1366366. [PMID: 38651008 PMCID: PMC11033424 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1366366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Although empathy is known to be a strength, recent studies suggest that empathy can be a risk factor for psychopathology under certain conditions in children. This study examines parental mental illness as such a condition. Further, it aims to investigate whether maladaptive emotion regulation (ER) mediates the relationship between empathy and psychopathological symptoms of children. Methods Participants were 100 children of parents with a mental illness (55% female) and 87 children of parents without a mental illness (50% female) aged 6 - 16 years and their parents. Results Greater cognitive empathy was related to more psychopathological symptoms in COPMI, but not in COPWMI. In addition, in COPMI maladaptive ER mediated this relationship. In contrast, greater affective empathy was associated with more psychopathological symptoms regardless of whether parents had a mental illness. Conclusion Our findings highlight the importance of implementing preventive programs for COPMI that specifically target the reduction of maladaptive ER.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arleta A. Luczejko
- Department of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Klara Hagelweide
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Technical University Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Rudolf Stark
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sarah Weigelt
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Technical University Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Hanna Christiansen
- Department of Psychology, Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Meinhard Kieser
- Institute of Medical Biometry, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kathleen Otto
- Department of Work and Organizational Psychology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Corinna Reck
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Ricarda Steinmayr
- Department of Psychology, Technical University Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Linda Wirthwein
- Department of Psychology, Technical University Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Anna-Lena Zietlow
- Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Department of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christina Schwenck
- Department of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Bi X, Liang Q, Jiang G, Deng M, Cui H, Ma Y. The cost of the perfect body: influence mechanism of internalization of media appearance ideals on eating disorder tendencies in adolescents. BMC Psychol 2024; 12:138. [PMID: 38475934 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01619-7] [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: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Some studies have examined the relationship between internalization of media appearance ideals and eating disorders. However, few have discussed the relationship between eating disorder tendencies. To fill this research gap, this study was to explore the influencing mechanisms of internalization of media appearance ideals on adolescents' eating disorder tendencies in Chinese cultural context. METHOD The Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire, Eating Attitude Test-26, Physical Self-Description Questionnaire, Body Image Depression Questionnaire and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support were employed in this study to investigate 1523 adolescents. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 24.0. RESULT The results showed that: (1) internalization of media appearance ideals had a significant positive predictive effect on adolescents' eating disorder tendencies; (2) internalization of media appearance ideals significantly influenced adolescents' eating disorder tendencies through the mediating role of body esteem and body image disturbance respectively, and also influenced eating disorder tendencies through the chain mediating of both; and (3) social support played a moderating role between body image disturbance and eating disorder tendency. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest distinct pathways through which internalization of media appearance ideals may influence adolescents' eating disorder tendencies. It is suggested that reducing body image disturbance and enhancing social support can help reducing eating disorder tendency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Bi
- School of Education, Guangzhou University, NO.230 Waihuan West Road, Panyu District, 510006, Guanzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Qian Liang
- School of Education, Guangzhou University, NO.230 Waihuan West Road, Panyu District, 510006, Guanzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Huizhou Fourth Middle School, NO.4 Xinlian Rode, Huiyang District, 516001, Huizhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Guangyan Jiang
- Guizhou University of Finance and Economics, College of Public Management, NO.276 Luchongguan Road, Yunyan District, 550000, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Min Deng
- School of Humanities and Management, Kunming Medical University, NO.1168 Chunrong West Road, Chenggong District, 650500, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Hongbo Cui
- School of Education, Guangzhou University, NO.230 Waihuan West Road, Panyu District, 510006, Guanzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yankun Ma
- School of Education, Guangzhou University, NO.230 Waihuan West Road, Panyu District, 510006, Guanzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
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Tang Z, Xiang H, Geng Y, Liao X, Zhang M, Zhang T. Association between screen time and depressive symptoms in a sample of Chinese medical students: Mediator role of empathy. Nurs Health Sci 2023; 25:654-664. [PMID: 37837276 DOI: 10.1111/nhs.13059] [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: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Medical students are at high risk of psychological subhealth under heavy stress with increasing screen time. This study aimed to explore the association between screen time and depressive symptoms and determine empathy as a mediating factor. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 945 medical students were surveyed, and 924 medical students were ultimately included after standard exclusion criteria. They reported their daily screen time and completed the Chinese version of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Student Version (JSE-S) and the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). t tests and analysis of variance showed a significant difference in empathy and depressive symptoms by sex, stage, and screen time. The correlation analysis revealed that both affective and cognitive empathy have inverse associations with depressive symptoms. The mediation model confirmed that cognitive empathy played a positive mediating role between screen time and depressive symptoms, reducing the impact of screen time on depressive symptoms. Our study may add empirical evidence to prevent and intervene in depressive symptoms. These findings call for considering controlling screen time and enhancing cognitive empathy as interventions for medical students' depressive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyu Tang
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongshu Xiang
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yiran Geng
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiting Liao
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Psychology, School of Education, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Tianyang Zhang
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
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Potter JR, Yoon KL. Interpersonal Factors, Peer Relationship Stressors, and Gender Differences in Adolescent Depression. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2023; 25:759-767. [PMID: 37773480 DOI: 10.1007/s11920-023-01465-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Compared to boys, girls value close relationships more. Thus, heightened affiliative proclivities may serve as a particularly salient psychosocial risk factor for depression in adolescent girls. The purpose of this review is to examine whether the preponderance of depression in girls is because of gender differences in interpersonal vulnerabilities and peer relationship stressors and/or in the associations between these factors and depression. RECENT FINDINGS Girls (vs. boys) exhibit higher levels of co-rumination and affective empathy, but not excessive reassurance-seeking. The prevalence of different forms of peer relationship stressors (e.g., peer victimization) varies by gender depending on the specific type. Evidence is mixed regarding gender differences in the association between peer victimization and depression. Gender differences in the association between peer victimization and depression not only depend on peer victimization subtype but also on the country. Most studies were conducted in non-clinical samples, highlighting the need for future research to assess major depressive disorder (not just depressive symptoms). Future research should also assess interpersonal factors (e.g., co-rumination) and peer relationship stressors together.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia R Potter
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, M/P 3rd Floor, Baltimore, MD, 21250, USA
| | - K Lira Yoon
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, M/P 3rd Floor, Baltimore, MD, 21250, USA.
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Grases G, Colom MA, Sanchis P, Grases F. Relationship of depression with empathy, emotional intelligence, and symptoms of a weakened immune system. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1250636. [PMID: 37965661 PMCID: PMC10641773 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1250636] [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: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Previous studies have used different individual scales to examine the relationship of depression with emotional intelligence, empathy, and immune-based diseases. In this study, we used a combination of psychometric scales to examine the relationships of depression with emotional intelligence (intrapersonal and interpersonal), empathy (affective and cognitive), and symptoms of weakened immune system. Methods This cross-sectional prospective study examined 158 volunteers (39 males and 119 females). A score of 10 or more on the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) was used to define depression. The Cognitive and Affective Empathy Test (TECA) was used to assess empathy, and the Profile of Emotional Competence (PEC) was used to assess the self-perception of intrapersonal and interpersonal competence. The symptoms of a weakened immune system (WIS) were assessed by measurements of permanent tiredness, frequent infections and colds, slow wound healing, persistent and recurrent diarrhea, recurring herpes, insomnia and difficulty sleeping, and dry eyes. Results The total PEC score and intrapersonal PEC score had negative correlations with depression, and the WIS score had a positive correlation with depression. The TECA score had no significant correlation with depression or the WIS score, but had positive correlations with the total PEC score, intrapersonal PEC score, and interpersonal PEC score. Conclusion The total PEC score, intrapersonal PEC score, and WIS score were significantly associated with depression. The TECA score was not significantly associated with depression or the WIS score. Our findings suggest that improving intrapersonal emotional skills may improve function of the immune system and reduce the symptoms of depression. We suggest that further studies examine the effect of targeted improvement of interpersonal skills (empathy) on depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Grases
- Centro de Enseñanza Superior Alberta Gimenez (CESAG), Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | | | - Pilar Sanchis
- University Institute of Health Sciences Research (IUNICS- IdisBa), University of Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Felix Grases
- University Institute of Health Sciences Research (IUNICS- IdisBa), University of Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
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6
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Shalev I, Eran A, Uzefovsky F. Fluctuations and individual differences in empathy interact with stress to predict mental health, parenting, and relationship outcomes. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1237278. [PMID: 37928564 PMCID: PMC10621795 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1237278] [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: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Empathy is a complex, multifaceted ability allowing for the most basic forms of social communication and plays a prominent role in multiple aspects of everyday lives. In this intensive longitudinal study, we assessed how empathy interacts with stress to predict central domains of psychosocial functioning: mental health, romantic relationships, and parenting. Methods Fluctuations and individual differences in empathy were assessed across eight time points, where participants from the general population (N = 566) self-reported their empathy, stress, depressive symptoms, romantic satisfaction, and parental functioning. Results Both trait and state aspects of empathy were associated with all psychosocial outcomes, with state empathy showing a stronger effect. Additionally, empathy components interacted with stress-emotional empathy better-predicted outcomes under high stress, while cognitive empathy under low stress. Discussion Our findings advance the theoretical understanding of empathy, emphasizing the effects of state-dependent empathy fluctuations on our everyday mental and social lives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ido Shalev
- Department of Psychology, Ben Gurion University, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Alal Eran
- Computational Health Informatics Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
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Chronic stress and stressful emotional contagion affect the empathy-like behavior of rats. COGNITIVE, AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2023:10.3758/s13415-023-01081-9. [PMID: 36899132 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-023-01081-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Empathy is a potential motivation for prosocial behaviors that is related to many psychiatric diseases, such as major depressive disorder; however, its neural mechanisms remain unclear. To elucidate the relationship between empathy and stress, we established a chronic stress contagion (SC) procedure combined with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) to investigate (1) whether depressive rats show impaired empathy-like behavior toward fearful conspecifics, (2) whether frequent social contact with normal familiar conspecifics (social support) alleviates the negative effects of CUMS, and (3) the effect of long-term exposure to a depressed partner on emotional and empathic responses in normal rats. We found that the CUMS group showed less empathy-like behavior in the social transfer of fear model (STFM), as indicated by less social interaction with the demonstrator and reduced freezing behavior in the fear-expression test. Social contact partially alleviated depression-like behaviors and the negative effect of CUMS in the fear-transfer test. The normal rats who experienced stress contagion from daily exposure to a depressed partner for 3 weeks showed lower anxiety and increased social response in the fear-transfer test than the control group. We concluded that chronic stress impairs empathy-like behaviors, while social contact partially buffers the effect of CUMS. Thus, social contact or contagion of stress is mutually beneficial to both stressed individuals and nonstressed partners. Higher dopamine and lower norepinephrine levels in the basolateral amygdala probably contributed to these beneficial effects.
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8
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Bitar Z, Elias MB, Malaeb D, Hallit S, Obeid S. Is cyberbullying perpetration associated with anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation among lebanese adolescents? Results from a cross-sectional study. BMC Psychol 2023; 11:53. [PMID: 36829238 PMCID: PMC9951827 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01091-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As cyberbullying is a new area of investigation, results worldwide point to the prevalence of cyberbullying perpetration. This study aimed to assess the association between cyberbullying perpetration, anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation among Lebanese adolescents. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted between May and June 2021 and included a sample of adolescents aged between 13 and 16 years old, recruited from private schools chosen in a convenient way from all Lebanese districts. A total of 520 students accepted to participate in our study. To collect data, a questionnaire was shared by google form including: Cyber Bully/Cyber victim questionnaire; Lebanese Anxiety Scale; and Patient Health Questionnaire for Adolescents. RESULTS The results of the linear regressions, taking anxiety and depression as dependent variables, showed that female gender, having kind of hard and very/extremely hard influence of problems on daily work, sexual cyberbullying in cyberspace, embarrassing and inserting malicious content in cyberspace and older age were significantly associated with more anxiety and depression. Having kind of hard influence of problems on daily work compared to not at all, higher anxiety, higher depression and higher household crowding index (lower socioeconomic status) were significantly associated with higher odds of having suicidal ideation in the last month. CONCLUSION Cyberbullying perpetration and its associated factors reported in this study are significant enough to call for early detection and prevention strategies for Lebanese adolescents. At the school level, effective programs implemented in the school years are needed, aiming to develop social/emotional control, and conflict resolution skills as they might decrease engagement in cyberbullying perpetration among adolescents. Preventive interventions are needed to reduce the engagement of Lebanese adolescents in cyberbullying perpetration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Bitar
- grid.460789.40000 0004 4910 6535Faculty of medicine, Paris-Saclay University, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Marie-Belle Elias
- grid.444434.70000 0001 2106 3658School of Arts and Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon
| | - Diana Malaeb
- grid.411884.00000 0004 1762 9788College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, P.O. Box 4184, Ajman, United Arab Emirates ,grid.444421.30000 0004 0417 6142School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Souheil Hallit
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon. .,Applied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan. .,Research Department, Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, Jal Eddib, Lebanon.
| | - Sahar Obeid
- Social and Education Sciences Department, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Jbeil, Lebanon.
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Winters DE, Pruitt PJ, Gambin M, Fukui S, Cyders MA, Pierce BJ, Lay K, Damoiseaux JS. Cognitive and Affective Empathy as Indirect Paths Between Heterogeneous Depression Symptoms on Default Mode and Salience Network Connectivity in Adolescents. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2023; 54:213-222. [PMID: 34518947 PMCID: PMC8918056 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-021-01242-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Depression amongst adolescents is a prevalent disorder consisting of heterogeneous emotional and functional symptoms-often involving impairments in social domains such as empathy. Cognitive and affective components of empathy as well as their associated neural networks (default mode network for cognitive empathy and salience network for affective empathy) are affected by depression. Depression commonly onsets during adolescence, a critical period for brain development underlying empathy. However, the available research in this area conceptualizes depression as a homogenous construct, and thereby miss to represent the full spectrum of symptoms. The present study aims to extend previous literature by testing whether cognitive and affective empathy indirectly account for associations between brain network connectivity and heterogeneous depression symptoms in adolescents. Heterogeneous functional and emotional symptoms of depression were measured using the child depression inventory. Our results indicate that cognitive empathy mediates the association between default mode network functional connectivity and emotional symptoms of depression. More specifically, that adolescents with a stronger positive association between the default mode network and cognitive empathy show lower emotional depression symptoms. This finding highlights the importance of cognitive empathy in the relationship between brain function and depression symptoms, which may be an important consideration for existing models of depression in adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew E Winters
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Patrick J Pruitt
- Department of Psychology and Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | | | - Sadaaki Fukui
- Indiana University School of Social Work, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Melissa A Cyders
- Department of Psychology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | | | - Kathy Lay
- Indiana University School of Social Work, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Jessica S Damoiseaux
- Department of Psychology and Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
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10
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Tikkanen L, Anttila H, Pyhältö K, Soini T, Pietarinen J. The role of empathy between peers in upper secondary students’ study engagement and burnout. Front Psychol 2022; 13:978546. [PMID: 36248570 PMCID: PMC9561899 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.978546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Having the ability to understand emotionally how other people feel and see things is an essential fabric for building and sustaining functional interpersonal relationships. Without such an ability, social interaction crumbles, engagement fails, and learning is eroded. Yet, empirical evidence on the relationship between study burnout and study engagement, and empathy between upper secondary school students is limited. We are tackling the challenge by exploring the association between empathy between peers and study engagement and study burnout among upper secondary school students. Two hundred and eighty upper secondary education students took part in our cross-sectional study. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the association between empathy (i.e., cognitive and affective empathy), and study burnout and study engagement. The results showed that cognitive empathy contributed to affective empathy, which was further related to increased levels of study engagement, and decreased levels of cynicism, and sense of inadequacy. The role of cognitive empathy seemed to be more complicated: while cognitive empathy contributed directly to increased levels of cynicism, and inadequacy and decrease in study engagement, the indirect effects of cognitive empathy (through affective empathy) on cynicism and inadequacy were negative, and positive on study engagement. Neither of the empathy dimensions explained students’ emotional exhaustion. The results indicate that merely teaching students to recognize and identify their peers’ emotions is not sufficient to enhance study wellbeing, but they need to learn to share emotions and to tune into each other’s emotions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lotta Tikkanen
- School of Applied Educational Science and Teacher Education, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
- Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- *Correspondence: Lotta Tikkanen,
| | - Henrika Anttila
- Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kirsi Pyhältö
- Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Centre for Higher and Adult Education, Faculty of Education, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Tiina Soini
- Faculty of Education and Culture, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Janne Pietarinen
- Philosophical Faculty, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
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11
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Adolfo CS, Albougami ASB, Roque MY, Aruta JJBR, Almazan JU. An integrative review of negative emotions of older adults in later life. Nurs Forum 2022; 57:1452-1464. [PMID: 35962773 DOI: 10.1111/nuf.12785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Older adults are one of the most vulnerable populations requiring scientific, psychological, and clinical attention. Although several studies have explored psychoemotional needs in later life, one critical gap in the literature is a shortage of studies comprehensively reviewing negative emotional experiences and their antecedents associated with later life. AIM This integrative review aims to identify negative emotional experiences during older adult years. METHODS This review of articles from Medline, CINAHL, Science Direct, Web of Science, ProQuest, and Taylor and Francis synthesized negative emotional experiences during older adult years. Across these six electronic databases, we searched and identified 17 relevant articles from 2005 to 2020 containing quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method studies. RESULTS Based on the review, we identified five negative emotions (sadness, anxiety, frustration, anger, and loneliness). These negative emotions were rooted in marital problems, separation from families, medical problems, physical functioning and disability, and financial limitations. Additionally, we identified common antecedents of negative emotions. CONCLUSION At the center of numerous interventions, older adults are reinvigorated to understand the antecedents of negative emotions. The complex array of emotions, specifically regrets and frustration in later life, is depicted by more negativity than positivity. Such array of emotions could help develop strategies to prevent the causes of regret and frustration that nurses see when working with older adults in a clinical practice setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cris S Adolfo
- Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Majmaah, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Mark Y Roque
- College of Nursing, Taibah University, Taibah, Saudi Arabia
| | - John Jamir Benzon R Aruta
- Counseling and Educational Psychology Department, Br. Andrew Gonzalez, FSC College of Education, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines.,Department of Psychology, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Joseph U Almazan
- Nazarbayev University School of Medicine, Nazarbayev University, Nursultan, Kazakhstan
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12
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Lawrence TI. Parental support, marital conflict, and stress as predictors of depressive symptoms among African American adolescents. Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry 2022; 27:630-643. [PMID: 35200051 DOI: 10.1177/13591045211070163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Given the increase of depressive symptoms among adolescents, it is essential to investigate familial and temperamental correlates of depressive symptoms such as parental support, marital conflict, and stress. Thus, using a cross-sectional design, the current study examined whether parental support, marital conflict, and stress predicted depressive symptoms. Then, using structural equation modeling, this study tested whether stress mediated the relationships among parental support, marital conflict, and depressive symptoms among African American adolescents while controlling for sex (N = 883). Results suggest that maternal support negatively related to depressive symptoms in contrast to stress and marital conflict. However, paternal support and sex were not statistically associated with depressive symptoms. Mediation results suggest that stress explained the relationships among parental support, marital conflict, and depressive symptoms. Family therapy and depression reduction implications are discussed.
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13
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Yu Q, Wang Z, Li Z, Liu X, Oteng Agyeman F, Wang X. Hierarchical Structure of Depression Knowledge Network and Co-word Analysis of Focus Areas. Front Psychol 2022; 13:920920. [PMID: 35664156 PMCID: PMC9160970 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.920920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Contemporarily, depression has become a common psychiatric disorder that influences people's life quality and mental state. This study presents a systematic review analysis of depression based on a hierarchical structure approach. This research provides a rich theoretical foundation for understanding the hot spots, evolutionary trends, and future related research directions and offers further guidance for practice. This investigation contributes to knowledge by combining robust methodological software for analysis, including Citespace, Ucinet, and Pajek. This paper employed the bibliometric methodology to analyze 5,000 research articles concerning depression. This current research also employed the BibExcel software to bibliometrically measure the keywords of the selected articles and further conducted a co-word matrix analysis. Additionally, Pajek software was used to conduct a co-word network analysis to obtain a co-word network diagram of depression. Further, Ucinet software was utilized to calculate K-core values, degree centrality, and mediated centrality to better present the research hotspots, sort out the current status and reveal the research characteristics in the field of depression with valuable information and support for subsequent research. This research indicates that major depressive disorder, anxiety, and mental health had a high occurrence among adolescents and the aged. This present study provides policy recommendations for the government, non-governmental organizations and other philanthropic agencies to help furnish resources for treating and controlling depression orders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyue Yu
- College of Computer Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, China
| | - Zihao Wang
- College of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Zeyu Li
- Jingjiang College of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Xuejun Liu
- College of Computer Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, China
| | | | - Xinxing Wang
- School of Management, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
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14
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Yan Z, Zhu X, Zhou K, Deng Q, Zeng X. The Mediating Role of Affective Empathy in the Relationship Between Insecure Attachment and Depressive Symptoms Among Emerging Adult. JOURNAL OF ADULT DEVELOPMENT 2022; 29:279-286. [PMID: 35600507 PMCID: PMC9107597 DOI: 10.1007/s10804-022-09402-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Insecure attachment is regarded as a risk factor for depressive symptoms. However, insecure attachment can be divided into attachment avoidance and anxiety, so a better understanding of the relationship between attachment avoidance, attachment anxiety, and depressive symptoms is needed. The current study applied a structural equation model to verify our hypothesis that different facets of affective empathy mediate the relationship between attachment avoidance, attachment anxiety, and depressive symptoms. The participants of this study included four hundred and sixty-four undergraduate students who completed the Experiences in Close Relationships-Relationship Structures Questionnaire, Interpersonal Reactivity Index, and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. The results indicated that the correlation between attachment avoidance and depressive symptoms was mediated by empathic concern, while the correlation between attachment anxiety and depressive symptoms was mediated by personal distress. These results implied that attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety work on depressive symptoms through different pathways.
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15
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Chocho-Orellana ÁX, Samper-García P, Malonda-Vidal E, Llorca-Mestre A, Zarco-Alpuente A, Mestre-Escrivá V. Psychosocial Effects of COVID-19 in the Ecuadorian and Spanish Populations: A Cross-Cultural Study. Front Psychol 2022; 13:803290. [PMID: 35572278 PMCID: PMC9099241 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.803290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The world's population is currently overcoming one of the worst pandemics, and the psychological and social effects of this are becoming more apparent. We will present an analysis of the psychosocial effects of COVID-19: first, a cross-sectional study in an Ecuadorian sample (n = 301) and second, a comparative study between two samples from the Ecuadorian and Spanish populations (n = 83 each one). Participants completed an online survey to (1) describe how they felt (depression, anxiety, and stress) before and after confinement; (2) analyze which emotional and behavioral variables predict depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress perceived after the confinement; (3) carry out a comparative study in a sample of Ecuadorian and Spanish surveys. Results indicate, first, that Ecuadorians experience significantly more depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress after confinement. Second, variables which predict depressive symptoms and anxiety are greater public prosocial tendency, less stress as a challenge, and greater stress as a threat, as well as an empathetic tendency that implies greater emotional regulation. Experienced stress after confinement was predicted by a greater public prosocial tendency, as well as an empathetic tendency. Finally, scores for depression, anxiety, and stress are higher after confinement in both countries. However, results reveal the similarity of the psychosocial effects that are being experienced, regardless of the country, and the differences in the variables that can help explain these effects. This can contribute to the constitution of intervention plans which aim to soften and alleviate the effects produced by a situation such as that experienced with COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángela Ximena Chocho-Orellana
- Department Educational Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, Letters and Educational Sciences, University of Azuay, Cuenca, Ecuador
| | - Paula Samper-García
- Faculty of Psychology, Department of Basic Psychology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- *Correspondence: Paula Samper-García
| | - Elisabeth Malonda-Vidal
- Faculty of Psychology, Department of Basic Psychology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Anna Llorca-Mestre
- Faculty of Psychology, Department of Basic Psychology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Alfredo Zarco-Alpuente
- Faculty of Psychology, Department of Basic Psychology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Vicenta Mestre-Escrivá
- Faculty of Psychology, Department of Basic Psychology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
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16
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Fagan J. Longitudinal Associations Among Low-Income Mothers' and Fathers' Parenting and Relationships with Children and Adolescent Depression. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2022; 50:1339-1350. [PMID: 35303747 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-022-00918-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Few studies have examined the associations among quality of parent-child relationships, parenting, and adolescent depression in samples of low-income mothers and fathers with large numbers of nonresidential fathers. This study used the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing data (N = 3,384) to examine the longitudinal associations among parent-child closeness, harsh parenting, and neglect when children were nine years old and adolescent depression at age 15. The findings indicated that children who perceived having close relationships with mothers and fathers at age nine reported significantly less depression at age 15, regardless of residential status. Moderation analyses showed a stronger negative relationship between daughters' closeness with mothers and depression than sons' closeness with mothers and depression. Daughters and sons who were close to fathers reported less depression. There were no significant associations among harsh discipline or neglect and depression. The findings support the use of interventions that promote healthy attachments and close parent-child relationships between low-income parents and children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay Fagan
- School of Social Work, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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17
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Gomez-Baya D, Babić Čikeš A, Hirnstein M, Kurtović A, Vrdoljak G, Wiium N. Positive Youth Development and Depression: An Examination of Gender Differences in Croatia and Spain. Front Psychol 2022; 12:689354. [PMID: 35126220 PMCID: PMC8814576 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.689354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is a major public health issue and the literature has consistently showed that the rates of depression increase dramatically during youth transition to adulthood, and gender differences merge in this period. Positive youth development (PYD) framework is focused on strengths that make young people more resistant to negative outcomes, like depression, and more capable to choose a positive life direction. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between the 5Cs of PYD and depression in Croatia and Spain, as well as to analyze gender differences. This research was conducted within the PYD Cross-National Project. High school and university students from Eastern Croatia and Southern Spain participated in the study (M age = 19.37, SD = 2.11; 62.3% female). There were 584 students from Croatia and 768 students from Spain, who filled in self-reports of PYD and depression (i.e., PYD-SF and PHQ-9, respectively). Results showed that male participants presented more Competence and Confidence, while female participants reported more Connection, Caring, Character, overall PYD, but also more depressive symptoms. Furthermore, Confidence and Connection were negative correlates of depressive symptoms, with neither Spain nor Croatia showing remarkable gender differences. These results may have some implications concerning the promotion of the 5Cs of PYD as a recommendable approach to promote youth mental health in Croatia and Spain from a gender perspective. Youth mental health services and initiatives that engage the partnership of youth contexts, such as the family, schools and neighborhoods, should not only address risk factors for mental health problems, but also protecting factors as the 5Cs, thus providing a more inclusive and sustainable support for youth well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Gomez-Baya
- Department of Social, Developmental and Educational Psychology, Faculty of Education, Psychology and Sport Sciences, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain
| | - Ana Babić Čikeš
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Marina Hirnstein
- Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ana Kurtović
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Gabrijela Vrdoljak
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Nora Wiium
- Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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18
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Zhang Q, Shek DTL, Pan Y. Parent-Child Discrepancies in Perceived Parent-Child Communication and Depressive Symptoms in Early Adolescents in China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:12041. [PMID: 34831792 PMCID: PMC8624406 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182212041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Although recent studies demonstrated that parent-child discrepancies in the perceived family processes were associated with children's developmental outcomes, few studies have addressed this issue in different types of families in mainland China. The present study investigated that how discrepancies in parents' and adolescents' perceptions of parent-adolescent communication were associated with early adolescent depressive symptoms in a nationally representative sample (N = 15,377) with 7010 father-adolescent dyads (adolescents: Mage = 14.24 years, SD = 1.25 years; 5960 adolescents from two-parent families, 443 adolescents from single-father families) and 8367 mother-adolescent dyads (adolescents: Mage = 14.02 years, SD = 1.18 years; 6670 adolescents from two-parent families, 1362 adolescents from single-mother families) in China. Adolescent respondents completed a measure of depressive symptoms and all informants reported on the perceived levels of parent-adolescent communication. Results indicated that adolescents reported parent-child communication more negatively than did their parents. Father-adolescent discrepancies were also greater in intact families than non-intact families. Polynomial regression analyses indicated that while there was a significant interactive effect of father-reported and adolescent-reported father-adolescent communication in Chinese two-parent families, no significant interaction was found for mother-adolescent dyad. Besides, adolescent-reported mother-child communication interacted with mother-reported communication in Chinese single-mother families only. The findings clarify parent-adolescent discrepancies in parent-child communication in different types of families in China and they have theoretical and practical implications on the role of discrepancies in parents and adolescent children on perceived parent-adolescent communication in early adolescent depressive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiongwen Zhang
- Research Institute of Social Development, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu 611130, China;
| | - Daniel T. L. Shek
- Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China;
| | - Yangu Pan
- Research Institute of Social Development, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu 611130, China;
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19
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Yan Z, Zeng X, Su J, Zhang X. The dark side of empathy: Meta-analysis evidence of the relationship between empathy and depression. Psych J 2021; 10:794-804. [PMID: 34494388 DOI: 10.1002/pchj.482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Regardless of a large amount of literature, whether empathy closely relates to depression is far from conclusive. The present study collected previous evidence and performed a meta-analysis to investigate the correlation between empathy and depression. By searching databases, 21 studies and 48 effect sizes were collected. Results showed that empathy was not correlated to depression (r = .006, p = .87). However, subgroup analyses showed that while the relationship between affective empathy and depression was significantly positively correlated (r = .108, p < .01), cognitive empathy was not (r = -.03, p = .26). Additionally, the relationship between empathy and depression varied during development, with a positive correlation in adolescence (r = .084, p < .01) and negative correlation in older adults (r = -.191, p < .001). Results implied that affective empathy might be one of the risk factors for depression, and higher affective empathy might mean more vulnerability to depression. Further studies would help by examining when and how this relationship builds, as well as the contributing factors of its development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Yan
- Department of Psychology, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China.,Cognition and Human Behavior Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiao Zeng
- School of Educational Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Jinlong Su
- School of Psychology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoxi Zhang
- Department of Normal, Jiujiang Vocational University, Jiujiang, China
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20
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Calandri E, Graziano F, Begotti T, Cattelino E, Gattino S, Rollero C, Fedi A. Adjustment to COVID-19 Lockdown Among Italian University Students: The Role of Concerns, Change in Peer and Family Relationships and in Learning Skills, Emotional, and Academic Self-Efficacy on Depressive Symptoms. Front Psychol 2021; 12:643088. [PMID: 34489777 PMCID: PMC8416775 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.643088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In Italy strict containment measures against COVID-19 pandemic were implemented from March to May 2020 with home confinement and schools and universities closed. Students shifted to remote learning, experienced a forced isolation from peers and an increased sharing of time and spaces with the family. The influence of these aspects on the psychological adjustment of university students is largely unexplored. This paper was aimed at investigating the role of some correlates of depressive symptoms specific to the lockdown condition experienced by young university students, namely contagion concern, perceived worsening of family, and peer relationships and perceived worsening of learning skills. Moreover, the possible mediating effects of emotional and academic self-efficacy in these relationships were examined. Data were collected from 296 Italian university students (aged 18–25 years; 83% female students) through an online survey by means of a snowball sampling methodology in May 2020. Significant depressive symptoms were reported by 67% of participants. Contagion concerns were related to depressive symptoms through the mediating effect of emotional self-efficacy. Worsening of learning skills was related to depressive symptoms through the mediating effect of academic self-efficacy. Depressive symptoms were directly related to worsening of family relationships but unrelated to worsening of peer relationships. Results are discussed in relation to the need of preventive interventions for this specific population in view of academic activities planning in the post-COVID 19 period.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tatiana Begotti
- Department of Psychology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Elena Cattelino
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Aosta Valley, Aosta, Italy
| | - Silvia Gattino
- Department of Psychology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Chiara Rollero
- Department of Psychology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Angela Fedi
- Department of Psychology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
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21
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Associations of affective and cognitive empathy with depressive symptoms among a sample of Chinese college freshmen. J Affect Disord 2021; 292:652-659. [PMID: 34153836 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.05.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND College freshmen are at high risk for mental and socioemotional problems after entering a new environment. However, few investigators have evaluated the associations between empathy and depressive symptoms among college freshmen. The present study examined the presence and associations of affective and cognitive empathy with depressive symptoms among college freshmen in China. METHODS In total, 4297 college freshmen completed the Interpersonal Reactivity Index as an assessment of empathy and the University Personality Inventory to evaluate the prevalence of depressive symptoms. RESULTS The empathy scores of females were higher than that of males, and approximately 18.4% of freshmen had high-depressive symptoms (HDS). Freshmen with a higher positive component of affective empathy (empathic concern (EC)) experienced fewer HDS. In contrast, freshmen with a higher negative component of affective empathy (personal distress (PD)) and lower cognitive empathy (perspective taking (PT)) experienced more HDS. EC was negatively associated with depressive symptoms, PD was positively related to depressive symptoms, and PT was negatively associated with depressive symptoms. Males with a higher degree of PT experienced fewer HDS, while females with a higher degree of PT experienced more HDS. CONCLUSION Affective empathy was positively associated with depressive symptoms, while cognitive empathy was negatively related to depressive symptoms. The association between affective and cognitive empathy with depressive symptoms may add some support to the detection of clinical depressive symptoms. These findings call for the necessity of considering the characteristics of affective and cognitive empathy as a crucial concern in the prevention of depressive symptoms.
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22
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Zeng Y, Ye B, Zhang Y, Yang Q. Family Cohesion and Stress Consequences Among Chinese College Students During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Moderated Mediation Model. Front Public Health 2021; 9:703899. [PMID: 34336777 PMCID: PMC8319383 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.703899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Family plays a pivotal role in individuals' mental health. During the COVID-19 epidemic, people were being quarantined at home to prevent the further spread of the virus. Therefore, the influence of family on individuals is more significant than usual. It is reasonable to assume that family cohesion can effectively alleviate the stress consequences during the COVID-19 epidemic. In the present study, a moderated mediation model was constructed to examine the mechanisms underlying the association between family cohesion and stress consequences among Chinese college students. A large sample of Chinese college students (N = 1,254, Mage = 19.85, SDage = 1.29) participated in the study. Results indicated that family cohesion was negatively related to stress consequences. Fear of COVID-19 partially mediated the link between family cohesion and stress consequences. Excessive affective empathy reported by participants served to aggravate the relation between fear of COVID-19 and stress consequences. The study helps us understand how internal and external factors affect individual mental health that provides meaningful implications for promoting mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yadi Zeng
- Center of Preschool Education, Center of Mental Health Education and Research, School of Psychology, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, China
| | - Baojuan Ye
- Center of Preschool Education, Center of Mental Health Education and Research, School of Psychology, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yanzhen Zhang
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Qiang Yang
- Center of Preschool Education, School of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, China
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23
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Cross-Cultural Perspectives on the Role of Empathy during COVID-19’s First Wave. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13137431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has spread throughout the world, and concerns about psychological, social, and economic consequences are growing rapidly. Individuals’ empathy-based reactions towards others may be an important resilience factor in the face of COVID-19. Self-report data from 15,375 participants across 23 countries were collected from May to August 2020 during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, this study examined different facets of empathy—Perspective-Taking, Empathic Concern, and Personal Distress, and their association with cross-cultural ratings on Individualism, Power Distance, The Human Development Index, Social Support Ranking, and the Infectious Disease Vulnerability Index, as well as the currently confirmed number of cases of COVID-19 at the time of data collection. The highest ratings on Perspective-Taking were obtained for USA, Brazil, Italy, Croatia, and Armenia (from maximum to minimum); on Empathetic Concern, for the USA, Brazil, Hungary, Italy, and Indonesia; and on Personal Distress, from Brazil, Turkey, Italy, Armenia, Indonesia. Results also present associations between demographic factors and empathy across countries. Limitations and future directions are presented.
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24
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Calandri E, Graziano F, Rollé L. Social Media, Depressive Symptoms and Well-Being in Early Adolescence. The Moderating Role of Emotional Self-Efficacy and Gender. Front Psychol 2021; 12:660740. [PMID: 34108915 PMCID: PMC8180571 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.660740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of the psychological effects of social media use on adolescents' adjustment has long been the focus of psychological research, but results are still inconclusive. In particular, there is a lack of research on the positive and negative developmental outcomes and on possible moderating variables, especially concerning early adolescence. To fill these gaps in literature, the present study longitudinally investigated the relationships between social media use, depressive symptoms, affective well-being and life satisfaction, as well as the moderating role of emotional self-efficacy and gender. The study involved 336 Italian early adolescents (mean age = 13, sd = 0.3; 48% girls) who completed an anonymous self-report questionnaire twice within a year. Main results showed that higher social media use was related to higher depressive symptoms, lower affective well-being and lower life satisfaction among girls with lower emotional self-efficacy. Conversely, high social media use was related to higher affective well-being and higher life satisfaction for girls with higher emotional self-efficacy. Results are discussed in relation to their implications for risk prevention and health promotion among early adolescents. In particular, our results suggest that promoting emotional self-efficacy can be very helpful in making the use of social media an opportunity for well-being and life satisfaction rather than a developmental risk.
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25
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Reparaz C, Rivas S, Osorio A, Garcia-Zavala G. A Parental Competence Scale: Dimensions and Their Association With Adolescent Outcomes. Front Psychol 2021; 12:652884. [PMID: 33935914 PMCID: PMC8082951 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.652884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Positive family functioning during adolescence is usually studied analyzing parents' competences and children's relationship abilities. We present an instrument for the assessment of parental competence, which encompasses both educational style and transmission of values. The objective of the study was to analyze its factor structure and to assess its value in predicting adolescent outcomes. We recruited 2,459 high school students, aged 12–15, in 40 schools from Spain, Peru, Mexico, and Chile. They responded to the instrument and to other questions regarding lifestyles. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were carried out in order to assess the internal structure of the instrument, and internal consistency of the resulting dimensions was calculated. Finally, regression analyses were performed to establish associations between the parenting dimensions and adolescent outcomes. Factor analyses showed a consistent structure, with good fit indices in the four countries. The final four factors include parenting styles (Warmth and Demandingness) and education in values (Fortitude and Privacy). Regression analyses showed associations with adolescent outcomes. For example, adolescents' life satisfaction was best predicted by Warmth and Education in fortitude. Practical implications are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charo Reparaz
- School of Education and Psychology, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Sonia Rivas
- School of Education and Psychology, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Alfonso Osorio
- School of Education and Psychology, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Institute for Culture and Society, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,IdisNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
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26
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The role of empathy in the mechanism linking parental psychological control to emotional reactivities to COVID-19 pandemic: A pilot study among Chinese emerging adults. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2020; 168:110399. [PMID: 32982001 PMCID: PMC7500908 DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2020.110399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its worldwide spread have brought economic, social and personal stress. To better understand human adjustments to this public health emergency and its underlying mechanism, the relationship between perceived parental psychological control in emerging adults and individual's emotional reactivity to COVID-19 as well as the role of empathy was examined. The study was conducted among 445 emerging adults using questionnaires measuring parental psychological control, empathy, and emotional reactivities in the initial stage of COVID-19. Results revealed that parental psychological control conferred risks for individual's increased negative emotional reactivity to this pandemic. Moreover, our findings shedlight on personal distress as a mechanism through which parental psychological control induces negative emotional reactivities. Although no direct effect between parental psychological control and positive emotional reactivity was found, personal distress and perspective taking mediate the association in an opposite way. Findings have implications for predicting and intervening mental health problems in COVID-19 pandemic and future public health emergency.
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