Association of social support with negative emotions among Chinese adolescents during Omicron-related lockdown of Shenzhen City: The roles of rumination and sleep quality

Effects of eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing on depressive symptoms, stress and rumination in adolescents with depression: a randomised controlled trial

Background: Adolescent depression patients who have experienced stressful life events usually have more severe symptoms. Existing treatment plans are not effective in reducing the high recurrence rate of adolescent depression. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an integrative therapy, can effectively alleviate depressive symptoms, but the evidence of its effectiveness in treating adolescent depression is still insufficient.Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of EMDR in combination with medication in treating depressed adolescents.Methods: A total of 30 adolescent patients with depression were recruited and randomly divided into two groups: EMDR co-treated with an SSRI medication or an SSRI medication used alone. The intervention group received standardised EMDR treatment. The primary outcome indicators were the 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17) and the Impact of Events Scale (IES-R), while the secondary outcomes were the Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (SES).Results: In the end, 30 people completed the experiment, 15 from each of the intervention and control groups. The intervention group received EMDR treatment three times a week for 2 weeks, with a total of 6 sessions, each lasting 60 min. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant interaction between time and group on children's HAMD-17, IES-R, and RRS scores (all p < .05). Linear mixed models revealed that increasing the IES-R score was associated with an increase in depression levels (estimate value = 0.104, p = .019), while increasing the SES score was associated with a decrease in the depression levels (estimate value = -0.298, p = .021).Conclusions: Incorporating EMDR add-on therapy to medication for adolescent depressed patients with stressful life events can effectively reduce the degree of impact of stressful life events on patients, as well as reduce depressive symptoms and rumination thinking.

Impact of childhood psychological abuse on the trajectory of adolescent depressive symptoms: a latent growth modeling approach

BACKGROUND

Although researchers have examined the impact of childhood psychological abuse on adolescent depressive symptoms, further investigation is needed to understand the mechanisms by which childhood psychological abuse influences these symptoms.

METHODS

Utilizing a latent variable growth model, this study analyzed the dynamic trajectories of depressive symptoms among 1,300 adolescents from four middle schools in Jiangsu Province and Sichuan Province, as well as the factors influencing these trajectories. A longitudinal survey was conducted with three rounds of questionnaires over the course of a semester. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 24.0 and Mplus 7.0.

RESULTS

The findings revealed several key points: (1) Depressive symptoms among adolescents generally showed a linear decline; however, there were significant individual differences in initial symptom levels and rates of change; (2) Childhood psychological abuse was found to significantly predict both initial levels and the pace of change in depressive symptoms; (3) All three dimensions of childhood psychological abuse-verbal aggression, threats, and intrusiveness-significantly influenced both initial symptom levels and the trajectory of change; (4) The dynamics of psychological abuse were significantly correlated with the rate of change in depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSION

The results highlight the detrimental effects of childhood psychological abuse and suggest the feasibility of interventions targeting early secondary school students, providing insights into strategies to mitigate the impact of depressive symptoms among adolescents.

Social support and psychological distress of patients with pituitary adenomas: chain-mediated effects of self-efficacy and rumination

Introduction

Psychological distress in patients with pituitary adenomas affects their quality of life and is influenced by various aspects such as sociocultural factors, personal resources, and stressors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the chain-mediated role of self-efficacy and rumination in the relationship between social support and psychological distress.

Methods

The study was based on the Wilson-Cleary model of health-related quality of life and self-efficacy theory. We investigated 500 patients with surgically treated pituitary adenomas in three tertiary hospitals in Shaanxi Province, China. We used the "Social Support" and "General Self-Efficacy" scales, "Rumination Scale," and the "Psychological Distress in Patients with Pituitary Adenomas" questionnaire to conduct the survey, and the data were analyzed using structural equation modeling and bootstrap methods to examine the relationships between the variables.

Results

The results showed that there was a significant positive correlation between social support and self-efficacy, social support and self-efficacy negatively predicted rumination and psychological distress, respectively. Rumination significant positive correlation with psychological distress, and social support, indirectly affected psychological distress through the chain-mediated effect of self-efficacy and rumination. This represents a compound multiple mediating effect on psychological distress.

Discussion

Clinical practitioners should enhance social support for patients with pituitary adenomas, improve patients' self-efficacy, and mitigate rumination to reduce patients' psychological distress.

Network analysis of loneliness, mental, and physical health in Czech adolescents

BACKGROUND

The increasing urgency to address rising loneliness among adolescents has become a critical issue, underscoring the need for further studies on its association with mental and physical health. The objective was to examine the changes in loneliness and its relation to mental and physical health issues in three adolescent age groups.

METHODS

A total sample of 14,588 Czech pupils (50.7% boys, mean age 13.6 ± 1.7 years) in grades 5, 7 and 9 was used from a representative dataset of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study. The network analysis based on undirected graphical models was used as an exploratory technique to assess and test the structure of the data.

RESULTS

The association between loneliness and health decreased with age. There was a significant positive association between loneliness, feeling low, and irritability. No significant direct association between loneliness and physical health complaints was found.

CONCLUSION

Further studies, preferably of longitudinal character, are needed to confirm the changes in associations between loneliness and mental and physical health outcomes.

The mediating effect of sleep quality on the relationship between social support and depressive symptoms among Chinese nurses during the omicron outbreak

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased depressive symptoms and diminished sleep quality among nurses. This study explores the relationships among social support, sleep quality, and depressive symptoms among Chinese nurses during the COVID-19 outbreak, with a focus on the mediating role of sleep quality.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study involving 2140 nurses was conducted from August to September 2022. The participants completed the Social Support Rating Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The data were analyzed via serial multiple mediation analysis with the PROCESS macro in SPSS.

RESULTS

Depressive symptoms affected an estimated 40.4% of the participants, with 69.2% reporting poor sleep quality. The present study revealed a significant negative correlation between social support and sleep quality and depressive symptoms (r = -0.229, p < 0.001; r = -0.322, p < 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, a substantial positive correlation was observed between sleep quality and depressive symptoms (r = 0.514, p < 0.001). Additionally, social support had a significant indirect effect on depressive symptoms through sleep quality (standardized effect = -0.0535, 95% CI = [-0.0648, -0.0424]). Sleep quality was found to mediate the relationship between social support and depressive symptoms in all subgroups, with variations based on years of experience, education levels, and hospital type.

CONCLUSION

Depressive symptoms were inversely associated with social support, which was moderated by sleep quality. Interventions targeting social support provision and sleep quality promotion are suggested for managing depressive symptoms among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Factors associated with caregiver burden among family members of persons with schizophrenia in urban communities of China

OBJECTIVE

Family caregivers bear a heavy burden while providing care for those with schizophrenia, and they frequently play an important role in this regard. The present study examined the degree of caregiver burden and characteristics related to it among family caregivers of persons with schizophrenia in Chinese urban settings.

METHODS

Between August 2023 and June 2024, a cross-sectional study was conducted of 401 family caregivers of persons with schizophrenia living in metropolitan settings. The following measures were administered: the Zarit Burden interview (ZBI), General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ). Linear regression analyses were used to identify independent correlates of caregiver burden.

RESULTS

Family caregivers of persons with schizophrenia had an average ZBI score of 32.90(SD = 17.53) on a 0-88 scale, with the majority (80.0%) reporting moderate caregiver burden (scores of 21-39). The person with schizophrenia's marital status (not married), impulsive or aggressive conduct in the previous year, the caregiver's physical health (poor), and not having multiple caregivers were all independent correlates of caregiver burden.

CONCLUSIONS

Family caregivers of persons with schizophrenia experience a moderate level of caregiver burden. To lessen the psychological suffering of and strain on caregivers, it is important to intervene early on impulsive and aggressive conduct of persons with schizophrenia, effectively treat physical health problems of caregivers, and strengthen the social support system or otherwise provide assistance to those caring for persons with schizophrenia.

Mediation effect of perceived social support and psychological distress between psychological resilience and sleep quality among Chinese medical staff

Sleep quality is crucial for the personal well-being of healthcare professionals and the health outcomes of their patients. This study aims to explore the relationship between psychological resilience (PR), perceived social support (PSS), psychological distress (comprising anxiety,depression,and stress), and sleep quality. It also examines whether PSS and psychological distress function as chain mediators between PR and sleep quality. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted using a convenient sampling method, with 454 participants included. The survey instruments included the Connor and Davidson Resilience Scale, the Perceived Social Support Scale, the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Structural equation modeling revealed that PR significantly predicted sleep quality of Chinese medical staff. Psychological distress was identified as a mediating factor between PR and sleep quality. However, PSS did not directly mediate the relationship between PR and sleep quality. Instead, PSS and psychological distress were found to play a chain mediating role in the relationship between PR and sleep quality. This study provides new insights into the impact of PR on sleep quality, highlights the importance of PSS and psychological distress, and suggests practical implications for enhancing sleep quality among medical staff.

The relationship between perceived social support and rumination among parents of children with autism: moderating effect of the degree of intervention received by children

Objective

As the number of children diagnosed with autism rises year by year, the issue of nurturing this particular group becomes increasingly salient. Parents of autistic children, as the nearest and most reliable caregivers for their children, shoulder immense psychological strain and accountability. They are compelled to confront an array of daily life challenges presented by their children, as well as endure multiple pressures such as societal scrutiny and financial burdens. Consequently, the mental health status of the parents is of utmost significance.

Methods

In this study, questionnaire survey combined with literature analysis were applied. The rumination thinking scale and the social support scale were used to investigate the relationship between social support perceived by parents of autistic children and rumination. Meanwhile, the moderating effects of intervention on children with autism were also explored. It hopes that our research would provide a basis for alleviating psychological stress and improving the mental health levels of the parents. A total of 303 parents of children with autism were collected (including 160 females and 143 males). Corresponding data analyses were conducted using SPSS 26.0.

Results

Parents of autistic children generally exhibited high levels of rumination, with significant gender differences. At the same time, the perceived social support by the parents significantly influenced their level of rumination. It showed that the higher the social support received by parents, the lower the level of rumination. More importantly, the extent of intervention received by the children had a regulating effect on rumination of their parents.

Conclusion

The personalized psychological support programs should be developed based on the actual situation of parents, to better manage the challenges presented by raising a child with autism. Our findings would provide important theoretical underpinnings and practical guidance for psychological intervention efforts aimed at families of autistic children. Moreover, these findings offer novel insights for future research, with the potential to advance the field of mental health studies concerning parents of children with autism.

The Research on Risk Factors for Adolescents' Mental Health

There is a growing tendency for mental health disorders to emerge during adolescence. These disorders impair emotional, cognitive, and behavioral functioning, such as unsatisfying peer relationships, disruptive behavior, and decreased academic performance. They also contribute to vulnerability in later adulthood which negatively influences life-long well-being. Thus, research into etiology is imperative to provide implications for prevention and intervention within family and school practices. It is suggested that the onset of psychological disorders, such as depression and anxiety, is closely related to stress levels and patterns of stress reaction. Therefore, considerable research has investigated the link between hereditary factors, economic status, dispositional vulnerability, social relationships, and stress levels. The current study examines existing evidence and identifies multifaceted risk factors for adolescents' mental problems across three layers, including individual traits and personality, family status and practices, as well as peer relationships, and school climate. It is also suggested that factors from these three perspectives interact and are closely interconnected, directly or indirectly contributing to adolescent psychopathology. The implications for future development of prevention and intervention programs, as well as therapy, are discussed.

Psychosocial factors of insomnia in depression: a network approach

BACKGROUND

Insomnia symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) are common and deleterious. Childhood trauma, personality traits, interpersonal distress, and social support contribute to insomnia, but how they interact to affect insomnia remains uncertain.

METHODS

A total of 791 patients with MDD completed the Insomnia Severity Index, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, Interpersonal Relationship Comprehensive Diagnostic Scale, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Social Support Rating Scale and Hamilton Depression Scale-17. This study utilized network analyses to identify the central symptoms of insomnia and their associations with psychosocial factors.

RESULTS

Worrying about sleep was identified as the central symptom in the insomnia network, insomnia and associated personality network, insomnia and associated interpersonal disturbance network, insomnia and associated childhood trauma network, insomnia and associated social support network, and the integrated network of insomnia symptoms and associated psychosocial factors. In the networks of insomnia symptoms and individual psychosocial factors, most psychosocial factors (other than childhood trauma) were directly or indirectly related to insomnia symptoms; however, neuroticism was the only factor directly associated with insomnia symptoms before and after controlling for covariates. In the final integrated network of insomnia symptoms and psychosocial factors, neuroticism was a bridge node and mediated the relationships of social support and interpersonal disturbances with insomnia symptoms, which is clearly presented in the shortest pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

Worrying about sleep and neuroticism were prominent in the integrated network of insomnia symptoms and associated psychosocial factors, and the edge between them connected psychosocial factors and insomnia symptoms in MDD patients.

Quarantine experience of healthcare workers in close contact with COVID-19 patients in China: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the experiences of front-line healthcare workers who had been in close contact with COVID-19 patients and had been quarantined in order to provide guidance on quarantine measures with more humanistic care when dealing with future public health emergencies.

METHODS

We conducted a qualitative study using semistructured, qualitative, in-depth interviews between April and June 2022. The interviews were recorded and transcribed, followed by a thematic analysis. The study followed the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research.

RESULTS

This study identified the following four themes: (1) personal psychological changes, (2) increased reflection on life and work during quarantine, (3) the important role of others' support and (4) different types of demands during quarantine and isolation. Each theme is supported by several subthemes that further illustrate the participants' experiences.

CONCLUSIONS

Quarantine of close contacts is necessary to prevent outbreaks. Front-line doctors and nurses are at a greater risk of COVID-19 infection than others. The results showed the psychological reactions of ordinary close contacts, and the unique feelings and experiences of doctors and nurses during the epidemic. Therefore, future research should cooperate with multiple departments to assess their needs, provide them with individualised care and love and give them incentives in order to reduce their psychological burden, improve their quality of life and allow them to engage in healthcare with a healthy mind.

Mental health latent profiles and emotion regulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A cross-sectional study

This cross-sectional study aimed to identify latent mental health subgroups of reproductive-aged women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and examine differences in emotion regulation and social support. A total of 477 samples (age = 27.22 ± 5.37) diagnosed with PCOS were included in this study, all of whom were of the same ethnicity. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was conducted in Mplus version 8.3 to identify mental health latent profiles in women with PCOS based on the dual-factor approach. The current study identified three distinct mental health profiles within women with PCOS: High-Symptom and High-Well-being Profile, Low-Symptom and High-Well-being Profile, and High-Symptom and Low-Well-being Profile, with group proportions of 52.3%, 35.7%, and 11.1%, respectively. This study revealed that cognitive reappraisal and social support are important protective factors for the mental health of women with PCOS, whereas expressive suppression is a negative factor for their mental health.

Sleep problems in adolescents with depression: Role of childhood trauma, alexithymia, rumination, and self-esteem

BACKGROUND

While sleep problems are common in adolescents with depression, the exact prevalence has not been reported. Although previous studies have shown that childhood trauma, alexithymia, rumination, and self-esteem are related to sleep problems, the interactions between these factors remain unclear.

METHODS

This study, conducted from March 1, 2021 to January 20, 2022, employed a cross-sectional design. The participants were 2192 adolescents with depression with a mean age of 15 years. The Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20, Ruminative Response Scale, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were used to measure sleep problems, childhood trauma, alexithymia, rumination, and self-esteem, respectively. We used PROCESS 3.3 for SPSS to determine the chain mediating effect of alexithymia and rumination and the moderating effect of self-esteem in the relationship between childhood trauma and sleep problems.

RESULTS

Up to 70.71 % of adolescents with depression had sleep problems. Furthermore, alexithymia and rumination played a chain mediation role in the relationship between childhood trauma and sleep problems. Finally, self-esteem moderated the relationships between alexithymia and sleep problems and rumination and sleep problems.

LIMITATIONS

Owing to the study design, we cannot derive causal relationships between variables. Further, the self-reported data may have been influenced by subjective participant factors.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals potential ways of how childhood trauma influences sleep problems in adolescents with depression. These findings suggest that interventions targeting alexithymia, rumination, and self-esteem in adolescents with depression may be effective in reducing their sleep problems.

The influences of dormitory exercise on negative emotions among quarantined Chinese college students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objectives

This study explores the influences of different types of dormitory exercise on the negative emotions of quarantined Chinese college students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

In a 3-week intervention, participants self-selected into a rope skipping group (RSG), an aerobic exercise group (AEG), and a resistance exercise group (REG), while participants in the control group (CG) engaged, by choice, in no physical exercise. Exercise frequency was three times a week for 45 min, with an intensity of 60-80% of maximum heart rate. Before and after the intervention, all participants completed the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS). Student's t-test was used for intra-group comparisons, while ANOVA was used for inter-group comparisons.

Results

Within the three exercise groups, there were some differences in the decrease levels of anxiety and depression, statistically significant at (p < 0.05); by contrast, the levels of anxiety and depression slightly increased in the CG group, again with statistical significance (p < 0.05). Comparing each of the RSG, AEG, and REG with the CG, we found some statistically significant differences in decreasing levels of anxiety and depression (p < 0.05). A comparison of the RSG and REG with the AEG also revealed some significant differences in levels of anxiety and depression (p < 0.05). However, the RSG and REG did not significantly differ in levels of anxiety and depression (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Long-term and strict dormitory quarantine led to different levels of anxiety and depression among quarantined college students. The three different types of medium-intensity dormitory exercise evidently decreased anxiety and depression levels of quarantined college students, but aerobic exercise had the greatest influence, while rope skipping and resistance exercise had equivalent effects.

Participation in community seniors' organizations and mental health among retired adults in urban China: The mediating role of interpersonal needs

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the association between participation in community seniors' organizations (CSOs) and mental health among retired adults in urban China, and illustrate the causal mechanism.

Methods

We collected data on participation from a community seniors' organization and mental health survey in Shenzhen City, China, in July 2022. The survey used a two-stage cluster sample design, based on administrative divisions as the primary sampling unit and communities as the second sampling unit, where retired adults were randomly sampled. The inclusion criteria were individuals >60 years old (the mandatory age for retirement in China) or women who retired early at the age of 45 years. We used three multivariable regression models to estimate the effects of participation in CSOs on mental health. Furthermore, we used structural equation models to examine the mediator of acquired interpersonal needs in the association between CSOs participation and mental health.

Results

The study examined the values of CSOs, generated explicitly for older adults and explained how participation in such organizations benefits retired adults' mental health. Mental health is defined in three dimensions: aggregate mental health, positive emotions, and negative emotions. The results show that constituting social networks with like-minded individuals and perceiving interpersonal needs are the two main benefits of CSOs on mental health. The retired individual who participated in CSOs with a higher level of diversity and frequency, joined specific types such as health- and study-related CSOs, could receive more interpersonal needs and were probably mentally healthier. The mediating mechanism of interpersonal needs associated with participation in mental health was significant. Besides, mental health is generally affected by physical health, sleep quality, and socioeconomic status.

Conclusion

This study suggested that CSOs have expanded the social interaction channels of retired adults and affected their mental health by providing basic interpersonal needs such as inclusion, dominance, and affection. Among the types of CSOs, health and study organizations might enhance mental health most effectively, while semi-official organizations have no effect.

Physical activity, sleep quality and life satisfaction in adolescents: A cross-sectional survey study

Background

Physical activity, sleep is an important component of adolescents' 24-h movement behavior, and life satisfaction predicts adolescent physical and mental health. However, few studies have explored the relationship between the two variables among Chinese high school students. Consequently, this study aimed to explore the relationship between sleep quality and life satisfaction among Chinese high school students.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted in October 2020 in five high schools in Xuchang City, China. High school students from senior 1 to senior 3 were asked to fill up a questionnaire of demographic characteristics and validated screen instructions for sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) and life satisfaction (Satisfaction with Life Scale). The multivariate regression model was applied to explore the association between sleep quality and life satisfaction.

Results

A total of 1127 individuals (51.1% males) participated in this survey, and the prevalence of poor sleep quality was 42.3%. The mean score on the Satisfaction with Life Scale was 16.72 ± 5.67, according to the corresponding scoring criteria, with 15-19 being generally dissatisfied. After controlling for demographic variables, the contribution of subjective sleep quality (β = - 0.181, p < 0.01), sleep duration (β = - 0.080, p < 0.01) and daytime dysfunction (β = - 0.311, p < 0.01) to life satisfaction of high school students increased to 23.2%, indicating that subjective sleep quality, sleep duration, and daytime dysfunction were 22.9% predictive of life satisfaction among high school students. And also, physical activity on schooldays and weekend days were associated with better sleep quality and higher life satisfaction (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Among Chinese high school students, the prevalence of sleep problems was high, and the majority of students held moderate life satisfaction. Sleep quality was positively correlated with life satisfaction among Chinese high school students, with better sleep quality resulting in higher life satisfaction among students.

The effects of forest therapy on public mental health and circular economy: A policy support model in Japan

Background

Forest therapy has gained popularity in Japan and even other nations/regions due to its health benefits. In addition, forest therapy has contributed to the development of circular economy and industrial upgrading. Japanese successful practice can serve as a model for other countries in the Asia-Pacific region. To this end, the aim of this study was to determine whether forest therapy can improve the whole well-being of the participants and has a positive effect on the development of circular economy in the region.

Methods

Both empirical and inductive research methods were used; empirical approach was conducted to perform comparative analysis of regional data that was retrieved from the research project of Japanese Forestry Agency in 2015. Specifically, the efficacy of forest therapy on physical (blood glucose, blood pressure, body weight) and mental (sleep quality e.g.,) health outcomes among 815 participants was investigated. Regional data are from the statistics of Iiyama City from 1990 to 2005. After the concept of forest therapy became popular in the late 1990s, this element had a great positive impact on the economic benefits of Ishiyama City and other major forest scenic areas. We summarize and analyze a series of policies made by relevant departments of the Japanese government in the years from 2019 to 2021 to promote forest therapy and related circular industry development.

Results

Significant (pre-to-post participation) changes in physical measure was observed. Firstly, mean weight of those overweight participants decreased across three different time points (pre-test/enrollment = 79.7 kg, 3-month participation = 77.2, and 6-month participation = 76.8 kg), while overall mean weight of the participants decreased to 61, 60.5, and 60.4 kg, respectively. Secondly, Participant with normal weight showed a decrease on mean HbA1C (from 6.09 to 6.06) at Week 24, while overweight participants demonstrated a slight change 6.03-6.01 after 6 months the average HOMA-IR for overweight participants decreased from 3.5 to 2.5 at Week 24, while participants with normal weight demonstrated a decrease from 2.2 to 1.7 at Week 24. Forest Therapy has emerged in Japan since Mid-1990s and has attracted a large number of tourists all over the world due to its unique health benefits.

Conclusion

Forest therapy in Japan has positive effects on whole well-being of Japanese residents and it has helped public mental health promotion and economic growth. Under the guidance and support of government policies, it can promote the development of circular economy and industrial transformation and set a model of Japanese forest therapy development for other countries in the Asia-Pacific region.