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Bentele UU, Klink ESC, Benz ABE, Meier M, Gaertner RJ, Denk BF, Dimitroff SJ, Unternaehrer E, Pruessner JC. The effect of cognitive reappraisal and early-life maternal care on neuroendocrine stress responses. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6837. [PMID: 38514744 PMCID: PMC10957921 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57106-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Early-life adversity (ELA) is related to profound dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, reflected in both, blunted or exaggerated cortisol stress responses in adulthood. Emotion regulation strategies such as cognitive reappraisal might contribute to this inconsistent finding. Here, we investigate an interaction of early-life maternal care (MC), where low MC represents a form of ELA, and instructed emotion regulation on cortisol responses to acute stress. Ninety-three healthy young women were assigned to a low (n = 33) or high (n = 60) MC group, based on self-reported early-life MC. In the laboratory, participants received regulation instructions, asking to cognitively reappraise (reappraisal group, n = 45) or to focus on senses (control group, n = 48) during subsequent stress exposure, induced by the Trier Social Stress Test. Salivary cortisol and subjective stress levels were measured repeatedly throughout the experiment. Multilevel model analyses confirmed a MC by emotion regulation interaction effect on cortisol trajectories, while controlling for hormonal status. Individuals with low MC in the control compared with the reappraisal group showed increased cortisol responses; individuals with high MC did not differ. These results highlight the significance of emotion regulation for HPA axis stress regulation following ELA exposure. They provide methodological and health implications, indicating emotion regulation as a promising target of treatment interventions for individuals with a history of ELA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike U Bentele
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464, Constance, Germany.
| | - Elea S C Klink
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464, Constance, Germany
| | - Annika B E Benz
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464, Constance, Germany
| | - Maria Meier
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464, Constance, Germany
- Child- and Adolescent Research Department, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel (UPK), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Raphaela J Gaertner
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464, Constance, Germany
| | - Bernadette F Denk
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464, Constance, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
| | | | - Eva Unternaehrer
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464, Constance, Germany
- Child- and Adolescent Research Department, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel (UPK), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jens C Pruessner
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstrasse 10, 78464, Constance, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
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Abstract
Although exposure to acute stress undoubtedly contributes to psychopathology, most individuals do not develop psychopathology following stress exposure. To explain this, biological, emotional, and cognitive responses to stress have been implicated, but individual differences in executive control (i.e., top-down control of cognition and behavior) measured in response to stress has only recently emerged as a potential factor contributing to psychopathology. In this review, we introduce a model-the integrated model of stress, executive control, and psychopathology-positing how the impairing effects of acute stress on executive control can contribute to psychopathology. We link to research on biological, emotional, and cognitive processes, all of which can be impacted by executive control, to propose a framework for how poorer executive control under conditions of acute stress can contribute to psychopathology. This integrated model is intended to further our understanding of who is more susceptible to the negative consequences of stress.
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Jones EJ, Marsland AL, Gianaros PJ. Do trait-level emotion regulation strategies moderate associations between retrospective reports of childhood trauma and prospective changes in systemic inflammation? Stress Health 2023; 39:525-538. [PMID: 36265175 PMCID: PMC10518806 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Childhood trauma may confer risk for poorer adult health through changes in systemic inflammation. Emotion regulation may plausibly moderate associations between childhood trauma and adult psychological well-being, but it remains unclear whether moderation effects extend to differences in systemic inflammation. To examine whether childhood trauma and emotion regulation separately and interactively predict prospective changes in C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and whether biopsychosocial factors account for observed associations. Healthy midlife adults (N = 331) retrospectively reported on childhood trauma, current trait-level cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression, and had their blood drawn. At baseline and then a median of 2.85 years later, 279 of the 331 participants had their blood drawn, body mass index calculated, and reported on health behaviours (smoking, sleep), psychological distress (perceived stress, depressive symptoms), and years of education. Childhood trauma predicted prospective increases in CRP (B = 0.004, p = 0.049), which were partially accounted for by differences in adiposity, psychological distress, and health behaviours. In contrast, cognitive reappraisal predicted prospective decreases in IL-6 (B = -0.007, p = 0.006), which were independent of biopsychosocial influences. Cognitive reappraisal further moderated the association between childhood trauma and prospective changes in IL-6 (B = -0.001, p = 0.012) such that childhood trauma predicted greater IL-6 increases but only among adults lower in cognitive reappraisal (B = 0.006, p = 0.007). There were no main or moderation effects of expressive suppression (ps > 0.05). Cognitive reappraisal may attenuate IL-6 changes over time and may moderate the prospective association between childhood trauma and systemic inflammation in midlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J. Jones
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Anna L. Marsland
- Department of Psychology, Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Peter J. Gianaros
- Department of Psychology, Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Haver A, Krampe H, Danbolt LJ, Stålsett G, Schnell T. Emotion regulation moderates the association between COVID-19 stress and mental distress: findings on buffering, exacerbation, and gender differences in a cross-sectional study from Norway. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1121986. [PMID: 38427783 PMCID: PMC10325689 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1121986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Maintaining good mental health is important during a crisis. However, little attention has been given to how people achieve this, or how they evaluate emotions associated with stressors, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to (1) investigate whether emotion regulation, in particular cognitive reappraisal and suppression, moderates the relationship between COVID-19 stress and general mental distress and (2) examine gender differences in the interrelations between COVID-19 stress, emotion regulation, and mental distress. Methods Data from a population in Norway (n = 1.225) were collected using a cross-sectional survey during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Emotion regulation was measured using the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire Scale (ERQ), COVID-19 stress with the COVID-19 Stress Scale, and mental distress with the Patient Health Questionnaire 4 (PHQ-4). Moderation analyses were conducted using the PROCESS macro for SPSS. Results There was a strong association between COVID-19 stress and general mental distress (r = 0.61). The moderation analyses showed substantial moderation effects of cognitive reappraisal and suppression on the relationship between COVID-19 stress and mental distress. Cognitive reappraisal served as a buffer (p = 0.001) and suppression (p = 0.002) exacerbated the relation between COVID-19 stress and mental distress. Men had higher scores of suppression (p < 0.001), and women had higher scores of cognitive reappraisal (p = 0.025). The buffering effect of cognitive reappraisal presented itself only in women (p < 0.001), while the exacerbation effect of suppression appeared only in men (p < 0.001). Conclusion The current study suggests that COVID-19 pandemic-related stress is easier to deal with for those who have the tendency to cognitively reappraise. In contrast, suppression is associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety. The prevention of mental distress can be supported by guiding people about the importance of using healthy emotion regulation strategies, as well as helping them to become more aware of the way they interpret and regulate their emotions. Gender differences in emotion regulation suggest gender awareness, e.g., tailored programs for men and women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie Haver
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Norwegian School of Hotel Management, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
- School of Psychology, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Henning Krampe
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lars Johan Danbolt
- MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society, Majorstuen, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Psychology of Religion, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Brumunddal, Norway
| | - Gry Stålsett
- MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society, Majorstuen, Oslo, Norway
- Modum Bad Psychiatric Center, Vikersund, Norway
| | - Tatjana Schnell
- MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society, Majorstuen, Oslo, Norway
- Existential Psychology Lab, Institute of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria
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Raymond C, Pichette F, Beaudin M, Cernik R, Marin MF. Vulnerability to anxiety differently predicts cortisol reactivity and state anxiety during a laboratory stressor in healthy girls and boys. J Affect Disord 2023; 331:425-433. [PMID: 36972852 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.02.154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children diagnosed with anxiety disorders show altered cortisol and state anxiety reactivity to stressful situations. To date, it remains unclear whether these dysregulations emerge after the pathology or whether they are also detectable in healthy children. If the latter is true, this may provide insight into children's vulnerability to develop clinical anxiety. Various personality factors (anxiety sensitivity, intolerance of uncertainty, perseverative cognitions) increase youth's vulnerability to develop anxiety disorders. This study aimed to examine whether vulnerability to anxiety was associated with cortisol reactivity and state anxiety in healthy youth. METHODS 114 children (8-12 y/o) were exposed to the Trier Social Stress Test for Children (TSST-C), where saliva samples were collected for cortisol quantification. State anxiety was assessed 20 min before and 10 min after the TSST-C using the state form of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children. Vulnerability to anxiety was assessed using a composite score of the Childhood Anxiety Sensitivity Index, Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale for Children, and Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire. RESULTS Higher vulnerability to anxiety was associated with enhanced cortisol reactivity in boys. Irrespective of vulnerability level, girls reported greater changes in state anxiety in response to the TSST. LIMITATIONS Given the correlational nature of this study, the directionality of the results remains to be elucidated. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that endocrine patterns characterizing anxiety disorders are detectable in healthy boys who exhibit a high level of self-reported vulnerability to anxiety. These results could aid in the early identification of children at risk of developing anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Raymond
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Research Centre of the Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Florence Pichette
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Research Centre of the Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Myriam Beaudin
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Research Centre of the Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Rebecca Cernik
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Research Centre of the Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Marie-France Marin
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; Research Centre of the Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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Tyra AT, Ginty AT, Johnson LR, Lafromboise ME, Malatare M, Salois E, John-Henderson NA. Emotion Regulation Strategies Relate to Ambulatory Cardiovascular Activity in an American Indian Community. Psychosom Med 2023; 85:2-7. [PMID: 36516315 PMCID: PMC9764238 DOI: 10.1097/psy.0000000000001140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Poor emotion regulation is associated with risk for cardiovascular disease. However, much of this research is conducted in primarily White samples, thus limiting our understanding of this relationship in other racial/ethnic groups. American Indians (AIs) are uniquely and disproportionately at risk for cardiovascular disease. As such, the present study aimed to examine the relationships between emotion regulation strategies and ambulatory cardiovascular activity in an entirely AI sample. METHODS The sample consisted of 100 AI adults living on a tribal reservation. Emotion regulation strategies (expressive suppression, cognitive reappraisal) were assessed via the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. Using ecological momentary assessment, daily measurements of psychological stress and ambulatory cardiovascular activity were taken during a 7-day monitoring period. Statistical analyses included bivariate correlations, hierarchical linear regression models, and mediation models. RESULTS Expressive suppression was associated with higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as higher pulse rate. In contrast, cognitive reappraisal was associated with lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lower pulse rate, and lower average daily psychological stress. These results remained statistically significant after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, anxiety, depression, and early life trauma. In addition, psychological stress mediated the associations between blood pressure and cognitive reappraisal, but not expressive suppression. CONCLUSIONS These results provide preliminary evidence for divergent associations of two emotion regulation strategies with cardiovascular activity and psychological stress in an AI community. Modifying health interventions to include training in effective emotion regulation may be beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra T. Tyra
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas
| | - Annie T. Ginty
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas
| | | | | | | | - Emily Salois
- Center for American Indian and Rural Health Equity, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana
| | - Neha A. John-Henderson
- Center for American Indian and Rural Health Equity, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana
- Department of Psychology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana
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Meier M, Haub K, Schramm ML, Hamma M, Bentele UU, Dimitroff SJ, Gärtner R, Denk BF, Benz ABE, Unternaehrer E, Pruessner JC. Validation of an online version of the trier social stress test in adult men and women. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 142:105818. [PMID: 35662007 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) is a reliable and efficient protocol to induce acute psychosocial stress in the laboratory. If circumstances do not allow in-person assessments, an online version of the TSST could create more flexible research opportunities. To date, studies have confirmed subjective and autonomic stress responses to online TSST protocols. In this preregistered study (https://osf.io/u57aj), we focused on the effect of a TSST online for adults (TSST-OA) on cortisol and alpha amylase levels, and pleasure and arousal ratings. As cortisol stress reactivity is mediated by sex, we further compared men and women. We hypothesized significant increases in cortisol, alpha amylase and arousal, and a decrease in pleasure in response to the TSST-OA. Also, we expected stronger cortisol responses in males as compared with females, as in the laboratory TSST. N = 48 adults (56% female, meanage=23.02 years, SD=3.19) participated in the study. Saliva sampling devices were sent to participants' home before testing sessions, during which the experimenter, a mixed-sex panel, and the participant joined a video call. Participants underwent the TSST-OA and overall provided five saliva samples for cortisol and alpha amylase detection. Pleasure and arousal ratings and psychometric questionnaires were also completed online. As hypothesized, the TSST-OA significantly increased cortisol, alpha amylase, and arousal levels, while it decreased pleasure. Moreover, cortisol responses were significantly stronger in males as compared to females. 64% of subjects were classified as responders (cortisol rise>1.5nmol/l). The TSST-OA successfully induced psychophysiological stress in adults. Our protocol offers new possibilities to study stress outside of the laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Meier
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany.
| | - Kristina Haub
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
| | - Marie-Luise Schramm
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
| | - Marc Hamma
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
| | - Ulrike U Bentele
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
| | - Stephanie J Dimitroff
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
| | - Raphaela Gärtner
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
| | - Bernadette F Denk
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
| | - Annika B E Benz
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
| | - Eva Unternaehrer
- Child and Adolescent Research Department, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel (UPK), University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jens C Pruessner
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
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Kühnel A, Czisch M, Sämann PG, Binder EB, Kroemer NB. Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Stress-Induced Network Reconfigurations Reflect Negative Affectivity. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 92:158-169. [PMID: 35260225 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maladaptive stress responses are important risk factors in the etiology of mood and anxiety disorders, but exact pathomechanisms remain to be understood. Mapping individual differences of acute stress-induced neurophysiological changes, especially on the level of neural activation and functional connectivity (FC), could provide important insights in how variation in the individual stress response is linked to disease risk. METHODS Using an established psychosocial stress task flanked by two resting states, we measured subjective, physiological, and brain responses to acute stress and recovery in 217 participants with and without mood and anxiety disorders. To estimate blockwise changes in stress-induced activation and FC, we used hierarchical mixed-effects models based on denoised time series within predefined stress-related regions. We predicted inter- and intraindividual differences in stress phases (anticipation vs. stress vs. recovery) and transdiagnostic dimensions of stress reactivity using elastic net and support vector machines. RESULTS We identified four subnetworks showing distinct changes in FC over time. FC but not activation trajectories predicted the stress phase (accuracy = 70%, pperm < .001) and increases in heart rate (R2 = 0.075, pperm < .001). Critically, individual spatiotemporal trajectories of changes across networks also predicted negative affectivity (ΔR2 = 0.075, pperm = .030) but not the presence or absence of a mood and anxiety disorder. CONCLUSIONS Spatiotemporal dynamics of brain network reconfiguration induced by stress reflect individual differences in the psychopathology dimension of negative affectivity. These results support the idea that vulnerability for mood and anxiety disorders can be conceptualized best at the level of network dynamics, which may pave the way for improved prediction of individual risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Kühnel
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany; International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.
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- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Elisabeth B Binder
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.
| | - Nils B Kroemer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Dalile B, La Torre D, Verbeke K, Van Oudenhove L, Vervliet B. When the mind says one thing, but the HPA axis says another: Lack of coherence between subjective and neuroendocrine stress response trajectories in healthy men. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 139:105692. [PMID: 35189541 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Psychological stress triggers the release of cortisol following the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and elicits concomitant subjective responses. Coherence among the stress response systems is theoretically expected, presumably to optimize the organism's response to environmental challenges, but has received little empirical support possibly due to the assumption of linear associations. The present study examined the associations between cortisol responses to the Maastricht Acute Stress Test (MAST) and concomitant subjective stress responses as well as mood states over the past weeks in 133 healthy men. Latent class growth analysis (LCGA) was applied on individual cortisol and subjective stress responses to identify homogeneous response trajectories within the larger heterogeneous population and enable testing non-linear relationships while retaining the temporal resolution of the stress responses. LCGA revealed four latent cortisol response classes, labeled as mild responders (n = 15), moderately-low responders (n = 46), moderately-high responders (n = 48), and hyper responders (n = 24). These latent classes were not associated with concomitant subjective stress responses. Similarly, the three distinct latent classes capturing the variability in subjective stress responses were also not associated with concomitant cortisol responses. Experiencing higher levels of stress over the previous weeks, however, increased the likelihood of exhibiting a hyper cortisol stress response profile. Positive and negative affective states, and anxious and depressive symptomology over the previous weeks were not associated with cortisol response trajectories. Contrary to previous findings supporting a quadratic association in healthy females, our results do not support the response coherence hypothesis in healthy males subjected to the MAST, but suggest that recent levels of perceived stress may influence the cortisol response to acute stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boushra Dalile
- Translational Research in GastroIntestinal Disorders (TARGID), Department of chronic diseases and metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Danique La Torre
- Translational Research in GastroIntestinal Disorders (TARGID), Department of chronic diseases and metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kristin Verbeke
- Translational Research in GastroIntestinal Disorders (TARGID), Department of chronic diseases and metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lukas Van Oudenhove
- Translational Research in GastroIntestinal Disorders (TARGID), Department of chronic diseases and metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Lab, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Bram Vervliet
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, Brain & Cognition, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Raymond C, Provencher J, Bilodeau-Houle A, Leclerc J, Marin MF. A longitudinal investigation of psychological distress in children during COVID-19: the role of socio-emotional vulnerability. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2022; 13:2021048. [PMID: 35087645 PMCID: PMC8788367 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2021.2021048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the incidence of distress in youth, some children show increased resilience, emphasizing the need to better understand the predictors of distress in youth. OBJECTIVE This longitudinal study aimed to assess the combined impact of known socio-emotional predictors of stress-related psychopathology, namely anxiety sensitivity, anxiety trait, intolerance to uncertainty, and rumination, on COVID-related distress in healthy youth. METHOD A total of 92 parent-child dyads that previously participated in a laboratory-based experiment assessing observational fear learning in families between 2017 and 2019 (T0) were recontacted. Of them, 84 children aged between 9 and 14 agreed to participate. They completed online questionnaires in June 2020 (T1), September 2020 (T2), December 2020 (T3), and March 2021 (T4). Participants were free of mental illness at T0 and T1. To create a socio-emotional composite score (SECS), we measured anxiety sensitivity (Childhood Anxiety Sensitivity Index) at T0, trait anxiety (Trait subscale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAI-C)), intolerance to uncertainty (Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale for Children), and trait rumination (Children's Response Style Scale) at T1 and created a weighted z-score. To assess symptoms of anxiety, post-traumatic stress (PTS), and depression in reaction to COVID-19, participants completed the State subscale of the STAI-C, the Children's Revised Impact of Event Scale, and the Children's Depression Inventory at T1-T4. Three general linear models were run with sex, age group (9-11 and 12+ years old), and SECS as predictors. RESULTS Analyses revealed a SECS*Time interaction, with higher SECS predicting elevated anxiety symptoms at T1 and T4, and elevated PTS symptoms at T1 and T2. CONCLUSION These results suggest that healthy youth endorsing high levels of socio-emotional vulnerability to psychopathology have a higher risk of suffering from anxiety and PTS, but not depressive symptoms, in the year following a major stressor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Raymond
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Research Centre of the Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jessie Provencher
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Research Centre of the Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Alexe Bilodeau-Houle
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Research Centre of the Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Julie Leclerc
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Research Centre of the Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-France Marin
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Research Centre of the Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Rnic K, Jopling E, Tracy A, LeMoult J. Emotion Regulation and Diurnal Cortisol: A Longitudinal Study of Early Adolescents. Biol Psychol 2021; 167:108212. [PMID: 34699918 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2021.108212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant patterns of diurnal cortisol, a marker of stress reactivity, predict adverse physical and mental health among adolescents. However, the mechanisms underlying aberrant diurnal cortisol production are poorly understood. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate, for the first time, whether the core emotion regulation (ER) strategies of rumination (brooding, reflection), reappraisal, and suppression were prospectively associated with individual differences in diurnal cortisol during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period of significant stress. A community sample of 48 early adolescents (Mage=13.45; 60% males) was recruited from British Columbia, Canada. Participants completed ER measures before the pandemic, and diurnal cortisol was assessed by collecting eight saliva samples over two days during the first COVID-19-related lockdown in the region. As expected, brooding predicted elevated waking cortisol and a blunted cortisol awakening response (CAR), whereas reflection predicted lower waking cortisol and suppression predicted a steeper CAR. Unexpectedly, reappraisal was not associated with diurnal cortisol production. Results indicate that ER strategies may represent a mechanism underlying individual differences in biological markers of wellbeing during stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Rnic
- Department of Psychology, The University of British Columbia, Canada.
| | - Ellen Jopling
- Department of Psychology, The University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Alison Tracy
- Department of Psychology, The University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Joelle LeMoult
- Department of Psychology, The University of British Columbia, Canada
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12
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Tyra AT, Griffin SM, Fergus TA, Ginty AT. Individual differences in emotion regulation prospectively predict early COVID-19 related acute stress. J Anxiety Disord 2021; 81:102411. [PMID: 33962141 PMCID: PMC9759661 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2021.102411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Preliminary prospective research suggests emotion dysregulation may confer vulnerability to poor stress responses. The present prospective study extends this research by examining both specific emotion regulation strategies and global emotion regulation difficulties in the context of acute stress following onset of the COVID-19 global pandemic in 119 young adults. As part of a larger study, emotion regulation was assessed prior to pandemic onset (January 2019 - February 2020) using two standard measures (Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, ERQ, Gross & John, 2003; Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, DERS, Gratz & Roemer, 2004). A self-report assessment of acute stress was conducted 2-3½ weeks after the COVID-19 pandemic declaration. Results demonstrated cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression (i.e., ERQ) were not individually predictive of acute stress; however, there was a significant interaction of suppression by reappraisal. Simple effects indicated suppression was negatively associated with acute stress only when reappraisal levels were high. Greater global emotion regulation difficulties (i.e., DERS), particularly nonacceptance of emotions and limited access to emotion regulation strategies, significantly predicted greater acute stress. These results provide further evidence of the temporal relationship between emotion dysregulation and stress reactions, and also suggest the expected effects of emotion regulation strategies may differ across contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra T. Tyra
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, One Bear Place 97334, Waco, TX, 76798, USA,Corresponding author
| | - Siobhán M. Griffin
- SASHLab, Centre for Social Issues in Research, Department of Psychology, University of Limerick, V94T9PX, Ireland,Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, V94T9PX, Ireland
| | - Thomas A. Fergus
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, One Bear Place 97334, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
| | - Annie T. Ginty
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, One Bear Place 97334, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
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13
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Rab SL, Admon R. Parsing inter- and intra-individual variability in key nervous system mechanisms of stress responsivity and across functional domains. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 120:550-564. [PMID: 32941963 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to stressful events is omnipresent in modern human life, yet people show considerable heterogeneity in the impact of stress exposure(s) on their functionality and overall health. Encounter with stressor(s) is counteracted by an intricate repertoire of nervous-system responses. This narrative review starts with a brief summary of the vast evidence that supports heart rate variability, cortisol secretion, and large-scale cortical network interactions as kay physiological, endocrinological, and neural mechanisms of stress responsivity, respectively. The second section highlights potential sources for inter-individual variability in these mechanisms, by focusing on biological, environmental, social, habitual, and psychological factors that may influence stress responsivity patterns and thus contribute to heterogeneity in the impact of stress exposure on functionality and health. The third section introduces intra-individually variability in stress responsivity across functional domains as a novel putative source for heterogeneity in the impact of stress exposure. Challenges and future directions are further discussed. Parsing inter- and intra-individual variability in nervous-system mechanisms of stress responsivity and across functional domains is critical towards potential clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharona L Rab
- Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Roee Admon
- Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel; The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBRC), University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
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14
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Jentsch VL, Wolf OT. The impact of emotion regulation on cardiovascular, neuroendocrine and psychological stress responses. Biol Psychol 2020; 154:107893. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2020.107893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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15
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Blons E, Arsac LM, Gilfriche P, McLeod H, Lespinet-Najib V, Grivel E, Deschodt-Arsac V. Alterations in heart-brain interactions under mild stress during a cognitive task are reflected in entropy of heart rate dynamics. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18190. [PMID: 31796856 PMCID: PMC6890652 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54547-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Many people experience mild stress in modern society which raises the need for an improved understanding of psychophysiological responses to stressors. Heart rate variability (HRV) may be associated with a flexible network of intricate neural structures which are dynamically organized to cope with diverse challenges. HRV was obtained in thirty-three healthy participants performing a cognitive task both with and without added stressors. Markers of neural autonomic control and neurovisceral complexity (entropy) were computed from HRV time series. Based on individual anxiety responses to the experimental stressors, two subgroups were identified: anxiety responders and non-responders. While both vagal and entropy markers rose during the cognitive task alone in both subgroups, only entropy decreased when stressors were added and exclusively in anxiety responders. We conclude that entropy may be a promising marker of cognitive tasks and acute mild stress. It brings out a new central question: why is entropy the only marker affected by mild stress? Based on the neurovisceral integration model, we hypothesized that neurophysiological complexity may be altered by mild stress, which is reflected in entropy of the cardiac output signal. The putative role of the amygdala during mild stress, in modulating the complexity of a coordinated neural network linking brain to heart, is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estelle Blons
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Laboratoire IMS, UMR 5218, Talence, France.
| | - Laurent M Arsac
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Laboratoire IMS, UMR 5218, Talence, France
| | - Pierre Gilfriche
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Laboratoire IMS, UMR 5218, Talence, France.,CATIE - Centre Aquitain des Technologies de l'Information et Electroniques, Talence, France
| | - Heather McLeod
- Univ. Bordeaux, Laboratoire de Psychologie, Santé et Qualité de Vie, EA4109, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Eric Grivel
- Bordeaux INP, Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Laboratoire IMS, UMR 5218, Talence, France
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