Does adult attachment mediate the relationship between primary emotion traits and eating disorder symptoms?

Objectives

Primary emotion traits and attachment patterns, have been linked to various mental disorders. This study aims to shed more light on the less studied relationship with eating disorder (ED) symptoms.

Methods

A total of 921 non-clinical subjects (69.9% females) were assessed for primary emotions traits (B-ANPS-GL), attachment insecurity (ECR-RD8), and eating disorder pathology (EDE-Q8). A theoretically derived model was evaluated by means of a path analysis with attachment anxiety as assumed mediator variable.

Results

Global problematic eating behavior showed negative correlations with the positive emotions PLAY, CARE, and LUST (r = -0.10 to -0.24), positive correlations with the negative primary emotions ANGER, FEAR, and SADNESS (r = 0.12-0.27), as well as with attachment anxiety (r = 0.22, all p < 0.01). Path analyses revealed direct effects between eating behavior pathology with LUST (β = -0.07 to -0.15) and FEAR (β = 0.12-0.19; all p < 0.05). The association of SADNESS and Weight (β = 0.05) and Shape Concern (β = 0.06, p < 0.001) was fully mediated by attachment anxiety. Overall, the path model explained 17% of the variance for attachment anxiety and 6% of the Restraint, 13% for Eating, 10% for Weight and 14% for Shape Concern Subscales.

Discussion

The findings shed light on the multifactorial relationship between affective traits, attachment security, and eating disorder pathology. In line with previous research, the results emphasize the role of attachment and affective functioning in ED symptoms.

The effectiveness of a standardized tobacco cessation program on psychophysiological parameters in patients with addiction undergoing long-term rehabilitation: a quasi-experimental pilot study

BACKGROUND

Although there is a very high comorbidity between tobacco dependence and other addictive disorders, there are only few studies examining the implementation and outcomes of a tobacco cessation program in patients with addictive diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate to what extent a standardized tobacco cessation program leads to improvements regarding psychological/physical parameters in patients with addiction undergoing therapy and whether there is a reduction in tobacco consumption.

METHODS

The study took place in a therapeutic community specialized in addiction therapy. A total sample of 56 participants were non-randomly assigned to an intervention group (IG; n = 31) and a treatment as usual group (TAUG; n = 25). The IG participated in a 6-week tobacco cessation program, while the TAUG received no additional treatment. Both groups were assessed for changes in primary outcomes (tobacco dependence, smoked cigarettes per day (CPD), and general substance-related craving) and secondary outcomes (heart rate variability (HRV): root mean square of successive differences, self-efficacy, and comorbid psychiatric symptoms) at two measurement time points (pre- and post-treatment/6 weeks).

RESULTS

We observed significant improvements in self-efficacy (F(1,53) = 5.86; p < .05; ηp2 = .11) and decreased CPD in the IG (β = 1.16, ρ < .05), while no significant changes were observed in the TAUG. No significant interaction effects were observed in psychiatric symptoms, general substance-related craving, and HRV.

CONCLUSIONS

The results highlight the potential benefit of an additional tobacco cessation program as part of a general addiction treatment. Although no improvements in the physiological domain were observed, there were significant improvements regarding self-efficacy and CPD in the IG compared to the TAUG. Randomized controlled trials on larger samples would be an important next step.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN15684371.

Originalbeiträge (Originals). Primäremotionen und Bindung bei psychischer Störung

Primaryemotions and attachment in mental disorder Objectives: There is increasing evidence for associations between primary emotions and attachment with mental illness. This study illuminates the mediation relationship of these psychodynamic constructs in relation to psychiatric disorders.

METHODS

921 subjects (69.9 % female) were examined, who completed the questionnaires Brief Affective Neuroscience Personality Scales including a LUST Scale, Experiences in Close Relationships - Revised 8, and ICD-10 Symptom Rating online. A path analysis was conducted to evaluate the mediation effects of attachment anxiety.

RESULTS

A disease-specific pattern of direct associations between primary emotions, attachment anxiety, and psychological impairment emerged (all p < .01). Attachment exerted mediating effects primarily for SADNESS (p < .01), and to a lesser extent for LUST and CARE (p > .01).The model provided variance resolution ranging from7%(eating disorders) to 47%(depression).

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrate the relevance of affective explanations regarding the development of psychological symptoms, as well as therapeutic implications.

Is there an affective neuroscience of spirituality? The development and validation of the OCEANic feelings scale

Background

Oceanic feelings represent a phenomenological structure of affective sensations that characteristically involve feelings of self-dissolution and feelings of unity and transcendence. This study presents the preliminary version of a self-report instrument to measure individual dispositions toward oceanic feelings in order to enable further research within the concept of primary emotions postulated by Jaak Panksepp.

Methods

A first version of the questionnaire was applied to a total sample of 926 German-speaking adults of the general population. After performing item analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) in a first study (N = 300), the questionnaire was shortened. In a second study (N = 626), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted and emerged scales were related to the already established instruments for the assessment of primary emotions (BANPS-GL) and Big Five personality traits (BFI-44).

Results

The OCEANic scale exhibited reliabilities ranging from Cronbach's α = 0.82 (positive) to α = 0.88 (negative) and plausible correlations with behavioral traits related to the seven affective neurobiological systems (ANGER, FEAR, CARE, SEEK, PLAY, SADNESS, and LUST) as well as with personality factors measured by the Big Five Inventory. For CFA, a bifactorial model with an overall factor demonstrated good fit: RMSEA = 0.00 (90% CI:0.00, 0.03); TLI = 1.00; CFI = 1.00; NFI = 0.99.

Discussion

The OCEANic scale enables the operationalization of oceanic feelings comprising two subscales and one total scale. The results indicate good reliability and acceptable factorial validity. Establishment and further validation of the OCEANic scale within future research will be needed to fully understand the role of oceanic feelings within the human affective life, especially the personality trait of spirituality.

Psychophysiological stress response after a 6-week Mindful Self-Compassion training in psychiatric rehabilitation inpatients: a randomized post-test only study

Objectives

Mindfulness-based interventions (including self-compassion interventions) are effective in improving stress management at psychological and physical levels. Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) is a newly developed program particularly aimed at increasing self-compassion. The main objective of this study was to determine whether the psychophysiological stress response during a social-evaluative speaking task differs in inpatients participating in the MSC or the Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) program at the end of their 6-week psychiatric rehabilitation stay (i.e., post-test only design).

Method

Data from 50 inpatients (25 MSC, 25 PMR, 35 female) aged 19 to 76 years (M = 47.22, SD = 12.44) were analyzed in terms of psychophysiological stress response. For this purpose, heart rate variability, heart rate, and blood pressure were assessed together with several psychometric variables: positive and negative affect (PANAS), subjective stress perception (Visual Analog Scale), self-compassion (Self-Compassion Scale), cognitive reappraisal and suppression (Emotion Regulation Questionnaire), psychological distress (Brief Symptom Inventory-18), and appraisal and rumination (selected items).

Results

After correction for alpha inflation no differences in the psychophysiological stress response and psychometric parameters between the MSC and PMR group were found.

Discussion

In general, our results indicate that MSC is not superior to PMR training. However, more research with clinical randomized controlled trials investigating larger samples are needed to further affirm these initial findings.

The German version of the brief affective neuroscience personality scales including a LUST scale (BANPS-GL)

Objectives

This study presents the German version of the Brief Affective Neuroscience Personality Scales (BANPS), which includes an additional subscale for the dimension LUST. The BANPS represents a shortened version of the Affective Neuroscience Personality Scales (ANPS), a self-report instrument to assess individual dispositions toward primary emotional systems as proposed by Jaak Panksepp.

Methods

In a large sample (N = 926), the reliability and various facets of validity of the German translation of the BANPS were examined together with the newly included LUST scale. The BANPS-GL was related to the Big Five Inventory (BFI) and Sexual Sensation Seeking Scale (SSSS) and analyzed via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

Results

Overall, the BANPS-GL exhibited reliabilities ranging from McDonald's ω = 0.70 (CARE) to α = 0.86 (SADNESS) and plausible correlations with external criteria. For CFA a correlated 7-factor model demonstrated good fit [TLI = 0.95; RMSEA = 0.04 (90% CI: 0.04, 0.05); SRMR = 0.06]. A similar fit was demonstrated for a 2-higher-factor model [TLI = 0.93; RMSEA = 0.05 (90% CI: 0.05, 0.06); SRMR = 0.07].

Conclusion

In broad agreement with the results of the original English version, the BANPS-GL showed good reliability and acceptable factorial validity, and overall improved the psychometric properties of the original long form. Finally, the inclusion of the dimension LUST allows for a complete coverage of the primary emotion dispositions as originally conceptualized by Panksepp.

Resilience moderates the relationship between the psychological impact of COVID-19 and anxiety

Psychological resilience is considered to constitute an important factor for protecting mental health, especially during times of crises, like the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. However, there is a lack of research on the potential buffering effect of resilience on the psychological impact of COVID-19 as related to mental health. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to examine protective effects of resilience on mental health during the initial stage of the COVID-19 outbreak in Austria. Analysis was based on data collected from 4,113 Austrian residents, who participated in an anonymous online survey. The survey addressed sociodemographic data, the subjective response to COVID-19 (Impact of Event Scale; IES-R), mental health status (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale; DASS-21), and resilience (Resilience-Scale; RS-11). Structural equation modelling showed significant positive associations between the IES-R score and depressive symptoms, stress and anxiety, respectively. Resilience was significantly negatively associated with depression, stress, and anxiety. Furthermore, resilience moderated the relation between the impact of COVID-19 and anxiety symptoms. However, there was no moderating effect of resilience on the relationship between IES-R and both depression and stress. The psychological impact of COVID-19 on anxiety symptoms seems to vary with the level of resilience. Moderating effects of resilience on the relation between impact of COVID-19 and stress and depression symptoms could not be confirmed. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term effects of resilience on stress and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effects of Metabolic Syndrome and Sex on Stress Coping Strategies in Individuals with Depressive Disorder

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is related to depression and contributes to reduced life expectancy in individuals with mental disorders. Stress coping strategies are important factors in the development and maintenance of depressive disorders and have been related to metabolic disturbances. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a difference in the use of positive (re- and devaluation, distraction, and control) and negative stress coping strategies in relation to patients' MetS. A sample of 363 individuals (n female = 204, n male = 159) with a diagnosis of depression was measured with the Stress Coping Style Questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory. In addition, we collected data on MetS (waist circumference, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, fasting glucose/diabetes, blood pressure/hypertonia) according to the International Diabetes Federation. A 2 × 2 design including Mets (with vs. without) and sex (female vs. male) was performed to test for differences in stress coping strategies. Individuals with depression and MetS scored higher on distraction strategies than depressed individuals without MetS (p < 0.01, corrected with false discovery rate). In addition, we found sex differences in stress coping strategies indicating that women with depression scored higher on distraction strategies (p < 0.001, FDR corrected), as well as negative strategies (p < 0.001, FDR corrected), than men. No significant interaction between MetS and sex was found regarding the higher value of stress coping strategies. Findings suggest that individuals with depression and MetS used distraction strategies to a higher amount to cope with stress, which could be stress eating in some cases, than those without MetS. Women with depressive disorders had higher values than men on other coping strategies in our sample of individuals with depression. A better understanding of MetS and sex-specific differences in stress coping strategies might help to plan more effective preventive strategies and personalized treatment options for depression.

Effect of Yoga involvement on mental health in times of crisis: A cross-sectional study

Background

Yoga involvement can be understood as a degree of immersion in the philosophical/spiritual teachings of Yoga. Previous research has shown a positive association between Yoga involvement and mental health. This study further investigates the effect of Yoga involvement on several parameters of psychological well-being and distress amidst a global crisis precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A total sample of 246 participants (216 females; 118 Yoga versus 128 age-matched Pilates practitioners) were included in the study. Via an online-survey the following questionnaires were completed: the WHO-Five Well-Being Index, the Multidimensional Inventory for Religious/Spiritual Well-Being short version, the Leipzig Short Scale of Sense of Coherence, the Brief Symptom Inventory and the Yoga Immersion Scale which was adapted for the control group to Pilates Immersion Scale.

Results

When controlling for occupation and psychiatric disorder, involvement in general was higher for Yoga practitioners than for Pilates controls. Furthermore, Yoga practice was associated with increased religious/spiritual well-being and decreased sense of coherence, but neither with psychological well-being nor with psychological distress. Involvement, in general, positively predicted psychological well-being, religious/spiritual well-being and sense of coherence, but there was no connection with psychological distress. Lastly, involvement mediated the positive relationship between Yoga practice and religious/spiritual well-being and suppressed the negative effect of Yoga practice on sense of coherence.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that involvement in a certain relaxation practice has a positive impact and might be a key component in understanding Yoga's influence on mental health. Further randomized controlled research, including clinical groups, is necessary to explain how involvement changes and how it effects well-being more specifically.

Evaluation of a Newly Developed Smartphone App for Risk Factor Management in Young Patients With Ischemic Stroke: A Pilot Study

Background: Efficient treatment of modifiable vascular risk factors decreases reoccurrence of ischemic stroke, which is of uttermost importance in younger patients. In this longitudinal pilot study, we thus assessed the effect of a newly developed smartphone app for risk factor management in such a cohort. Methods: The app conveys key facts about stroke, provides motivational support for a healthy lifestyle, and a reminder function for medication intake and blood pressure measurement. Between January 2019 and February 2020, we consecutively invited patients with ischemic stroke aged between 18 and 55 years to participate. Patients in the intervention group used the app between hospital discharge and 3-month follow-up. The control group received standard clinical care. Modifiable risk factors (physical activity, nutrition, alcohol consumption, smoking behavior, obesity, and hypertension) were assessed during the initial hospital stay and at a dedicated stroke outpatient department three months post-stroke. Results: The study cohort comprised 21 patients in the app intervention group (62% male; age = 41 ± 11 years; education = 12 ± 3 years) and 21 sex-, age- and education-matched control patients with a comparable stroke risk factor profile. Baseline stroke severity was comparable between groups (intervention: median NIHSS = 3; control: median NIHSS = 4; p = 0.604). Three months post-stroke, patients in the intervention group reported to be physically almost twice as active (13 ± 9 h/week) compared to controls (7 ± 5 h/week; p = 0.022). More intense app usage was strongly associated with higher physical activity (r = 0.60, p = 0.005) and lower consumption of unhealthy food (r = -0.51, p = 0.023). Smoking behavior (p = 0.001) and hypertension (p = 0.003) improved in all patients. Patients in the intervention group described better self-reported health-related quality of life three months post-stroke (p = 0.003). Conclusions: Specifically designed app interventions can be an easily to implement and cost-efficient approach to promote a healthier lifestyle in younger patients with a stroke.

The conscientiousness-health link in depression: Results from a path analysis

BACKGROUND

This was the first study aiming to develop a theory-based model to analyze the relation between conscientiousness and impaired physical health as well as between conscientiousness and subjective health-related well-being within a large clinical sample with depressive symptomatology. In addition, a mediating effect of health risk behaviors regarding the association between conscientiousness and objectively impaired physical health as well as subjective health-related well-being were exploratory examined.

METHODS

Individuals with depressive symptoms (n = 943) with a mean age of 52 years (ranging between 20 and 78 years) undergoing intensive psychiatric rehabilitation treatment were investigated with the Big Five Inventory-10 as well as several self-report health questionnaires (Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire, Food-Craving Inventory and lifestyle questions assessing physical inactivity and alcohol consumption). Health-related well-being was measured using the World Health Organisation Quality of Life Assessment and the construct of impaired physical health comprised anthropometric measurements (Body Mass Index, Waist-to-Height-Ratio), blood lipids, and impaired physical performance capacity on the bicycle-ergometric test.

RESULTS

Structural path analyses revealed that unhealthy eating habits and physical inactivity partially mediated the negative relation between conscientiousness and impaired physical health as well as the positive relation between conscientiousness and health-related well-being.

LIMITATIONS

Possible limitations include cross-sectional study design, missing data, assessment of conscientiousness on a global level and self-report assessment of health risk behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings highlight the importance concerning the extended inclusion of personality aspects in the treatment of depression in order to improve health.

Psychological correlates of COVID-19 pandemic in the Austrian population

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 poses the greatest challenge for the entire world since the Second World War. Governments are forced to define strict measures to avoid the spreading of the virus, which may further impose psychological burden for the majority of the population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychological distress in Austria during the initial stage of the COVID-19 outbreak.

METHODS

From 25 March to 3 April 2020, an anonymous online survey was conducted. Target group included all members of the Austrian population older than 16 years. The survey addressed the following areas (1) and sociodemographic data, (2) physical and mental health; (3) knowledge and concerns about COVID-19; (4) contact with infected people; (5) prevention efforts; (6) need for further information. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) were used to assess mental health. Analyses were based on 4126 individuals (74% female, age: M = 38.68, SD = 13.36).

RESULTS

43.3% rated the psychological impact as moderate (5.6%) or severe (37.7%). 26.5% reported moderate (13.3%) to severe (13.2%) depression; 20.3% moderate (8.9%) to severe (11.4%) anxiety and 21.2% reported to suffer from moderate (10.5%) or severe stress (10.7%). Being female, higher age, lower levels of education, concern about family members, internet as main source of information, student or pupil status, poor self-rated health, and downplaying the seriousness of the problem were significantly associated with higher psychological burden. Protective factors were the possibility to work in home office, frequent (indirect) contact with family or friends, the availability of virus-specific information, confidence in the diagnosis capability, and physical activity during the crisis.

CONCLUSION

This study is among the first in Europe on the psychological correlates of the COVID-19 pandemic. 37.7% of the Austrian study population reported a severe psychological impact on the event and 1 in 10 is considered to suffer from severe depression, anxiety or stress. The present findings inform about the identification of protective factors, psychologically vulnerable groups and may guide the development of psychological interventions.

Autonomic dysfunction in posttraumatic stress disorder indexed by heart rate variability: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Changes in autonomic nervous system (ANS) function have been observed in a variety of psychological disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) provides insight into the functioning of the ANS. Previous research on PTSD found lower HRV in PTSD patients compared to controls, indicating altered sympathetic and parasympathetic activity, but findings are inconsistent. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine differences in HRV indices between individuals with PTSD and healthy controls at baseline and during stress.

METHODS

The included primary studies present an aggregate of studies analyzing different HRV indices. Examined HRV indices were standard deviation of the normalized NN-intervals (SDNN), root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) spectral components, LF/HF ratio, and heart rate (HR). Moderating effects of study design, HRV and PTSD assessment, and sample characteristics were examined via subgroup-analyses and meta-regressions.

RESULTS

Random-effects meta-analyses for HRV parameters at rest revealed significant group differences for RMSSD and HF-HRV, suggesting lower parasympathetic activity in PTSD. The aggregated effect size for SDNN was medium, suggesting diminished total variability in PTSD. A small effect was found for LF-HRV. A higher LF/HF ratio was found in the PTSD sample as compared to controls. Individuals with PTSD showed significantly higher HR. During stress, individuals with PTSD showed higher HR and lower HF-HRV, both indicated by small effect sizes.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that PTSD is associated with ANS dysfunction.

[Use of smartphone apps in secondary stroke prevention]

Modifiable risk factors such as hypertension, obesity or smoking have been reported to explain up to 90% of risk for ischemic stroke. Treatment of these risk factors is known to decrease the risk of recurrent stroke events. We performed a computer-based literature research from June to August 2018 using the electronic database PubMed to investigate the effect of smartphone apps on risk factor control for secondary stroke prevention as well as feasibility and patient satisfaction with mobile health. Studies evaluating interventions by smartphone or tablet devices in stroke patients and reported results regarding risk factors, feasibility or patient satisfaction were considered (n = 10). Identified data showed significant improvement regarding the control of risk factors hypertension and diabetes as well as significant improvements of the lifestyle risk factors physical inactivity and obesity. Stroke patients perceive smartphone apps mostly as useful and are open-minded regarding mHealth, provided that these complement rather than replace personal medical care.

Learning Unicycling Evokes Manifold Changes in Gray and White Matter Networks Related to Motor and Cognitive Functions

A three-week unicycling training was associated with (1) reductions of gray matter volume in regions closely linked to visuospatial processes such as spatial awareness, (2) increases in fractional anisotropy primarily in the right corticospinal tract and in the right forceps major of the corpus callosum, and (3) a slowly evolving increase in cortical thickness in the left motor cortex. Intriguingly, five weeks later, during which participants were no longer regularly engaged in unicycling, a re-increase in gray matter was found in the very same region of the rSTG. These changes in gray and white matter morphology were paralleled by increases in unicycling performance, and by improvements in postural control, which diminished until the follow-up assessments. Learning to ride a unicycle results in reorganization of different types of brain tissue facilitating more automated postural control, clearly demonstrating that learning a complex balance task modulates brain structure in manifold and highly dynamic ways.

Impact of humor-related communication elements in natural dyadic interactions on interpersonal physiological synchrony

Evidence suggests that in dyadic conversations some alignment occurs at the physiological level, but relatively little is known about the conditions that may facilitate physiological synchrony of two interlocutors. In the present interdisciplinary study, the impact of specific linguistic features of ongoing dialogues-the use of humor-related communication elements-was examined in 24 male dyads who were meeting for the first time. Heart rate synchrony was quantified using phase synchronization, which reflects the degree of moment-to-moment adjustments that occur between the two persons of a dyad. Comical hypotheticals and verbal amplifiers were identified and quantified using cognitive-linguistic methods of corpus analysis. Additionally, smiles following these communication elements were identified using the Facial Action Coding System. The data showed that the heart rate time series of the two interlocutors were to some extent synchronized in phase, and that the magnitude of this synchronization exceeded what had to be expected by chance. The strength of heart rate synchrony in a dyad was the higher the more comical hypotheticals were produced, independently from how much the two conversation partners were in sum talking to each other. A similar observation was made for verbal amplifiers, but their effect depended on whether they were perceived (and acknowledged by a smile) as humorous. The findings are in line with the more general notion that physiological synchrony may be enhanced by shared experience and suggest that the use of (reciprocated) humor may speed up the building of rapport among communication partners.

"Switch-Off" of Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia Can Occur in a Minority of Subjects During Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

A group of 23 healthy scanner naïve participants of a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study with increased state anxiety exhibited 0.1 Hz oscillations in blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) signals, heart rate (HR) beat-to-beat intervals (RRI) and respiration. The goal of the present paper is to explore slow oscillations in respiration and RRI and their phase-coupling by applying the dynamic "wave-by-wave" analysis. Five participants with either high or moderate levels of fMRI-related anxiety (age 23.8 ± 3.3y) were found with at least one bulk of consecutive breathing waves with a respiration rate between 6 to 9 breaths/min in a 5-min resting state. The following results were obtained: (i) Breathing oscillations with dominant frequencies at 0.1 Hz and 0.15 Hz displayed a 1:1 coupling with RRI. (ii) Inspiration time was significantly longer than expiration time. (iii) RRI minima (start of HR decrease) coincided with the early inspiration, and RRI maxima (start of HR increase) coincided with the late inspiration. (iv) RRI rhythm led over the respiratory rhythm. This phase-coupling pattern is quite contrary to typical respiratory sinus arrhythmia where HR increases during inspiration and decreases during expiration.

Life Satisfaction and Hemodynamic Reactivity to Mental Stress

BACKGROUND

Satisfaction with life has been considered a health-protective variable, which could impact cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, few studies have examined the physiological pathways involved in the potentially salutary effect of life satisfaction. It was hypothesized that life satisfaction should be associated with a cardiovascular response profile that signals challenge (i.e., higher cardiac output, lower peripheral resistance), rather than threat during a mental stress task.

METHODS

A sample of 75 healthy, medication-free men without clinical signs of psychological disorders who worked full-time and occupied highly demanding positions participated in this study. They performed two mental stress tasks (n-back) with varying degrees of difficulty. The tasks were embedded between a baseline and a recovery period. Cardiovascular and hemodynamic variables (heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac output, total peripheral resistance) were recorded by means of impedance cardiography.

RESULTS

Individuals who were more satisfied with their life displayed higher cardiac output and lower peripheral resistance levels during the stress tasks, indicating a challenge rather than a threat profile. Findings were robust when controlled for physical activity, smoking, age, and depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Life satisfaction could be positively correlated with beneficial hemodynamic stress reactivity, indicating that individuals with higher levels of life satisfaction can more adaptively cope with stress. Increased cardiac output and decreased peripheral resistance during stress may constitute one route through which life satisfaction can benefit health.

Synchronization of intrinsic 0.1-Hz blood-oxygen-level-dependent oscillations in amygdala and prefrontal cortex in subjects with increased state anxiety

Low-frequency oscillations with a dominant frequency at 0.1 Hz are one of the most influential intrinsic blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signals. This raises the question if vascular BOLD oscillations (originating from blood flow in the brain) and intrinsic slow neural activity fluctuations (neural BOLD oscillations) can be differentiated. In this study, we report on two different approaches: first, on computing the phase-locking value in the frequency band 0.07-0.13 Hz between heart beat-to-beat interval (RRI) and BOLD oscillations and second, between multiple BOLD oscillations (functional connectivity) in four resting states in 23 scanner-naïve, anxious healthy subjects. The first method revealed that vascular 0.1-Hz BOLD oscillations preceded those in RRI signals by 1.7 ± 0.6 s and neural BOLD oscillations lagged RRI oscillations by 0.8 ± 0.5 s. Together, vascular BOLD oscillations preceded neural BOLD oscillations by ~90° or ~2.5 s. To verify this discrimination, connectivity patterns of neural and vascular 0.1-Hz BOLD oscillations were compared in 26 regions involved in processing of emotions. Neural BOLD oscillations revealed significant phase-coupling between amygdala and medial frontal cortex, while vascular BOLD oscillations showed highly significant phase-coupling between amygdala and multiple regions in the supply areas of the anterior and medial cerebral arteries. This suggests that not only slow neural and vascular BOLD oscillations can be dissociated but also that two strategies may exist to optimize regulation of anxiety, that is increased functional connectivity between amygdala and medial frontal cortex, and increased cerebral blood flow in amygdala and related structures.

[Cognitive impairments accompanying the burnout syndrome - a review]

BACKGROUND

The rising prevalence of the burnout syndrome has increasingly moved it into the focus of scientific interest. In addition to emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, particularly reduced personal accomplishment has strong societal and economic effects. In recent years reduced personal accomplishment has increasingly been linked to cognitive impairment. However, up to now only a few studies have objectively assessed cognitive deficits in burnout patients. This article gives an overview of 16 studies which examined cognitive abilities in burnout patients. The findings are partly contradictory, probably due to methodical differences. Consensus has emerged concerning impairments of executive functions, i.a. vigilance, and memory updating and monitoring. Multifactorial causation may underlie the cognitive impairments.

OUTLOOK

Targeted longitudinal studies are necessary in order to identify the affected cognitive functions and be able to make causal inferences on links between the burnout syndrome and specific cognitive impairments.

Distinction between Neural and Vascular BOLD Oscillations and Intertwined Heart Rate Oscillations at 0.1 Hz in the Resting State and during Movement

In the resting state, blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) oscillations with a frequency of about 0.1 Hz are conspicuous. Whether their origin is neural or vascular is not yet fully understood. Furthermore, it is not clear whether these BOLD oscillations interact with slow oscillations in heart rate (HR). To address these two questions, we estimated phase-locking (PL) values between precentral gyrus (PCG) and insula in 25 scanner-naïve individuals during rest and stimulus-paced finger movements in both hemispheres. PL was quantified in terms of time delay and duration in the frequency band 0.07 to 0.13 Hz. Results revealed both positive and negative time delays. Positive time delays characterize neural BOLD oscillations leading in the PCG, whereas negative time delays represent vascular BOLD oscillations leading in the insula. About 50% of the participants revealed positive time delays distinctive for neural BOLD oscillations, either with short or long unilateral or bilateral phase-locking episodes. An expected preponderance of neural BOLD oscillations was found in the left hemisphere during right-handed movement and unexpectedly in the right hemisphere during rest. Only neural BOLD oscillations were significantly associated with heart rate variability (HRV) in the 0.1-Hz range in the first resting state. It is well known that participating in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies may be frightening and cause anxiety. In this respect it is important to note that the most significant hemispheric asymmetry (p<0.002) with a right-sided dominance of neural BOLD and a left-sided dominance of vascular BOLD oscillations was found in the first resting session in the scanner-naïve individuals. Whether the enhanced left-sided perfusion (dominance of vascular BOLD) or the right-sided dominance of neural BOLD is related to the increased level of anxiety, attention or stress needs further research.

Body Position Influences Cardiovascular Disgust Reactivity

It has been suggested that elevated trait disgust constitutes a vulnerability factor for fainting episodes. We tested the hypothesis that disgust-prone individuals are susceptible to vasovagal syncope by means of a tilt table experiment, during which 30 women were presented with disgusting pictures in a supine and a 70° upright position. The results showed that relative to disgust elicitation in the supine position, tilting reduced diastolic blood pressure during disgust elicitation, which could indicate increased risk for presyncope. Moreover, self-reported disgust proneness was positively correlated with heart rate during disgust induction in the tilted position. This association may point to a compensatory mechanism that aims at stabilizing mean arterial pressure. Disgust-prone individuals possibly utilized this mechanism more extensively to prevent fainting. Future investigations with a longer duration should follow up on this finding and compare the onset of presyncope between high and low disgust-prone individuals.

Depressive symptoms and attenuated physiological reactivity to laboratory stressors

There is evidence that depressive symptoms are associated with attenuated physiological reactivity to active stressors. However, it is not known whether blunted reactivity in depressed individuals is stressor-specific. We examined cardiovascular and electrodermal reactivity in non-clinical participants with varying levels of depressive symptoms to different active and passive stressors. Depressive symptoms were inversely related to both blood pressure and skin conductance reactivity during a public speaking task and the viewing of the speech video. However, no effects were found during a cold pressor task. Together these findings suggest that depressive symptoms are related to attenuated sympathetic nervous system reactivity in response to self-relevant stressors.

Momentary affect predicts bodily movement in daily life: an ambulatory monitoring study

There is converging evidence that physical activity influences affective states. It has been found that aerobic exercise programs can significantly diminish negative affect. Moreover, among healthy individuals, moderate levels of physical activity seem to increase energetic arousal and positive affect. However, the predictive utility of affective states for bodily movement has rarely been investigated. In this study, we examined whether momentarily assessed affect is associated with bodily movement in everyday life. Using a previously published data set (Schwerdtfeger, Eberhardt, & Chmitorz, 2008), we reanalyzed 12-hr ecological momentary assessment (EMA) data from 124 healthy volunteers. Electronic momentary positive-activated affect (EMA-PAA) and negative affect (EMA-NA) were assessed via handheld computers, and bodily movement was recorded via accelerosensors. Generalized linear mixed models were calculated. Results indicated that EMAPAA increases were accompanied by bodily movement increases of varying intensity. EMA-NA was also positively associated with increases in certain kinds of bodily movement. In light of previous research, this finding suggests that affect and bodily movement may have circular effects on each other.

The time line of threat processing and vagal withdrawal in response to a self-threatening stressor in cognitive avoidant copers: evidence for vigilance-avoidance theory

Using a spatial cueing paradigm with emotional and neutral facial expressions as cues, we examined early and late patterns of information processing in cognitive avoidant coping (CAV). Participants were required to detect a target that appeared either in the same location as the cue (valid) or in a different location (invalid). Cue-target onset asynchrony (CTOA) was manipulated to be short (250 ms) or long (750 ms). CAV was associated with early facilitation and faster disengagement from angry faces. No effects were found for happy or neutral faces. After completing the spatial cueing task, participants prepared and delivered a public speech and heart rate variability (HRV) was recorded. Disengagement from angry faces was related to a decrease in HRV in response to this task. Together, these data suggest that CAV is related to early engagement followed by disengagement from threat-related cues that might impact physiological stress responses.

Digit ratio (2D:4D) is associated with traffic violations for male frequent car drivers

Digit ratio (2D:4D) is a putative marker of prenatal hormone exposure. A lower digit ratio has been suggested as an index of higher testosterone relative to estrogen exposure during prenatal development. Digit ratio has been associated with a variety of psychological sex-dimorphic variables, including spatial orientation, aggression, or risk-taking behavior. The present study aimed to relate digit ratio to traffic violations for a male sample (N = 77) of frequent car drivers. Digit ratio was assessed via printout scans of the hand, and traffic offense behavior was assessed via self-reported penalty points as registered by the Central Register of Traffic Offenders in Germany. In addition, social desirability and sensation seeking were recorded. Results showed that digit ratio was inversely related to penalty point entries, suggesting more traffic violations for individuals with higher prenatal testosterone exposure. Sensation seeking was positively associated with traffic violations, but there was no relationship between sensation seeking and digit ratio, proposing additive effects of both variables. The results suggest that prenatal androgen exposure might be related to traffic violations for frequent car drivers.

Self-efficacy as a health-protective resource in teachers? A biopsychological approach

OBJECTIVE

To examine the psychobiological correlates of self-efficacy in teachers.

DESIGN

Study 1 examined associations between teacher self-efficacy and cardiac activation on a working day and Study 2 assessed the cortisol morning response in teachers with varying levels of teacher self-efficacy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Teacher self-efficacy was assessed by questionnaire. In Study 1 heart rate, heart rate variability, and locomotor activity were recorded by 22 hours ambulatory monitoring and subjective measures of stress and strain were obtained. Study 2 assessed the cortisol response to awakening to obtain a measure of HPA-axis activation and teachers filled in a questionnaire on physical complaints.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Study 1 found that self-efficacy proved protective for psychological well-being. Moreover, after controlling for locomotor activity, demographic, and lifestyle variables, self-efficacy was associated with elevated heart rate and attenuated heart rate variability during school and leisure time, respectively, but not during the night, thus questioning the health-implications of self-efficacy. Study 2 found that teachers high in self-efficacy exhibited an attenuated cortisol response to awakening and fewer cardiac complaints. The results of both studies are compatible with the view that teacher self-efficacy might act as a physiological toughening agent with possibly favorable health outcomes.

Gibt es einen Zusammenhang zwischen Bewegungsaktivität und psychischem Befinden im Alltag?

Zusammenfassung. Mit diesem Beitrag wollen wir illustrieren, wie mit Hilfe der Technik des ambulanten Monitoring gesundheitspsychologische Fragestellungen im Alltag untersucht werden können. Dazu wurde der Zusammenhang von körperlicher Aktivität und Wohlbefinden im Alltag analysiert. Mit Hilfe von Beschleunigungssensoren wurden Bewegungsdaten über einen Zeitraum von 12 Stunden an 124 Probanden zwischen 18 und 73 Jahren aufgezeichnet. Energetische Aktiviertheit/positiver Affekt (EA/PA) und Anspannung/negativer Affekt (WA/NA) wurden etwa stündlich mittels Pocketcomputer erfasst. Die Daten wurden mit Mehrebenenmodellen ausgewertet. Bewegungsepisoden, die vor der Befindensabfrage auftraten, waren positiv mit EA/PA assoziiert. Zusammenhänge mit WA/NA konnten hingegen nicht beobachtet werden. Weiterhin waren BMI und EA/PA negativ miteinander assoziiert, wobei dieser Zusammenhang vor allem auf die Männer zurückzuführen war. Weiterhin zeigte sich, dass mit zunehmendem BMI der Zusammenhang zwischen Bewegung und EA/PA anstieg. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Untersuchung gesundheitspsychologischer Fragestellungen im Feld viel versprechend ist und die Befunde bisheriger Untersuchungen erweitern.

Individual Differences in Auditory, Pain, and Motor Stimulation

Abstract. Augmenting/reducing is a personality dimension related to the processing of sensory stimuli. Augmenters are assumed to augment the impact of stimuli leading to stimulation-avoidant behavior and lower pain tolerance. Reducers are assumed to attenuate sensory stimuli leading to stimulation-seeking behavior and higher pain tolerance. Augmenting/reducing can be assessed by the method of evoked potentials or - as in this study - by questionnaire. Two studies were conducted to examine associations between augmenting/reducing as assessed by questionnaire and stimulus intensity modulation. Study 1 found reducers (n = 24, 12 females) to more frequently consume psychoactive substances and to turn music on louder than augmenters (n = 25, 12 females) even after controlling for individual hearing ability. In Study 2, reducers (n = 19, 10 females) were more pain tolerant than augmenters (n = 18, 9 females) and this difference increased with increasing stimulation time. Moreover, reducers were faster than augmenters in a rapid tapping task but there was no difference in a lower-stimulation tracking task. The results suggest that differences between augmenters and reducers are most reliable when the stimulation potential is high. The clinical relevance of this construct is discussed.

Comparison of SSFP and IR GRE Techniques for Measurement of Total Myocardial Mass-Influence of Applied Contrast Dosage and Implication for Relative Infarct Size Assessment

OBJECTIVE

To compare total left ventricular mass assessment using steady state free precession (SSFP) and inversion recovery fast gradient echo (IR GRE) imaging and further to assess the influence of contrast dosage on mass by IR GRE and its implications on relative infarct size assessment with both methods.

METHODS

Forty-three patients with first documented myocardial infarction and single vessel disease underwent measurement of total myocardial mass using SSFP technique and an IR GRE sequence. As part of a Phase 2 multi-center dose ranging study for infarct identification patients received 1 of 4 possible dosages (0.05, 0.1, 0.2 or 0.3 mmol/kg body weight) of the contrast agent gadoversetamide (OptiMARK, Tyco Healthcare Mallinckrodt, St. Louis, MO, USA).

RESULTS

Left ventricular mass assessment using IR GRE resulted in a slightly greater detection of myocardial mass than from the SSFP images (160.1 and 156.4 g, respectively, p < 0.001). The overall good correlation of both methods (R2 = 0.97 for the total study group, p < 0.001) was further improved by using gadoversetamide at doses of 0.2 or 0.3 mmol/kg (R2= 0.99, p < 0.001), mainly as a result of a considerably higher blood-myocardial contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in the IR GRE images. Bland-Altman analysis in these subgroups showed very little scatter of the residuals over the mean (3.5 +/- 5.4 g and 1.3 +/- 6.9 g respectively, 95% confidence interval). The observed differences in total mass calculation, while statistically significant, were not correlated with clinically relevant differences in estimation of relative infarct size.

CONCLUSION

Total LV mass calculations using SSFP and IR GRE techniques are interchangeable when using appropriate contrast media, such as gadoversetamide. Late gadolinium enhancement results in good blood myocardial CNR. Hence, for relative infarct size assessment either method for calculation of total myocardial mass can be used.

Spontaneous emotion regulation during evaluated speaking tasks: associations with negative affect, anxiety expression, memory, and physiological responding

In these studies, the correlates of spontaneously using expressive suppression and cognitive reappraisal during stressful speeches were examined. Spontaneous emotion regulation means that there were no instructions of how to regulate emotions during the speech. Instead, participants indicated after the speech to what extent they used self-motivated expressive suppression or reappraisal during the task. The results show that suppression is associated with less anxiety expression, greater physiological responding, and less memory for the speech while having no impact on negative affect. In contrast, reappraisal has no impact on physiology and memory while leading to less expression and affect. Taken together, spontaneous emotion regulation in active coping tasks has similar consequences as experimentally induced emotion regulation in passive tasks.

Verbal-autonomic response dissociations as traits?

Dissociations between subjective and physiological responses to stress are of central interest in coping research. However, little is known about their stability across situations and time. Two experimental sessions - separated by 1 year - were conducted to examine cross-situational consistency and longterm-stability of HR-derived and SCL-derived dissociation scores. In year 1, a speech stressor, the cold pressor and a video stressor (viewing of the speech video) were applied. In year 2, mental arithmetics, anagrams and a torture video were presented. Thirty-five students participated and HR, SCL and negative affect were recorded. For each stressor, standardized changes in negative affect were subtracted from changes in autonomic reactivity (HR and SCL, respectively). Dissociation scores were relatively consistent across the stressors with HR-derived scores exceeding SCL-derived scores. Longterm-stability proved acceptable (r=.61, P<.001 for HR-derived and r=.40, P<.05 for SCL-derived scores). In sum, verbal-autonomic response dissociations show considerable cross-situational and temporal stability and thus might be considered as traits.

Trait anxiety and autonomic indicators of the processing of threatening information: A cued S1–S2 paradigm

The aim of this study was to use autonomic parameters in a cued S1-S2 task to examine associations between the processing of threatening information and trait anxiety in normal individuals. Forty-six student volunteers were designated high- or low-anxious due to pre-defined cutoff scores on the STAI. A cued S1-S2 task was presented in which the type of warning signal (S1) was consistently related to either threatening or non-threatening pictures (S2). Ten threat and 10 non-threat pictures were randomly presented. Heart rate and electrodermal activity were recorded in the time interval between S1 and S2. Results indicated deeper heart rate decelerations on threatening trials in high-anxious as compared to low-anxious individuals. For non-threatening trials, the opposite pattern was found. Moreover, high-anxious participants exhibited higher electrodermal responses to the S1, irrespective of the trial's valence as well as stronger responses to the threatening S2. Autonomic responses can, thus, be regarded as sensitive markers of information processing differences in trait anxiety.

Interactive effects of avoidant coping and parental hypertension on Rate Pressure Product reactivity in women

BACKGROUND

Previous research suggests that personality, situational context variables, and genes might interact to potentiate cardiovascular stress responses.

PURPOSE

Our purpose is to examine interactive effects of dispositional avoidant coping and parental hypertension on cardiovascular reactivity to three different laboratory stressors.

METHOD

Participants were 63 healthy female students. Stressors were an evaluated videotaped speech, the cold pressor, and viewing of the speech video. Heart rate and blood pressure were continuously recorded during baselines and tasks.

RESULTS

After controlling for age, body mass index, smoking status, reported exercise, alcohol consumption, oral contraceptive use, parental hypertension, and avoidant coping, the interaction term of parental hypertension and avoidant coping was the best predictor of rate pressure product (RPP) reactivity to the speech task and to the video-viewing task. In contrast, reactivity to the cold pressor was not significantly predicted by this interaction term. Furthermore, there were no significant main effects of parental hypertension and avoidant coping on RPP reactivity in any of the tasks. There were no significant interactive effects for diastolic blood pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

Consistent with an interactive model of cardiovascular reactivity, parental hypertension plus avoidant coping led to enhanced RPP reactivity. This effect, however, was only evident during self-threatening stressors. The results suggest that the coincidence of genetic and personality factors might enhance risk for cardiovascular diseases.

Temporal Stability of the Implicit Association Test-Anxiety

The Implicit Association Test-Anxiety (IAT-Anxiety; Egloff & Schmukle, 2002) provides an indirect assessment of anxiety by measuring associations of self (vs. other) with anxiety-related (vs. calmness-related) words. In 3 studies (using 3 independent samples), we examined the temporal stability of the IAT-Anxiety. In Study 1, 65 participants responded twice to the IAT-Anxiety with a time lag of 1 week. The test-retest correlation was .58. In Study 2 (N = 39), we extended the time interval between test and retest to 1 month and this yielded a stability coefficient of .62. In Study 3 (N = 36), we examined the long-term stability (time lag: 1 year) of the IAT-Anxiety and this showed a correlation of .47. We discuss implications of these results for the assessment of personality dispositions with the IAT.

Fast reducers, slow augmenters: a psychophysiological analysis of temperament-related differences in reaction time

Augmenting-reducing theory describes temperament-related differences in the modulation of stimulation. Reducers are supposed to need more stimulation than augmenters because of a cortical attenuation of incoming stimuli. The study investigated differences between augmenters and reducers (classified by questionnaire) in performance and information processing strategies in a simple reaction time task. Fifty-two subjects (27 augmenters, 25 reducers) took part in a visual reaction time task with go- and catch-trials (30%). Reaction times, commission errors, and psychophysiological indicators of information processing (N1, P300, EMG) were recorded. Reducers were faster and exhibited more commission errors than augmenters. Moreover, reducers exhibited higher N1-amplitudes, faster EMG-onsets and higher EMG-amplitudes than augmenters. An additional pain tolerance test revealed that male reducers were more pain tolerant than the other participants. These results are consistent with the proposition that reducers have a higher need for stimulation than augmenters. Probably, they utilize locomotor activity in order to compensate for their attenuated arousal.

Predicting autonomic reactivity to public speaking: don't get fixed on self-report data!

The study focused on the prediction of autonomic reactivity to public speaking by using self-report and objective data (other-ratings and behavioral data) of task-induced nervousness and task engagement. Forty-one individuals participated in the study. Heart rate and electrodermal activity were recorded during baseline and speech delivery. Stepwise multiple regression analyses indicated that self-report data of task engagement and nervousness largely failed in predicting psychophysiological reactivity to the speech task. After controlling for baseline values, demographic variables, and self-report data objective variables, however, were strong predictors of autonomic reactivity. Heart rate reactivity was significantly associated with gaze-duration towards the camera, indicating task engagement/involvement. Electrodermal activity was significantly related to other-rated nervousness/unstableness. Researchers are encouraged to record additionally objective variables when focusing on the prediction of psychophysiological reactivity.