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Kang JE, Graham-Engeland JE, Scott S, Smyth JM, Sliwinski MJ. The relationship between loneliness and the experiences of everyday stress and stressor-related emotion. Stress Health 2024; 40:e3294. [PMID: 37526522 PMCID: PMC10830881 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3294] [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: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Loneliness influences how people experience and respond to stressors, which may account for its role as a risk factor for morbidity and mortality. The present study was motivated by emerging evidence that affective responses to minor daily events have long-term implications for health and well-being. Specifically, we evaluated how individual differences in loneliness relate to the frequency of everyday stressors and stressor-related negative emotions. A diverse community sample of 255 adults (age 25-65 years) completed ecological momentary assessments (EMA), during which they reported recent stressors and current negative affect (NA) five times a day for 14 days. Multilevel logistic analyses indicated that there was a quadratic association between loneliness and likelihood of reporting stressors, controlling for demographics, social isolation, depressive symptoms, and context (current activities, current location). Multilevel regression indicated that loneliness was unrelated to the concurrent effect of stressors on NA but significantly larger lagged stressor effects were observed among individuals in the low and high ranges of loneliness. These findings suggest that individuals with high levels of loneliness are more likely to experience everyday stressors and have prolonged emotional responses following stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jee eun Kang
- Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, USA
| | | | - Stacey Scott
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Joshua M. Smyth
- Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, USA
| | - Martin J. Sliwinski
- Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, USA
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Song S, Graham-Engeland JE, Kim J. Associations Between Psychological Stress and Hand Pain Among Rural and Urban Adults: Findings From the KoGES Community Cohort Study. J Pain 2024; 25:362-375. [PMID: 37659447 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.08.016] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
Despite known health disparities in chronic pain conditions between rural and urban adults, few studies have examined whether longitudinal associations between psychological stress and hand pain differ. Utilizing community-based cohort data, this study examined whether rural and urban adults differed in the extent to which psychological distress was associated with hand osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms and later functional limitations related to hand pain. Community-dwelling adults (mean age = 51.97, 52.3% women) in a rural (n = 2,971) and urban area (n = 2,782) provided demographic data at baseline and, at a 4-year follow-up, responded to questionnaires about psychological distress and clinical symptoms of hand OA. Levels of functional limitations in hands were assessed at an 8-year follow-up. Ordinal logistic and linear regression were conducted to examine the effects of psychological distress on hand OA symptoms and functional limitations, and whether associations between psychological distress and these pain outcomes were moderated by residential area. The results showed that psychological distress was associated with a higher risk for hand OA symptoms and functional limitations, even after adjusting for demographic and health covariates. There was significant moderation by residential area, such that the association between psychological distress and hand OA was significant only among rural adults and the association with functional limitations was stronger in rural adults than urban adults. Findings suggest greater vulnerability to hand arthritis and hand-related functional limitations among rural adults and the potential for tailored intervention programs to help resolve health disparities among rural communities. PERSPECTIVE: This study compares the association between psychological distress and hand pain outcomes between rural and urban adults using community-based cohort data and suggests that rural adults are more vulnerable to experiencing negative effects of psychological distress on concurrent hand OA symptoms and longitudinal functional limitations in hands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunmi Song
- Rehabilitation Science Program, Department of Health Science, Graduate School, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Health and Environmental Science, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | - Junesun Kim
- Rehabilitation Science Program, Department of Health Science, Graduate School, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Health and Environmental Science, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea; BK21FOUR Program: Learning Health Systems, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
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3
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Zavala DV, Dzikowski N, Gopalan S, Harrington KD, Pasquini G, Mogle J, Reid K, Sliwinski M, Graham-Engeland JE, Engeland CG, Bernard K, Veeramah K, Scott SB. Epigenetic Age Acceleration and Chronological Age: Associations With Cognitive Performance in Daily Life. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2024; 79:glad242. [PMID: 37899644 PMCID: PMC10733172 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glad242] [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: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation-derived epigenetic clocks offer the opportunity to examine aspects of age acceleration (ie, the difference between an individual's biological age and chronological age), which vary among individuals and may better account for age-related changes in cognitive function than chronological age. Leveraging existing ambulatory cognitive assessments in daily life from a genetically diverse sample of 142 adults in midlife, we examined associations between 5 measures of epigenetic age acceleration and performance on tasks of processing speed and working memory. Covarying for chronological age, we used multilevel models to examine associations of epigenetic age acceleration (Horvath 1, Horvath 2, Hannum, PhenoAge, and GrimAge clocks) with both average level and variability of cognitive performance. Positive age acceleration (ie, epigenetic age greater than chronological age) was associated with poorer mean processing speed (Horvath 1 and 2) and working memory (GrimAge). Higher chronological age was also associated with poorer mean processing speed and working memory performance. Further, positive age acceleration was generally associated with greater intraindividual variability in working memory and processing speed tasks, whereas being chronologically older was associated with less intraindividual variability. Although further work is needed, our results indicate age acceleration effects have comparable or greater size as those for chronological age differences, suggesting that epigenetic age acceleration may account for additional risk and interindividual variation in cognitive performance above chronological age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisy V Zavala
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Natalie Dzikowski
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Shyamalika Gopalan
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Karra D Harrington
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Giancarlo Pasquini
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Jacqueline Mogle
- Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Kerry Reid
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Area of Ecology and Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Martin Sliwinski
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jennifer E Graham-Engeland
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Christopher G Engeland
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kristin Bernard
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Krishna Veeramah
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Stacey B Scott
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
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Harrington EE, Graham-Engeland JE, Sliwinski MJ, Van Bogart K, Mogle JA, Katz MJ, Lipton RB, Engeland CG. Older adults' self-reported prospective memory lapses in everyday life: Connections to inflammation and gender. J Psychosom Res 2023; 174:111489. [PMID: 37690333 PMCID: PMC10591850 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111489] [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: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Limited research has focused on the association between inflammatory markers and features of subjective cognitive functioning among older adults. The present work examined links between inflammation and a specific subjective cognitive report: prospective memory (PM), or our memory for future intentions, such as attending an appointment or taking medication. METHOD We assessed self-reported PM lapses using a two-week ecological momentary assessment (EMA) diary protocol via smartphone as well as levels of blood-based inflammation among 231 dementia-free older adults (70-90 years, 66% women) enrolled in the Einstein Aging Study. RESULTS Overall, PM lapses were largely unrelated to inflammatory markers. However, a significant gender difference was observed in the link between basal levels of interleukin (IL)-8 and PM lapses: higher levels of basal IL-8 were associated with more PM lapses among men (estimate = 0.98, 95%CI: [0.43, 1.53], p < .001) but not women (estimate = -0.03, 95%CI: [-0.45, 0.39], p = .826). No other significant relationships between PM lapses and basal or stimulated (ex vivo) cytokine levels (IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α]) or C-reactive protein (CRP) emerged. CONCLUSION Elevated levels of IL-8 in older men may possibly be an early indicator of neurodegeneration that relates to PM performance. Future studies should continue to examine PM and inflammation across genders to identify possible mechanisms through which these constructs may indicate neurodegeneration and dementia risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin E Harrington
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82070, USA.
| | - Jennifer E Graham-Engeland
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Martin J Sliwinski
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Karina Van Bogart
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | | | - Mindy J Katz
- Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Richard B Lipton
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Christopher G Engeland
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
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5
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Van Bogart K, Scott SB, Harrington KD, Felt JM, Sliwinski MJ, Graham-Engeland JE. Examining the Bidirectional Nature of Loneliness and Anxiety Among Older Adults in Daily Life. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2023; 78:1676-1685. [PMID: 37527478 PMCID: PMC10561887 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbad105] [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: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Loneliness in later life increases the risk for adverse health outcomes; however, less is known about how loneliness is maintained. Anxiety may play an important role in maintaining loneliness, but little is known about how this connection plays out over time in daily life. This study thus focused on the within-person associations between momentary loneliness and anxiety among older adults. METHODS Participants were 317 diverse older adults (40% Black; 13% Hispanic, mean age = 77.45 years, 67% women) systematically recruited from the Bronx, NY, who completed ecological momentary assessments 5 times daily for 14 consecutive days. Multilevel models tested bidirectional contemporaneous, momentary cross-lagged (t - 1), day-level cross-lagged (average day to end of day), and day-to-day cross-lagged associations between loneliness and anxiety. Separate sensitivity analyses controlled for concurrent overall mood valence or depressed state. Gender and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) status were tested as moderators at all timescales. RESULTS Significant bidirectional associations between loneliness and anxiety were found at the contemporaneous and momentary cross-lagged (t - 1) timescales. Higher average daily loneliness predicted higher end-of-day anxiety, but not vice versa. Loneliness and anxiety were not significantly associated from day to day. Sensitivity analyses revealed some associations varied depending on inclusion of either concurrent mood valence or depressed state. Neither gender nor MCI status moderated associations at any timescale. DISCUSSION Findings shed light on the complex temporal ordering of loneliness and anxiety in daily life and extend contemporary theoretical notions of loneliness, including the possibility of interventions that target key moments in daily life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Van Bogart
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Stacey B Scott
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Karra D Harrington
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - John M Felt
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Martin J Sliwinski
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jennifer E Graham-Engeland
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
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Jones EJ, Feinberg ME, Graham-Engeland JE, Jones DE, Schreier HMC. A perinatal coparenting intervention: Effects of a randomized trial on parent cardiometabolic risk and self-reported health. Biol Psychol 2023; 183:108664. [PMID: 37625684 PMCID: PMC10592003 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2023.108664] [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: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The transition to parenthood is a common yet stressful experience faced by many young and midlife adults, and the risk of cardiometabolic conditions also begins to rise at this time. Consequently, parenthood represents an opportune time to intervene with adults to support their psychological and physical health. PURPOSE We examined whether the benefits of the Family Foundations program, a perinatal preventative intervention promoting positive coparenting, extend beyond documented mental health and family relationship outcomes to better cardiometabolic risk factors among parents. METHODS We analyzed data from 183 couples (n = 366 participants) who, eight years prior, were randomly assigned to the 9-session perinatal preventative intervention program or a control condition. We collected dried blood spots to measure C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and cholesterol; parents also reported on their self-rated health. RESULTS Randomization to the intervention condition was associated with lower cholesterol (B=-.081, p = .049). Among parents who demonstrated more negative communication styles at pretest (during pregnancy), the intervention was further associated with better self-rated health (B=.181, p = .018). Participation in the intervention program was also marginally associated with lower CRP (B=-.261, p = .077), particularly among mothers (B=-.428, p = .076). CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that coparenting-focused interventions, such as Family Foundations, can lead to benefits beyond psychosocial and behavioral outcomes, and suggest that Family Foundations may improve parents' longer-term physical health, with potentially more benefits among couples who demonstrated more negative communication styles during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J Jones
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Mark E Feinberg
- Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | | | - Damon E Jones
- Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Hannah M C Schreier
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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Zawadzki MJ, Graham-Engeland JE, Robles PL, Hussain M, Fair EV, Tobin JN, Cassells A, Brondolo E. Acute Experiences of Negative Interpersonal Interactions: Examining the Dynamics of Negative Mood and Ambulatory Blood Pressure Responses Among Black and Hispanic Urban Adults. Ann Behav Med 2023; 57:630-639. [PMID: 37335887 PMCID: PMC10354846 DOI: 10.1093/abm/kaad033] [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] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Negative interpersonal interactions are associated with acute increases in ambulatory blood pressure (ABP). Yet, the mechanisms underlying this relationship are unclear. PURPOSE This study tested whether negative interpersonal interactions predict higher ABP both in the moment and during subsequent observations, and whether increases in negative mood mediate these relations. These associations were tested among Black and Hispanic urban adults who may be at higher risk for negative interpersonal interactions as a function of discrimination. Race/ethnicity and lifetime discrimination were tested as moderators. METHODS Using a 24-hr ecological momentary assessment (EMA) design, 565 Black and Hispanic participants (aged 23-65, M = 39.06, SD = 9.35; 51.68% men) had their ABP assessed every 20 min during daytime accompanied by an assessment of negative interpersonal interactions and mood. This produced 12,171 paired assessments of ABP and self-reports of participants' interpersonal interactions, including how much the interaction made them feel left out, harassed, and treated unfairly, as well as how angry, nervous, and sad they felt. RESULTS Multilevel models revealed that more intense negative interpersonal interactions predicted higher momentary ABP. Mediation analyses revealed that increased negative mood explained the relationship between negative interpersonal interactions and ABP in concurrent and lagged analyses. Discrimination was associated with more negative interpersonal interactions, but neither race/ethnicity nor lifetime discrimination moderated findings. CONCLUSIONS Results provide a clearer understanding of the psychobiological mechanisms through which interpersonal interactions influence cardiovascular health and may contribute to health disparities. Implications include the potential for just-in-time interventions to provide mood restoring resources after negative interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Zawadzki
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of California, Merced, CA, USA
| | | | - Patrick L Robles
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maryam Hussain
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of California, Merced, CA, USA
- Clinical Research and Development, Lucid Lane, Inc., Los Altos, CA, USA
| | - Emily V Fair
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA
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Knight EL, Graham-Engeland JE, Sliwinski MJ, Engeland CG. Greater Ecologically Assessed Positive Experiences Predict Heightened Sex Hormone Concentrations Across Two Weeks in Older Adults. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2023; 78:1007-1017. [PMID: 36715104 PMCID: PMC10214649 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbad015] [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: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Sex hormones are important components of healthy aging, with beneficial effects on physical and mental health. Positive experiences such as elevated mood, lowered stress, and higher well-being also contribute to health outcomes and, in younger adults, may be associated with elevated sex hormone levels. However, little is known about the association between positive experiences and sex hormones in older adults. METHODS In this study, older men and women (N = 224, 70+ years of age) provided blood samples before and after a 2-week period of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) of positive and negative experiences (assessed based on self-reporting items related to affect, stress, and well-being). Concentrations of a panel of steroid sex hormones and glucocorticoids were determined in blood. RESULTS Higher levels of positive experiences reported in daily life across 2 weeks were associated with increases in free (biologically active) levels of testosterone (B = 0.353 [0.106, 0.601], t(221.3) = 2.801, p = .006), estradiol (B = 0.373 [0.097, 0.649], t(225.1) = 2.645, p = .009), and estrone (B = 0.468 [0.208, 0.727], t(224.3) = 3.535, p < .001) between the start and the end of the 2-week EMA period. DISCUSSION These findings suggest that sex hormones may be a pathway linking positive experiences to health in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik L Knight
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Jennifer E Graham-Engeland
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Martin J Sliwinski
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Christopher G Engeland
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
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DeMeo NN, Smyth JM, Scott SB, Almeida DM, Sliwinski MJ, Graham-Engeland JE. Introversion and the frequency and intensity of daily uplifts and hassles. J Pers 2023; 91:354-368. [PMID: 35567540 PMCID: PMC9659675 DOI: 10.1111/jopy.12731] [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: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There is reason to believe that introversion may relate to different patterns of negative and positive experiences in everyday life ("hassles" and "uplifts"), but there is little evidence for this based on reports made in daily life as events occur. We thus extend the literature by using data from ecological momentary assessments to examine whether introversion is associated with either the frequency or intensity of hassles and uplifts. METHOD Participants (N = 242) were community-dwelling adults (63% Black, 24% Hispanic; ages 25-65; 65% women) who completed baseline measures of personality and mental health, followed by reports of hassles and uplifts 5x/day for 14 days. We present associations between introversion and hassles/uplifts both with and without controlling for mood-related factors (neuroticism, recent symptoms of depression, and anxiety). RESULTS Introversion was associated with reporting less frequent and less enjoyable uplifts, but not with overall hassle frequency or unpleasantness; exploratory analyses suggest associations with specific types of hassles. CONCLUSIONS Our results expand understanding of the role of introversion in everyday experiences, suggesting an overall association between introversion and uplifts (but not hassles, broadly) in daily life. Better understanding of such connections may inform future research to determine mechanisms by which introversion relates to health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha N. DeMeo
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University
| | - Joshua M. Smyth
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University
- College of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University
| | | | - David M. Almeida
- The Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University
| | - Martin J. Sliwinski
- The Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University
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10
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Zhaoyang R, Harrington KD, Scott SB, Graham-Engeland JE, Sliwinski MJ. Daily social interactions and momentary loneliness: The role of trait loneliness and neuroticism. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2022; 77:1791-1802. [PMID: 35758315 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbac083] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Loneliness has been linked to poor mental and physical health outcomes in later life. Little is known about how daily social interactions relate to older adults' everyday experiences of loneliness. This study examined the dynamic associations between social interactions and the momentary feelings of loneliness in older adults' daily lives. We further examined whether individual differences in trait loneliness and neuroticism influenced the extent to which daily social interactions were related to moment-to-moment change in loneliness. METHOD Participants were 317 community-dwelling older adults (aged 70-90 years) who reported their social interactions and momentary feelings of loneliness 5 times daily for 14 consecutive days using smartphones. RESULTS Having more frequent, more pleasant, and in-person social interactions, as well as interactions with family and friends specifically, significantly predicted lower momentary loneliness a few hours later. Higher levels of momentary loneliness, in turn, predicted less likelihood of engaging in these types of social interactions subsequently. In addition, older adults with higher (vs. lower) trait loneliness and neuroticism experienced greater decreases in momentary feelings of loneliness after having more frequent or pleasant social interactions, or interactions with family members. DISCUSSION These results expand our understanding of the dynamic associations between daily social interactions and loneliness in later life and provide insights to inform future research, including the possibility of behavioral interventions that target social interactions to reduce the risk for loneliness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruixue Zhaoyang
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
| | - Karra D Harrington
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
| | - Stacey B Scott
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
| | | | - Martin J Sliwinski
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.,Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
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Song S, DeMeo NN, Almeida DM, Majd M, Engeland CG, Graham-Engeland JE. The longitudinal connection between depressive symptoms and inflammation: Mediation by sleep quality. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0269033. [PMID: 35617264 PMCID: PMC9135207 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269033] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Although there is a strong association between depressive symptoms and markers of inflammation, it remains unclear whether depressive symptoms at one point in life may predict inflammation later in life. Moreover, despite extant literature linking sleep with both depressive symptoms and inflammation, there is little research investigating poor sleep as a mechanism linking depressive symptoms with later inflammation. The links between depression and physical health can also vary by gender. In longitudinal analyses with data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study, we examined whether depressive symptoms were associated with inflammatory markers 11 years later and whether these associations were mediated by sleep disturbances or moderated by gender. Participants reported depressive symptoms and demographic information at baseline. At 11-year follow-up, the same participants (n = 968) reported depressive symptoms, sleep quality and duration using validated scale items, and provided a blood sample from which inflammatory markers interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were quantified. Actigraphy assessment of sleep was obtained in a subsample (n = 276). After adjusting for concurrent depressive symptoms and other relevant covariates, baseline depressive symptoms were associated with CRP 11 years later in the full sample, and with IL-6 among women. Subjective sleep quality mediated the association between depressive symptoms and CRP. Results suggest that depressive symptoms may be longitudinally associated with inflammation; however, directionality issues cannot be determined from the present work, particularly as inflammation markers (which might have been associated with baseline depressive symptoms) were not available at baseline. Findings further suggest that longitudinal associations between depressive symptoms and inflammation may potentially be explained by sleep and may reflect gender specific patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunmi Song
- Department of Health Sciences, Graduate School, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Natasha N. DeMeo
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States of America
| | - David M. Almeida
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States of America
| | - Marzieh Majd
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Christopher G. Engeland
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States of America
- The College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States of America
| | - Jennifer E. Graham-Engeland
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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12
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Na M, Dou N, Liao Y, Rincon SJ, Francis LA, Graham-Engeland JE, Murray-Kolb LE, Li R. Daily Food Insecurity Predicts Lower Positive and Higher Negative Affect: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study. Front Nutr 2022; 9:790519. [PMID: 35399670 PMCID: PMC8990300 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.790519] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Food insecurity (FI) is a dynamic phenomenon, and its association with daily affect is unknown. We explored the association between daily FI and affect among low-income adults during a 2-seasonal-month period that covered days both pre- and during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 29 healthy low-income adults were recruited during fall in 2019 or 2020, 25 of whom were followed in winter in 2020 or 2021. Daily FI (measured once daily) and affect (measured 5 times daily) were collected over the 2nd−4th week in each month. Time-Varying-Effect-Models were used to estimate the association between daily FI and positive/negative affect (PA/NA). Overall, 902 person-days of daily-level data were collected. Daily FI was associated with lower PA in the 3rd and 4th week of fall and winter and with higher NA in the second half of winter months. Similar patterns of FI-affect relations were found pre- and during COVID-19 in the second half of a given month, while unique patterns of positive affect scores in the 2nd week and negative scores in the 1st week were only observed during COVID days. Our study supports a time-varying association between FI and affect in low-income adults. Future large studies are needed to verify the findings; ultimately, better understanding such associations may help identify, target, and intervene in food insecure adults to prevent adverse mental health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muzi Na
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Nan Dou
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Yujie Liao
- Department of Statistics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Sara Jimenez Rincon
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States.,Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Lori A Francis
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Jennifer E Graham-Engeland
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Laura E Murray-Kolb
- Department of Nutrition Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Runze Li
- Department of Statistics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
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13
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Mathur A, Li JC, Lipitz SR, Graham-Engeland JE. Emotion Regulation as a Pathway Connecting Early Life Adversity and Inflammation in Adulthood: a Conceptual Framework. ADV RES SCI 2022; 3:1-19. [PMID: 35224511 PMCID: PMC8863511 DOI: 10.1007/s42844-022-00051-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Chronic inflammation is implicated in a variety of diseases (e.g., cardiovascular disease and cancer). Much evidence suggests that early life adversity (ELA), such as maltreatment or neglect, can increase risk for inflammation in adulthood. ELA may program proinflammatory activity via its effects on brain areas involved in emotion regulation. Of multiple emotion regulation strategies, some are considered maladaptive (e.g., expressive suppression), while others are generally adaptive (e.g., cognitive reappraisal). We propose a conceptual framework for how emotion regulation tendencies may affect vulnerability or resilience to inflammation in adults who experienced adversity in childhood and/or adolescence. In support of this framework, we summarize evidence for the relationships between emotion dysregulation and higher inflammation (i.e., vulnerability), as well as between cognitive reappraisal and lower inflammation (i.e., resilience), in healthy adults with a history of ELA. Plausible neurobiological, physiological, psychosocial, and ELA-specific factors, as well as interventions, contributing to these associations are discussed. Strengths and limitations of the extant research, in addition to ideas for future directions, are presented.
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14
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Van Bogart K, Engeland CG, Sliwinski MJ, Harrington KD, Knight EL, Zhaoyang R, Scott SB, Graham-Engeland JE. The Association Between Loneliness and Inflammation: Findings From an Older Adult Sample. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 15:801746. [PMID: 35087386 PMCID: PMC8787084 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.801746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Loneliness has been linked to poor mental and physical health outcomes. Past research suggests that inflammation is a potential pathway linking loneliness and health, but little is known about how loneliness assessed in daily life links with inflammation, or about linkages between loneliness and inflammation among older adults specifically. As part of a larger investigation, we examined the cross-sectional associations between loneliness and a panel of both basal and LPS-stimulated inflammatory markers. Participants were 222 socioeconomically and racially diverse older adults (aged 70-90 years; 38% Black; 13% Hispanic) systematically recruited from the Bronx, NY. Loneliness was measured in two ways, with a retrospective trait measure (the UCLA Three Item Loneliness Scale) and an aggregated momentary measure assessed via ecological momentary assessment (EMA) across 14 days. Inflammatory markers included both basal levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and cytokines (IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α) and LPS-stimulated levels of the same cytokines. Multiple regression analyses controlled for age, body-mass index, race, and depressive symptoms. Moderation by gender and race were also explored. Both higher trait loneliness and aggregated momentary measures of loneliness were associated with higher levels of CRP (β = 0.16, p = 0.02; β = 0.15, p = 0.03, respectively). There were no significant associations between loneliness and basal or stimulated cytokines and neither gender nor race were significant moderators. Results extend prior research linking loneliness with systemic inflammation in several ways, including by examining this connection among a sample of older adults and using a measure of aggregated momentary loneliness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Van Bogart
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Christopher G. Engeland
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
- Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Martin J. Sliwinski
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Karra D. Harrington
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Erik L. Knight
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States
| | - Ruixue Zhaoyang
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Stacey B. Scott
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
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15
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Jones DR, Smyth JM, Graham-Engeland JE. Associations between positively valenced affect and health behaviors vary by arousal. Appl Psychol Health Well Being 2021; 14:215-235. [PMID: 34355861 DOI: 10.1111/aphw.12299] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Evidence is mixed with regard to whether positively valanced affect (PA) is associated with engagement in health behaviors. Both affective arousal (activated/deactivated) and level of analysis (between and within-person) may influence such associations. Adults (N = 121; 25-65 years) completed ambulatory assessments of affect and daily reports of sleep, diet, and physical/sedentary activity. Patterns of association were generally consistent at between and within-person levels, although associations varied by arousal. Activated PA was positively associated with action tendencies (i.e., higher physical activity, lower sedentary activities) and riskier behaviors (such as poor diet) whereas deactivated PA was positively associated with engaging in satiety and rest (i.e., better diet, better sleep quality, and more sedentary activity). Results were maintained when covarying for indicators of relative socioeconomic advantage and neuroticism. Overall, arousal appears to be related to the nature of the associations between PA and health behaviors, highlighting the importance of assessing and evaluating a range of arousal states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dusti R Jones
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA.,Center for Healthy Aging, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Joshua M Smyth
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
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16
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Wardecker BM, Graham-Engeland JE, Almeida DM. Perceived discrimination predicts elevated biological markers of inflammation among sexual minority adults. J Behav Med 2021; 44:53-65. [PMID: 32930919 PMCID: PMC7855007 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-020-00180-z] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Sexual minority (SM) adults (those who are lesbian, gay, or bisexual) consistently report more health problems compared to heterosexuals, and they tend to experience excess social stress. Although numerous studies have established links between social stress and clinical outcomes in SM adults, few studies have examined biological factors that may help explain how social stress leads to health disparities among SM adults. We used data from the Midlife in the United States Study (MIDUS) to examine whether two inflammatory markers that have been commonly associated with social stress-C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)-differed by sexual orientation and whether any differences were explained by perceptions of discrimination. Participants self-identified as heterosexual (n = 1956) or lesbian, gay, or bisexual (n = 81). After controlling for age, gender, race, and education, SM individuals had higher CRP and IL-6 than heterosexuals on average and these differences were partially explained by perceptions of discrimination. Implications for inflammatory pathways as mechanisms related to SM health disparities and discrimination are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britney M Wardecker
- College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
| | - Jennifer E Graham-Engeland
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - David M Almeida
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
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17
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Jones DR, Graham-Engeland JE. Positive affect and peripheral inflammatory markers among adults: A narrative review. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 123:104892. [PMID: 33130406 PMCID: PMC8996369 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [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: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research suggests that positive affect (PA) may promote health and longevity and that one potential mechanism involves inflammation. However, it remains unclear to what extent PA is associated with specific inflammatory markers and whether such associations are driven by main effects of PA and/or due to PA operating as a stress-buffer. METHODS The present narrative review incorporates studies (N = 28) that have examined the association between PA and peripheral inflammatory markers obtained using venous puncture or dried blood spots. We separate results by whether the study tested direct effects or stress-buffering, and by type of inflammatory marker [including C-reactive protein (CRP), and proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines], also paying close attention to type of PA assessment (state, aggregated state, or retrospective, the latter involving recall over one to two weeks), and study design (cross-sectional, longitudinal, and experimental). RESULTS Limited evidence suggests that studies were more supportive of a stress-buffering association, compared to a relatively direct association. When significant direct associations were observed, results suggested that studies using measures of state/aggregated PA exhibited more consistent associations with inflammatory markers than studies using retrospective PA. When significant, higher PA tended to be associated with lower pro- and anti-inflammatory markers, suggestive of lower overall inflammatory load. DISCUSSION Recommendations for the field and future research are discussed, including the value of utilizing state/aggregated PA measures and of examining stress-buffering mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dusti R Jones
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, United States; The Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, United States.
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18
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Jones DR, Allen HK, Lanza ST, Graham-Engeland JE. Daily associations between affect and alcohol use among adults: The importance of affective arousal. Addict Behav 2021; 112:106623. [PMID: 32911354 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Little is known about whether level of affective arousal (i.e., high vs. low) is associated with alcohol use and whether this relationship differs by valence (i.e., positive vs. negative affect) among adults. METHODS Participants were n = 93 self-reported current drinkers (ages 25-65) who reported positive (PA) and negative affect (NA) seven times a day and alcohol use once a day for seven consecutive days. For each individual, mean levels of high arousal PA (e.g., excited), low arousal PA (e.g., satisfied), high arousal NA (e.g., frustrated), and low arousal NA (e.g., sad) were computed for each day. RESULTS Alcohol use was reported on 30% of person-days, with an average of 2.3 drinks consumed on drinking days. Heavy episodic drinking (4+/5+ drinks for women/men) occurred on 4% of days. After covarying for age, gender, and weekday, days with higher-than-usual levels of high arousal PA were associated with a 52% increase in the odds of consuming any alcohol and a 105% increase in the odds of engaging in heavy episodic drinking. Individuals reporting more low arousal PA on average had a 77% increase in the odds of heavy episodic drinking. No significant associations between high or low arousal NA and alcohol use were found. CONCLUSIONS Greater PA, but not NA, was associated with heavy alcohol use at both the within- and between-person levels, perhaps attributable to social and enhancement drinking motives. Results differed by arousal, highlighting the importance of considering a wide range of affective states when examining alcohol use behavior.
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19
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Szabo YZ, Slavish DC, Graham-Engeland JE. The effect of acute stress on salivary markers of inflammation: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Brain Behav Immun 2020; 88:887-900. [PMID: 32371089 PMCID: PMC7478864 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2020.04.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [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: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Salivary biomarkers of inflammation are increasingly used in stress research. This systematic review and meta-analysis provides a quantitative summary of changes in salivary inflammatory markers in response to acute stress. METHOD The review included 1558 participants (42 unique samples, 33 studies) obtained through electronic databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase), reference treeing, and articles identified by a 2015 review on a similar topic. To be eligible, articles had to be quantitative and assess change in at least one biomarker of salivary inflammation in response to acute stress in adults. The primary outcome was magnitude of change in inflammatory biomarkers (Cohen's d for repeated measures [dav]). RESULTS Measures of salivary inflammation included: C-reactive protein (CRP), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-17A, IL-18, IL-21, interferon (IFN)-α, IFN-γ, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Cytokines IL-6 (k = 26, dav = 0.27), IL-10 (k = 11, dav = 0.34), TNF-α (k = 10, dav = 0.57), and IFN-γ (k = 6, dav = 0.28) significantly increased in response to stress. Post hoc sensitivity analyses revealed that IL-1β (k = 19, dav = 0.16) and IL-8 (k = 7, dav = 0.30) also increased from pre- to post-stress, but findings with IFN-γ did not hold after removing one outlier study. Examination of moderators suggested that study methodology and sample demographics moderated some associations. CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis revealed that certain salivary inflammatory cytokines increase in response to acute stress. Significant heterogeneity in results and moderator analyses suggest need for standardization of research protocols. Directions for future research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvette Z. Szabo
- Department of Veterans Affairs VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans, Waco, TX, USA,Texas A&M College of Medicine, Bryan, TX, USA,Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
| | - Danica C. Slavish
- Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
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20
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Slavish DC, Jones DR, Smyth JM, Engeland CG, Song S, McCormick NM, Graham-Engeland JE. Positive and Negative Affect and Salivary Markers of Inflammation Among Young Adults. Int J Behav Med 2020; 27:282-293. [PMID: 31222631 PMCID: PMC8374836 DOI: 10.1007/s12529-019-09795-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emerging evidence suggests that higher circulating levels of inflammatory biomarkers in blood are associated with higher negative affect (NA) and lower positive affect (PA). To our knowledge, the unique associations between NA and PA in daily life and salivary biomarkers of inflammation have not been examined. This study examined these associations in young adults. METHODS Measures of NA and PA were created from aggregated daily measures of affect (morning and evening ratings averaged across 14 days). We investigated associations between these measures and salivary C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin (IL)-6 in a sample of 108 young adults (60% female, mean age = 20.45 ± 1.47), a subset of whom had self-reported chronic back pain (n = 49). CRP and IL-6 were determined from saliva obtained at the end of the daily diary period. RESULTS After covarying for age, gender, body mass index, chronic pain status, salivary flow rate, and NA, higher PA was associated with lower salivary CRP (β = - 0.02, 95% CI (- 0.03, - 0.00) sr2 = .06, p = .01) but not IL-6; removing NA from this model did not change results. In a model with the same covariates (and PA), NA was not significantly related to CRP or IL-6. Chronic back pain status and gender did not moderate results. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that higher PA may be associated with lower salivary CRP in young adults, even after accounting for NA and demographic characteristics. Findings highlight the utility of assessing emotional states in relation to salivary markers of inflammation in future biobehavioral research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danica C Slavish
- Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA.
| | - Dusti R Jones
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Joshua M Smyth
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Department of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Christopher G Engeland
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Sunmi Song
- Department of Public Health Sciences, BK21PLUS Program in Embodiment: Health-Society Interaction, Graduate School, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Nolan M McCormick
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
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21
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Jones DR, Smyth JM, Engeland CG, Sliwinski MJ, Russell MA, Sin NL, Almeida DM, Graham-Engeland JE. Affect variability and inflammatory markers in midlife adults. Health Psychol 2020; 39:655-666. [PMID: 32324001 DOI: 10.1037/hea0000868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Higher affect variability (the extent to which individuals vary in their affect over time) has been associated with poorer health indicators, but associations with inflammation are less well understood. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether affect variability was associated with inflammation in ways consistent with the stability theory or the fragile positive affect theory, and whether associations were linear or nonlinear. METHOD In a racially diverse sample (N = 231; Aged 25-65; 65% female; 62% Black; 25% Hispanic), we examined whether positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA) variability exhibited linear or quadratic associations with circulating inflammatory cytokines (a composite measure comprised of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ), and C-reactive protein (CRP) and whether person-mean affect moderated these associations. Affective states were assessed using ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) 5 times per day for 2 weeks, with a blood draw at the end of the EMA period. Individual standard deviations of affective states indexed affect variability. RESULTS A quadratic association indicated that moderate NA variability was associated with lower CRP. There was evidence of significant moderation by linear associations with PA only: For those with higher person-mean PA, PA variability was positively associated with the cytokine composite. Both person-mean PA and person-mean NA moderated quadratic associations, such that for those with high person-mean affect, both high and low affect variability was associated with systemic inflammation. CONCLUSION Results are in line with fragile affect theory suggesting that associations between affect variability and health indicators may vary by person-mean affect. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
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22
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Knight EL, Majd M, Graham-Engeland JE, Smyth JM, Sliwinski MJ, Engeland CG. Gender differences in the link between depressive symptoms and ex vivo inflammatory responses are associated with markers of endotoxemia. Brain Behav Immun Health 2020; 2. [PMID: 34258602 PMCID: PMC8274590 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2019.100013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Depressive symptoms are often linked with higher inflammation and inflammatory responses, although these associations are not always consistent. In a recent study (N = 160, 25–65 years, 67% women), our group reported gender differences relevant to this association: In men higher depressive symptoms were related to heightened ex vivo inflammatory responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), whereas in women higher depressive symptoms were related to attenuated inflammatory responses. In the present manuscript, we investigate markers of endotoxemia – i.e., markers of the presence of endotoxin in the blood, presumably due to bacterial translocation from the gut – as factors that elicit gender-dependent immune responses that may be associated with links between depressive symptoms and inflammation. We examined ex vivo inflammatory responses in whole blood via a composite index of LPS-stimulated cytokines. The ratio of LPS-binding protein to soluble CD14 receptor (LBP:sCD14) was quantified as an index of endotoxemia that captures the relative reliance on pro-inflammatory versus non-inflammatory pathways for bacterial clearance. Levels of endotoxemia markers in blood were found to moderate gender differences in the link between depressive symptoms and stimulated inflammation (Gender × Depressive Symptoms × Endotoxemia: B = −0.039, 95%CI [-0.068, 0.009], p = 0.010). At lower LBP:sCD14 levels, depressive symptoms and stimulated inflammation were unrelated in both men and women. However, with higher levels of LBP:sCD14, men showed an increasingly positive correlation and women showed a negative correlation between depressive symptoms and stimulated inflammation. Hence, men and women exhibited similar associations between depressive symptoms and inflammatory responses at lower endotoxin marker levels, but these associations became divergent at higher levels of endotoxin markers. This information provides a novel perspective on risk factors for depression-linked alterations in inflammation, which may help to determine susceptibility to the downstream physical consequences of depressive symptomatology. Depressive symptoms link to higher inflammation in men, lower inflammation in women. These gender differences were only apparent at moderate or higher endotoxemia. Men’s inflammation may be particularly sensitive to depressed mood and endotoxemia. Endotoxemia may be an important factor in gender, depression and inflammation links.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik L. Knight
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, USA
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, USA
- Corresponding author. 423 Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
| | - Marzieh Majd
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, USA
| | - Jennifer E. Graham-Engeland
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, USA
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, USA
| | - Joshua M. Smyth
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, USA
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, USA
- Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, The Pennsylvania State University, USA
| | - Martin J. Sliwinski
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, USA
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, USA
| | - Christopher G. Engeland
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, USA
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, USA
- College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, USA
- Corresponding author. 229 Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
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23
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Hyun J, Lipton RB, Zhaoyang RE, Graham-Engeland JE, Pavlovic JM, Sliwinski MJ. AFFECTIONATE PHYSICAL TOUCH MITIGATES PAIN AND EMOTIONAL DISTRESS IN OLDER ADULTS. Innov Aging 2019. [PMCID: PMC6845760 DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igz038.2984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Although research suggests that social interactions can decrease pain and emotional distress, it is unclear what produces these salubrious effects. We examined whether older adults experienced lower pain and emotional distress after two types of social interactions (affectionate physical contact and non-physical pleasant interactions) using data from the Einstein Aging Study (N=193, age=70-92). Participants completed a 14-day ecological momentary assessment protocol via which they reported the quality of recent social interaction, types of physical touch, levels of current stress, negative affect, and pain intensity five times a day. Multilevel models indicated that, following affectionate physical contact, individuals reported low levels of current pain intensity, negative affect, and stress (ps<.05). Following a pleasant non-physical interaction, individuals reported low negative affect (p<.05); pleasant interactions did not predict current pain or stress. Results highlight the potential unique utility of affectionate physical contact versus mere pleasant social interactions in older adults’ daily lives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinshil Hyun
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, United States
| | - Richard B Lipton
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, United States
| | - Ruixue E Zhaoyang
- The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States
| | | | | | - Martin J Sliwinski
- The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States
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Wardecker BM, Matsick JL, Graham-Engeland JE, Almeida DM. Life Satisfaction Across Adulthood in Bisexual Men and Women: Findings from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) Study. Arch Sex Behav 2019; 48:291-303. [PMID: 29569189 PMCID: PMC6151170 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-018-1151-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Revised: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The number of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults aged 50 and older is projected to reach 5 million in the U.S. by 2030 (Fredriksen-Goldsen, Kim, Shiu, Goldsen, & Emlet, 2015). Older bisexuals experience more negative mental and physical health outcomes when compared to both heterosexuals and other sexual minorities (Fredriksen-Goldsen, Shiu, Bryan, Goldsen, & Kim, 2017). As bisexuals are the numeric majority of sexual minorities in the U.S. (Herbenick et al., 2010), bisexual aging processes are critical to understand if researchers wish to reduce sexual minority health disparities and promote healthy aging. In the current study, we use a national probability sample of adults from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study to assess life satisfaction across an 18-year period. We aimed to identify whether life satisfaction-an indicator of psychological health and well-being-is similar for same-age bisexual, lesbian and gay, and heterosexual midlife individuals, and whether sexual orientation predicts change in life satisfaction across adulthood. Further, we tested whether life satisfaction among bisexuals changes at the same rate and in the same pattern as for lesbian, gay, and heterosexual individuals. Overall, we found a linear pattern of increase in life satisfaction across adulthood. However, when we accounted for sexual orientation, a different pattern emerged for bisexuals. Whereas heterosexuals and lesbian and gay individuals experienced increases in life satisfaction across adulthood, bisexuals' life satisfaction did not increase over this period. Implications for bisexual health and well-being are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britney M Wardecker
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
| | - Jes L Matsick
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Department of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Jennifer E Graham-Engeland
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - David M Almeida
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
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Wilson SJ, Martire LM, Graham-Engeland JE. Capturing patients' symptom expression and spouses' cardiovascular responses continuously: The feasibility of examining a mechanism of disease risk in the home. Fam Syst Health 2018; 36:518-522. [PMID: 30346187 PMCID: PMC6310082 DOI: 10.1037/fsh0000369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Spousal caregivers face increased cardiovascular risks; lab studies suggest that autonomic reactivity to patients' physical suffering may play a role. To evaluate this mechanism in daily life, our pilot study characterized the feasibility of recruiting couples for a multimethod, in-home assessment. We examined the usability of the resulting data in an effort to link spousal cardiovascular changes to patient pain expression during couples' everyday interactions. METHOD For two 48-hr periods, individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their partners wore heart monitors while audio-recordings captured couples' in-home interactions. Interbeat intervals were subsetted in 1-, 2-, and 5-min windows before and after each pain expression. Pre-post difference scores in high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV) and heart rate were examined. RESULTS Of the 17 screened RA patients, 11 were ineligible, and 3 partners declined. The 3 participating couples completed all study activities. The resulting 288 hr of recordings were coded for patients' RA symptom expression, which varied from none to an average of 11 times daily. One couple had sufficient data for physiological analysis: Contrary to prediction, spouse HF-HRV significantly increased after patient symptom expression. CONCLUSIONS Recruitment rates mirrored other couples studies, and enrolled couples complied with study procedures. In-home conversations were reliably coded and successfully linked to spousal ongoing cardiovascular activity. Preliminary findings highlight the importance of optimal sampling windows and suggest symptom expression as a relevant process for some spouses but not others. We offer recommendations for efficiently scaling up the method in future studies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lynn M Martire
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University
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Wardecker BM, Matsick JL, Graham-Engeland JE, Almeida DM. CHANGES IN SEXUAL MINORITIES’ SATISFACTION WITH LIFE ACROSS ADULTHOOD. Innov Aging 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- B M Wardecker
- The Pennsylvania State University, Center for Healthy Aging, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - J L Matsick
- The Pennsylvania State University Departments of Psychology and Women’s Studies, University Park, PA, USA
| | - J E Graham-Engeland
- The Pennsylvania State University Department of Biobehavioral Health, University Park, PA, USA
| | - D M Almeida
- The Pennsylvania State University Department of Human Development and Family Studies and Center for Healthy Aging, University Park, PA, USA
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Slavish DC, Graham-Engeland JE, Engeland CG, Taylor DJ, Buxton OM. Insomnia symptoms are associated with elevated C-reactive protein in young adults. Psychol Health 2018; 33:1396-1415. [PMID: 30358412 DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2018.1500577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Insomnia is associated with elevated inflammation; however, studies have not investigated if this relationship is confounded with depression and neuroticism, which are associated with insomnia and inflammation. The current study examined the association of insomnia symptoms with C-reactive protein (CRP) and with interleukin-6 (IL-6), independently and after controlling for depressive symptoms and neuroticism. DESIGN Fifty-two young adults (mean age = 25.2 ± 3.9 years, 52% female) completed a baseline survey to assess psychological characteristics, followed by a plasma blood draw. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Plasma CRP and IL-6. RESULTS When examined alone, insomnia symptoms were significantly associated with elevated CRP (β = 0.52; R2 = 0.27), as was neuroticism (β = 0.41, R2 = 0.17), but not depressive symptoms (β = 0.21, R2 = 0.05). The association between insomnia symptoms and CRP remained significant when depressive symptoms and neuroticism were entered into the model simultaneously; this model did not explain more variance than the model with insomnia symptoms alone. No variables were associated with IL-6. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that insomnia symptoms are independently associated with elevated CRP in young adults, even after controlling for presumed overlapping psychological constructs. Findings highlight the potential importance of treating insomnia to reduce systemic inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danica C Slavish
- a Department of Psychology , University of North Texas , Denton , TX , USA
| | | | - Christopher G Engeland
- b Department of Biobehavioral Health , The Pennsylvania State University , University Park , PA , USA.,c The College of Nursing , The Pennsylvania State University , University Park , PA , USA
| | - Daniel J Taylor
- a Department of Psychology , University of North Texas , Denton , TX , USA
| | - Orfeu M Buxton
- b Department of Biobehavioral Health , The Pennsylvania State University , University Park , PA , USA.,d Division of Sleep Medicine , Harvard Medical School , Boston , MA , USA.,e Sleep Health Institute, Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, Departments of Medicine and Neurology , Brigham and Women's Hospital , Boston , MA , USA.,f Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences , Harvard Chan School of Public Health , Boston , MA , USA
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Graham-Engeland JE, Song S, Mathur A, Wagstaff DA, Klein LC, Whetzel C, Ayoub WT. Emotional State Can Affect Inflammatory Responses to Pain Among Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: Preliminary Findings. Psychol Rep 2018; 122:2026-2049. [PMID: 30189801 DOI: 10.1177/0033294118796655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
In a novel pilot study, we investigated how emotional state is related to inflammatory responses to acute pain among women with rheumatoid arthritis. Nine women completed four 5-hour visits that varied only by manipulation of emotion (anger, sadness, happiness, vs. control); in each visit, acute pain was elicited, with blood draws at baseline, 10 minutes, 60 minutes, and 100 minutes post-pain. We examined the effects of within-subjects factors on circulating inflammatory biomarkers interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, C-reactive protein, and cortisol. There was a main effect of state anger on IL-6, with higher reported anger associated with higher IL-6 across conditions. Further, there were several interactions between state emotion and condition. For example, when individuals reported higher state anger in the sadness condition compared to their own average, they showed higher levels of IL-6 and cortisol. Findings are discussed within a larger literature suggesting that mixed emotional states can contribute to psychological stress and inflammatory responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sunmi Song
- Health Risk Prevention Team, Korea Health Promotion Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ambika Mathur
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - David A Wagstaff
- Health and Human Development Consulting Group, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Laura Cousino Klein
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Courtney Whetzel
- Office for Research Protections, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
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Jones DR, Graham-Engeland JE, Smyth JM, Lehman BJ. Clarifying the Associations between Mindfulness Meditation and Emotion: Daily High- and Low-arousal Emotions and Emotional Variability. Appl Psychol Health Well Being 2018; 10:504-523. [DOI: 10.1111/aphw.12135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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Jones DR, Johnson JA, Graham-Engeland JE, Park CL, Smyth JM. Is Perceived Growth Associated with Momentary Indicators of Health and Well-Being in People with Asthma or Rheumatoid Arthritis? Appl Psychol Health Well Being 2018; 10:254-271. [PMID: 29673088 DOI: 10.1111/aphw.12129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perceived growth (PG) refers to perceptions of positive changes that unfold over time after experiencing trauma. Higher PG is often associated with positive long-term health, but the processes through which PG may influence health are unclear. The present study examines two potential pathways among individuals living with asthma or RA: (1) by promoting momentary indicators of health and well-being in everyday life, and (2) by buffering against stress. METHOD In a micro-longitudinal design, 128 participants with asthma (n = 97) or rheumatoid arthritis (n = 31) reported perceived growth using the Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) Inventory and subsequently completed ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) for one week. Participants were signaled five times a day to report on health-related indicators, including affect, disease interference, social interactions, and stress. RESULTS Multilevel modeling revealed that higher PTG was associated with significantly less negative affect and greater positive affect in everyday life. There were no significant associations between PTG and momentary disease interference, pleasantness of social interactions, or stress, nor evidence that PTG buffered against effects of stress on health-related outcomes. CONCLUSIONS This research highlights the utility of examining PG in everyday life. Results suggest that closer examination of momentary affect as a process by which PG may facilitate positive health outcomes is warranted.
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Majd M, Graham-Engeland JE, Smyth JM, Sliwinski MJ, Lipton RB, Katz MJ, Engeland CG. Distinct inflammatory response patterns are evident among men and women with higher depressive symptoms. Physiol Behav 2018; 184:108-115. [PMID: 29133231 PMCID: PMC5841550 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 07/10/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Extensive research links depression and inflammation, with emerging evidence suggesting some differences between males and females in these associations. However, relatively few studies have examined stimulated inflammatory responses (ex vivo) in depression. The present research investigated the associations between depressive symptoms, basal inflammation, and LPS-stimulated production of pro- (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α) and an anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10), with a focus on the extent to which gender moderates these relationships. As part of a larger study, 162 socio-economically and racially diverse subjects (ages 25-65, 67% women) completed extensive self-report measures, including depressive symptoms. Whole blood was quantified for basal inflammation, or incubated with 1μg/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 2h (at 37°C, 5% CO2) to quantify inflammatory responses to bacterial challenge. We examined the associations between depression and inflammatory markers in regression analyses, controlling for age, BMI, race/ethnicity, income, education, and use of medications. No main effects were observed between depressive symptoms and basal or stimulated levels of inflammation. Moderation analyses revealed a significant interaction between depressive symptoms and gender for stimulated TNF-α, stimulated IL-6 (p<0.05), and a marginally significant interaction for stimulated IL-10 (p=0.07). For men, higher depressive symptoms were associated with significantly higher production of TNF-α (p<0.05) and marginally higher IL-6 (p=0.07), but not with the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. For women, higher depressive symptoms were associated with significantly lower production of TNF-α and IL-10 (ps<0.05), and marginally lower IL-6 (p=0.06). These findings provide evidence for gender differences in the association of depressive symptoms with inflammatory response patterns, and highlight the utility of assessing ex vivo immune responses in blood. Implications for health are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Majd
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Jennifer E Graham-Engeland
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA; Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Joshua M Smyth
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA; Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Martin J Sliwinski
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA; Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Richard B Lipton
- Department of Neurology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Mindy J Katz
- Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Christopher G Engeland
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA; Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA; College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
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Slavish DC, Sliwinski MJ, Smyth JM, Almeida DM, Lipton RB, Katz MJ, Graham-Engeland JE. Neuroticism, rumination, negative affect, and sleep: Examining between- and within-person associations. Pers Individ Dif 2017; 123:217-222. [PMID: 29610545 DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2017.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Danica C Slavish
- Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #311280, Denton, TX 76203, U.S.A
| | - Martin J Sliwinski
- The Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, U.S.A
| | - Joshua M Smyth
- The Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, U.S.A
| | - David M Almeida
- The Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, U.S.A
| | - Richard B Lipton
- The Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, U.S.A
| | - Mindy J Katz
- The Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, U.S.A
| | - Jennifer E Graham-Engeland
- The Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, U.S.A
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Song S, Graham-Engeland JE, Mogle J, Martire LM. The effects of daily mood and couple interactions on the sleep quality of older adults with chronic pain. J Behav Med 2015; 38:944-55. [PMID: 26143147 PMCID: PMC6026848 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-015-9651-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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: 11/25/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
We examined the effect of daily negative and positive mood on the sleep quality of knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients (N = 152) and whether a partner's daily responses to a patient's pain behaviors moderated these associations. Patients and their partners completed a baseline interview and 22 daily diary assessments. After controlling for demographic characteristics, OA severity, comorbidities, medication use, relationship satisfaction, and depressed mood, multilevel modeling analyses demonstrated main effects of negative and positive mood on sleep quality indicators. Mood and partner responses interacted such that high solicitous and punishing responses strengthened the association between negative mood and worse sleep. Further, high solicitous responses increased the degree of association between low positive mood and poor sleep, and empathic responses combined with positive mood were associated with better sleep. Results demonstrate that daily negative and positive mood fluctuations can interact with partner responses to affect sleep quality among older adults with chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunmi Song
- Social and Behavioral Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Room B1B36, Building 31, 31 Center Dr, MSC 2073, Bethesda, MD, 20892-2073, USA.
| | | | - Jacqueline Mogle
- The College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Lynn M Martire
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
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Scott SB, Graham-Engeland JE, Engeland CG, Smyth JM, Almeida DM, Katz MJ, Lipton RB, Mogle JA, Munoz E, Ram N, Sliwinski MJ. The Effects of Stress on Cognitive Aging, Physiology and Emotion (ESCAPE) Project. BMC Psychiatry 2015; 15:146. [PMID: 26138700 PMCID: PMC4490700 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-015-0497-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Accepted: 05/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite evidence that psychological stress is an important risk factor for age-related cognitive loss, little research has directly evaluated psychological and physiological mediators of the relationship between stressful experiences and cognitive function. A key objective of the ESCAPE (Effects of Stress on Cognitive Aging, Physiology, and Emotion) project is to evaluate whether engaging in stress-related unconstructive repetitive thought (URT) is a pathway through which stressful experiences negatively affect cognitive health over the short- and long-term. Over the short-term, we hypothesize that engaging in URT will deplete attentional resources and result in worse cognitive performance in daily life. Over the long-term, we expect that the effects of chronic stress, from repeated exposure to stressors and regular engagement in URT, will be apparent in dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function and inflammation. Over time, stress-related physiological dysregulation will result in accelerated cognitive decline. METHODS/DESIGN This study utilizes a prospective longitudinal measurement-burst design. A systematic probability sample of participants aged 25 to 65 is recruited from residents of the Bronx, NY. Consenting participants complete a baseline assessment and follow-up waves at 9, 18, and 27 months post-baseline. At each wave, participants complete a 14 day measurement burst of brief surveys and cognitive assessments delivered via study smartphones during daily life. Participants provide saliva samples four times each day for five days during the measurement burst and fasting blood samples at the end of each burst from which cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), circulating inflammatory markers, and stimulated inflammatory responses to lipopolysaccharide in whole blood are determined. DISCUSSION This study takes a multi-pronged approach to assessing stress (i.e., early adversity, chronic strains, major events, daily hassles), psychological mediators (e.g., URT), biological mechanisms (i.e., HPA function, inflammation) and outcomes across different time-scales (i.e., momentary cognitive performance, cognitive decline across years). The systematic probability sample is locally representative and can be compared with national norms on key markers of health and well-being. The findings will improve our understanding of how environmental, psychological, and physiological stress-related influences accumulate to affect cognitive health and identify potential targets (e.g., URT, inflammation) for prevention and intervention promoting cognitive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacey B Scott
- School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, USA.
| | | | - Christopher G Engeland
- Department of Biobehavioral Health and College of Nursing, Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania, USA.
| | - Joshua M Smyth
- Departments of Biobehavioral Health and Medicine, Pennsylvania State University and Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania, USA.
| | - David M Almeida
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies and Center for Healthy Aging, Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania, USA.
| | - Mindy J Katz
- Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, USA.
| | - Richard B Lipton
- Department of Neurology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, USA.
| | - Jacqueline A Mogle
- Center for Healthy Aging and College of Nursing, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, PA, 16802, USA.
| | - Elizabeth Munoz
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies and Center for Healthy Aging, Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania, USA.
| | - Nilam Ram
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania, USA.
| | - Martin J Sliwinski
- Center for Healthy Aging and College of Nursing, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, PA, 16802, USA.
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies and Center for Healthy Aging, Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania, USA.
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Song S, Graham-Engeland JE, Corwin EJ, Ceballos RM, Taylor SE, Seeman T, Klein LC. The role of multiple negative social relationships in inflammatory cytokine responses to a laboratory stressor. PeerJ 2015; 3:e959. [PMID: 26056615 PMCID: PMC4458128 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study examined the unique impact of perceived negativity in multiple social relationships on endocrine and inflammatory responses to a laboratory stressor. Via hierarchical cluster analysis, those who reported negative social exchanges across relationships with a romantic partner, family, and their closest friend had higher mean IL-6 across time and a greater increase in TNF-α from 15 min to 75 min post stress. Those who reported negative social exchanges across relationships with roommates, family, and their closest friend showed greater IL-6 responses to stress. Differences in mean IL-6 were accounted for by either depressed mood or hostility, whereas differences in the cytokine stress responses remained significant after controlling for those factors. Overall, this research provides preliminary evidence to suggest that having multiple negative relationships may exacerbate acute inflammatory responses to a laboratory stressor independent of hostility and depressed mood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunmi Song
- Social Behavioral Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health , USA
| | | | | | - Rachel M Ceballos
- Cancer Prevention Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center , USA
| | - Shelley E Taylor
- Department of Psychology, University of California , Los Angeles , USA
| | - Teresa Seeman
- Division of Geriatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California , Los Angeles , USA
| | - Laura Cousino Klein
- Department of Biobehavioral Health and Penn State Institute of the Neuroscience, The Pennsylvania State University , USA
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Inflammation increases the risk of chronic diseases, but the links between emotional responses to daily events and inflammation are unknown. We examined individual differences in affective reactivity to daily stressors (i.e., changes in positive and negative affect in response to stressors) as predictors of inflammatory markers interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP). METHODS A cross-sectional sample of 872 adults from the National Study of Daily Experiences (substudy of Midlife in the United States II) reported daily stressors and affect during telephone interviews for 8 days. Blood samples were obtained at a separate clinic visit and assayed for inflammatory markers. Multilevel models estimated trait affective reactivity slopes for each participant, which were inputted into regression models to predict inflammation. RESULTS People who experienced greater decreases in positive affect on days when stressors occurred (i.e., positive affect reactivity) had elevated log IL-6, independent of demographic, physical, psychological, and behavioral factors (B = 1.12, SE = 0.45, p = .01). Heightened negative affect reactivity was associated with higher log CRP among women (p = .03) but not men (p = .57); health behaviors accounted for this association in women. CONCLUSIONS Adults who fail to maintain positive affect when faced with minor stressors in everyday life appear to have elevated levels of IL-6, a marker of inflammation. Women who experience increased negative affect when faced with minor stressors may be at particular risk of elevated inflammation. These findings add to growing evidence regarding the health implications of affective reactivity to daily stressors.
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Slavish DC, Graham-Engeland JE, Smyth JM, Engeland CG. Salivary markers of inflammation in response to acute stress. Brain Behav Immun 2015; 44:253-69. [PMID: 25205395 PMCID: PMC4275319 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2014.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.1] [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: 06/12/2014] [Revised: 08/07/2014] [Accepted: 08/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
There is burgeoning interest in the ability to detect inflammatory markers in response to stress within naturally occurring social contexts and/or across multiple time points per day within individuals. Salivary collection is a less invasive process than current methods of blood collection and enables intensive naturalistic methodologies, such as those involving extensive repeated measures per day over time. Yet the reliability and validity of saliva-based to blood-based inflammatory biomarkers in response to stress remains unclear. We review and synthesize the published studies that have examined salivary markers of inflammation following exposure to an acute laboratory stressor. Results from each study are reviewed by analyte (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, CRP) and stress type (social-cognitive and exercise-physical), after which methodological issues and limitations are addressed. Although the literature is limited, several inflammatory markers (including IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6) have been reliably determined from saliva and have increased significantly in response to stress across multiple studies, with effect sizes ranging from very small to very large. Although CRP from saliva has been associated with CRP in circulating blood more consistently than other biomarkers have been associated with their counterparts in blood, evidence demonstrating it reliably responds to acute stress is absent. Although the current literature is presently too limited to allow broad assertion that inflammatory biomarkers determined from saliva are valuable for examining acute stress responses, this review suggests that specific targets may be valid and highlights specific areas of need for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danica C Slavish
- The Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States
| | - Jennifer E Graham-Engeland
- The Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States.
| | - Joshua M Smyth
- The Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States; Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States
| | - Christopher G Engeland
- The Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States; College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States
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Sin NL, Graham-Engeland JE, Almeida DM. Daily positive events and inflammation: findings from the National Study of Daily Experiences. Brain Behav Immun 2015; 43:130-8. [PMID: 25102453 PMCID: PMC4258510 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2014.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [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: 05/20/2014] [Revised: 07/15/2014] [Accepted: 07/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inflammation is implicated in the development of chronic diseases and increases the risk of mortality. People who experience more daily stressors than others have higher levels of inflammation, but it is unknown whether daily positive events are linked to inflammation. OBJECTIVE To examine the association of daily positive events with 3 inflammatory markers, interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and fibrinogen. METHOD A cross-sectional sample of 969 adults aged 35-86 from the Midlife in the United States Study completed telephone interviews for 8 consecutive evenings. Participants reported positive experiences that occurred over the past 24h. Blood samples were obtained at a separate clinic visit and later assayed for inflammatory markers. Regression analyses evaluated the frequency of daily positive events (defined as the percent of study days with at least 1 positive event) as a predictor of each inflammatory marker. Covariates included information on demographics, physical health, depressive symptoms, dispositional and behavioral factors, and daily positive and negative affect. RESULTS On average, participants experienced positive events on 73% of days (SD=27%). The frequency of daily positive events was associated with lower IL-6 (p<0.001) and CRP (p=0.02) in the overall sample, and lower fibrinogen among women (p=0.01). The association remained for IL-6 in the fully adjusted model, but was no longer significant for CRP and fibrinogen after controlling for household income and race. Effects were more pronounced for participants in the lowest quartile of positive event frequency than for those in the top 3 quartiles, suggesting that lack of positivity in daily life may be particularly consequential for inflammation. Furthermore, interpersonal positive events were more predictive of lower IL-6 overall and lower fibrinogen in women than non-interpersonal positive events. CONCLUSION Daily positive events may serve a protective role against inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy L. Sin
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | | | - David M. Almeida
- Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA,Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
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Slavish DC, Graham-Engeland JE. Rumination mediates the relationships between depressed mood and both sleep quality and self-reported health in young adults. J Behav Med 2014; 38:204-13. [PMID: 25195078 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-014-9595-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2014] [Accepted: 08/30/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The psychological mechanisms by which depressed mood can lead to impaired sleep and poorer overall health remain unclear. The goal of this study was to investigate the extent to which a tendency to ruminate accounts for the associations between depressed mood and both sleep quality and self-reported health in 165 healthy young adults. Self-reported assessments of anxiety, depressed mood, rumination, sleep quality, and general health were collected at two different time points approximately 2 months apart. Structural equation modeling revealed that rumination measured at the earlier time point mediated the relationships between depressed mood and both sleep quality and health, all measured at the later time point, in a model that was a good fit to the data overall, χ(2) (50, N = 165) = 103.08, p < 0.001; RMSEA = 0.08 (0.06-0.10), TLI = 0.91, CFI = 0.94. Results were similar whether or not anxiety was controlled. Results indicate that rumination may be a psychological mechanism by which negative mood leads to impaired sleep and poorer perceived health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danica C Slavish
- 219 Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
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Abstract
Although drama exposure has been examined in the context of health promotion programs, the underlying mechanisms of reflecting on drama have not been established. The degree to which drama contemplation leads to cognitive changes (increased processing, self-compassion and emotional self-efficacy) and improved well-being was examined in the present research. An experiment was conducted in which young adults (n = 148) were randomly assigned to experience and write reflectively on (i) drama via Hollywood movie clips, (ii) drama via scripts or (iii) to perform a control task. Writing content was analyzed for word use. At baseline and 4-week follow-up measures, participants self-reported self-compassion, emotional self-efficacy, physical symptoms, general health, depressed mood and anxiety. Using structural equation modeling, indirect effects of drama contemplation were found. Tragic drama exposure was associated with word use indicative of increased cognitive processing. The use of greater insight words was related to increased emotional self-efficacy, which in turn was associated with improved psychological and general health, whereas discrepancy word use was associated with increased self-compassion, which was in turn linked to better psychological well-being. Conversely, greater use of causation and certainty words was associated with a marginal decrease in self-compassion and psychological well-being. The persistence of drama has long been related to its capacity to enhance individuals' understanding of the human condition. This study helps explain the connection between reflecting on drama and benefits to self-regulation and health. Implications of drama processing as an inexpensive and accessible adjunct to health promotion interventions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guan Soon Khoo
- English Department, Roanoke College, 118 Miller Hall, Salem, VA 24153, USA
| | - Jennifer E Graham-Engeland
- Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, 219 Biobehavioral Health Building, University Park, PA 16801, USA
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