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Becker E, Atkinson L, Gonzalez A, Khoury J. Social support buffers the impact of pregnancy stress on perceptions of parent-infant closeness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Infant Ment Health J 2024; 45:328-340. [PMID: 38196240 DOI: 10.1002/imhj.22096] [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: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Pregnant individuals and parents have experienced elevated mental health problems and stress during COVID-19. Stress during pregnancy can be harmful to the fetus and detrimental to the parent-child relationship. However, social support is known to act as a protective factor, buffering against the adverse effects of stress. The present study examined whether (1) prenatal stress during COVID-19 was associated with parent-infant closeness at 6 months postpartum, and (2) social support moderated the effect of prenatal stress on the parent-infant relationship. In total, 181 participants completed questionnaires during pregnancy and at 6 months postpartum. A hierarchical linear regression analysis was conducted to assess whether social support moderated the effect of stress during pregnancy on parent-infant closeness at 6 months postpartum. Results indicated a significant interaction between prenatal stress and social support on parents' perceptions of closeness with their infants at 6 months postpartum (β = .805, p = .029); parents who experienced high prenatal stress with high social support reported greater parent-infant closeness, compared to those who reported high levels of stress and low social support. Findings underscore the importance of social support in protecting the parent-infant relationship, particularly in times of high stress, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Becker
- Department of Psychology, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Leslie Atkinson
- Department of Psychology, Metropolitan Toronto University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrea Gonzalez
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jennifer Khoury
- Department of Psychology, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Wenze SJ, Mikula CM, Battle CL. Two babies, two bonds: Frequency and correlates of differential maternal-infant bonding in mothers of twins. Infant Ment Health J 2024; 45:286-300. [PMID: 38403982 DOI: 10.1002/imhj.22108] [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: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
We assessed prevalence and correlates of differential maternal-infant bonding (i.e., experiencing a stronger bond with one baby vs. the other) in mothers of twins, focusing on aspects of maternal mental health, well-being, and pregnancy/birth that have been previously linked with maternal-infant bonding. Participants (N = 108 American women, 88.89% White, 82.41% non-Hispanic, aged 18-45, who gave birth to twins in the past 6-24 weeks) were recruited from postpartum support websites. Participants completed a Qualtrics survey assessing pregnancy/birth history, symptoms of depression and anxiety, sleep, stress, romantic relationship satisfaction, and postpartum bonding. Twenty-six participants (24.07%) reported a bonding discrepancy. These participants endorsed higher symptoms of depression and anxiety, lower relationship satisfaction, lower average postpartum bonding, higher general and parenting stress, and longer pregnancy (all ps > .05). Greater degree of bonding discrepancy correlated with more depression, higher parenting stress, longer pregnancy, and lower relationship satisfaction (all ps > .05). Mothers of twins may benefit from postpartum mental health support, stress management strategies, and interventions to improve bonding. Future work should assess the role of breastfeeding difficulties, delivery method, birth-related trauma, infant regulatory capacity, and temperament. Longitudinal studies will help test cause and effect and potential long-term repercussions of maternal-infant bonding discrepancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan J Wenze
- Department of Psychology, Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Cynthia M Mikula
- Department of Psychology, Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Cynthia L Battle
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Butler Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Women and Infants' Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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3
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Cidreira LCS, Teixeira JRB, Mussi FC. Perceived stress by mototaxi drivers and its relationship with sociodemographic and occupational characteristics. Rev Bras Enferm 2023; 76:e20220505. [PMID: 37820139 PMCID: PMC10561946 DOI: 10.1590/0034-7167-2022-0505] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the association of sociodemographic and occupational characteristics with a high level of perceived stress in motorcycle taxi drivers. METHOD Cross-sectional study carried out with motorcycle taxi drivers who answered instruments on sociodemographic and occupational variables - Perceived Stress Scale, Job Content Questionnaire and Effort-Reward Imbalance. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's chi-square test and Poisson regression with robust variance were used. Statistical significance was 5%. RESULTS Of the 800 motorcycle taxi drivers, 46.8% had a high level of perceived stress. In the multivariate analysis, a high level of stress was associated with low control over work (PR=7.76; 95%CI=5.19-11.61), low social support at work (PR=3.87; 95%CI =2.95 5.08), working hours longer than eight hours a day (RP=1.47; 95%CI=1.21-1.78) and monthly income less than or equal to two minimum wages (PR=1.34;95%CI=1.13-2.58). CONCLUSION Long working hours, occupational stressors and low income were associated with a high level of perceived stress. Public policies and interventions to minimize occupational stressors are essential.
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Cano-López I, Pérez MI, Puig-Pérez S. Burnout is related to executive dysfunction in primary healthcare professionals working in rural areas. Rev Neurol 2023; 76:91-99. [PMID: 36703502 PMCID: PMC10364042 DOI: 10.33588/rn.7603.2022283] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Healthcare professionals are especially vulnerable to burnout, which implies a hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal dysregulation that could impact the integrity of brain structures needed for cognitive processing. However, a scarce number of studies have analyzed the relationship between burnout and executive functions in this population, and possible modulator factors have not been clarified. This study aims to characterize the burnout level of primary healthcare professionals working in rural areas, and to analyze its relationship with executive functioning, considering the possible modulating role of optimism. SUBJECTS AND METHODS In this cross-sectional study, 32 primary healthcare professionals were recruited from the Carcastillo Health Center (Spain) and underwent an assessment in which burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey. Optimism and executive functions were also evaluated. RESULTS 43.8%, 59.4%, and 56.3% of participants experienced high levels of burnout via emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. The path analysis showed that emotional exhaustion was associated with poorer Trail Making Test scores (ß = -0.37, SE = 0.17, p = 0.024, Cohen's f2 = 0.15), but optimism was not a significant moderator of this relationship (p = 0.24). The proposed model yielded excellent fit (CFI = 1.00, RMSEA = 0.0001, SRMR = 0.0001, and ?2(3) = 6.07, p = 0.11). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that burnout in healthcare professionals could have a detrimental effect on the efficiency of health systems. This has relevant implications, especially for professionals characterized by both work pressure and high cognitive demands, and highlights a need to implement occupation-specific approaches for prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Cano-López
- VIU-NED Chair of Global Neuroscience and Social ChangeVIU-NED Chair of Global Neuroscience and Social ChangeVIU-NED Chair of Global Neuroscience and Social ChangeValenciaSpain
- Faculty of Health Sciences. Universidad Internacional de Valencia. Valencia, SpainFaculty of Health SciencesUniversidad Internacional de ValenciaValenciaSpain
| | - Mariola I. Pérez
- Faculty of Health Sciences. Universidad Internacional de Valencia. Valencia, SpainFaculty of Health SciencesUniversidad Internacional de ValenciaValenciaSpain
| | - Sara Puig-Pérez
- VIU-NED Chair of Global Neuroscience and Social ChangeVIU-NED Chair of Global Neuroscience and Social ChangeVIU-NED Chair of Global Neuroscience and Social ChangeValenciaSpain
- Faculty of Health Sciences. Universidad Internacional de Valencia. Valencia, SpainFaculty of Health SciencesUniversidad Internacional de ValenciaValenciaSpain
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Idås T, Backholm K. Anniversary reactions among journalists covering terror: stress reactions and well-being 10 years after the terror in Norway. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2023; 14:2220632. [PMID: 37350177 PMCID: PMC10291930 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2023.2220632] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Covering terror and catastrophes can be traumatic for journalists, potentially resulting in long-term impairment. This study investigated 10-year anniversary reactions among Norwegian journalists who covered the Oslo/Utöya terror incident in Norway, 2011.Objective: The study aimed to investigate whether level of traumatic exposure and support actions in 2011 were related to anniversary reactions and current psychological well-being in 2021. It also explored if magnitude of anniversary reactions was related to level of current well-being.Method: A cross-sectional survey was sent to journalists who still work within journalism, eight weeks after the 10-year anniversary (N = 200). Participants reported retrospectively on trauma exposure, ethical dilemmas and social support in 2011, as predictors, and attitude to media anniversary coverage, anniversary-related stress, and well-being, as outcome variables.Results: More ethical dilemmas in 2011 (r = .295, p < .001) were related to a larger degree of anniversary-related stress in 2021. Having received less workplace social support in 2011 was related to more stress reactions (r = -.196, p < .05), while the magnitude of overall traumatic exposure in 2011 was not related to stress. Social support also predicted a higher level of current well-being in 2021 (r = .381, p < .001). More severe anniversary-related stress symptoms were significantly associated with decreased level of current well-being (r = -.259, p < .001).Conclusion: Journalists can experience lasting consequences from demanding experiences at work, including fluctuating stress symptoms during incident anniversaries. It is crucial for both journalists and newsrooms to recognize and be aware of the potential impact of anniversaries on the well-being of those involved in the initial coverage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trond Idås
- Norwegian Union of Journalists, Oslo, Norway
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Business and Economics, Åbo Akademi University, Vaasa, Finland
| | - Klas Backholm
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Business and Economics, Åbo Akademi University, Vaasa, Finland
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Cuadrado E, Arenas A, Moyano M, Tabernero C. Differential impact of stay-at-home orders on mental health in adults who are homeschooling or "childless at home" in time of COVID-19. Fam Process 2022; 61:722-744. [PMID: 34341992 PMCID: PMC8444921 DOI: 10.1111/famp.12698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the confinement of most populations worldwide, through stay-at-home orders. Children have continued their education process at home, supervised by parents, who, in most cases, have adopted the role of prime drivers of their learning processes. In this study, the psychological impact of confinement was explored, as well as the relationship of the forced homeschooling situation with psychological well-being. During their confinement, 400 individuals residing in Spain-165 without children at home (Group 1), 104 parents who dedicated little time to homeschooling (Group 2), and 131 who dedicated more time to homeschooling (Group 3)-responded to an online questionnaire. The results show that confinement threatened the mental health of all the participants but especially Group 3 individuals, who had the highest loneliness, anxiety, and stress levels. Moreover, loneliness, perception of discomfort due to homeschooling, and anxiety exacerbated the stress experienced during confinement. Discomfort due to the homeschooling situation was especially relevant in explaining anxiety and stress for Group 3 individuals. These results suggest that forced homeschooling could be associated with the negative consequences that confinement has on individuals' mental health. Moreover, the results suggest that parents who dedicate more time to homeschooling feel more unprotected and more stressed due to the homeschooling in comparison to Group 2 individuals. Health professionals must pay special attention to parents who dedicate more time to homeschooling, and governments and schools must emphasize social support provision to families during homeschooling situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Cuadrado
- Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Cordoba (IMIBIC)CordobaSpain
- University of CordobaCordobaSpain
| | - Alicia Arenas
- Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Cordoba (IMIBIC)CordobaSpain
- University of SevilleSevilleSpain
| | - Manuel Moyano
- Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Cordoba (IMIBIC)CordobaSpain
- University of CordobaCordobaSpain
| | - Carmen Tabernero
- University of SalamancaSalamancaSpain
- Neurosciences Institute of Castilla y Leon (INCyL)SalamancaSpain
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Goldberg AE, Allen KR, Smith JZ. Divorced and separated parents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fam Process 2021; 60:866-887. [PMID: 34227099 PMCID: PMC8444689 DOI: 10.1111/famp.12693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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: 01/23/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant stress for individuals, couples, and families. Divorced and separated couples with children face unique stresses amid the pandemic. This mixed-methods study explored these challenges among 296 divorced and separated parents: namely 204 women formerly partnered with men, 34 men formerly partnered with women, and 58 women formerly partnered with women, who were surveyed during Summer/Fall of 2020. Participants described legal, financial, and coparenting challenges. Those who were not yet divorced described difficulties filing for or finalizing their divorce because of court closures and lack of responsiveness from legal professionals. Those who were already divorced also faced legal challenges, such as being unable to obtain a court date to modify custody arrangements. Financial challenges included renegotiating financial support obligations in the context of job loss. Salient coparenting conflicts, explored through closed- and open-ended questions, included communication issues, different views on virus risk mitigation behaviors, financial issues (especially for those not yet divorced), and transitioning between households and handling remote schooling (especially for those with shared physical custody). Participants elaborated on COVID-19-specific challenges, revealing that (a) lack of communication or agreement regarding shared strategies for risk mitigation reflected and exacerbated challenging dynamics between coparents, (b) remote schooling was often the site of disagreement when one parent felt that they were doing more than their fair share of coordination and oversight, and (c) different perspectives on science were expected to lead to future contention when making a joint decision about whether to vaccinate children. Findings have implications for family and legal professionals working with divorced, divorcing, and separated parents.
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Conroy K, Frech N, Sanchez AL, Hagan MB, Bagner DM, Comer JS. Caregiver stress and cultural identity in families of preschoolers with developmental delay and behavioral problems. Infant Ment Health J 2021; 42:573-585. [PMID: 33961711 PMCID: PMC8363575 DOI: 10.1002/imhj.21923] [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] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Research on families of young children with developmental delay and disruptive behavior problems has failed to examine caregiver stress in the context of cultural factors. METHODS Families of 3-year-old children with developmental delay and behavior problems were recruited from Early Intervention sites. All caregivers in the current analysis (n = 147) were from immigrant and/or cultural minority backgrounds. Regarding income-to-needs, most families (57.8%) fell into the extreme poverty, poor, or low-income categories. Caregivers reported on their own experiences of acculturation and enculturation as well as their child's problems. RESULTS Path analyses revealed that higher caregiver acculturation was associated with less parenting-specific stress, and higher caregiver enculturation was associated with less caregiver general stress. Severity of child problems was associated with more parenting-specific stress and general stress. Exploratory analysis yielded significant differences in associations between acculturation, enculturation, and caregiver stress in Black/African American caregivers versus Hispanic White caregivers. CONCLUSION Findings suggest that among cultural minority caregivers of young children with developmental and behavioral problems, acculturation and enculturation may influence caregiver stress. While the cross-sectional nature of the study precludes causal conclusions, clinicians should consider how cultural factors can be harnessed to strengthen caregiver resiliency and improve engagement in parenting interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Conroy
- Center for Children and Families, Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Natalie Frech
- Center for Children and Families, Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Amanda L. Sanchez
- Penn Center for Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mary B. Hagan
- Center for Children and Families, Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Daniel M. Bagner
- Center for Children and Families, Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Jonathan S. Comer
- Center for Children and Families, Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
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Alexandrov Y, Feldman B, Svarnik O, Znamenskaya I, Kolbeneva M, Arutyunova K, Krylov A, Bulava A. Regression I. Experimental approaches to regression. J Anal Psychol 2021; 65:345-365. [PMID: 32170745 DOI: 10.1111/1468-5922.12580] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The concept of regression is considered with an emphasis on the differences between the positions of Freud and Jung regarding its significance. The paper discusses the results of experimental analyses of individual experience dynamics (from gene expression changes and impulse neuronal activity in animals to prosocial behaviour in healthy humans at different ages, and humans in chronic pain) in those situations where regression occurs: stress, disease, learning, highly emotional states and alcohol intoxication. Common mechanisms of regression in all these situations are proposed. The mechanisms of regression can be described as reversible dedifferentiation, which is understood as a relative increase of the representation of low-differentiated (older) systems in the actualized experience. In all of the cases of dedifferentiation mentioned above, the complexity of the systemic organization of behaviour significantly decreases.
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Key Words
- Alkohol
- Entwicklung
- Gen
- Gewissensentscheidung
- Hirn
- Jungian psychology
- Jungianische Psychologie
- Krankheit
- Neuron
- Regression
- Streß
- System
- alcohol
- alcool
- brain
- cerebro
- cerveau
- cervello
- choix moral
- comportamento sociale
- comportement social
- conducta social
- desarrollo
- development
- disease
- développement
- elección moral
- enfermedad
- esperienza individuale
- estrés
- experiencia individual
- expérience individuelle
- gene
- gène
- individual experience
- maladie
- malattia
- moral choice
- neuron
- neurona
- neurone
- persönliche Erfahrung
- psicologia junghiana
- psicología Junguiana
- psychologie jungienne
- regresión
- regression
- regressione
- régression
- scelta morale
- sistema
- social behaviour
- soziales Verhalten
- stress
- sviluppo
- system
- système
- алкоголь
- болезнь
- ген
- индивидуальный опыт
- мозг
- моральный выбор
- нейрон
- развитие
- регрессия
- система
- социальное поведение
- стресс
- юнгианская психология
- 荣格心理学, 退行, 酒精, 压力, 疾病, 社会行为, 个体经验, 发展, 系统, 神经元, 脑, 基因, 道德选择
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Kuranova A, Booij SH, Oldehinkel AJ, Wichers M, Jeronimus B, Wigman JTW. Reflections on psychological resilience: a comparison of three conceptually different operationalizations in predicting mental health. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2021; 12:1956802. [PMID: 34589174 PMCID: PMC8475143 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2021.1956802] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychological resilience refers to the ability to maintain mental health or recover quickly after stress. Despite the popularity of resilience research, there is no consensus understanding or operationalization of resilience. OBJECTIVE We plan to compare three indicators of resilience that each involve a different operationalization of the construct: a) General resilience or one's self-reported general ability to overcome adversities; b) Daily resilience as momentarily experienced ability to overcome adversities; and c) Recovery speed evident in the pattern of negative affect recovery after small adversities in daily life. These three indicators are constructed per person to investigate their cross-sectional associations, stability over time, and predictive validity regarding mental health. METHODS Data will be derived from the prospective MIRORR study that comprises 96 individuals at different levels of psychosis risk and contains both single-time assessed questionnaires and 90-days intensive longitudinal data collection at baseline (T0) and three yearly follow-up waves (T1-T3). General resilience is assessed using the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) at baseline. Daily resilience is measured by averaging daily resilience scores across 90 days. For recovery speed, vector-autoregressive models with consecutive impulse response simulations will be applied to diary data on negative affect and daily stressors to calculate pattern of affect recovery. These indicators will be correlated concurrently (at T0) to assess their overlap and prospectively (between T0 and T1) to estimate their stability. Their predictive potential will be assessed by regression analysis with mental health (SCL-90) as an outcome, resilience indicators as predictors, and stressful life events as a moderator. CONCLUSION The comparison of different conceptualizations of psychological resilience can increase our understanding of its multifaceted nature and, in future, help improve diagnostic, prevention and intervention strategies aimed at increasing psychological resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kuranova
- Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation (ICPE), University Medical Center Groningen, University Center Psychiatry (UCP), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sanne H Booij
- Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation (ICPE), University Medical Center Groningen, University Center Psychiatry (UCP), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Department of Research and Education, Friesland Mental Health Care Services, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.,Center for Integrative Psychiatry, Lentis, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Albertine J Oldehinkel
- Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation (ICPE), University Medical Center Groningen, University Center Psychiatry (UCP), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke Wichers
- Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation (ICPE), University Medical Center Groningen, University Center Psychiatry (UCP), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Bertus Jeronimus
- Department of Developmental Psychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Johanna T W Wigman
- Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation (ICPE), University Medical Center Groningen, University Center Psychiatry (UCP), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Department of Research and Education, Friesland Mental Health Care Services, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
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Abstract
The human circadian system creates and maintains cellular and systemic rhythmicity essential for the temporal organization of physiological processes promoting homeostasis and environmental adaptation. Sleep disruption and loss of circadian rhythmicity fundamentally affects master homeostasic regulating systems at the crossroads of peripheral and central susceptibility pathways, similar to acute or chronic stress and, thus, may play a central role in the development of stress-related disorders. Direct and indirect human and animal PTSD research accordingly suggests circadian-system-linked sleep, neuroendocrine, immune, metabolic and autonomic dysregulation, linking circadian misalignment to PTSD pathophysiology. Additionally, there is evidence that sleep and circadian disruption may represent a vital pre-existing risk factor in the prediction of PTSD development, while sleep-related symptoms are among the most prominent in trauma-associated disorders. These facts may represent a need for a shift towards a more chronobiological understanding of traumatic sequel and could support better prevention, evaluation and treatment of sleep and circadian disruption as first steps in PTSD management. In this special issue, we highlight and review recent advances from human sleep and chronobiological research that enhances our understanding of the development and maintenance of trauma-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agorastos Agorastos
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.,VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health (CESAMH), VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Miranda Olff
- Department of PsychiatryAmsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Neuroscience of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, Diemen, The Netherlands
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Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has precipitated substantial global disruption and will continue to pose major challenges. In recognition of the challenges currently faced by family scientists, we share our perspectives about conducting family research in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are two primary issues we address in this article. First, we present a range of potential solutions to challenges in research, resulting from the pandemic, and discuss strategies for preserving ongoing research efforts. We discuss approaches to scaling back existing protocols, share ideas for adapting laboratory-based measures for online administration (e.g., using video chat platforms), and suggest strategies for addressing missing data and reduced sample size due to lower participation rates and funding restrictions. We also discuss the importance of measuring COVID-19 relevant factors to use as controls or explore as moderators of primary hypotheses. Second, we discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic represents a scientifically important context for understanding how families adjust and adapt to change and adversity. Increased stress precipitated by the pandemic, varying from acute stress associated with job loss to more chronic and enduring stress, will undoubtedly take a toll. We discuss ways that family scientists can contribute to pandemic-related research to promote optimal family functioning and protect the health of family members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L. Brock
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Nebraska‐LincolnLincolnNEUSA
| | - Lauren M. Laifer
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Nebraska‐LincolnLincolnNEUSA
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Alexandrov Y, Svarnik O, Znamenskaya I, Kolbeneva M, Arutyunova K, Krylov A, Bulava A, Feldman B. Regression II. Development through regression. J Anal Psychol 2020; 65:476-496. [PMID: 32406949 DOI: 10.1111/1468-5922.12596] [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] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
As shown in our previous paper ('Regression I. Experimental approaches to regression', JAP, 65, 2, 345-65), the common mechanism of regression can be described as reversible dedifferentiation, which is understood as a relative increase of the proportion of low-differentiated (older) systems in actualized experience. Experimental data show that regression following disease (chronic tension headache) is followed by adaptation and an increase in system differentiation in that experience domain which contains systems responsible for that adaptation. The results of mathematical modelling support the idea that reversible dedifferentiation can be one of the mechanisms for increasing the effectiveness of adaptation through learning. Reversible dedifferentiation, which is phenomenologically described as regression, is a general mechanism for restructuring the organism-environment interactions in situations where behaviours that were effective in the past become ineffective. Reversible dedifferentiation has evolved as a component of adaptation when new behaviours are formed and large-scale modifications in the existing behaviours are required in the face of changes in the external and/or internal environment. Thus, the authors believe that this article provides evidence for Jung's view that regression is not only a 'return' to past forms of thinking, affects and behaviour, but that regressive processes provide a significant impetus for psychological growth and development.
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Poehlmann-Tynan J, Engbretson A, Vigna AB, Weymouth LA, Burnson C, Zahn-Waxler C, Kapoor A, Gerstein ED, Fanning KA, Raison CL. Cognitively-Based Compassion Training for parents reduces cortisol in infants and young children. Infant Ment Health J 2019; 41:126-144. [PMID: 31583748 DOI: 10.1002/imhj.21831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
This study tests a group-based secular contemplative practice intervention, Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT), with parents of young children. We report on a randomized controlled preliminary efficacy study. Certified teachers administered CBCT for 20 hr across 8 to 10 weeks in two cohorts of parents with infants and young children. The intervention group was compared to a waitlist control group. Thirty-nine parents and their children, who ranged in age from 4 months to 5 years, were evaluated at pre- and postintervention (n = 25 intervention, n = 14 waitlist control) on hair cortisol concentration. Parents also completed self-administered questionnaires at both time points regarding demographics, physical symptoms of stress, parenting stress, self-compassion, and mindfulness. Children of parents in the CBCT group experienced significant decreases in cortisol at the postintervention assessment, as compared with the control group. However, parent cortisol and self-report measures did not significantly change other than a small effect on clinical levels of parenting stress. CBCT may be a positive new way to intervene with parents to lower infants' and young children's cumulative physiological stress.
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Frosch CA, Mitchell YT, Hardgraves L, Funk S. Stress and coping among early childhood intervention professionals receiving reflective supervision: A qualitative analysis. Infant Ment Health J 2019; 40:443-458. [PMID: 31090956 DOI: 10.1002/imhj.21792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [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: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Reflective supervision/consultation (RS/C) is an important component of infant mental health training and practice. Given high levels of job stress reported by a variety of early childhood professionals, the present study offers a qualitative examination of early childhood intervention professionals' perceptions of stress and coping before and after receiving regular RS/C. Thirty-one professionals received 9 months of RS/C and completed semistructured interview questionnaires at the pre-/postassessments. Questionnaires focused on job-related experiences, including what participants found stressful and how they coped with job-related stress. Inductive analysis techniques were used to identify themes that arose from the data. Relationships between themes were discovered through axial coding. Three key themes of individual, relational, and organizational stress were identified across the pre-/postassessments. Similar themes were evident in reports of coping. Following 9 months of RS/C, analysis revealed greater detail and reflection among the majority of participants. These results contribute to the literature through identification of multiple levels of stress and coping as well as areas of continuity and change among participants receiving RS/C. Future research should consider how professionals' reports of stress and coping relate to reported self-efficacy and observed competence with young children and families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia A Frosch
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
| | - Yolanda T Mitchell
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
| | - Lauren Hardgraves
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
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He X, Johansson ML, Heath DD. Role of genomics and transcriptomics in selection of reintroduction source populations. Conserv Biol 2016; 30:1010-1018. [PMID: 26756292 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 01/15/2015] [Revised: 01/02/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The use and importance of reintroduction as a conservation tool to return a species to its historical range from which it has been extirpated will increase as climate change and human development accelerate habitat loss and population extinctions. Although the number of reintroduction attempts has increased rapidly over the past 2 decades, the success rate is generally low. As a result of population differences in fitness-related traits and divergent responses to environmental stresses, population performance upon reintroduction is highly variable, and it is generally agreed that selecting an appropriate source population is a critical component of a successful reintroduction. Conservation genomics is an emerging field that addresses long-standing challenges in conservation, and the potential for using novel molecular genetic approaches to inform and improve conservation efforts is high. Because the successful establishment and persistence of reintroduced populations is highly dependent on the functional genetic variation and environmental stress tolerance of the source population, we propose the application of conservation genomics and transcriptomics to guide reintroduction practices. Specifically, we propose using genome-wide functional loci to estimate genetic variation of source populations. This estimate can then be used to predict the potential for adaptation. We also propose using transcriptional profiling to measure the expression response of fitness-related genes to environmental stresses as a proxy for acclimation (tolerance) capacity. Appropriate application of conservation genomics and transcriptomics has the potential to dramatically enhance reintroduction success in a time of rapidly declining biodiversity and accelerating environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoping He
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Mattias L Johansson
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Daniel D Heath
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, N9B 3P4, Canada.
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Wood BL, Miller BD, Lehman HK. Review of family relational stress and pediatric asthma: the value of biopsychosocial systemic models. Fam Process 2015; 54:376-389. [PMID: 25683472 DOI: 10.1111/famp.12139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children. Despite dramatic advances in pharmacological treatments, asthma remains a leading public health problem, especially in socially disadvantaged minority populations. Some experts believe that this health gap is due to the failure to address the impact of stress on the disease. Asthma is a complex disease that is influenced by multilevel factors, but the nature of these factors and their interrelations are not well understood. This paper aims to integrate social, psychological, and biological literatures on relations between family/parental stress and pediatric asthma, and to illustrate the utility of multilevel systemic models for guiding treatment and stimulating future research. We used electronic database searches and conducted an integrated analysis of selected epidemiological, longitudinal, and empirical studies. Evidence is substantial for the effects of family/parental stress on asthma mediated by both disease management and psychobiological stress pathways. However, integrative models containing specific pathways are scarce. We present two multilevel models, with supporting data, as potential prototypes for other such models. We conclude that these multilevel systems models may be of substantial heuristic value in organizing investigations of, and clinical approaches to, the complex social-biological aspects of family stress in pediatric asthma. However, additional systemic models are needed, and the models presented herein could serve as prototypes for model development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice L Wood
- Psychiatry and Pediatrics, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
| | - Bruce D Miller
- Psychiatry and Pediatrics, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
| | - Heather K Lehman
- Allergy and Immunology, Woman and Children's Hospital of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
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18
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Cañellas F, de Lecea L. [Relationships between sleep and addiction]. Adicciones 2012; 24:287-290. [PMID: 23241715 PMCID: PMC5047372] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
While it is well known that there is an interaction between sleep disorders and substance abuse, it is certainly more complex than was previously thought. There is a positive relationship both between having a substance use disorder and suffering from a sleep disorder, and vice versa. The effects on sleep depend on the substance used, but it has been shown that both during use and in withdrawal periods consumers have various sleep problems, and basically more fragmented sleep. We know that sleep problems must be taken into account to prevent addiction relapses. Recent research shows that the hypocretinergic system defined by neuropeptide hypocretin / orexin (Hcrt / ox), located in the lateral hypothalamus and involved in, among other things, the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle, may play an important role in addictive behaviors. Different studies have demonstrated interactions between the hypocretinergic system, acute response to stress circuits and reward systems. We also know that selective optogenetic activation of the hypocretinergic system increases the probability of transition from sleep to wakefulness, and is sufficient for initiating an addictive compulsive behavior relapse. Hypocretinergic system activation could explain the hyperarousal associated with stress and addiction. Improved knowledge of this interaction would help us to understand better the mechanisms of addiction and find new strategies for the treatment of addictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Cañellas
- Servicio de Psiquiatría. Hospital Universitario Son Espases. Palma de Mallorca. España
| | - Luis de Lecea
- Professor Dept of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Stanford University School of Medicine, California USA
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Franco Justo C. [Reducing stress levels and anxiety in primary-care physicians through training and practice of a mindfulness meditation technique]. Aten Primaria 2010; 42:564-70. [PMID: 20129713 PMCID: PMC7024514 DOI: 10.1016/j.aprim.2009.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2009] [Revised: 10/05/2009] [Accepted: 10/19/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To check the effectiveness of a mindfulness development meditation technique on stress and anxiety in a group of primary-care physicians. DESIGN Quasi-experimental with pretest/posttest/follow-up measurements in a control group and an experimental group. SITE: University of Almeria. PARTICIPANTS 38 primary-care physicians enrolled in a Teaching Aptitude Course (CAP). INTERVENTION An experimental group and a control group were formed with 19 participants in each. The experimental group took a psycho-educational meditation program for training and practice in mindfulness. MEASUREMENT The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Strain Questionnaire and the State-Trait Anxiety Questionnaire were used to measure stress and anxiety levels. RESULTS A comparative statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney non-parametric U test, finding a significant reduction in all the primary-care physician stress and anxiety variables in the experimental group compared to the control group in pretest-posttest and follow-up tests. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study support the effectiveness of mindfulness development meditation techniques in decreasing stress and anxiety in primary-care physicians. Nevertheless, the study shows various limitations that would have to be corrected in successive studies to bring more validity to the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemente Franco Justo
- Departamento de Psicología Evolutiva y de la Educación, Universidad de Almería, Almería, Spain.
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