Stress and depression in informal caregivers of patients with bipolar affective disorder

This study aims to establish the stress and depression´s prevalence in informal primary caregivers of patients with bipolar affective disorder of the Clínica de Nuestra Señora de la Paz (Bogotá, Colombia). The sample consisted of 40 informal primary caregivers who were tested by several tools: a survey filter, a sociodemographic record, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Daily Stress Questionnaire. Results indicate that there is much more presence of depression than of daily stress in the sample. 

Tidig föräldrastress hos mammor med för tidigt födda barn

Bakgrund: Att bli mamma till ett för tidigt fött barn (<37 gestationsveckor) innebär en oväntad stress vilket påverkar hela familjen. Under de senaste årtionden har stora förbättringar skett inom perinatal vård och numera är chansen till överlevnad stor. Att barnet efter födseln vårdas på neonatal intensivvårdsavdelning (NICU) får konsekvenser för mamman både känslomässigt och i omvårdnaden av barnet. Syfte: Att undersöka föräldrastress och beskriva faktorer som påverkar tidig föräldrastress hos mammor till för tidigt födda barn när barnet är två månader i korrigerad ålder. Metod: Studien utfördes på fyra NICU i Sverige. Inklusionskriterierna för studien var att barnet var för tidigt fött samt vårdades på neonatalavdelning i minst 72 timmar. För att mäta upplevd föräldrastress fick mammorna (n=276) svara på enkäten Swedish Parental Stress Questionnaire (SPSQ) när barnet var två månader i korrigerad ålder. Resultat: Mammor vars barn inte vårdades på en samvårdsavdelning, som hade barn i kuvös, mammor till barn med äldre syskon, var äldre, rökte och/eller ammade helt upplevde mer föräldrastress än övriga mammor. Slutsats: Studien visar att faktorer i framför allt i miljön samt hos mamman har betydelse för upplevd föräldrastress. Våra resultat innebär att omhändertagandet bör bli bättre, både under tiden på neonatalavdelning men även efter utskrivning. Då studien också påvisar vikten av samvårdsavdelning bör förbättringar ske i den fysiska vårdmiljön för att minimera upplevelsen av föräldrastress.

Diferenças de sexo e escolaridade na manifestação de Stress em adultos jovens

Este estudo pesquisou sintomas de stress em adultos jovens, relacionando-os com o sexo e ano escolar em curso. Investigou também o tipo e a freqüência de sintomas. Participaram 295 estudantes de 15 a 28 anos, sendo 150 mulheres e 145 homens, que cursavam o primeiro e terceiro anos do ensino médio, curso pré-vestibular e primeiro e quarto anos de ensino superior. A avaliação do stress foi realizada através do Inventário de Sintomas de Stress de Lipp. Os resultados acusaram correlação significativa entre sexo e nível de stress (p<0,0001) sendo que as mulheres apresentaram maior nível de stress em todos os grupos avaliados. Maior índice de stress surgiu em estudantes do curso Pré-Vestibular, seguidos do terceiro ano do ensino médio. A sintomatologia apresentada foi predominantemente psicológica e os sintomas mais prevalentes foram sensibilidade emotiva excessiva, para as mulheres e, para os homens, pensamento recorrente.

Estados emocionais de estresse e cortisol salivar na escalada em rocha

Pós-graduação em Ciências da Motricidade - IBRC

Validação das escalas de preocupação com o peso corporal e de estresse percebido

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Queixa subjetiva de comprometimento da memória em idosos saudáveis: influência de sintomas depressivos, percepção de estresse e autoestima

O presente estudo analisou a relação entre percepção de estresse, sintomas depressivos e autoestima em idosos com e sem queixa subjetiva de comprometimento de memória. Foram incluídos 204 idosos (104 sem e 100 com queixa de memória) avaliados a partir do instrumento Memory Assessment Complain Questionnaire (MAC-Q). O protocolo de estudo incluiu a Escala de Estresse Percebido (EEP), a Escala de Depressão Geriátrica (GDS) e a Escala de Autoestima de Rosenberg (EAE). Os idosos com queixa de comprometimento apresentaram escores significativamente maiores na EEP e GDS e menores na EAE (p < 0.001). Foi observada correlação negativa entre o escore do MAC-Q e EPP (p < 0.001) e EAE (p = 0.01). A análise de regressão multivariada identificou somente o estresse como fator preditor da queixa subjetiva de memória. Esses dados sugerem que a percepção de estresse e os sintomas depressivos estão associados com a queixa de memória em idosos.

Influence of general self-efficacy as a mediator in Taiji-induced stress reduction – Results from a randomized controlled trial

Aim of the study In this study we examined the effects of Taiji on perceived stress and general self-efficacy (GSE), and investigated the mediating role of a Taiji-induced GSE increase on Taiji-related reduction of perceived stress. Materials and methods 70 healthy participants were randomly allocated either to the Taiji intervention group or the waiting list control group. The intervention lasted for 12 weeks comprising two Taiji classes per week. Before, shortly after, and two months after the intervention, we assessed the degree of perceived stress and GSE in all participants by employing the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the GSE-Scale. Results Compared to controls, participants of the Taiji group showed a significantly stronger decrease of perceived stress and a higher increase in GSE from pre- to post-intervention assessment (PSS: p = 0.009; GSE: p = 0.006), as well as from pre-intervention to follow-up assessment (PSS: p = 0.018; GSE: p = 0.033). A mediator analysis based on a multiple regression approach revealed that a Taiji-related increase in GSE statistically mediated the reduction in perceived stress after Taiji as compared to baseline. Post hoc testing showed that the mediating effect of GSE was significant (p = 0.043). Conclusions Our findings confirm previously reported Taiji-related stress reducing and GSE enhancing effects with GSE increase mediating Taiji related reduction of perceived stress.

Ein neues psychoendokrin-validiertes Verfahren zur Erfassung von Stressbewältigungsfertigkeiten (ISBF)

Background: We previously found good psychometric properties of the Inventory for assessment of stress management skills (German translation: Inventar zur Erfassung von Stressbewältigungsfertigkeiten), ISBF, a short questionnaire for combined assessment of different perceived stress management skills in the general population. Here, we investigate whether stress management skills as measured by ISBF relate to cortisol stress reactivity in two independent studies, a laboratory study (study 1) and a field study (study 2). Methods: 35 healthy non-smoking and medication-free men in study 1 (age mean±SEM:38.0±1.6) and 35 male and female employees in study 2 (age mean±SEM:32.9±1.2) underwent an acute standardized psychosocial stress task combining public speaking and mental arithmetic in front of an audience. We assessed stress management skills (ISBF) and measured salivary cortisol before and after stress and several times up to 60 min (study 2) and 120 min (study 1) thereafter. Potential confounders were controlled. Results:. General linear models controlling for potential confounders revealed that in both studies, higher stress management skills (ISBF total score) were independently associated with lower cortisol levels before and after stress (main effects ISBF: p’s<.055) and lower cortisol stress reactivity (interaction ISBF-by-stress: p’s<.029). Post-hoc-testing of ISBF subscales suggest lower cortisol stress reactivity with higher “relaxation abilities” (both studies) and higher scores in the scale “cognitive strategies and problem solving” (study 2). Conclusions: Our findings suggest blunted increases in cortisol following stress with increasing stress management skills as measured by ISBF. This suggests that the ISBF not only relates to subjective psychological but also objective physiological stress indicators which may further underscore the validity of the questionnaire.

Minderung physiologischer Reaktivität auf psychosozialen Stress durch Taiji-Training - wer profitiert besonders? Eine Untersuchung moderierender Effekte von selbstberichteter dispositioneller psychologischer Stressreaktivität und Achtsamkeit.

Theoretical background and objectives: Stress reducing effects of Taiji practice have been repeatedly reported. The aim of the present study was to investigate which persons benefit the most from Taiji practice in terms of reduced physiological stress reactivity. Methods: We conducted a secondary data analysis of a randomized controlled Taiji trial that significantly lowered stress reactivity of salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase in a Taiji group (n = 26) compared to a control group (n = 23). By using hierarchical regression analyses potential moderating influences of self-reported trait-mindfulness and trait values of general psychological stress reactivity on stress protective effects of a three months Taiji training were examined. Moderator variables were assessed at the beginning of the study using the Freiburg-Mindfulness-Inventory and the Perceived- Stress-Reactivity-Scale. Results: The interaction effect "study group x mindfulness" was significant for stress reactivity of salivary alpha-amylase (p = 0.050). Participants in the Taiji group with higher trait-mindfulness showed a lower salivary alpha-amylase stress reactivity, while in the control group higher trait-mindfulness was associated with higher alpha-amylase stress reactivity. In the control group (p = 0.042) but not in the Taiji group (p = 0.69) salivary cortisol stress reactivity was significantly increased in persons with higher trait-mindfulness scores. We could not find moderating effects of general psychological stress reactivity. Conclusion: Our results suggest that without intervention higher trait-mindfulness is associated with increased physiological stress reactivity. Persons with higher trait-mindfulness seem to benefit the most from practicing Taiji in terms of reduced sympathetic stress reactivity.

Associations of self-compassion and global self-esteem with positive and negative affect and stress reactivity in daily life: Findings from a smart phone study

The present study examined trait self-compassion and trait self-esteem in relation to positive (PA) and negative affect (NA), as well as their associations with stress reactivity in daily life. One hundred and one subjects completed questionnaires on perceived stress and affect twice a day for 14 consecutive days on smart phones. Results indicated that self-compassion and global self-esteem were positively related to PA and negatively to NA. After controlling for self-esteem, self-compassion remained significantly associated with PA and NA, whereas self-esteem was no longer associated with PA and NA after controlling for self-compassion. Furthermore, results indicated that self-compassion buffered the effect of stress on NA, whereas this was not the case for global self-esteem. Neither self-compassion nor self-esteem moderated the relation of stress on PA in separate models. The results of the present study add to the growing literature regarding beneficial relations of self-compassion and psychological well-being and further emphasize the distinction of self-compassion and global self-esteem.

The association between stress and physical fitness testing in the 2005 Department of Defense population survey

Objective. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of perceived stress and passing the fitness test in a cohort of Department of Defense active duty members. Reports of this association have been suggested in numerous articles. Methods. The 2005 DoD Survey of Health Related Behaviors Among Active Duty Military Personnel was used to examine the association between the participants’ perceived levels of stress from family and/or work related sources and the respondents’ last required fitness test taking into account potential confounder of the association. Measures of association were obtained from logistic regression models. Results. Participants who experienced “some” or “a lot” of stress either from work sources (OR 0.69, 95% CI: 0.58-0.87) or from personal/family sources (OR 0.70, 95% CI: 0.57-0.86) were less likely to pass the fitness test when compared to their counterparts who experienced “none” or “a little” stress. Additionally, those who reported “some” or “a lot” of stress either from work sources (OR 0.54, 95% CI: 0.41-0.70) or from personal/family sources (OR 0.54, 95% CI: 0.44-0.67) that interfered with their military duties were also less likely to pass the fitness test. The multivariate adjustment only slightly reduced the unadjusted association. Conclusions . An association exists between perceived stress levels and outcome of fitness testing. The higher the level of stress perceived, the less likely the person will be to pass the fitness test. Stress-related intervention might be useful to help the military members to achieve the level of fitness needed to perform their duties.^

Booster Breaks in the workplace: Effects on employee stress

The current study examined the effects of a 15-minute daily physical activity break on the stress levels of white collar employees. An innovative group physical activity program, the Booster Break, was implemented in two worksites, both located in a large metropolitan area. One hundred sixteen participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions; 43 participants were assigned to the Booster Break condition, 40 participants were assigned to an individual, computer-based physical activity condition, and 32 were assigned to a no-physical activity control condition. Self-report and objective measures were taken at baseline and after the completion of the intervention. There were no significant differences among conditions in perceived stress or blood pressure after the intervention. However, the data showed trends in the direction predicted with a decrease in perceived stress among Booster Break (change in perceived stress = -0.1) and computer prompt participants (change in perceived stress = -0.2) and an increase in perceived stress among the control group (change in perceived stress = 0.2). More research is recommended to fully understand the effects of worksite physical activity on stress.^

An adaptogenic role for omega-3 fatty acids in stress; a randomised placebo controlled double blind intervention study (pilot) [ISRCTN22569553]

Background There is evidence for an adaptive role of the omega -3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) during stress. Mechanisms of action may involve regulation of stress mediators, such as the catecholamines and proinflammatory cytokines. Prevention of stress-induced aggression and hostility were demonstrated in a series of clinical trials. This study investigates whether perceived stress is ameliorated by DHA in stressed university staff. Methods Subjects that scored ≥ 17 on the Perceived Stress Scale were randomised into a 6-week pilot intervention study. The diet reactive group was supplemented with 6 g of fish oil containing 1.5 g per day DHA, while the placebo group was supplemented with 6 g a day of olive oil. The groups were compared with each other and a wider cross sectional study population that did not receive either active or placebo intervention. Results There was a significant reduction in perceived stress in both the fish oil and the placebo group from baseline. There was also a significant between-group difference between the fish oil group and the no-treatment controls in the rate of stress reduction (p < 0.05). However, there was not a significant between-group difference between the fish oil and the placebo group, nor the placebo group and the control group. These results are discussed in the context of several methodological limitations. The significant stress reductions in both the fish oil and the placebo group are considered in view of statistical regression, an effect likely to have been exaggerated by the time course of the study, a large placebo effect and the possibility of an active effect from the placebo. Conclusion There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in the fish oil group compared with no-treatment controls. This effect was not demonstrated in the placebo group. As a pilot study, it was not sufficiently powered to find the difference between the fish oil group and the placebo group significant. Further work needs to be undertaken to conclusively demonstrate these data trends. However, the findings from this research support the literature in finding a protective or 'adaptogenic' role for omega-3 fatty acids in stress.

Management of nut allergy influences quality of life and anxiety in children and their mothers

Nut allergy is known to impact on the quality of life (QoL) and anxiety of both the allergic child and their parents, but little is known about how the management of food allergy is associated with these variables. To investigate the impact of nut allergy on QoL and anxiety in mothers and children with nut allergy in order to identify management strategies that may influence these factors. Forty-one nut allergic children (age 6–16 yrs) and their mothers completed questionnaires to assess maternal and children’s QoL (PedsQL™, WHOQOL-BREF, FAQL-PB), anxiety (SCAS, STAI) and perceived stress scale (PSS). Children also completed a nut allergy specific QoL questionnaire. Demographic data, details of previous reactions, test results and management plans were collected using parent-report questionnaires and hospital notes. Children with nut allergy had poorer emotional (p = 0.004), social (p = 0.043), and psychological (p = 0.006) QoL compared to healthy normative data. Maternal and child QoL and anxiety were not influenced by the severity of previous reactions. Mother and child reported lower anxiety (p = 0.043 and p < 0.001 respectively) when the child was prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector. Anxiety was not associated with whether the child carried the auto-injector or whether they strictly avoided traces of nuts in foods. Prescribing auto-injectors is associated with reduced anxiety for food allergic children and their mothers, but is not associated with improved adherence with medical management or reduced risk-taking behavior.

Can illness perceptions and coping predict psychological distress amongst allergy sufferers?

Objective. The aim of the present study was to measure the extent to which illness perceptions and coping strategies are associated with the levels of psychological distress amongst allergy sufferers. Design and method. One hundred and fifty-six allergy sufferers (all members of Allergy U.K.) completed a postal survey consisting of the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R) and the COPE. Psychological distress was measured using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Results. Multiple regression analyses indicated that illness perceptions explained between 6 and 26% of variance on measures of psychological distress; coping strategies explained between 12 and 25%. A strong illness identity and emotional representations of the allergy were associated with higher levels of psychological distress; as were less adaptive coping strategies such as focusing on and venting of emotions. Strong personal control beliefs were associated with the lower levels of distress, as were adaptive coping strategies such as positive reinterpretation and growth. Coping partially mediated the link between the illness perceptions and the outcome; however, illness identity, emotional representations and personal control retained an independent significant association with psychological distress. Conclusion. The findings support a role for illness perceptions and coping in explaining levels of psychological distress amongst allergy sufferers. This has implications for targeted health interventions aimed at reducing the strength of illness identity and emotional representations and increasing a sense of control and the use of more adaptive coping strategies.