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Journal of Clinical Medicine Oct 2023Mental health concerns have emerged at the university level, with the psychological well-being of students being increasingly affected. This cross-sectional study...
Mental health concerns have emerged at the university level, with the psychological well-being of students being increasingly affected. This cross-sectional study investigated the proportion of university students having anxiety, and its effects on their visual function and symptomatology. We included 41 students (26.1 ± 4.8 years), and their visual function was assessed through several tests to produce a general visual performance index (VPI). The visual symptomatology was studied using the Conlon Visual Discomfort Survey and the Quality of Vision (QoV) questionnaire. The students were classified into two groups according to the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener (GAD-7) test ("no anxiety" and "anxiety" groups). The visual function evaluation indicated significantly worse VPI in the anxiety group ( = 0.047). These students also showed significantly higher scores in the Conlon survey ( = 0.004) and two subscales of the QoV questionnaire: symptom severity ( = 0.041) and symptom bothersomeness ( = 0.013). Moreover, the multiple linear regression model showed a significant association between visual discomfort according to the Conlon questionnaire and the level of anxiety (r = 0.405; R = 0.164; B = 0.405; = 0.012). It is important to study the influence of psychological factors on vision, not only for refractive error, but also for binocular and accommodative disorders.
PubMed: 37892731
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12206595 -
PloS One 2023Skill competency assessments induce stress and anxiety and may affect nursing student performance. Little is known about stress and perceived anxiety levels and their...
BACKGROUND
Skill competency assessments induce stress and anxiety and may affect nursing student performance. Little is known about stress and perceived anxiety levels and their relationship in the mock skill competency assessment.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the stress levels (as assessed by heart rate variability, HRV) and perceived anxiety before, during and after the mock skill competency assessment, and to explore their relationships to performance in a total of ninety first-year undergraduate nursing students.
RESULTS
The HRV decreased significantly during the assessment and increased significantly 10 min after the assessment (p < 0.01). Higher performers showed significantly lower HRV during and after the assessment (p < 0.01). The assessment score was negatively correlated with HRV during and after the assessment (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Considering assessment-related stress and anxiety through a mock assessment prior to the actual skill assessment provides implications for future nursing education.
Topics: Humans; Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; Students, Nursing; Heart Rate; Cross-Sectional Studies; Clinical Competence; Anxiety
PubMed: 37883463
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293509 -
Anxiety, Stress, and Coping Sep 2023We examined the effects of ultra-brief training in mindfulness and cognitive reappraisal on affective response and performance under stress. We hypothesized that one or...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
We examined the effects of ultra-brief training in mindfulness and cognitive reappraisal on affective response and performance under stress. We hypothesized that one or both types of training would decrease affective responding and improve performance, and that these effects might be moderated by acute stress induction.
DESIGN
We manipulated training (mindfulness, cognitive reappraisal, control) between subjects and level of stress (low, high) within subjects in a 3 × 2 mixed factorial design. Method: Participants ( = 112, ages 18-35) completed two sessions on different days. In each session, they received mindfulness or cognitive reappraisal training or listened to a control script prior to a low- or high-stress simulated hostage situation. We measured motor performance efficiency (proportion of shots that hit hostile and hostage targets), affective responding (self-reported anxiety, salivary cortisol and alpha amylase, and autonomic physiology), and physical activity.
RESULTS
Compared to control instructions, ultra-brief training in cognitive reappraisal or mindfulness reduced subjective anxiety and increased performance efficiency. There were few effects of training on other measures.
CONCLUSION
Ultra-brief training in cognitive reappraisal or mindfulness prior to a stressful task may be both helpful and harmful; effects are preliminary and subject to boundary conditions.
Topics: Humans; Mindfulness; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Self Report; Cognition
PubMed: 36625033
DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2022.2162890 -
Australian Critical Care : Official... May 2024Anxiety and depression among critical care nurses (CCNs) negatively affect performance because of association with clinical medical errors, ineffective communication,...
BACKGROUND
Anxiety and depression among critical care nurses (CCNs) negatively affect performance because of association with clinical medical errors, ineffective communication, absenteeism from work, and burnout.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression and their associated factors as well as their impact on the CCNs' performance in Hail city, Saudi Arabia.
METHODS
A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted among 262 CCNs from April to June 2023.
RESULTS
The mean scores of anxiety and depression were significantly higher among male and Saudi CCNs than among their counterparts (p < 0.05). CCNs caring for patients in a ratio of 1:5 or more had significantly higher anxiety scores than those with lower nurse-to-patient ratios (p = 0.004). CCNs who were working night shifts had significantly higher mean scores of anxiety (p = 0.005) and lower mean scores of performance (p = 0.041) than their counterparts. Borderline anxiety and depression were prevalent among 43.1% and 38.5% of CCNs, respectively. In contrast, abnormal anxiety and depression were prevalent among 8.8% and 5.7% of CCNs, respectively. CCNs' mental, general, and total performance showed a significant negative correlation with both anxiety ([r = -0.247, p <0.001], [r = -0.183, p = 0.003], and [r = -0.172, p = 0.005], respectively) and depression (r = -0.287, p <0.001), (r = -0.207, p <0.001), and (r = -0.180, p = 0.003), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Anxiety and depression levels are significantly higher among male, Saudi CCNs, higher nurse-to-patient ratios, those who work night shifts than among their counterparts. Less than half of CCNs experience borderline anxiety and/or depression that had significantly negative correlation with their performance. Anxiety and depression in shift nurses may be treated by reducing workload, causes of stress during night shifts, and giving practical coping mechanisms for typical nurse job pressures.
PubMed: 38797582
DOI: 10.1016/j.aucc.2024.04.008 -
European Journal of Investigation in... Sep 2023This study aims to investigate the relationship between anxiety, depression, and stress levels with physical activity level and academic performance in high school...
This study aims to investigate the relationship between anxiety, depression, and stress levels with physical activity level and academic performance in high school students; secondly, this study aims to relate and compare anxiety, depression, and stress levels with physical activity level and academic performance. This is a quantitative, descriptive, and comparative cross-sectional study, which evaluated 443 high school students (48% female; 15.13 ± 1.59 years) belonging to the Maule region, Chile. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Questionnaire (DASS-21) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were applied. Academic performance was consulted on language, mathematics, and overall grade point average. The results indicate that vigorous physical activity (OR = 0.504; = 0.017) and high academic performance in mathematics (OR = 0.597; = 0.027) are associated with a reduced risk of depression. In turn, there is a significant inverse correlation between physical activity with anxiety (r = -0.224; = 0.000), depression (r = -0.224; = 0.000) and stress (r = -0.108; = 0.032), while the performance of mathematics is inversely correlated with depression (r = -0.176; = 0.000). On the other hand, significant differences ( < 0.05) between anxiety, depression, stress levels, and grade point average were found, with females exhibiting higher scores than males. In conclusion, greater vigorous physical activity and scoring above average in mathematics performance are protective factors against depression.
PubMed: 37754468
DOI: 10.3390/ejihpe13090129 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2024This quantitative study aimed to explore the relationships among music performance anxiety (MPA), teacher anxiety (TA), and self-efficacy (SE) through a survey study of...
This quantitative study aimed to explore the relationships among music performance anxiety (MPA), teacher anxiety (TA), and self-efficacy (SE) through a survey study of Chinese preservice music teachers ( = 237). We also examined gender, grade, primary instrument, secondary instrument, music learning time length, and time spent in four activities: peer teaching, practicum, internship, and private teaching as potential predictors of MPA, TA, and SE. Results indicated that the higher the self-efficacy, the lower music performance anxiety and teaching anxiety; Simultaneously, the increased music performance anxiety was associated with an increased teaching anxiety. Partial correlation results indicated a significant but negative correlation between TA and SE with MPA controlled. Teaching anxiety, followed by primary piano, was the strongest predictor of MPA. MPA, followed by SE and peer teaching, was the strongest predictor of TA. TA, followed by grade level, was the strongest predictor of SE. The results from the multivariate analysis of variance revealed that the SE of male preservice music teachers were significantly higher than their female counterparts. As a study implication, music teacher educators may consider interventions and support mechanisms that address both types of anxiety simultaneously to improve overall teacher preparedness.
PubMed: 38680289
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1373454 -
BMC Psychology Apr 2024Patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) cannot be assessed for their mental health using a suitable and practical measure. The purpose of the study is to investigate the...
BACKGROUND
Patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) cannot be assessed for their mental health using a suitable and practical measure. The purpose of the study is to investigate the usefulness of several anxiety and depression scales in patients with FD, offering recommendations for clinical identification and therapy.
METHODS
From September 2021 to September 2022, patients were sought and selected. The psychological symptoms were assessed using ten depression or anxiety questionnaires. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, Spearman analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, and single factor analysis were applied.
RESULTS
Prospective analysis was performed on 142 healthy individuals and 113 patients with FD. In the case group, anxiety and depression symptoms were more common than in the control group, and the 10 scales showed strong validity and reliability. HAMD had the strongest connection with the PHQ-9 score on the depression scale (0.83). The score correlation between SAS and HAMA on the anxiety analysis scale was the greatest at 0.77. The PHQ-9, SAS, HAMD, and HAMA measures performed exceptionally well in detecting FD with anxiety or depression symptoms (AUC = 0.72, 0.70, 0.70, 0.77, and 0.77, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
PHQ-9, SAS, HAMD, and HAMA scales have good application performance in FD patients. They can assist gastroenterologists in evaluating anxiety and depression symptoms, and provide reference and guidance for subsequent treatment.
Topics: Humans; Dyspepsia; Male; Female; Adult; Depression; Anxiety; Middle Aged; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Prospective Studies; Reproducibility of Results; Psychometrics; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 38689345
DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01744-3 -
Military Medicine Nov 2023Chronic pain is prevalent among U.S. military personnel and veterans. The effectiveness of evidence-based pain treatments can be boosted with knowledge of factors...
INTRODUCTION
Chronic pain is prevalent among U.S. military personnel and veterans. The effectiveness of evidence-based pain treatments can be boosted with knowledge of factors associated with chronic pain perception. This study examined the factors that influence soldiers' self-rating of their chronic pain intensity.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study design was a retrospective review of the intake questionnaire from 203 soldiers seen at an Interdisciplinary Pain Management Center. The intake covered various aspects of soldiers' chronic pain experience, including pain intensity, interference in functioning, emotional sequelae, and pain-related catastrophic thinking. Pain intensity and impact were measured using the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale. The mood was measured using the depression (Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ]-9) and the anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7) scales from the PHQ. Pain-related catastrophic thinking was measured using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Pain interference was assessed using a five-item scale that inquired about concentration, life and recreation enjoyment, task performance, and socializing. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and linear regression analyses.
RESULTS
The mean duration of pain was 34.73 ± 38.66 months. Regression analysis using scores from the PHQ-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, three PCS subscales (rumination, magnification, and helplessness), and pain interference scale as predictors showed that pain interference and PCS helplessness factors were significant predictors of average pain rating (R2 = 24%, P < .001).
CONCLUSIONS
Pain interference in functioning and pain-related thoughts of helplessness accounted for a significant degree of the variance in soldiers' self-rating of their chronic pain. The findings suggest that added attention should be directed at helping patients boost their self-efficacy in using pain-coping methods to improve their functioning and address the perception of helplessness about their pain.
Topics: Humans; Chronic Pain; Military Personnel; Pain Measurement; Anxiety; Emotions
PubMed: 37948252
DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usad137 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jul 2023There is a growing interest in investigating the effects of physical exercise on cognitive performance, particularly episodic memory. Similarly, an increasing number of... (Review)
Review
There is a growing interest in investigating the effects of physical exercise on cognitive performance, particularly episodic memory. Similarly, an increasing number of studies in recent decades have studied the effects of physical activity on mood and anxiety disorders. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has raised awareness of the importance of regular physical activity for both mental and physical health. Nevertheless, the exact mechanisms underlying these effects are not fully understood. Interestingly, recent findings suggest that the serotonergic system may play a key role in mediating the effects of physical exercise on episodic memory and anxiety. In this review, we discuss the impact of physical exercise on both episodic memory and anxiety in human and animal models. In addition, we explore the accumulating evidence that supports a role for the serotonergic system in the effects of physical exercise on episodic memory and anxiety.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Memory, Episodic; Pandemics; COVID-19; Exercise; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders
PubMed: 37511128
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411372 -
PeerJ 2024The neuroendocrine system has important implications for affiliation behavior among humans and can be used to assess the correlation between social relationships,...
BACKGROUND
The neuroendocrine system has important implications for affiliation behavior among humans and can be used to assess the correlation between social relationships, stress, and health. This can be influenced by social closeness; this aspect is the closeness towards another individual or a group of individuals such as a sports team. Sports performance anxiety is considered an unpleasant emotional reaction composed of physiological, cognitive, affective, and behavioral components. This motivates us to learn about the process that can influence the outcome of competition. Hormones and genetics would seem to influence outcome and performance. In this regard, many studies have focused on the exercise response as a function of ovarian hormones and it has been observed that progesterone is a hormone that plays a key role in reducing anxiety, and thus stress, in humans and other animals. On the other hand, high cortisol concentrations are known to contribute to increased anxiety levels. However, the salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) enzyme has been suggested as marker of acute stress than cortisol. Genetics also seem to influence anxiety and stress management as in the case of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and striatal dopamine transporter (DAT). Therefore, the study aims to investigate social closeness, as a measure of sports team cohesion that can influence athletes' performance results, and its ability to influence the secretion of hormones, such as progesterone and cortisol, that affect the management of sports anxiety while also taking into account genetic background during a volleyball match.
METHODS
Twenty-six female volleyball players who volunteered participated in this study (mean ± SD: age, 12.07 ± 0.7 years), and played in the final of the provincial volleyball championship in Palermo. All girls were during the ovarian cycle, in detail between the follicular and early ovulatory phases.
RESULTS
The results showed a significant decrease in salivary cortisol only in the winning group ( < 0.039). In fact, whilst in the latter the pre-match level was 7.7 ng/ml and then decreased to 4.5 ng/ml after the match, in the losers group change was not statistically significant (7.8 ng/ml 6.6 ng/ml pre- and post-match). As to the sAA concentration, the winning team showed a statistically significant variation between pre- and post-match than the losers (166.01 ± 250 U/ml 291.59 ± 241 U/ml) ( = 0.01).
CONCLUSION
Analyzing the results of the SAS-2 psychological test it is highlighted that, on average, the loser group was more anxious than the winning group, and this contributed to the final result. In conclusion, there is strong evidence supporting the state of the art that many factors can affect performance anxiety and thus the performance itself.
Topics: Humans; Adolescent; Female; Child; Volleyball; Hydrocortisone; Progesterone; Saliva; Performance Anxiety
PubMed: 38390388
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16617