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Women's Health Issues : Official... 2023Mental health symptoms and substance use increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and women may be disproportionately affected. Women report substantial mental health...
INTRODUCTION
Mental health symptoms and substance use increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and women may be disproportionately affected. Women report substantial mental health consequences, and women veterans may experience additional risks associated with military service. However, rates and correlates of substance use and consequences among women veterans are largely unknown. This study aimed to 1) report rates of substance use and consequences among women veterans; 2) identify correlates of substance use and consequences; and 3) test COVID-specific anxiety as a moderator.
METHOD
Women veterans (n = 209) enrolled in Veterans Health Administration primary care completed measures of demographics, psychiatric and substance use disorder (SUD) diagnoses, current mental health symptoms, alcohol consumption, drug-related problems, and COVID-specific anxiety. Bivariate correlations evaluated demographics (age, race, employment, relationship status), psychiatric (depression/anxiety/posttraumatic stress disorder) and SUD diagnoses, and current mental health (depression/anxiety) symptoms as correlates of substance use outcomes. For any relationships between correlates and outcomes that were statistically significant, COVID-specific anxiety was tested as a moderator using the PROCESS macro in SPSS version 27. Any statistically significant moderation effects were further investigated using the PROCESS macro to estimate conditional effects. COVID-specific anxiety was mean-centered before analyses. Alpha was set to 0.05 for all statistical tests.
RESULTS
Thirty-six percent screened positive for hazardous (Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test-Consumption [AUDIT-C] ≥ 3) alcohol consumption and 26% reported drug-related problems (18% low-level, 7% moderate-level, and 2% substantial per Drug Abuse Screening Test [DAST-10] scores). Drug-related problems were positively associated with COVID-specific anxiety, psychiatric diagnosis, SUD diagnosis, and depression symptoms. Alcohol consumption was significantly associated with SUD diagnosis. COVID-specific anxiety significantly moderated relationships between SUD diagnosis and both outcomes.
DISCUSSION
Results help identify women veterans with SUD diagnoses and high COVID-specific anxiety as at risk for increased substance use during COVID-19 and suggest a potential intervention target (COVID-specific anxiety).
Topics: Humans; Female; Veterans; Pandemics; COVID-19; Substance-Related Disorders; Anxiety
PubMed: 37003919
DOI: 10.1016/j.whi.2023.02.001 -
The Journal of Adolescent Health :... Jan 2024Social media use has increased rapidly during the past decade, raising concerns about adolescents who display problematic social media use (PSMU), as indicated by... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
PURPOSE
Social media use has increased rapidly during the past decade, raising concerns about adolescents who display problematic social media use (PSMU), as indicated by addiction-like symptoms (e.g., preoccupation, tolerance). We aimed to assess the extent to which an individual resource (health literacy), and social resources (friend support and family support), moderated the association between a range of individual characteristics (gender, age, family affluence, and depressive feelings) and PSMU; also the association between PSMU and health outcomes (self-rated health, life satisfaction, and sleep difficulties), both cross-nationally and nationally.
METHODS
Our sample included 22,226 adolescents from six European countries. We used data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children cross-sectional survey (2017/2018). Random-effects models and moderator analyses were applied.
RESULTS
Six moderations were found, with the resources moderating the association between individual characteristics and PSMU. One moderation emerged cross-nationally, namely that a higher level of family support was associated with a lower likelihood of PSMU, especially among adolescents who did not have frequent depressive feelings. In addition, five national moderations were identified. For example, a higher level of health literacy was associated with a lower likelihood of PSMU among Finnish girls. The resources were also found to moderate the association between PSMU and health outcomes, with two moderations emerging cross-nationally. For instance, a higher level of family support was related to higher self-rated health, especially among problematic users. In addition, nine national moderations were identified; these included a higher level of health literacy being associated with having less sleep difficulties, especially among problematic users in Germany.
DISCUSSION
In adolescence, health literacy, family support, and friend support have the potential to moderate the association between individual characteristics and PSMU, and between PSMU and health outcomes, cross-nationally and nationally. We recommend the use of universal and targeted interventions to promote individual and social resources to counteract PSMU.
Topics: Child; Female; Humans; Adolescent; Social Media; Cross-Sectional Studies; Europe; Behavior, Addictive; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
PubMed: 37777950
DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.07.026 -
BMC Public Health May 2021Social relationships are crucial for well-being and health, and considerable research has established social stressors as a risk for well-being and health. However,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Social relationships are crucial for well-being and health, and considerable research has established social stressors as a risk for well-being and health. However, researchers have used many different constructs, and it is unclear if these are actually different or reflect a single overarching construct. Distinct patterns of associations with health/well-being would indicate separate constructs, similar patterns would indicate a common core construct, and remaining differences could be attributed to situational characteristics such as frequency or intensity. The current meta-analysis therefore investigated to what extent different social stressors show distinct (versus similar) patterns of associations with well-being and health.
METHODS
We meta-analysed 557 studies and investigated correlations between social stressors and outcomes in terms of health and well-being (e.g. burnout), attitudes (e.g. job satisfaction), and behaviour (e.g. counterproductive work behaviour). Moderator analyses were performed to determine if there were differences in associations depending on the nature of the stressor, the outcome, or both. To be included, studies had to be published in peer-reviewed journals in English or German; participants had to be employed at least 50% of a full-time equivalent (FTE).
RESULTS
The overall relation between social stressors and health/well-being was of medium size (r = -.30, p < .001). Type of social stressor and outcome category acted as moderators, with moderating effects being larger for outcomes than for stressors. The strongest effects emerged for job satisfaction, burnout, commitment, and counterproductive work behaviour. Type of stressor yielded a significant moderation, but differences in effect sizes for different stressors were rather small overall. Rather small effects were obtained for physical violence and sexual mistreatment, which is likely due to a restricted range because of rare occurrence and/or underreporting of such intense stressors.
CONCLUSIONS
We propose integrating diverse social stressor constructs under the term "relational devaluation" and considering situational factors such as intensity or frequency to account for the remaining variance. Practical implications underscore the importance for supervisors to recognize relational devaluation in its many different forms and to avoid or minimize it as far as possible in order to prevent negative health-related outcomes for employees.
Topics: Attitude; Burnout, Professional; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Job Satisfaction
PubMed: 33971850
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10894-7 -
Scientific Reports Nov 2023We aimed to elucidate the effects of "dose" of a single-session of mindfulness meditation on state mindfulness and affect as well as moderators of effects. 372 adults... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
We aimed to elucidate the effects of "dose" of a single-session of mindfulness meditation on state mindfulness and affect as well as moderators of effects. 372 adults recruited remotely via Amazon's MTurk platform were randomly assigned to either a: 10-min mindfulness meditation, 20-min mindfulness meditation, 10-min control, or 20-min control. Control conditions were recordings of a National Geographic article. Primary outcomes were changes in state mindfulness, anxiety, and negative and positive affect. Moderator variables included neuroticism, trait mindfulness, and prior meditation experience. Collapsing across doses, participants in mindfulness conditions reported greater increases in state mindfulness than in control conditions. There was a greater increase in state mindfulness in the 10-min mindfulness condition versus 10-min control condition. There were no differences between 10- and 20-min mindfulness conditions. Exploratory moderation analyses indicated that meditation (10 or 20) versus control (10 or 20) predicted increased state mindfulness among participants with lower trait mindfulness. Additionally, 20-min versus 10-min meditation predicted greater decreases in state anxiety among individuals with high trait mindfulness. Dose-response relationships were minimal, suggesting that 10 and 20 min of meditation may improve state mindfulness comparably. Findings support the benefits of brief mindfulness meditation and suggest that trait mindfulness moderates certain outcomes.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Meditation; Mindfulness; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders
PubMed: 38001316
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46578-y -
Journal of Patient-centered Research... 2023People with cancer routinely seek information and support in peer groups online. While peer communities constitute a major component of the health care landscape, they...
PURPOSE
People with cancer routinely seek information and support in peer groups online. While peer communities constitute a major component of the health care landscape, they exist in isolation from clinical and research institutions. This study aimed to explore how and why cancer patients utilize online peer support groups and how they might be improved.
METHODS
A convenience sample of members of 6 closed Facebook cancer peer support groups (n=291) participated in an online needs assessment survey. We further conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 members and 6 moderator-patients, hand-coding the free-text responses and interview transcripts.
RESULTS
Group participation was largely motivated by the desire to exchange information (79%) and to connect with others sharing the same condition (76%). Among study participants, 40% indicated they did not get information or support from any other online or offline organizations, 60% indicated they had few concerns with Facebook peer support groups, 84% indicated it was at least somewhat important that their health information and posts remain private, and 75% desired more input from experts in order to access evidence-based information and curb misinformation. About half wanted more group moderation, and moderators themselves expressed an urgent need for training and support.
CONCLUSIONS
While online peer groups are a commonly utilized care component for many people with cancer or hereditary cancer risk and serve as a primary source of condition information, many participants desired more expert involvement in and moderation of groups. Privacy and security of health information was another key need expressed.
PubMed: 37091112
DOI: 10.17294/2330-0698.1968 -
Brain Sciences May 2022Research shows that stress, a common problem in densely populated cities, can be relieved by exposure to the natural environment. As great significance has been attached...
Research shows that stress, a common problem in densely populated cities, can be relieved by exposure to the natural environment. As great significance has been attached to the relationship between the urban environment and public health, this paper aims to study the relationship and interaction between the perceived sensory dimensions of urban park green space, attention restoration, and state empathy. Therefore, we conducted an on-site questionnaire (PSD Scale) survey in four typical parks in Chengdu and recorded age, sex, daily stress, frequency of visits to parks, and other basic information from the respondents. In the survey and visit, we found that the group structure in the recreation area comprises chiefly of a few transient unfamiliar travelers and most long-haul neighborhood sightseers. Among long-haul vacationers, the greater part of them are moderately aged and older individuals in the encompassing local locations, whose lives are, for the most part, quick and proficient. Hence, to mirror the populace attributes of high-thickness metropolitan parks and to feature the agent bunches that have lived in the parks from here onward, indefinitely quite a while, the chosen bunches are somewhere in the range of 35 and 65 years old (half male and half female), so make sure there are no ailments, no drinking, and no late evenings in the earlier days, so a specific actual fundamental belief is kept up with. The main part of the exercise focused on the perceived dimension, state empathy, and attention restoration. The software SPSS24.0 was applied to the test of the validity and reliability of the perceived sensory dimension (PSD) Scale, and then the important correlation between the perceived sensory dimensions in the parks and visitors' attention restoration was analyzed through multiple linear regression. Finally, the moderating effect of state empathy was tested by PROCESS. The findings show that (1) only seven dimensions in the PSD Scale are effective; (2) Serene and Refuge in the perceived sensory dimensions have a significant effect on the restorative components of attention. (3) Except for the dimensions of Rich in Species and Refuge, empathy enhanced the moderation effect in the interaction between the other five dimensions of the Perceived Restorative Scale (PRS), especially in the interaction between the Social and PRS dimensions. However, this topic needs to be further explored to provide a scientific basis and design strategy for research on the restoration potential of urban park green space in high-density urban areas.
PubMed: 35741607
DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12060721 -
Current Oncology (Toronto, Ont.) Dec 2021The present study: (a) examined the extent of caregiver burden and psychological wellbeing and (b) tested whether social connectedness moderated the association between...
The present study: (a) examined the extent of caregiver burden and psychological wellbeing and (b) tested whether social connectedness moderated the association between caregiver burden and psychological symptoms in caregivers of people with cancer. The cross-sectional survey study included 189 cancer caregivers (mean age = 36.19 years, standard deviation = 11.78; 80.4% female). Data were collected on caregiver burden, social connectedness, and depression and anxiety. Moderation analysis was conducted to examine the effect of social connectedness on the relationship between caregiver burden and depression and anxiety. Caregiver burden was positively associated with depression and anxiety symptoms. Controlling for significant demographic and caregiver characteristics, the moderation model showed as perceived social connectedness increased, the relationship between caregiver burden and depression decreased (β = -0.007, se = 0.004, 95% CI: -0.014, 0.000, = 0.05). By contrast, social connectedness did not moderate the association between caregiver burden and anxiety. Findings have implications for the management of depression in cancer caregivers. Social connectedness appears to provide a protective buffer from the negative impacts of caregiving, providing increased psychological resources to manage the burden associated with caregiving, resulting in lower depression. Research on strategies to improve caregiver wellbeing through enhancing engagement with social networks in ways that improve perceived sense of connectedness with others is warranted.
Topics: Adult; Anxiety; Caregiver Burden; Caregivers; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Neoplasms
PubMed: 35049676
DOI: 10.3390/curroncol29010002 -
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience 2022This exploratory study aimed to investigate the resting-state electroencephalographic (rsEEG) correlates of the cognitive reserve from a life span perspective. Current...
This exploratory study aimed to investigate the resting-state electroencephalographic (rsEEG) correlates of the cognitive reserve from a life span perspective. Current source density (CSD) and lagged-linear connectivity (LLC) measures were assessed to this aim. We firstly explored the relationship between rsEEG measures for the different frequency bands and a socio-behavioral proxy of cognitive reserve, the Cognitive Reserve Index (CRI). Secondly, we applied moderation analyses to assess whether any of the correlated rsEEG measures showed a moderating role in the relationship between age and cognitive function. Moderate negative correlations were found between the CRI and occipital CSD of delta and beta 2. Moreover, inter- and intrahemispheric LLC measures were correlated with the CRI, showing a negative association with delta and positive associations with alpha 1, beta 1, and beta 2. Among those correlated measures, just two rsEEG variables were significant moderators of the relationship between age and cognition: occipital delta CSD and right hemispheric beta 2 LLC between occipital and limbic regions. The effect of age on cognitive performance was stronger for higher values of both measures. Therefore, lower values of occipital delta CSD and lower beta 2 LLC between right occipital and limbic regions might protect or compensate for the effects of age on cognition. Results of this exploratory study might be helpful to allocate more preventive efforts to curb the progression of cognitive decline in adults with less CR, possibly characterized by these rsEEG parameters at a neural level. However, given the exploratory nature of this study, more conclusive work on these rsEEG measures is needed to firmly establish their role in the cognition-age relationship, for example, verifying if these measures moderate the relationship between brain structure and cognition.
PubMed: 36185469
DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.854928 -
Immunology Sep 2022Cells must control genes that are induced by virus infection to mitigate deleterious consequences of inflammation. We investigated the mechanisms whereby Keap1 moderates...
Cells must control genes that are induced by virus infection to mitigate deleterious consequences of inflammation. We investigated the mechanisms whereby Keap1 moderates the transcription of genes that are induced by Sendai virus infection in mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs). Keap1-/- deletions increased the transcription of virus induced genes independently of Nrf2. Keap1 moderated early virus induced gene transcription. Virus infection induced Keap1 to bind Ifnb1, Tnf and Il6, and reduced Keap1 binding at Cdkn1a and Ccng1. Virus infection induced G9a-GLP and NFκB p50 recruitment, and H3K9me2 deposition. Keap1-/- deletions eliminated G9a-GLP and NFκB p50 recruitment, and H3K9me2 deposition, but they did not affect NFκB p65, IRF3 or cJun recruitment. G9a-GLP inhibitors (BIX01294, MS012, BRD4770) enhanced virus induced gene transcription in MEFs with intact Keap1, but not in MEFs with Keap1-/- deletions. G9a-GLP inhibitors augmented Keap1 binding to virus induced genes in infected MEFs, and to cell cycle genes in uninfected MEFs. G9a-GLP inhibitors augmented NFκB subunit recruitment in MEFs with intact Keap1. G9a-GLP inhibitors stabilized Keap1 retention in permeabilized MEFs. G9a-GLP lysine methyltransferase activity was required for Keap1 to moderate transcription, and it moderated Keap1 binding to chromatin. The interdependent effects of Keap1 and G9a-GLP on the recruitment of each other and on the moderation of virus induced gene transcription constitute a feedback circuit. Keap1 and the electrophile tBHQ reduced virus induced gene transcription through different mechanisms, and they regulated the recruitment of different NFκB subunits. Characterization of the mechanisms whereby Keap1, G9a-GLP and NFκB p50 moderate virus induced gene transcription can facilitate the development of immunomodulatory agents.
Topics: Animals; Chromatin; Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase; Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1; Mice; NF-E2-Related Factor 2; NF-kappa B; Respirovirus Infections; Sendai virus
PubMed: 35751391
DOI: 10.1111/imm.13527 -
European Review of Aging and Physical... Mar 2022Studies examining associations of socio-eco-demographic characteristics with physical activity (PA) participation of older adults have produced inconsistent results....
BACKGROUND
Studies examining associations of socio-eco-demographic characteristics with physical activity (PA) participation of older adults have produced inconsistent results. Perceived PA barriers may be a possible explanation for the mixed findings. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the correlation of socio-eco-demographic (SED) characteristics with PA of older adults and the moderation effects of perceived barriers of PA.
METHODS
Three hundred eighty-four older adults (≥ 60 years old) were recruited from public places in six different cities. Questions regarding socio-eco-demographic characteristics, PA, and perceived PA barriers were asked, in-person, by two examiners. Ordinal logistic regression models examined the association of socio-eco-demographic characteristics with subjectively measured PA, and the interactive effects of subscales of perceived PA barriers and socio-eco-demographic variables for PA outcomes.
RESULTS
Significant main effects for PA outcomes were found for education and living status (P < 0.01) and college-educated individuals and those were living in their private houses reported higher PA. Also, 24 significant interactive effects of perceived PA barriers by socio-eco-demographic factors were found (P < 0.05). Significant moderation effects by all subscales of perceived PA barriers were observed for education and living status. The effect of age for the PA outcomes was moderated by "lack of time", "fear of injury", and "lack of skill". Only "fear of injury" and "lack of time" moderated the effect of gender and marriage for outcome variable, respectively. The effect of employment was moderated by "lack of willpower", "fear of injury", "lack of skill" and "lack of resources".
CONCLUSIONS
Novel evidence revealed that there are moderations by perceived PA barriers for the effect of almost all socio-eco-demographic characteristics. These findings highlight a need to consider older adults' perspectives and perceptions, when it comes to establish policies for PA participation.
PubMed: 35350982
DOI: 10.1186/s11556-022-00288-y