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Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Apr 2024Internet Addiction (IA) refers to excessive or uncontrolled behaviors related to Internet access, causing impairment or distress. Similarly, Smartphone Addiction (SPA)... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Internet Addiction (IA) refers to excessive or uncontrolled behaviors related to Internet access, causing impairment or distress. Similarly, Smartphone Addiction (SPA) involves the excessive use of smartphones, disrupting users' daily lives. Cognitive control plays a relevant role in the development of IA and SPA, with executive functions and rewards processing being particularly important.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to provide a synthesis of scientific evidence on the differential effects of IA and SPA on cognition in young adults and adolescents, using fMRI.
METHODS
Relevant articles published between 2013 and May 2023 were identified following the PRISMA protocol.
RESULTS
Included studies (n = 21) revealed that both behavioral addictions were associated with impairments in cognitive control related to reward processing (ACC, insula, amygdala) and executive function (DLPFC, frontal, parietal lobes) in adolescents and young adults.
CONCLUSION
These findings provide evidence for neuroanatomical similarities between IA and SPA in young adults and adolescents related to executive functions and rewards processing. However, differential effects of SPA and IA on cognitive control were not found in this study. Future research should explore the relationship between these addictions with other cognitive domains to further expand our understanding within this field. While both IA and SPA involve the excessive use of online technology, SPA could involve a higher risk, given that smartphones allow internet connectivity anytime.
Topics: Humans; Young Adult; Adolescent; Internet Addiction Disorder; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Cognition; Executive Function; Behavior, Addictive; Internet
PubMed: 38320657
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105572 -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Mar 2024In recent years, researchers have used hyperscanning techniques to explore how brains interact during various human activities. These studies have revealed a phenomenon... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
In recent years, researchers have used hyperscanning techniques to explore how brains interact during various human activities. These studies have revealed a phenomenon called interpersonal neural synchronization (INS), but little research has focused on the overall effect of INS in close relationships. To address this gap, this study aims to synthesize and analyze the existing literature on INS during social interactions in close relationships. We conducted a meta-analysis of 17 functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) hyperscanning studies involving 1149 dyads participants, including romantic couples and parent-child dyads. The results revealed robust and consistent INS in the frontal, temporal, and parietal regions of the brain and found similar INS patterns in couples and parent-child studies, providing solid empirical evidence for the attachment theory. Moreover, the age of children and brain areas were significant predictors of the effect size in parent-child research. The developmental stage of children and the mismatched development of brain structures might be the crucial factors for the difference in neural performance in social and cognitive behaviors in parent-child dyads.
Topics: Humans; Social Interaction; Brain Mapping; Interpersonal Relations; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared; Brain
PubMed: 38295965
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105565 -
Psychiatric Services (Washington, D.C.) Jun 2024College students have high rates of mental health problems and low rates of treatment. Although sociodemographic disparities in student mental health treatment seeking... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
College students have high rates of mental health problems and low rates of treatment. Although sociodemographic disparities in student mental health treatment seeking have been reported, findings have not been synthesized and quantified. The extent to which differences in perceived need for treatment contribute to overall disparities remains unclear.
METHODS
A systematic search of PubMed, PsycInfo, and Embase was conducted. Studies published between 2007 and 2022 were included if they reported treatment rates among college students with mental health problems, stratified by sex, gender, race-ethnicity, sexual orientation, student type, student year, or student status. Random-effects models were used to calculate pooled prevalence ratios (PRs) of having a perceived need for treatment and of receiving treatment for each sociodemographic subgroup.
RESULTS
Twenty-one studies qualified for inclusion. Among students experiencing mental health problems, consistent and significant sociodemographic differences were identified in perceived need for treatment and treatment receipt. Students from racial-ethnic minority groups (in particular, Asian students [PR=0.49]) and international students (PR=0.63) reported lower rates of treatment receipt than White students and domestic students, respectively. Students identifying as female (sex) or as women (gender) (combined PR=1.33) reported higher rates of treatment receipt than students identifying as male or as men. Differences in perceived need appeared to contribute to some disparities; in particular, students identifying as male or as men reported considerably lower rates of perceived need than students identifying as female or as women.
CONCLUSIONS
Findings highlight the need for policy makers to address barriers throughout the treatment-seeking pathway and to tailor efforts to student subgroups to reduce treatment disparities.
Topics: Humans; Students; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Universities; Mental Health Services; Mental Disorders; Young Adult; Male; Healthcare Disparities; Female; Adolescent
PubMed: 38291886
DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.20230414 -
Occupational Medicine (Oxford, England) Dec 2023Loneliness is a risk factor for a range of mental and physical health problems and has gained increasing interest from policy-makers and researchers in recent years.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Loneliness is a risk factor for a range of mental and physical health problems and has gained increasing interest from policy-makers and researchers in recent years. However, little attention has been paid to loneliness at work and its implications for workers and employers.
AIMS
Identify workplace, health and personal factors associated with workplace loneliness.
METHODS
We searched five databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and EBSCO Business Source Complete) for relevant articles published from 1 January 2000 to 23 February 2023. Quantitative data were synthesized using narrative synthesis and random-effects meta-analysis of correlation coefficients. Qualitative data were synthesized using thematic synthesis. Evidence quality was appraised using the Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool.
RESULTS
We identified 49 articles meeting the inclusion criteria. Pooled results indicate that workplace loneliness was associated with lower job performance (r = -0.35, 95% CI -0.49, -0.21), reduced job satisfaction (r = -0.34, 95% CI -0.44, -0.24), worse worker-manager relationship (r = -0.31, 95% CI -0.38, -0.24) and elevated burnout (r = 0.39, 95% CI 0.25, 0.51). Qualitative results suggest links between loneliness and inadequate workplace social interactions and mental health problems. As most studies used cross-sectional data and few adjusted for potential confounders, the direction and robustness of the associations remain untested.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that loneliness is associated with poor occupational functioning and well-being among workers. Results also show that loneliness is associated with modifiable aspects of the work environment, suggesting that the workplace may offer a fruitful avenue for interventions targeting loneliness.
Topics: Humans; Loneliness; Cross-Sectional Studies; Workplace; Burnout, Professional; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38285544
DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqad138 -
The American Journal of Drug and... Mar 2024The use of cannabis is highly prevalent during adolescence compared to the general adult population. In addition to the high comorbidity between cannabis use and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The use of cannabis is highly prevalent during adolescence compared to the general adult population. In addition to the high comorbidity between cannabis use and anxiety disorders, early evidence suggests that cannabis may precede the development of anxiety. Moreover, adolescence represents a major developmental period for both neurobiological and psychological processes, placing these individuals at a heightened vulnerability to the influence of cannabis. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the prospective associations between adolescent cannabis use and subsequent anxiety outcomes (i.e. anxiety disorders and/or symptoms). Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted encompassing data from articles published between database inception and September 2022. Six longitudinal studies were identified for quantitative analysis, while twelve non-overlapping longitudinal studies were identified for qualitative review (total = 18; 33380 subjects). Meta-analytical findings supported an association between adolescent cannabis use and the development of a subsequent anxiety disorder (Odds Ratio = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.37-3.36, < .01). These findings were consistent with our qualitative synthesis where nine of the twelve longitudinal studies observed a significant relationship between adolescent cannabis use and exacerbation of anxiety symptoms later in life, irrespective of an anxiety disorder diagnosis. In summary, the current evidence suggests a prospective association between adolescent cannabis use and later anxiety symptoms and disorders. These findings underscore the importance of refining research methodologies, considering sex-based differences and controlling for confounding factors, as well as implementing educational initiatives and developing clinical interventions to address the mental health risks associated with cannabis use among adolescents.
Topics: Humans; Adolescent; Anxiety Disorders; Marijuana Use; Anxiety; Longitudinal Studies
PubMed: 38285048
DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2023.2299922 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2023Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a multifaceted developmental condition that commonly appears during early childhood. The etiology of ASD remains multifactorial and not...
A comparison between children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders and healthy controls in biomedical factors, trace elements, and microbiota biomarkers: a meta-analysis.
INTRODUCTION
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a multifaceted developmental condition that commonly appears during early childhood. The etiology of ASD remains multifactorial and not yet fully understood. The identification of biomarkers may provide insights into the underlying mechanisms and pathophysiology of the disorder. The present study aimed to explore the causes of ASD by investigating the key biomedical markers, trace elements, and microbiota factors between children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and control subjects.
METHODS
Medline, PubMed, ProQuest, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and EMBSCO databases have been searched for publications from 2012 to 2023 with no language restrictions using the population, intervention, control, and outcome (PICO) approach. Keywords including "autism spectrum disorder," "oxytocin," "GABA," "Serotonin," "CRP," "IL-6," "Fe," "Zn," "Cu," and "gut microbiota" were used for the search. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist was used to assess the article quality, and a random model was used to assess the mean difference and standardized difference between ASD and the control group in all biomedical markers, trace elements, and microbiota factors.
RESULTS
From 76,217 records, 43 studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled analyses showed that children with ASD had significantly lower levels of oxytocin (mean differences, MD = -45.691, 95% confidence interval, CI: -61.667, -29.717), iron (MD = -3.203, 95% CI: -4.891, -1.514), and zinc (MD = -6.707, 95% CI: -12.691, -0.722), lower relative abundance of (MD = -1.321, 95% CI: -2.403, -0.238) and (MD = -0.081, 95% CI: -0.148, -0.013), higher levels of c-reactive protein, CRP (MD = 0.401, 95% CI: 0.036, 0.772), and GABA (MD = 0.115, 95% CI: 0.045, 0.186), and higher relative abundance of (MD = 1.386, 95% CI: 0.717, 2.055) and (MD = 0.281, 95% CI: 0.035, 0.526) when compared with controls. The results of the overall analyses were stable after performing the sensitivity analyses. Additionally, no substantial publication bias was observed among the studies.
INTERPRETATION
Children with ASD have significantly higher levels of CRP and GABA, lower levels of oxytocin, iron, and zinc, lower relative abundance of and , and higher relative abundance of , and when compared with controls. These results suggest that these indicators may be a potential biomarker panel for the diagnosis or determining therapeutic targets of ASD. Furthermore, large, sample-based, and randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these results.
PubMed: 38283894
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1318637 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2023(1) Background: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) are neurodevelopmental disorders that affect various areas of... (Review)
Review
(1) Background: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) are neurodevelopmental disorders that affect various areas of children's development, such as language. It exists an emerging idea that ADHD is characterised by the presence of language difficulties, which can be explained by the high comorbidity between ADHD and DLD. The aim of this review is to analyse the empirical evidence of language competence in children aged 6-17 years old, diagnosed with ADHD and/or DLD. (2) Method: Fifteen studies with experimental designs were identified from Scopus, PsycINFO, and WoS databases, reporting on language skills in children diagnosed with ADHD and/or DLD. Studies relating executive functioning to language skills in this target population were also included. (3) Results: The literature is heterogeneous and different components of language are also examined. Even though the results are contradictory, they convincingly demonstrate there are overlapping symptoms between ADHD and DLD, such as language skills and executive functions. (4) Conclusions: The differences in the samples limit the generalisability of the results. Therefore, this review highlights the importance of considering language skills when designing individualised interventions for the population with ADHD and DLD, both in comorbidity and in isolation.
PubMed: 38275435
DOI: 10.3390/children11010014 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2023People with intellectual disabilities (ID) are at increased risk for developing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Emerging evidence indicates that Eye Movement... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
People with intellectual disabilities (ID) are at increased risk for developing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Emerging evidence indicates that Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is feasible and potentially effective for this group. However, communication, cognition, stress regulation, and attachment difficulties may interfere with the EMDR process. Adaptation of the EMDR protocol seems therefore required for this population.
AIM
This review aims to systematically identify and categorize the difficulties in applying EMDR to people with ID and the adaptations made by therapists to overcome these challenges.
METHODS
A literature search was performed in May 2023. Article selection was based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and quality appraisal.
RESULTS
After screening, 13 articles remained for further review. The identified difficulties and adaptations were categorized into the three domains of adaptive functioning (i.e., conceptual, social, and practical functioning). Considerable difficulties in applying the EMDR protocol for this group were reported. The adaptations made by therapists to overcome these difficulties were highly variable. They could be divided into three main categories: adaptions in EMDR delivery (e.g., tuning to the developmental level of the client, simplifying language, decreasing pace), involvement of others (e.g., involving family or support staff during or in between sessions), and the therapeutic relationship (e.g., taking more time, supportive attitude).
DISCUSSION
The variability of the number of mentioned difficulties and adaptations per study seems to be partly related to the specific EMDR protocol that was used. In particular, when the Shapiro adult protocol was administered, relatively more detailed difficulties and adaptations were described than in publications based on derived existing versions of an EMDR protocol for children and adolescents. A probable explanation is that already embedded modifications in these protocols facilitate the needed attunement to the client's level of functioning.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS
The authors of this review suggest that EMDR protocols for children and adolescents could be adapted for people with an intellectual disability. Further research should focus on the involvement of trusted others in EMDR therapy for people with ID and the therapeutic relationship from an attachment and relational-based perspective.
PubMed: 38274435
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1328310 -
EClinicalMedicine Feb 2024Adolescence represents a distinctive phase of development, and variables linked to this developmental period could affect the efficiency of prevention and treatment for...
BACKGROUND
Adolescence represents a distinctive phase of development, and variables linked to this developmental period could affect the efficiency of prevention and treatment for depression and anxiety, as well as the long-term prognosis. The objectives of this study were to investigate the long-term effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for adolescents on depression and anxiety symptoms and to assess the influence of different intervention parameters on the long-term effects.
METHODS
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched five databases (Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline, PsychInfo, Web of Science) and trial registers for relevant papers published between database inception and Aug 11, 2022, with no restrictions on the language or region in which the study was conducted. An updated search was performed on Oct 3, 2023. Randomised controlled trials of psychosocial interventions targeting specifically adolescents were included if they assessed outcomes at 1-year post-intervention or more. The risk of bias in the results was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2.0. Between-study heterogeneity was estimated using the statistic. The primary outcome was depression and studies were pooled using a standardised mean difference, with associated 95% confidence interval, p-value and . The study protocol was pre-registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022348668).
FINDINGS
57 reports (n = 46,678 participants) were included in the review. Psychosocial interventions led to small reductions in depressive symptoms, with standardised mean difference (SMD) at 1-year of -0.08 (95% CI: -0.20 to -0.03, p = 0.002, = 72%), 18-months SMD = -0.12, 95% CI: -0.22 to -0.01, p = 0.03, = 63%) and 2-years SMD = -0.12 (95% CI: -0.20 to -0.03, p = 0.01, = 68%). Sub-group analyses indicated that targeted interventions produced stronger effects, particularly when delivered by trained mental health professionals (K = 18, SMD = -0.24, 95% CI: -0.38 to -0.10, p = 0.001, = 60%). No effects were detected for anxiety at any assessment.
INTERPRETATION
Psychosocial interventions specifically targeting adolescents were shown to have small but positive effects on depression symptoms but not anxiety symptoms, which were sustained up to 2 years. These findings highlight the potential population-level preventive effects if such psychosocial interventions become widely implemented in accessible settings, such as schools. Future trials should include a longer term-follow-up at least at 12 months, in order to determine whether the intervention effects improve, stay the same or wear off over time.
FUNDING
UKRIMedical Research Council.
PubMed: 38273890
DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102382 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2023Family socioeconomic status (SES) is widely believed to be associated with depressive symptoms in children and adolescents. The correlation between SES and depressive... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Family socioeconomic status (SES) is widely believed to be associated with depressive symptoms in children and adolescents. The correlation between SES and depressive symptoms changes based on social culture and the economic development level. In China, which includes many children and adolescents, the magnitude of the relationship between SES and depressive symptoms and its potential moderators remains unclear. The current meta-analysis was conducted to determine the overall association between SES and depressive symptoms in children and adolescents in mainland China. We included 197 estimates in mainland China from 2000-2023. Among 147,613 children and adolescents aged 7-18 years, the results showed a weak but significant overall negative association between SES and depression ( = -0.076). Moderator testing showed that the composite SES indicator ( = -0.104) had a stronger association with depression than parental educational level ( = -0.065) and occupational status ( = -0.025) but not family income ( = -0.088). Additionally, the negative association between SES and depression became weaker over the past 20 years in China ( = 0.010). Furthermore, the magnitude of the relationship between SES and depression was stronger in West China ( = -0.094) than in Middle China ( = -0.065), but not East China ( = -0.075). These findings indicate that the relationship between SES and depression among children and adolescents in mainland China may vary based on social contexts. It is necessary to further explore the effect of these social factors and the underlying mechanisms.
Topics: Child; Humans; Adolescent; Depression; Social Class; China; Economic Development; Educational Status
PubMed: 38264252
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1292411