The temporal relationship between hostility and depressed mood.

Nineteen depressed in-patients were studied in a follow-up design for 8 weeks or until discharge, using three depression scales and a hostility questionnaire. It was hypothesized within a cognitive theory of depression that, self-rated hostility being a measure of negative thoughts and attitudes, changes in hostility would precede mood changes. Analysis was by contemporaneous and cross-correlations between mood and hostility measures. High intercorrelations were obtained among the mood ratings which decreased significantly over time, as did two of the four hostility measures. The hypothesis was confirmed by the cross-correlations between nurses' mood ratings and intropunitiveness and direction of hostility. The cross-correlations with Beck and Hamilton scales supported the hypothesis at a non-significant level.     

Neurovegetative symptoms in multiple sclerosis: relationship to depressed mood, fatigue, and physical disability.

Some authors have suggested that when evaluating depression in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, neurovegetative symptoms should be discounted and/or not considered, given the ostensibly high overlap between symptoms of MS (e.g., sleep disturbance, fatigue) and neurovegetative symptoms of depression. A further assertion is that inclusion of items assessing neurovegetative symptoms may artificially inflate overall depression scores and that mood scales may provide more accurate indices of depression in MS patients. The current study investigated the possibility that some neurovegetative symptoms may be specifically related to MS patients' depressed mood and are not simply indicators of physical disability and/or fatigue. Seventy-six clinically definite MS patients in the northwestern United States were administered two depression inventories and measures of physical disability and fatigue as part of a larger study. Results revealed that one neurovegetative symptom--disinterest in sex--was uniquely associated with depressed mood, and other neurovegetative symptoms were associated with both depression and fatigue but not physical disability. The present findings suggest that certain neurovegetative symptoms are differentially associated with depression, fatigue, and physical disability in MS. Routinely discounting all neurovegetative symptoms when assessing depression in MS patients may thus be unwarranted.     

Self-esteem, cortisol reactivity, and depressed mood mediated by perceptions of control

This study investigated cortisol reactivity (CR) as a moderator and perceptions of control as a mediator between low self-esteem (SE) and depressed mood. Fifty-four participants completed SE and mood inventories before an uncontrollable laboratory stressor. Salivary cortisol was determined before and after the stressor. Analyses indicated significance for SE (beta=-0.30), CR (beta=-0.92) and their interaction (beta=-0.90) in predicting depressed mood (P=0.03 for all). Low SE and decreased CR predicted the highest levels of depressed mood. The interaction indicated that depressed mood was predicted by increases in cortisol in individuals with higher SE, but by decreases in cortisol in individuals with lower SE. These relationships were statistically explained by low perceptions of control at baseline. Findings support biopsychological explanations for depression, with SE, CR, and uncontrollability as putative markers of depressed mood that may be even more pronounced in depressive disorders.     

Chronic mood disorders in depressed outpatients: Diagnosis and response to pharmacotherapy

The current study was devised to assess the utility of Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC) categories used to classify minor mood disorders. Similar categories are to be used in the APA's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 3rd edition. The patient sample consisted of 64 consecutive admissions to a double-blind trial of amitriptyline, perphenazine and the combination as treatment for depression. Patients who met RDC for a current episode of major depressive disorder were given 4 weeks of pharmacotherapy as treatment.Chronic mood disorders were also assessed using RDC criteria. This evaluation revealed that only 34% met criteria for an episode of major depressive disorder alone, while 36% met criteria for intermittent depressive disorder, 14% for cyclothymic personality and 16% for labile personality in addition to being in a current major depressive episode. These 4 diagnostic subgroups were compared on demographic characteristics, childhood history, psychiatric history, presenting patterns of symptoms and social functioning, and response to treatment. Differences were noted in the subgroups in presenting symptom levels and residual impairment. However, there was no differential response to a brief course of antidepressant pharmacotherapy in patients with and without chronic minor mood disorders. Most patients showed an improvement during the brief course of treatment. Thus, the presence of a chronic minor mood disorder does not appear to be a contraindication for use of medication in patients who also are currently experiencing a major depressive episode.     

Trauma-related psychophysiological reactivity in women exposed to war-zone stress

Women are at particular risk for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but surprisingly little is known about their objective manifestations of the disorder's hallmark symptoms. Although research suggests that people with PTSD exhibit physiological reactivity to the presentation of trauma-related cues, the majority of studies to date have focused on men. We assessed the physiological reactions of three groups of trauma-exposed female Vietnam veterans (those with current PTSD, lifetime PTSD, or no PTSD) to war-related stimuli. Responses of women with current PTSD differed significantly from those without PTSD on skin conductance and systolic blood pressure, and mean levels of reactivity for women with lifetime PTSD fell between the other two groups. Although symptom severity was correlated with physiologic reactivity overall, results suggested differential relationships at the symptom cluster level. Study results replicate earlier findings with men and extend knowledge of autonomic reactivity to an important group of female survivors.     

Gender and stress: Differential psychophysiological reactivity to stress reexposure in the laboratory

Research has shown that women are more prone to the development of depression and anxiety disorders throughout their lifetimes. Stress reactivity and adaptation to repeated stressors have been linked to depression and anxiety, but studies examining gender differences in psychophysiological responses to repeated stressors are very limited. This study examined gender differences in response to initial and repeated exposure to a laboratory stressor as well as potential mechanisms for these differences. Participants viewed a Holocaust video on two occasions with a 2-day interval between sessions. Self reported negative affect and cardiovascular reactivity were recorded at both sessions. Although gender differences were not found following initial exposure, women exhibited significantly greater heart rate (HR) and negative affect (NA) reactivity to the second exposure as compared to men. Women also reported significantly greater intrusive thoughts and avoidance after the first exposure than men, but these were not found to be significant mediators. The findings indicate that women may be more vulnerable to repeated stress exposures compared to men suggesting sensitization. The implications of our findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.     

Contributing factors to depressed mood in Multiple Sclerosis.

By applying the behavioral theory of Lewinsohn et al. [1985. An integrative theory of depression. In: S. Reiss, & R. R. Bootzin (Eds.), Theoretical issues in behavior therapy (pp. 331-359). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.] to multiple sclerosis (MS), it was hypothesized that physical disability, fatigue, and psychosocial dysfunction would be significantly predictive of depressed mood in MS patients. Seventy-six MS patients completed the following measures: the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), the Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS), and the mood subscale from the Chicago Multiscale Depression Inventory (CMDI). Structural equation modeling revealed that physical disability and fatigue were indirectly predictive of depressed mood via their effects on recreational functioning. Fatigue also had a direct effect on mood. If reductions in recreational activities actually cause decrements in mood, depressed mood in MS may be treatable by helping patients identify recreational activities that they can enjoy regardless of physical or fatigue-related difficulties.     

Partner effects on caregiver and care recipient depressed mood: heterogeneity across health condition and relationship type

The well-being of caregivers and their care recipients is interrelated, although conflicting evidence has emerged across different caregiving populations. Using data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study and the National Study of Caregiving (2015 and 2017, n?=?742 dyads), we constructed actor-partner interdependence models assessing how spillover (i.e., interdependence) of depressed mood varied by care recipient health condition (specifically cancer, dementia, stroke, and diabetes) and kinship type (spouse/partner, child, other relative, or non-relative). Across condition types, care recipient-to-caregiver partner effects were significantly larger in dyads with vs. without cancer and significantly smaller in dyads with vs. without diabetes (p_interactions?<?.05). Substantive differences in partner effects were observed by kinship type, although moderation was not statistically significant. The findings highlight potential heterogeneity in caregiver-care recipient interdependence with implications for future research and delivery of supportive care.

     

Paternal and maternal depressed mood during the transition to parenthood

BACKGROUND: The course of postnatal depression was examined in first-time mothers and fathers with emphasis on the role of personality and parental relationships as risk factors. METHOD: 157 couples were assessed at four points: antenatally and at 6, 12 and 52 weeks postnatally. Various measures of mood and personality were administered at each of these assessment points. RESULTS: Examination of the factors associated with depressed mood suggested that a woman's relationship with her own mother was important in the early postpartum stage, and also her level of interpersonal sensitivity and neuroticism. For the father, his relationship with either his mother or father and his level of neuroticism were associated with his mood level early on. By the end of the first year couple morbidity increased, with rates of distress being at their highest for both parents, and factors associated with depressed mood being linked to partner relationship variables, at least for mothers. At most time points, antenatal mood and partner relationship were significant predictor variables for the postnatal mood of both mothers and fathers. Limitations: The sample had a relatively high level of education and this should be taken into account when considering the generalisation of findings to less educated populations. At the time of conducting this study, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) had only been validated for use in the first few months postpartum, and thus we used another scale to measure the mother's mood at the other assessment points (the Beck Depression Inventory). Current research would suggest that the EPDS is valid both antenatally and at other times in the first year postpartum. CONCLUSION: Whilst there was some consistency for mothers and fathers in the variables that predict their postpartum adjustment, these being antenatal mood and partner relationship, there is also evidence that adjustment to parenthood was related to different variables at different times. Early adjustment was related to the couple's relationship with their own parents, as well as their own personality. Later adjustment was related to the couple's functioning and relationship.     

The relationship between perceptions of politics and depressed mood at work: unique moderators across three levels

The authors examined the unique moderating potential of need for achievement, perceived organizational support, and faith in management on the relationship between perceptions of politics across 3 hierarchical levels (one's peer level, 1 level up, and at the highest level in the organization) and depressed mood at work. Results from 173 full-time employees, representing a wide range of occupations, supported the hypotheses. Specifically, the authors found that need for achievement interacted with perceived politics at one's peer level, perceived organizational support interacted with perceived politics at 1 level up, and faith in management interacted with politics perceived at the highest levels in the organization to relate to depressed mood at work. Contributions of this study, strengths and limitations, and future research directions are provided.     

Alexithymia and depressed mood in the psychiatric patient

The relationship between depressed mood and alexithymia, measured by the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS) was investigated in a group of psychiatric inpatients (n = 81) and outpatients (n = 97). In both cohorts correlations between the TAS and obsessoid personality style were significant when controlled for mood. The obsessoid style, measured by the Hysteroid-Obsessoid Scale was the most powerful predictor of alexithymia in regression models for each cohort. These data suggest that alexithymia is not a function of depression in such psychiatric patients.     

Overweight and obesity: the significance of a depressed mood

OBJECTIVE: Comorbid depression has been found to increase morbidity in a variety of disorders. This study aimed to investigate whether the presence of depressive symptoms in overweight and obese people is related to increased specific eating psychopathology and decreased self-esteem. METHODS: Overweight/obese people seeking dietary treatment were grouped according to their scores on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), resulting in a mildly to moderately depressed group (BDI > or = 10; n = 66; the symptomatic group) and a non-depressed group (BDI < 10; n = 83). Eating psychopathology was measured by the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q); self-esteem was measured by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. RESULTS: Symptomatic people had more shape, weight and eating concerns (P-values < 0.001); scored higher on restraint (P < 0.01); had lower self-esteem (P < 0.001); and had a higher BMI (P < 0.05) than non-depressed people. Furthermore, the percentage of bingers was higher in the symptomatic group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Symptomatic participants suffered more than non-depressed participants, and not only from their depression. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: For dieticians treating overweight and obese people, the BDI is a useful instrument for identifying the subgroup with depressive symptoms--the group that is at risk for (eating) psychopathology.     

Cardiovascular and electrodermal responses to support and provocation: interpersonal methods in the study of psychophysiological reactivity

This study examined the joint and independent effects of experimentally manipulated social contexts and individual differences in hostility and perceived social support on physiological responses to a social stressor, while illustrating the use of the interpersonal circumplex for integrative social psychophysiological research. Undergraduate women completed a speech task in a supportive, neutral, or provoking context and completed measures of hostility and perceived social support. The provoking context evoked the largest blood pressure and heart rate (HR) responses, followed by the neutral and the supportive context. Social context also influenced HR and electrodermal reactivity during task preparation. Hostility elicited higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) reactivity during preparation, speech, and recovery. Perceived social support interacted with context to affect SBP and HR during speech and preparation. The roles of interpersonal characteristics and contexts in the physiological stress response and the utility of interpersonal methods in studying these associations are discussed.     

Distinct quality of depressed mood: an attempt to develop an objective measure

Since the time of Kraepelin, in continental Europe the sadness of depression has been considered to have a "distinct quality' basic to the diagnosis of pathological depression. This distinct quality has been interpreted by observers but patients have been noted to have difficulty verbalizing differences from normal sadness. The authors have used a discriminant analysis to study how patients define pathological sadness and as a result have developed a Pathological Sadness Index with a sensitivity of 0.94, a specificity of 0.96 and a total misclassification rate of 5% (kappa w = 0.90).     

Loneliness and acute stress reactivity: A systematic review of psychophysiological studies

Physiological reactivity to acute stress has been proposed as a potential biological mechanism by which loneliness may lead to negative health outcomes such as cardiovascular disease. This review was conducted to investigate the association between loneliness and physiological responses to acute stress. A series of electronic databases were systematically searched (PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, Medline, CINAHL Plus, EBSCOhost, PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Science Direct) for relevant studies, published up to October 2016. Eleven studies were included in the review. Overall, the majority of studies reported positive associations between loneliness and acute stress responses, such that higher levels of loneliness were predictive of exaggerated physiological reactions. However, in a few studies, loneliness was also linked with decreased stress responses for particular physiological outcomes, indicating the possible existence of blunted relationships. There was no clear pattern suggesting any sex‐ or stressor‐based differences in these associations. The available evidence supports a link between loneliness and atypical physiological reactivity to acute stress. A key finding of this review was that greater levels of loneliness are associated with exaggerated blood pressure and inflammatory reactivity to acute stress. However, there was some indication that loneliness may also be related to blunted cardiac, cortisol, and immune responses. Overall, this suggests that stress reactivity could be one of the biological mechanisms through which loneliness impacts upon health.     

肿瘤抑制因子PTEN亚细胞定位与缺血-缺氧性脑损伤

第10号染色体缺失的磷酸酶和张力蛋白同源等位基因(PTEN)具有脂质和蛋白双重磷酸酶活性。脑组织缺血-缺氧后PTEN发生活化并向线粒体或胞核内转移,而这种在神经元内的不同亚细胞定位可能最终决定细胞命运。因此,阐明PTEN在脑缺血-缺氧后的亚细胞定位机制,将为各种急慢性神经退行性变疾病的靶向治疗和药物研发提供新思路。     

An approach to understanding sleep and depressed mood in adolescents: person‐centred sleep classification

Depressive mood in youth has been associated with distinct sleep dimensions, such as timing, duration and quality. To identify discrete sleep phenotypes, we applied person‐centred analysis (latent class mixture models) based on self‐reported sleep patterns and quality, and examined associations between phenotypes and mood in high‐school seniors. Students (n = 1451; mean age = 18.4 ± 0.3 years; 648 M) completed a survey near the end of high‐school. Indicators used for classification included school night bed‐ and rise‐times, differences between non‐school night and school night bed‐ and rise‐times, sleep‐onset latency, number of awakenings, naps, and sleep quality and disturbance. Mood was measured using the total score on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies‐Depression Scale. One‐way anova tested differences between phenotype for mood. Fit indexes were split between 3‐, 4‐ and 5‐phenotype solutions. For all solutions, between phenotype differences were shown for all indicators: bedtime showed the largest difference; thus, classes were labelled from earliest to latest bedtime as ‘A’ (n = 751), ‘B’ (n = 428) and ‘C’ (n = 272) in the 3‐class solution. Class B showed the lowest sleep disturbances and remained stable, whereas classes C and A each split in the 4‐ and 5‐class solutions, respectively. Associations with mood were consistent, albeit small, with class B showing the lowest scores. Person‐centred analysis identified sleep phenotypes that differed in mood, such that those with the fewest depressive symptoms had moderate sleep timing, shorter sleep‐onset latencies and fewer arousals. Sleep characteristics in these groups may add to our understanding of how sleep and depressed mood associate in teens.