Self‐reported Racial Discrimination and Endothelial Reactivity to Acute Stress in Women

This study investigated the effect of self‐reported racial discrimination on endothelial responses to acute laboratory mental stress among post‐menopausal women. One‐hundred thirteen women (n = 94 self‐identified as White and n = 19 self‐identified as racial/ethnic minority), 43% with type 2 diabetes, reported lifetime experiences of racial/ethnic discrimination. Repeated assessments of flow‐mediated dilation were performed at baseline, immediately after 5 min of mental arithmetic and at 20‐min recovery. Both White and racial/ethnic minority women reported lifetime discrimination, with rates significantly higher among minorities. Self‐reported lifetime discrimination was associated with attenuated flow‐mediated dilation at recovery. Confounding variables, including clinical characteristics, mood, personality traits, other life stressors and general distress, did not better account for the effect of racial discrimination. Neither race/ethnicity nor diabetes status moderated the effect. The perceived stressfulness of the mental arithmetic was not associated with the endothelial response. In conclusion, self‐reported lifetime discrimination is associated with attenuated endothelial recovery from acute mental stress. Elucidating the effects of discrimination and the biological mechanisms through which it affects the vasculature may suggest interventions to improve health. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Individual Differences in the Psychobiological Response to Psychosocial Stress (Trier Social Stress Test): The Relevance of Trait Anxiety and Coping Styles

The main objective of this study was to investigate the contribution of some personality traits to the physiological and psychological response to a standardized laboratory psychosocial stressor (trier social stress test). Cortisol and affective response (anxiety and mood) were analysed in a mixed‐sex group composed of 35 young adults who participated in a crossover design (18 men and 17 women). After verifying a statistically significant response to the trier social stress test in all parameters studied in both sex groups, exploratory cluster analyses were carried out to identify sub‐groups based on their psychophysiological responses. These analyses showed two different groups: subjects displaying lower psychological response along with higher cortisol response (cluster 1) compared with the group with high affective reactivity along with lower cortisol response (cluster 2). Interestingly, we also found significant differences in trait anxiety and coping styles when the two clusters were compared. Subjects in cluster 1 showed lower scores on trait anxiety and higher scores on active coping, whereas the subjects in the second cluster obtained higher scores on anxiety and on coping focused on emotions and mental disengagement. These findings support the importance of personality traits and coping styles in understanding the overall integrative psychobiological responsiveness to social stress. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluations of stressful transactions: what's in an appraisal?

Appraisals are the portal to emotional experience and action. Past research has demonstrated that challenge and threat appraisals have different implications for psychological, physiological, and behavioural responses, typically relying on two‐item assessments of appraisals. The present study investigated the predictive utility of a theoretically expanded appraisal measure. Both indexes were used to classify participants as either challenged (task demands were rated as commensurate with coping resources) or threatened (task demands were rated as exceeding resources). Group differences in stress responses were examined. The lengthened appraisal assessment was reliable. Furthermore, compared with the two‐item measure, the expanded measure better distinguished differences in emotional experience and performance. Similar findings were obtained for cardiovascular stress responses. Enhancing the assessment of individual differences in stressor appraisals facilitates our understanding their nature and potential for modification, and the nature of the stress process. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Understanding mind–body disciplines: A pilot study of paced breathing and dynamic muscle contraction on autonomic nervous system reactivity

Mind–body disciplines such as yoga, Tai Chi, and Qigong have been demonstrated to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, but it remains unclear how these practices achieve these results, whether by breathing, movement, or some combination. This pilot study establishes a model to examine the individual and combined effects of paced breathing and rhythmic skeletal muscle contraction on the activation of the parasympathetic system during a cognitive stressor. Male participants were randomly assigned to one of four preconditioning groups: (a) paced breathing alone, (b) alternating upper extremity muscle contractions, (c) paced breathing synchronized with alternating contractions, or (d) a neutral control task. Autonomic response was assessed by heart rate variability during a standardized cognitive stressor. The alternating contraction group had 71.7% higher activation of parasympathetic signal over respiration alone (p < .001). Alternating contractions synchronized with breathing demonstrated 150% higher parasympathetic activation than control (p < .0001). Comparing the contraction alone and synchronized groups, the synchronized group demonstrated 45.9% higher parasympathetic response during a cognitive stressor (p < .001). In conclusion, paced breathing synchronized with rhythmic muscle contraction leads to more resilient activation of the parasympathetic response than either alternating contractions or breathing alone, which may help explain the stress reducing benefits of mind–body disciplines.     

Psychometric Properties of the Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Questionnaire (SASRQ): A Valid and Reliable Measure of Acute Stress

A reliable and valid measure is needed for assessing the psychological symptoms experienced in the aftermath of a traumatic event. Previous research suggests that trauma victims typically experience dissociative, anxiety and other symptoms, during or shortly after a traumatic event. Although some of these symptoms may protect the trauma victim from pain, they may also lead to acute stress, posttraumatic stress, or other disorders. The Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Questionnaire (SASRQ) was developed to evaluate anxiety and dissociation symptoms in the aftermath of traumatic events, following DSM-IV criteria for acute stress disorder. We present data from multiple datasets and analyses supporting the reliability and construct, convergent, discriminant, and predictive validity of the SASRQ.     

Effects of a Korean traditional herbal supplement on symptoms of stress and mood profiles in high school girls: a randomized,double blind,placebo‐controlled trial

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a Korean traditional herbal remedy, Ondamtanggamibang, on symptoms of stress and mood state in a randomized, double blind, placebo‐controlled trial. Forty healthy high school girls volunteered to participate and were randomly assigned to either an herbal remedy group (N = 20) or a placebo control group (N = 20). Subjects consumed the supplement or placebo once a day for 3 days. Total symptoms of stress and total mood disturbance scores decreased significantly in the herbal remedy group as compared with the control group. These results suggest that this Korean traditional herbal supplement may be beneficial in alleviating the symptoms of stress and in enhancing mood. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

心血管疾病病人住院应激源分析与对策

目的为降低住院病人的应激水平 ,以利其康复。方法采用医院应激量表对 330例心血管疾病病人进行调查 ,针对发生频率较高的应激源 (住院环境与角色的改变、医护人员行为的影响、与医护人员信息沟通不畅 ) ,采取相应的护理措施。结果入院时病人应激源评分为 (2 77.5 5± 111.11)分 ,入院后 7～ 10 d为 (12 4.2 8± 41.83)分 ,两者比较 ,差异有极显著性意义 (P<0 .0 1) ;在测得的 19项频数百分率较高的应激因素中 ,有 16项明显下降。结论住院心血管疾病病人存在着较多应激源 ,采取相应的护理措施可降低其应激水平 ,缓解应激程度     

Stress and isatin: Effects on the serotonergic system

In experimental models stress produces a number of endocrine and biochemical changes. The identification of a monoamine oxidase inhibiting substance in normal human urine which is raised in stressful situations has been of heuristic importance. This compound, known as tribulin, has been characterized by mass spectrometry as indole-2, 3-dione (isatin) which in part is responsible for the effects of tribulin. Some properties of isatin are reviewed and its effects on the serotonergic system in rats are described. Isatin produces similar effects to cold immobilization stress in rats, lending further support to the notion that this compound may be an important mediator of stress responses.     

Chronic parenting stress and mood reactivity: The role of sleep quality

Sleep is a basic biological process supporting emotion regulation. The emotion regulation function of sleep may be particularly important in the context of chronic stress. To better understand how chronic stress and sleep interact to predict mood, 66 parents of children with autism completed daily diaries assessing parenting stress, negative mood, and sleep quality for 6 consecutive days. Hierarchical linear modelling revealed that daily negative mood was predicted by between‐person differences in parenting stress and between‐person differences in sleep efficiency. Further, between‐person differences in sleep efficiency and within‐person differences in sleep satisfaction moderated the impact of stress on mood. These data suggest that sleep disturbances may exacerbate the association between stress and mood in the context of chronic parenting stress. Further, high parenting stress appears to heighten the impact of transient sleep disturbances on mood.     

Perceived Effects of Organizational Downsizing and Staff Cuts on the Stress Experience: The Role of Resources

In response to global financial pressures, retail companies have introduced measures to reduce costs by cutting staff allocations to individual outlets. On the basis of interview data from four employees of a large retail organization, this paper employs an ideographic case‐study approach to illustrate how the processes linking job characteristics to job‐related strain and well‐being (e.g. appraisal, action regulation, coping, resource utilization) unfold within four individual workers, as they attempt to manage perceived increases in demands resulting from staff cuts. We highlight the importance that these employees place on their own psychological resources (e.g. self‐efficacy) and coping mechanisms (e.g. disengagement) in dealing with these changes, as well as how the perceived availability or absence of job resources (e.g. social support, decision authority, organizational justice) influences their ability to cope with increased demands. We use the insights gained from the case studies to illustrate the value of integrating multiple theoretical perspectives towards achieving a nuanced understanding of the intricacies involved in these experiences and to suggest ways in which the coping capacities of individual employees might be increased. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Perceived Stress and Self‐esteem Mediate the Effects of Work‐related Stress on Depression

The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of perceived stress and self‐esteem on work‐related stress and depression. Two hundred and eighty‐four Korean nurses participated in the study. The participants completed four questionnaires, including the Korean short version of the occupational stress scale, the perceived stress scale, the Rosenberg self‐esteem scale and the Beck depression inventory. Structural equation modelling was used to determine the relationships among work‐related stress, perceived stress, self‐esteem, and depression. Work‐related stress was positively associated with depression. Perceived stress was inversely related to self‐esteem and positively associated with work‐related stress and depression, respectively. Self‐esteem was negatively associated with work‐related stress and depression. Structural equation modelling revealed that self‐esteem and perceived stress fully mediate the relationship between work‐related stress and depression. Future studies should further investigate the effect of psychological characteristics on work‐related stress and symptoms of depression. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

蜕皮甾酮对实验性糖尿病大鼠肾组织氧化应激的影响

目的：观察蜕皮甾酮对早期糖尿病肾病大鼠肾脏氧化应激的影响。方法：用STZ复制糖尿病的大鼠模型,分为阳性对照组（D组）、洛汀新治疗组（L组）、小剂量蜕皮甾酮治疗组（S组）、大剂量蜕皮甾酮治疗组（M组）以及阴性对照组（N组）共5组,灌胃治疗6周后杀检。ELISA法检测肾组织匀浆NOS、AngⅡ、SOD、MDA的含量。结果：与D组相比,N组、S组以及M组NOS含量降低且差异有统计学意义;N组和L组AngⅡ含量降低差异有统计学意义;N组、S组以及M组SOD的含量增加差异有统计学意义;N组、S组以及M组MDA的含量降低差异有统计学意义。结论：蜕皮甾酮能防治1型糖尿病大鼠体重减轻和降低ACR。蜕皮甾酮可能通过减少肾组织MDA、NOS含量以及增加肾组织SOD水平发挥抗氧化效应,具有防治DN的作用。     

Effects of motivation and workload on firefighters' perceived health,stress, and performance

This study investigated the effects of autonomous and controlled motivations, and workload on perceived stress, health, and performance. Workload was also considered as a moderator of the effects of autonomous motivation on perceived health and performance and of controlled motivation on perceived stress. We conducted an empirical study using a sample of 654 firefighters. Consistent with our predictions, results showed positive effects of autonomous motivation and negative effects of workload and controlled motivation on perceived health and performance. They also revealed positive effects of controlled motivation and workload and negative effects of autonomous motivation on perceived stress. Moreover, workload moderated the relations between autonomous motivation and perceived health and performance, so that the positive relations between autonomous motivation and perceived health and performance were lower when workload was high. Finally, workload moderated the relation between controlled motivation and perceived stress so that the positive relation between controlled motivation and perceived stress was stronger when workload was high. Theoretical contributions and perspectives, as well as implications for practice, are discussed.     

Stress and health dysfunctions: The importance of health education

Stress, especially of a chronic nature, poses problems for the health of people in contemporary societies. In consequence, there is an increasing need for emphasis on health education as a means of controlling and reducing stress in everyday life. To accomplish this, the importance of predisposing and mediating factors must be considered and a number of stress intervention programs are possible. Amongst these are various means to modify life style and knowledge of various social and environmental factors can contribute to this. As complete avoidance from stress is not possible, the public and particularly the high at-risk segment of the population, should have the means to obtain education concerning stress and health dysfunctions.     

Stress during Pregnancy: The Role of Institutional Racism

Institutional racism, also known as structural racism, can be defined as differential access to resources and opportunities by race as well as policies, laws, and practices that reinforce racial inequity. This study examines how institutional racism in the form of residential redlining (neighbourhood‐level racial inequities in mortgage lending) and segregation (geographic separation of groups by race) is associated with self‐reported stress among a diverse cohort of pregnant women. Institutional racism was measured by a residential redlining index using Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data and residential segregation using 2000 US Census data. These redlining and segregation indices were linked with data from a pregnancy cohort study (n = 4652), which included individual measures of reported stress. We ran multilevel linear regression models to examine the association between redlining, segregation and reported stress. Hispanic women compared with all other women were slightly more likely to report stress. There was no significant relationship between redlining and stress among this population. However, higher neighbourhood percentage black was inversely associated with stress. This study suggests that some forms of segregation may be associated with reported stress. Future studies should consider how redlining and segregation may provide an understanding of how institutional racism and the neighbourhood context may influence stress and health of populations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术的手术时间对机体应激反应的影响

目的研究腹腔镜胆囊切除术时间长短对机体应激反应的影响。方法将40例需行腹腔镜胆囊切除术患者按手术时间长短分为A组（〈1h）和B组（≥1h），每组20例。围手术期测c反应蛋白（CRP）、白介素6（IL-6）、促肾上腺皮质激素（ACTH）及皮质醇浓度，并观察术后体温、疼痛情况。结果术后第1天最高体温A组低于B组[（37．1±0．4）℃VS（37．5±0．7）℃，t=-2．219，P=0．033]。术后疼痛评分A组低于B组[中位数2（2—4）VS4（3—6），，=3．806，P=0．021]；血IL-6、CRP、ACTH和皮质醇两组手术后均明显升高（P〈0．05），且B组升高比A组明显。结论腹腔镜胆囊切除术手术时间延长增强了机体术后应激反应。     

Working Long Hours is Associated with Higher Prevalence of Diabetes in Urban Male Chinese Workers: The Rosai Karoshi Study

We investigated the relationship between number of weekly working hours and the prevalence of diabetes in the urban Chinese population. Data regarding anthropometric measurements, fasting blood glucose level and number of hours worked per week were collected from 2228 workers in Shanghai, China (M_age = 44 years; 64% men). Participants were divided into three groups according to the number of hours worked per week (<45, 45–54 and ≥55), and multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted with diabetes as the dependent variable. Subjects with a HbA1c of 6.5% or above or those prescribed anti‐diabetic medications were defined as having diabetes. The multivariate adjusted odds ratio for having diabetes was found to be significantly higher for those who worked ≥55 h per week compared with those who worked <45 h per week, but only for men. This finding indicates that working long hours could be a risk factor for diabetes in Chinese male workers. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of Chewing Gum on Stress and Health: A Replication and Investigation of Dose–Response

Research suggests that chewing gum may be associated with reduced stress, depression and a reduced likelihood of having high cholesterol and blood pressure. The present study aimed to replicate these findings and extend them by examining dose–response. A web‐based survey was completed by a sample of 388 workers from public sector organisations (68.5% female; mean age: 42 years, range 17–64 years). The results showed that chewing gum was associated in a linear dose–response manner with lower levels of perceived stress (both at work and life in general), anxiety and depression. Occasional gum chewers also reported a reduced risk of high cholesterol and blood pressure. Intervention studies are now required to extend these findings, and the mechanisms underlying the effects reported here need further investigation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

应力导致关节软骨退变机制的实验研究

目的　本实验的目的是探讨应力导致关节软骨退变的病理过程与生物力学机制。方法　以 32只中国白兔为实验对象 ,在关节面施以持续高 低压应力 ,观察 4、12周 ,用组织学、组织化学、免疫组化及透射电镜为方法 ,分析退变软骨。结果　低压应力引起的退变首先表现为早期软骨细胞功能减退 ,软骨细胞代偿增生反应轻 ,然后基质破坏 ,最终导致整个软骨退变。高压应力引起的退变首先是早期基质破坏 ,软骨细胞代偿增生同时发生 ,继而软骨细胞退变 ,最终整个关节软骨退变。细胞因子主要在退变软骨的浅、移行层软骨细胞胞浆内阳性染色 ,偶可在浅层细胞近周及裂隙处见基质阳性染色。结论　高、低压应力均可导致关节软骨退变 ,低压应力首先引起软骨细胞退变 ;高压应力首先引起基质破坏。退变软骨的软骨细胞可异常合成、分泌细胞因子 ,细胞因子在软骨退变中发挥作用。     

Effects of Posttraumatic Stress and Acculturation on Marital Functioning in Bosnian Refugee Couples

Forty Bosnian refugee couples living in the United States completed a translated version of the PTSD Symptom Scale—Self Report, the Behavioral Acculturation Scale, the Marital Satisfaction Inventory—Revised, and a demographic questionnaire. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology was the best predictor of marital functioning and was related negatively to acculturation. After controlling for PTSD, acculturation did not predict marital functioning. Wives' marital satisfaction was best predicted by husbands' PTSD, husbands' acculturation, and their own PTSD. Husbands' marital satisfaction was not predicted significantly by any of these variables. These findings suggest several implications for mental health professionals dealing with refugees and other traumatized populations.