RESUMEN
Background: Transnational drug trafficking, political unrest, gang violence, and paramilitarism, which are pervasive in Haiti, have resulted in a mental health crisis for the broader Haitian community. This study explores the mental well-being of Haitians in Haiti and the United States by identifying barriers and facilitators to mental health through the lived experiences of men and women. Method: Four Focus group discussions conducted in April and November 2023 engaged 28 participants (20 women and eight men) aged between 23 and 60 years from locations in Haiti (Port-au-Prince, Cite Soleil, Cayes, Cap-Haitien, Saint-Marc) and the United States. Discussions revolved around the definition of mental health, stressors, coping mechanisms, risk and protective factors, and barriers to mental health care. Results: Six principal themes emerged: 1- Chronic Traumatic Stress: continued violence, political instability, unemployment, lack of social support, adverse childhood experiences, family separation, and forced displacement were significant sources of stress. 2- Increased Health Burden: Participants reported experiencing chronic physical and psychological symptoms [i.e., hypertension, anxiety, depression, sleep issues, substance abuse, suicidal ideations, characteristics of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)], which were attributed to Haiti's social, political, and infrastructure collapse. 3- Risk Factors: limited access to mental health services, pervasive hopelessness, scarcity of opportunities, and stigma were identified as significant risks. 4- Future Uncertainty: widespread concerns regarding the future predominated. 5- Multigenerational Concerns: Significant anxiety concerning the mental health and development of children, as well as the functionality of mental health practitioners, was noted. 6- Coping and Protective Factors: Effective coping strategies include mental stimulation, peer support, managing digital consumption, engaging in leisurely activities, such as listening to music, and faith/spirituality. Conclusion: The study's findings underscore the sociopolitical and economic crisis in Haiti, which has resulted in violence and a dismantle of political, educational, financial, and health infrastructures. These factors were identified as the primary source of chronic distress, contributing to widespread mental health issues, adverse physical symptoms, and disruption in daily life. The implications for practice, healing, research & policy are discussed.
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Grupos Focales , Humanos , Haití , Masculino , Femenino , Adulto , Persona de Mediana Edad , Salud Mental , Adulto Joven , Estrés Psicológico/psicología , Estados Unidos , Adaptación Psicológica , Investigación Cualitativa , Trastornos Mentales/epidemiología , Trastornos Mentales/psicología , Factores de Riesgo , Violencia/psicología , Violencia/estadística & datos numéricosRESUMEN
Antidepressant response is a multifactorial process related to biological and environmental factors, where brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may play an important role in modulating depressive and anxious symptoms. We aimed to analyze how BDNF impacts antidepressant response, considering the levels of anxiety. METHODS: A total of 40 depressed adults were included. We evaluated initial serum BDNF, anxiety through the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the severity of depressive symptoms by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). Participants received antidepressant treatment for 8 weeks, and response to treatment was evaluated according to the final HDRS scores. RESULTS: Basal BDNF was higher in responders compared to non-responder depressed patients, in addition to being inversely associated with the severity of anxiety and depression. CONCLUSIONS: Baseline BDNF serum is an adequate predictive factor for response to antidepressant treatment with SSRI, with lower pre-treatment levels of BDNF associated with higher anxiety symptoms after treatment. Stress levels could influence the response to treatment, but its association was not conclusive.
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Antidepresivos , Ansiedad , Factor Neurotrófico Derivado del Encéfalo , Depresión , Humanos , Factor Neurotrófico Derivado del Encéfalo/sangre , Masculino , Femenino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Adulto , Antidepresivos/uso terapéutico , Ansiedad/tratamiento farmacológico , Ansiedad/sangre , Depresión/tratamiento farmacológico , Depresión/sangre , Estrés Psicológico/tratamiento farmacológico , Resultado del Tratamiento , Inhibidores Selectivos de la Recaptación de Serotonina/uso terapéuticoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum periods bring along biological, psychological, and social changes that could affect women's sexual health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of genital self-image on sexual satisfaction and stress in women who had a vaginal delivery. METHODS: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted online between June and September 2023 by using snowball sampling and the data collection forms prepared in the GoogleDocs program. Women who had a normal vaginal delivery were included, were within 6 weeks to 1 year postpartum, were able to use at least one of the social media networks (e-mail, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram), and volunteered to participate in the research. Data were collected through the Personal Information Form, the "Female Genital Self-Image Scale," the "Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction," and the "Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised." RESULTS: The average age of the participating women was 30.54±5.83 years (n=235). The participants' mean scores were 18.94±2.92 for the Female Genital Self-Image Scale, 40.07±15.51 for the Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction, and 8.85±8.50 for the Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised total. A statistically significant and negative relationship was found between Female Genital Self-Image Scale and Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction and Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised total scores (r=-0.183, p<0.01; r=-0.387, p<0.01). Regression analysis (forward) was performed, and genital self-image was found to be the predictive factor affecting sexual satisfaction and stress. CONCLUSION: This study found that women had a medium level of genital self-image and sexual satisfaction and a low level of sexual distress.
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Parto Obstétrico , Periodo Posparto , Autoimagen , Estrés Psicológico , Humanos , Femenino , Adulto , Estudios Transversales , Estrés Psicológico/psicología , Parto Obstétrico/psicología , Periodo Posparto/psicología , Orgasmo , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Adulto Joven , Satisfacción Personal , Genitales Femeninos , Conducta Sexual/psicología , EmbarazoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: to assess the association between indicators of emotional distress and dispositional mindfulness in health students at a Brazilian federal public university. METHODS: a cross-sectional study, developed with university students in the health area of a public institution from May to June 2022. In the analysis, multiple linear regression was used using SPSS software. RESULTS: the sample was mostly female, ≤ 22 years old, non-white, studying the first semesters, with a higher prevalence for the medicine course. Students presented moderate dispositional mindfulness scores. It was observed that the variables of stress, depression and current suicide risk were associated with the capacity for mindfulness. CONCLUSIONS: knowing the indicators of emotional distress that are related to the potential of mindfulness can contribute as a situational diagnosis to better design strategies that promote the improvement of emotional indicators of health students.
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Atención Plena , Distrés Psicológico , Estudiantes , Humanos , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Masculino , Atención Plena/métodos , Brasil , Estudiantes/psicología , Estudiantes/estadística & datos numéricos , Universidades/organización & administración , Universidades/estadística & datos numéricos , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Adulto Joven , Estrés Psicológico/psicología , Estrés Psicológico/etiología , Adulto , AdolescenteRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is an association between hair cortisol concentrations and acute stress symptoms in family members of critically ill patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in an adult intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital in Porto Alegre, Brazil, from August 2021 to February 2022. Family members of intensive care unit patients admitted for more than 10 days were approached for enrollment. We collected sociodemographic data and assessed resilience, religiosity, and symptoms of acute stress among family members. Samples of family members' hair were collected shortly after the interview to measure the hair cortisol concentration. RESULTS: A total of 110 family members were included in this study. Eighty-eight (80.0%) family members presented with symptoms of acute stress. The median hair cortisol concentration was 2.37pg/mg (1.16 - 5.06pg/mg). There was no significant difference in hair cortisol concentration between family members with and without acute stress symptoms (p = 0.419). According to the multivariate analysis, only the fact that the patient was alert at the time of the family member's interview was significantly associated with the prevalence of acute stress symptoms in the family member. CONCLUSION: We did not find an association between the hair cortisol concentration of family members in hair segments in the months prior to admission to the intensive care unit and the occurrence of acute stress symptoms.
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Enfermedad Crítica , Familia , Cabello , Hidrocortisona , Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos , Estrés Psicológico , Humanos , Hidrocortisona/análisis , Hidrocortisona/metabolismo , Estudios Transversales , Masculino , Femenino , Cabello/química , Persona de Mediana Edad , Brasil/epidemiología , Familia/psicología , Estrés Psicológico/metabolismo , Estrés Psicológico/epidemiología , Estrés Psicológico/diagnóstico , Adulto , AncianoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: to analyze the effectiveness of auriculotherapy for decreasing anxiety and stress of perioperative nursing professionals. METHOD: mixed methods research, embedded experimental model. In the quantitative stage, a randomized, triple-blind clinical trial was conducted with perioperative nursing professionals, who answered a characterization questionnaire, the List of Signs and Symptoms of Stress, and the General Anxiety Disorder-GAD 7. The participants attended eight auriculotherapy sessions with semi-permanent needles. The qualitative stage was exploratory and descriptive, in which data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Data were mixed with the incorporation of qualitative findings to examine the intervention in the experimental study. RESULTS: 13 professionals participated in the intervention group and 14 in the control group. Anxiety and stress levels decreased significantly within groups, though no statistical difference was found between groups (p>0.05). The central category, "Auriculotherapy as an intervention to treat anxiety and stress," emerged from the qualitative data, which was subdivided into a base unit and three categories concerning the therapy's benefits. CONCLUSION: applying real and sham auriculotherapy had the same effect on the participants' anxiety and stress levels; the reports reinforced such evidence. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as auriculotherapy, are essential for recovering and promoting the health of perioperative nursing professionals. Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry: RBR-3jvmdn.
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Ansiedad , Auriculoterapia , Enfermería Perioperatoria , Humanos , Ansiedad/terapia , Ansiedad/prevención & control , Femenino , Adulto , Masculino , Enfermería Perioperatoria/métodos , Estrés Psicológico/terapia , Estrés Psicológico/prevención & control , Resultado del Tratamiento , Persona de Mediana Edad , Enfermedades Profesionales/terapia , Enfermedades Profesionales/prevención & control , Estrés Laboral/terapia , Estrés Laboral/prevención & controlRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Parental stress experienced in the context of caring for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in preschool is significant and has been poorly studied; studies tend to focus on more advanced ages of children where parental symptomatology has become chronic. The current study sought to provide new empirical evidence on factors associated with parental stress. METHODS: An exhaustive search was conducted in four academic databases: CINAHL Complete, Medline Complete, Web of Science (WoS), and Scopus, limiting the articles to those published between 2017 and 2023. RESULTS: The sample obtained consisted of 24 selected articles, which were produced in 11 countries, and all were in English. In terms of content, the topics addressed were the manifestation of parental stress, factors of the child with ASD and their relationship with parental stress, factors of parents of children with ASD, family factors of parents of children with ASD, social factors of parents of children with ASD, parental stress and access to formal care services, and parental stress and specialized interventions. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to affirm that research reports indicate that the general level of stress among parents of children with ASD is compared to their reference groups, both in relation to child-related stress and other stressors. The variables that affect parental stress exhibit a reciprocal influence among them, so interventions aimed at early childhood should incorporate both the children and their parental figures. This is in consideration of the impact that stress has on the mental health of parents, establishing that parents with better health have early access to support services during the early years of parenting, as well as in later years.
INTRODUCCIÓN: El estrés parental vivenciado en el contexto de cuidado de los niños con trastorno del espectro autistas en etapa preescolar es significativo y ha sido muy poco estudiado, las investigaciones tienden a focalizarse en edades de los niños más avanzada donde la sintomatología de los padres se ha cronificado. El objetivo de la presente investigación fue actualizar el corpus de evidencia empírica referida a los factores relacionados con el Estrés parental. MÉTODOS: Se realizó una búsqueda exhaustiva en cuatro bases de datos académicas: CINAHL Complete, Medline Complete, Web of Science (WoS) y Scopus, limitando los artículos publicados entre los años 2017 y 2023. RESULTADOS: La muestra obtenida fue de 24 artículos seleccionados, los cuales fueron producidos por 11 países todos de habla inglesa. En cuanto al contenido, los temas abordados son: La manifestación del estrés parental, factores del niño con TEA y su relación con el estrés parental, factores de los padres de los niños con TEA, factores familiares de los padres de los niños con TEA, factores sociales de los padres de los niños con TEA, estrés parental y acceso a los servicios formales de atención, y estrés parental e intervenciones especializadas. CONCLUSIONES: Es posible afirmar que las investigaciones reportan que el nivel general de estrés de los padres de niños con TEA es superior al de sus grupos de referencia, tanto en relación al estrés relacionado con el niño, como el que no. Las variables que afectan el estrés parental presentan una influencia recíproca entre éstas, por lo que las intervenciones dirigidas a la primera infancia deberían incorporar a los niños y a sus figuras parentales. Esto, en atención al impacto que el estrés presenta en la salud mental de los padres, estableciendo que los padres con mejor salud mental presentan mayor acceso temprano a los servicios de apoyo durante los primeros años de crianza, y en los años posteriores.
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Trastorno del Espectro Autista , Padres , Estrés Psicológico , Humanos , Padres/psicología , Preescolar , Accesibilidad a los Servicios de SaludRESUMEN
During the COVID-19 pandemic, older people were exposed to high levels of anxiety and stress leading to loneliness and depressive disorders. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of anxiety, positive coping, perceived social support, and perceived stress on depression and loneliness among older people during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a cross-sectional online/telephone survey. A non-probability convenience sampling method was used. Participants were 112 people aged 60 years and above, without cognitive impairment, who experienced confinement (from March 2020 onward) and had access to the internet or telephone. A path analysis model showed a direct significant effect of anxiety on both, depression (ß = .68, P < .001) and perceived stress (ß = .65, P < .001), as well as an indirect effect of anxiety on loneliness via perceived stress (ß = .65) * (ß = .40); and social support (ß = -.21) * (ß = -.20). The model showed adequate fit χ2(df = 4) =5.972, P = .201; RMSEA = 0.066 (0.000, 0.169), CFI = 0.992; TLI = 0.970. Anxiety had a significant effect on depressive symptoms as well as on loneliness via perceived social support and perceived stress. According to our findings, in order to reduce depressive symptoms and perceived loneliness, it is essential to develop timely interventions that decrease levels of anxiety and stress and increase levels of perceived social support in older people, particularly when there are any restrictions, physical or contextual, that prevent face-to-face contact. This can be achieved by implementing preventive community-based programs, enhancing accessibility to mental health services, and collaborating with local support groups, among others.
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Ansiedad , COVID-19 , Depresión , Soledad , Apoyo Social , Estrés Psicológico , Humanos , COVID-19/psicología , COVID-19/epidemiología , Soledad/psicología , Estudios Transversales , Masculino , Femenino , Anciano , Depresión/psicología , Depresión/epidemiología , Ansiedad/psicología , Estrés Psicológico/psicología , Persona de Mediana Edad , Adaptación Psicológica , SARS-CoV-2 , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Pandemias , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the prevalence of negative affectivity in university students in the post-COVID-19 pandemic context and its relationship with academic performance and professional outlook. METHODS: a cross-sectional study was conducted with undergraduate students from a public university in Minas Gerais between September 2022 and September 2023. Data were collected using a sociodemographic and psychosocial characterization questionnaire and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale 21. The relationships between negative affectivity, academic performance, and professional outlook were verified using the Kruskal-Wallis test, with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: a total of 585 students participated in the study. A high prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was found among university students in the post-COVID-19 context, with a notable severity of anxiety. A negative association was detected between the investigated negative affectivity, academic performance, and professional outlook. CONCLUSIONS: the results indicate an emotional vulnerability in university students, with a relationship between negative affectivity and a decline in academic performance and professional outlook.
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Rendimiento Académico , Ansiedad , COVID-19 , Depresión , SARS-CoV-2 , Estudiantes , Humanos , COVID-19/psicología , COVID-19/epidemiología , Estudios Transversales , Masculino , Femenino , Universidades/organización & administración , Universidades/estadística & datos numéricos , Estudiantes/psicología , Estudiantes/estadística & datos numéricos , Brasil/epidemiología , Rendimiento Académico/estadística & datos numéricos , Rendimiento Académico/psicología , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Depresión/epidemiología , Depresión/psicología , Ansiedad/epidemiología , Ansiedad/psicología , Adulto Joven , Adulto , Pandemias , Estrés Psicológico/psicología , Estrés Psicológico/epidemiología , Estrés Psicológico/etiología , Adolescente , PrevalenciaRESUMEN
The aim of the present study was to examine the relationships between gender, sense of coherence (SOC), social support, perception of academic environment and mental health of dental students during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A longitudinal study involving 65 undergraduates enrolled from the first to sixth semesters in the bachelor dental course of Universidade Federal Fluminense, Brazil, was conducted. Baseline data (2018) included age, gender, SOC, social support, stress control and perception of education environment. Depression, anxiety and stress were assessed at baseline (response rate: 93%) and two-year follow-up (2020; response rate: 37%). Structural Equation Modelling was used to test the relationships between independent variables and depression, anxiety and stress during COVID-19 pandemic. Lower social support (ß = -0.15), lower stress control (ß = -0.20) and lower SOC (ß = -0.39) were directly linked to higher depression (ß = 0.22). Female gender (ß = 0.22), worse perception of educational environment (ß = -0.24) and lower SOC (ß = -0.57) directly predicted higher anxiety. Female gender (ß = 0.18), lower stress control (ß = -0.21), and lower SOC (ß = -0.46) directly predicted higher stress. The link between gender and both depression and stress, was mediated by stress control. Social support was indirectly linked to depression and stress via SOC. Perception of educational environment mediated the link between SOC and anxiety. Mental health of dental students during COVID-19 pandemic was influenced by demographic characteristics, perception of educational environment, social support and SOC through both direct and indirect pathways.
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Ansiedad , COVID-19 , Depresión , Salud Mental , Apoyo Social , Estrés Psicológico , Estudiantes de Odontología , Humanos , Estudiantes de Odontología/psicología , Estudiantes de Odontología/estadística & datos numéricos , Femenino , COVID-19/psicología , COVID-19/epidemiología , Masculino , Estudios Longitudinales , Salud Mental/estadística & datos numéricos , Depresión/psicología , Depresión/epidemiología , Brasil/epidemiología , Ansiedad/psicología , Ansiedad/epidemiología , Factores Sexuales , Adulto Joven , Estrés Psicológico/psicología , Estrés Psicológico/epidemiología , Sentido de Coherencia , Adulto , Pandemias , SARS-CoV-2 , AdolescenteRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Maternal psychological distress during pregnancy can negatively impact fetal development, resulting in long-lasting consequences for the offspring. These effects show a sex bias. The mechanisms whereby prenatal stress induces functional and/or structural changes in the placental-fetal unit remain poorly understood. Maternal circulating small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are good candidates to act as "stress signals" in mother-to-fetus communication. Using a repetitive restraint-based rat model of prenatal stress, we examined circulating maternal sEVs under stress conditions and tested whether they could target placental-fetal tissues. RESULTS: Our mild chronic maternal stress during pregnancy paradigm induced anhedonic-like behavior in pregnant dams and led to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), particularly in male fetuses and placentas. The concentration and cargo of maternal circulating sEVs changed under stress conditions. Specifically, there was a significant reduction in neuron-enriched proteins and a significant increase in astrocyte-enriched proteins in blood-borne sEVs from stressed dams. To study the effect of repetitive restraint stress on the biodistribution of maternal circulating sEVs in the fetoplacental unit, sEVs from pregnant dams exposed to stress or control protocol were labeled with DiR fluorescent die and injected into pregnant females previously exposed to control or stress protocol. Remarkably, maternal circulating sEVs target placental/fetal tissues and, under stress conditions, fetal tissues are more receptive to sEVs. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that maternal circulating sEVs can act as novel mediators/modulators of mother-to-fetus stress communication. Further studies are needed to identify placental/fetal cellular targets of maternal sEVs and characterize their contribution to stress-induced sex-specific placental and fetal changes.
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Vesículas Extracelulares , Placenta , Estrés Psicológico , Animales , Femenino , Embarazo , Vesículas Extracelulares/metabolismo , Vesículas Extracelulares/fisiología , Placenta/metabolismo , Masculino , Feto , Ratas , Retardo del Crecimiento Fetal/metabolismo , Ratas Sprague-Dawley , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Intercambio Materno-Fetal/fisiologíaRESUMEN
Changes in maternal gut microbiota due to stress and/or ethanol exposure can have lasting effects on offspring's health, particularly regarding immunity, inflammation response, and susceptibility to psychiatric disorders. The literature search for this review was conducted using PubMed and Scopus, employing keywords and phrases related to maternal stress, ethanol exposure, gut microbiota, microbiome, gut-brain axis, diet, dysbiosis, progesterone, placenta, prenatal development, immunity, inflammation, and depression to identify relevant studies in both preclinical and human research. Only a limited number of reviews were included to support the arguments. The search encompassed studies from the 1990s to the present. This review begins by exploring the role of microbiota in modulating host health and disease. It then examines how disturbances in maternal microbiota can affect the offspring's immune system. The analysis continues by investigating the interplay between stress and dysbiosis, focusing on how prenatal maternal stress influences both maternal and offspring microbiota and its implications for susceptibility to depression. The review also considers the impact of ethanol consumption on gut dysbiosis, with an emphasis on the effects of prenatal ethanol exposure on both maternal and offspring microbiota. Finally, it is suggested that maternal gut microbiota dysbiosis may be significantly exacerbated by the combined effects of stress and ethanol exposure, leading to immune system dysfunction and chronic inflammation, which could increase the risk of depression in the offspring. These interactions underscore the potential for novel mental health interventions that address the gut-brain axis, especially in relation to maternal and offspring health.
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Disbiosis , Etanol , Microbioma Gastrointestinal , Efectos Tardíos de la Exposición Prenatal , Estrés Psicológico , Humanos , Embarazo , Femenino , Efectos Tardíos de la Exposición Prenatal/inmunología , Microbioma Gastrointestinal/efectos de los fármacos , Microbioma Gastrointestinal/inmunología , Etanol/efectos adversos , Animales , Estrés Psicológico/inmunología , Estrés Psicológico/complicaciones , Disbiosis/inmunología , Trastornos Mentales/etiología , Trastornos Mentales/inmunología , Trastornos Mentales/microbiología , Eje Cerebro-IntestinoRESUMEN
Individuals considered resilient can overcome adversity, achieving normal physical and psychological development, while those deemed vulnerable may not. Adversity promotes structural and functional alterations in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus. Moreover, activity-dependent synaptic plasticity is intricately linked to neuronal shaping resulting from experiences. We hypothesize that this plasticity plays a crucial role in resilience processes. However, there is a notable absence of studies investigating this plasticity and behavioral changes following social adversity at different life stages. Consequently, we evaluated the impact of social adversity during early postnatal development (maternal separation [MS]), adulthood (social defeat [SD]), and a combined exposure (MS + SD) on behavioral outcomes (anxiety, motivation, anhedonia, and social interaction). We also examined cFos expression induced by social interaction in mPFC and hippocampus of adult male rats. Behavioral analyses revealed that SD-induced anhedonia, whereas MS + SD increased social interaction and mitigated SD-induced anhedonia. cFos evaluation showed that social interaction heightened plasticity in the prelimbic (PrL) and infralimbic (IL) cortices, dentate gyrus (DG), CA3, and CA1. Social interaction-associated plasticity was compromised in IL and PrL cortices of the MS and SD groups. Interestingly, social interaction-induced plasticity was restored in the MS + SD group. Furthermore, plasticity was impaired in DG by all social stressors, and in CA3 was impaired by SD. Our findings suggest in male rats (i) two adverse social experiences during development foster resilience; (ii) activity-dependent plasticity in the mPFC is a foundation for resilience to social adversity; (iii) plasticity in DG is highly susceptible to social adversity.
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Privación Materna , Plasticidad Neuronal , Corteza Prefrontal , Resiliencia Psicológica , Animales , Plasticidad Neuronal/fisiología , Masculino , Ratas , Anhedonia/fisiología , Interacción Social , Derrota Social , Hipocampo , Estrés Psicológico/fisiopatología , Estrés Psicológico/psicología , Ratas Wistar , Conducta Animal/fisiología , Conducta Social , Ansiedad/fisiopatologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Stress has become a common public health concern, contributing to the rising prevalence of psychiatric disorders. Understanding the impact of stress considering critical variables, such as age, sex, and individual differences, is of the utmost importance for developing effective intervention strategies. METHODS: Stress effects (daily footshocks for 10 days) during adolescence (postnatal day [PND] 31-40) and adulthood (PND 65-74) were investigated on behavioral outcomes and parvalbumin (PV)-expressing GABAergic interneurons and their associated perineuronal nets (PNNs) in the prefrontal cortex of male and female mice 5 weeks post stress. RESULTS: In adulthood, adolescent stress induced behavioral alterations in male mice, including anxiety-like behaviors, social deficits, cognitive impairments, and altered dopamine system responsivity. Applying integrated behavioral z-score analysis, we identified sex-specific differences in response to adolescent stress, with males displaying greater vulnerability than females. Furthermore, adolescent-stressed male mice showed decreased PV+ and PNN+ cell numbers and PV+/PNN+ colocalization, while in females, adolescent stress reduced prefrontal PV+/PNN+ colocalization in the prefrontal cortex. Further analysis identified distinct behavioral clusters, with certain females demonstrating resilience to adolescent stress-induced deficits in sociability and PV+ cell number. Adult stress in male and female mice did not cause long-lasting changes in behavior and PV+ and PNN+ cell number. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that the timing of stress, sex, and individual variabilities seem to be determinants for the development of behavioral changes associated with psychiatric disorders, particularly in male mice during adolescence.
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Conducta Animal , Interneuronas , Parvalbúminas , Corteza Prefrontal , Estrés Psicológico , Animales , Femenino , Masculino , Parvalbúminas/metabolismo , Interneuronas/metabolismo , Estrés Psicológico/metabolismo , Corteza Prefrontal/metabolismo , Ratones , Conducta Animal/fisiología , Caracteres Sexuales , Factores de Edad , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Conducta Social , Ansiedad/metabolismoRESUMEN
The paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) regulates physiological and behavioural responses evoked by stressful stimuli, but the local neurochemical and signalling mechanisms involved are not completely understood. The soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) within the PVN is implicated in autonomic and cardiovascular control in rodents under resting conditions. However, the involvement of PVN sGC-mediated signalling in stress responses is unknown. Therefore, we investigated the role of sGC within the PVN in cardiovascular, autonomic, neuroendocrine, and local neuronal responses to acute restraint stress in rats. Bilateral microinjection of the selective sGC inhibitor ODQ (1 nmol/100 nl) into the PVN reduced both the increased arterial pressure and the drop in cutaneous tail temperature evoked by restraint stress, while the tachycardia was enhanced. Intra-PVN injection of ODQ did not alter the number of Fos-immunoreactive neurons in either the dorsal cap parvocellular (PaDC), ventromedial (PaV), medial parvocellular (PaMP), or lateral magnocelllular (PaLM) portions of the PVN following acute restraint stress. Local microinjection of ODQ into the PVN did not affect the restraint-induced increases in plasma corticosterone concentration. Taken together, these findings suggest that sGC-mediated signalling in the PVN plays a key role in acute stress-induced pressor responses and sympathetically mediated cutaneous vasoconstriction, whereas the tachycardiac response is inhibited. Absence of an effect of ODQ on corticosterone and PVN neuronal activation in and the PaV and PaMP suggests that PVN sGC is not involved in restraint-evoked hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation and further indicates that autonomic and neuroendocrine responses are dissociable at the level of the PVN.
Asunto(s)
Núcleo Hipotalámico Paraventricular , Restricción Física , Estrés Psicológico , Animales , Núcleo Hipotalámico Paraventricular/efectos de los fármacos , Núcleo Hipotalámico Paraventricular/metabolismo , Masculino , Ratas , Estrés Psicológico/fisiopatología , Estrés Psicológico/metabolismo , Guanilil Ciclasa Soluble/metabolismo , Sistema Nervioso Autónomo/efectos de los fármacos , Sistema Nervioso Autónomo/fisiopatología , Ratas Wistar , Frecuencia Cardíaca/efectos de los fármacos , Frecuencia Cardíaca/fisiología , Presión Sanguínea/efectos de los fármacos , Presión Sanguínea/fisiología , Guanilato Ciclasa/metabolismo , Guanilato Ciclasa/antagonistas & inhibidoresRESUMEN
Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) is a widely accepted method for inducing depressive-like states in animal models. We decided to explore the effects of CUMS on the CantonS lineage of Drosophila melanogaster, which differs from the OregonR lineage in various ways. Additionally, we wanted to investigate the potential benefits of kefir in treating these chronically stressed flies, as previous research has shown promising results in using kefir components for depression treatment. To begin, we exposed male CantonS flies to a 10-day CUMS protocol and compared them to non-stressed flies. Within the stressed group, we had two subgroups: one treated with kefir (CUMS + Kefir group) and the other treated with sertraline (positive control). We then analysed various factors including serotonin levels, brain structure, markers of oxidative damage in lipids and proteins, and behavioural manifestations such as sociability, locomotor function, and anhedonic-like behaviour. Our results showed that flies exposed to CUMS experienced a decrease in serotonin levels without any signs of degeneration. They also exhibited reduced sociability, increased motor agitation, and decreased sucrose consumption, which are all indicative of stress-induced depressive-like behaviour. However, treatment with sertraline partially reversed these effects. Interestingly, treatment with kefir not only restored serotonin levels but also improved sociability and anhedonic-like behaviours. Additionally, flies in the CUMS + Kefir group had a longer lifespan compared to their untreated counterparts. These findings suggest that kefir has multiple advantageous effects on flies subjected to the 10-day CUMS protocol. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that the CantonS lineage of D. melanogaster displays depressive-like manifestations after exposure to CUMS. Furthermore, kefir emerges as a powerful nutritional tool capable of reversing these effects and promoting beneficial outcomes in chronically stressed flies.
Asunto(s)
Depresión , Drosophila melanogaster , Kéfir , Estrés Psicológico , Animales , Drosophila melanogaster/fisiología , Masculino , Depresión/tratamiento farmacológico , Conducta Animal/efectos de los fármacos , Serotonina/metabolismo , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Encéfalo/efectos de los fármacos , Sertralina/uso terapéutico , Sertralina/farmacologíaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To determine the mental health conditions of adolescents in the city of Manizales, Colombia, and explore risk regarding gender-based differences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Quantitative, nonexperimental, descriptive research with associative scope. A total of 316 adolescents were assessed using five scales to evaluate mental health conditions: the Perceived Stress Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, Penn Alcohol Craving Scale and The Substance Dependence Severity Scale. Univariate and bivariate analysis was performed, Chi square and Odds Ratio were tested. RESULTS: The findings indicated that being female is a risk factor for high levels of perceived stress, depressive episodes and anxiety. Additionally, adolescents who are not attending school are at higher risk for dependence and abuse of psychoactive substances. Conversely, being female acts as a protective factor against dependence on psychoactive substances. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest a higher tendency among the participants towards experiencing depressive episodes. Regarding perceived stress, 71.5% of the participants fell into the low category, while 70.6% experienced a current episode of generalized anxiety.
Asunto(s)
Trastornos Relacionados con Sustancias , Humanos , Colombia/epidemiología , Adolescente , Femenino , Masculino , Trastornos Relacionados con Sustancias/epidemiología , Estrés Psicológico , Factores de Riesgo , Factores Sexuales , Trastornos Mentales/epidemiología , Trastornos de Ansiedad/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Remote education emerged as an option during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, this modality continues to be used by various universities around the world in the postpandemic context. The aim of this study was to determine the mediating role of digital skills and mobile self-efficacy in the influence of stress on the academic engagement of Peruvian university students during remote teaching by COVID-19 using structural equation modeling (SEM). METHOD: This study involved 1,468 students from nine public and private universities in northern Peru who had undergraduate and graduate distance learning programs. RESULTS: The results showed that stress negatively influenced academic engagement (ß=-0.107*) and digital skills (ß=-0.328***). In addition, digital skills (ß = 0.470**) and mobile self-efficacy (ß = 0.684***) positively influence academic engagement. Similarly, digital skills mediate the relationship between stress and academic engagement (ß=-0.154**), and both variables act as sequential mediators in this relationship (ß=-0.348***). CONCLUSION: This study provides a deeper understanding of the factors that influence academic engagement during Remote education and lays the groundwork for the development of interventions and training programs tailored to hybrid learning contexts that promote the well-being and academic success of college students in postpandemic times.
Asunto(s)
COVID-19 , Educación a Distancia , Autoeficacia , Estrés Psicológico , Estudiantes , Humanos , Perú , Estudiantes/psicología , Estudiantes/estadística & datos numéricos , COVID-19/psicología , COVID-19/epidemiología , Educación a Distancia/métodos , Masculino , Universidades , Femenino , Estrés Psicológico/psicología , Adulto Joven , Adulto , AdolescenteRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations between self-reported screen time and symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression in adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 982 adolescents aged between 12 and 15 years, enrolled in public schools in Jacarezinho (PR), Brazil. Screen time was assessed by the question "Considering a typical day, how much time do you spend watching TV, playing videogame, using computer or smartphone?" The DASS-21 questionnaire (short form) was used to assess symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Crude and adjusted analyses (age, sex, and maternal level of education) between screen time and mental disorders symptoms were performed using general linear regression models, with Poisson distribution, with significance level at p<0.05. RESULTS: Higher depressive symptoms were observed in adolescents who reported screen time of 4-6 hours/day (PR 1.35, 95%CI 1.13-1.61) and ≥6 hours/day (PR 1.88, 95%CI 1.62-2.19), compared with their pairs with <2 hours/day. The same was observed for anxiety symptoms with screen time of 4-6 hours/day (PR 1.23, 95%CI 1.04-1.46) and ≥6 hours/day (PR 1.50, 95%CI 1.28-1.77); and stress, with 4-6 hours/day (PR 1.25, 95%CI 1.08-1.44) and ≥6 hours/day (PR 1.49, 95%CI 1.30-1.71), also compared with their pairs with <2 hours/day. CONCLUSIONS: Screen time was positively associated with depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms in adolescents. Special attention should be given to those who spend more than four hours a day in front of a screen.
Asunto(s)
Ansiedad , Depresión , Tiempo de Pantalla , Estrés Psicológico , Humanos , Adolescente , Femenino , Masculino , Estudios Transversales , Depresión/epidemiología , Depresión/diagnóstico , Depresión/psicología , Ansiedad/epidemiología , Ansiedad/diagnóstico , Ansiedad/psicología , Ansiedad/etiología , Estrés Psicológico/epidemiología , Estrés Psicológico/psicología , Niño , Brasil/epidemiología , Factores de Tiempo , AutoinformeRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Studies evaluating the effects of natural disasters on cancer outcomes are scarce, especially among USA ethnic minority groups, and none have focused on the effects of concurrent natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of this secondary data analysis is to explore the impact of concurrent exposure to COVID-19 and earthquakes on psychological distress and symptom burden among Puerto Rican cancer survivors. METHODS: This secondary data analysis (n = 101) was part of a longitudinal case-control cohort study (n = 402) aimed at describing unmet psychological needs among Puerto Rican cancer patients and non-cancer subjects previously exposed to Hurricane María in 2017. The research team pooled data from participants (cancer survivors and non-cancer group) from their baseline assessments and from follow-up assessments conducted during January-July 2020 (earthquake and the lockdown period). A descriptive, paired t-test, non-parametric mean rank test, and two-sided Pearson correlation analyses were performed. RESULTS: Psychological distress and cancer symptom burden diminished over time. Resilience was significantly correlated with all the psychological and symptom burden variables during both pre- and post-earthquake and COVID-19 assessment periods. CONCLUSIONS: The results support the role of resilience, social support, and post-traumatic growth as potential protective factors preventing psychological distress and diminishing cancer symptom burden among cancer survivors exposed to natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.