Depressive Symptoms Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

This study investigated the relationship between the perception of family functioning and depressive symptomatology in individuals with eating disorders (EDs). Subjects were evaluated by diagnostic clinical interview using DSM-III-R criteria for EDs, the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Lifetime Version (SADS-L), and two self-report measures, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Family Assessment Device (FAD). A significant association was found between self-reported depressive symptomatology and perceived poor family functioning. Subjects with bulimia nervosa (BN) reported a significantly more dysfunctional family background than subjects with anorexia nervosa (AN). In our sample, the presence of self-reported depressive symptomatology was a more powerful predictive variable for perceived family dysfunction than the diagnosis of affective disorder. Also, the diagnosis of BN was a more consistent predictor of dysfunctional family interaction than the diagnosis of affective disorder. Depressive symptoms and EDs seem to play different roles in the way in which they contribute to dysfunctional family patterns.

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- Depression, Family, Adolescent, Anorexia Nervosa

Self-esteem (SE) variability has been shown to prospectively predict symptoms of depression. We examined four potential contributors to SE variability (limited sources of self-esteem, defectiveness, negative generalization, and adverse events). College students with and without a history of depression symptoms completed ratings of current self-esteem and adverse events for 14 days. Adverse interpersonal events predicted SE variability, as did their interaction with defectiveness and with generalization. Generalization also contributed uniquely to the prediction of SE variability. More severe symptoms of past depression were associated with more defectiveness, negative generalization, adverse events, and SE variability. Results support J. E. Roberts and S. M. Monroe's (1994) theoretical model of vulnerable self-esteem and depression and help to elucidate the process by which SE variability occurs.

- by Adele Hayes
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- Psychology, Cognitive Science, Cognitive Therapy, College Students

The apolipoprotein E ε4 (APOE ε4) allele is a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer disease. Recently, depression has also become recognized as a risk factor for dementia. However, the possible effect of the APOE genotype on the association... more

- by Fumiko Irie
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- Depression, Major Depressive Disorder, Hawaii, Apolipoprotein E
- by Crystal Lim
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- Psychology, Cognitive Science, Social Support, Acculturation

Objective and Methods: The ef®cacy and safety of oral Sildena®l, a potent inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 5, were evaluated in depressed men with idiopathic Parkinson's disease and erectile dysfunction. Thirty-three men were enrolled in a 4-month prospective, open-label, ®xed-dose study, and received 50 mg of Sildena®l in the home setting approximately 1 hour before sexual activity, not more than once daily. Ef®cacy was determined by responses to question 3 (ability to achieve an erection) and question 4 (ability to maintain an erection) of the 15-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Other measures of ef®cacy included the ®ve sexual function domains of IIEF, a global ef®cacy question, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-21 (HDRS-21). Results: At the end of the study, improved erections were reported by 84.8% of patients. Sildena®l signi®cantly increased patients' ability to achieve and maintain erections. Signi®cant improvements were also observed in the IIEF domains for erectile function, orgasmic function, intercourse satisfaction and overall sexual satisfaction. BDI and HDRS scores improved from baseline to the end of the study. A clear improvement of depressive symptoms was observed in 75% of patients. Sildena®l was well tolerated in all the patients. Conclusions: Treatment with oral Sildena®l improves erectile function and, indirectly, depressive symptoms in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease stages 1±3, and is well tolerated. #

- by Liborio Rampello and +1
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- Sexual Dysfunction, Depression, Erectile dysfunction, Prospective studies
- by Ruth Cronkite
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- Marketing, Psychology, Cognitive Science, Personality

Objective: To translate the theoretical constructs from a model of resilience into a structural equation model and evaluate relationships among the model's theoretical constructs associated with resilience and the occurrence of depressive symptoms. Design: Quantitative descriptive research design using structural equation modeling (SEM). Participants: Two-hundred and fifty-five individuals with SCI recruited from the Canadian Paraplegic Association (CPA). Outcome Measures: Outcome was measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale. Results: The resilience model fit the data relatively well: 2 (200, N ϭ 255) ϭ 451.57, p Ͻ .001; 2 /df ϭ 2.26; CFI ϭ .92, RMSEA ϭ 0.070 (90% CI: 0.062-0.079), explaining 77% of the variance in depressive symptomatology. Severity of SCI-related stressors significantly influenced perceived stress (␤ ϭ .60) and perceived stress, in turn, affected depressive symptoms (␤ ϭ .66), characteristics of resilience (␤ ϭ Ϫ.43), and social support (␤ ϭ Ϫ.26). The resilience characteristics had an inverse relationship with depressive symptoms (␤ ϭ Ϫ.29). No direct relationship was found between severity of SCI-related stressors and depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Findings provide support for the resilience model and suggests characteristics of resilience "buffer" the perceptions of stress on depressive symptoms. The resilience model may be useful to guide clinical interventions designed to improve the mental health of individuals with SCI.

- by Chung-yi Chiu
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- Psychology, Research Design, Rehabilitation, Mental Health

Bipolar disorder has been conceptualized as an outcome of dysregulation in the behavioral activation system (BAS), a brain system that regulates goal-directed activity. On the basis of the BAS model, the authors hypothesized that life events involving goal attainment would promote manic symptoms in bipolar individuals. The authors followed 43 bipolar I individuals monthly with standardized symptom severity assessments (the Modified Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Bech-Rafaelsen Mania Rating Scale). Life events were assessed using the Goal Attainment and Positivity scales of the Life Events and Difficulties Schedule. As hypothesized, manic symptoms increased in the 2 months following goal-attainment events, but depressed symptoms were not changed following goal-attainment events. These results are congruent with a series of recent polarity-specific findings. Bipolar disorder exacts a devastating toll from affected individuals. Most strikingly, this disorder leads to suicide in almost one out of every five diagnosed individuals (Isometsa, 1993). With adequate blood serum levels of lithium, one third of bipolar individuals relapse within 3 years (Keller et al., 1992), but in naturalistic studies with varied levels of patient compliance, two thirds of patients relapse within 2 years (Silverstone, McPherson, Hunt, & Romans, 1998). Given these high rates of relapse and the sustained unemployment rates following each episode of mania (Harrow, Goldberg, Grossman, & Meltzer, 1990), it is not surprising that bipolar disorder has been ranked as the sixth leading cause of disability among both physical and psychiatric disorders worldwide (Murray & Lopez, 1996). Fiscal costs for adult Americans with the disorder were estimated in 1991 at $45 billion (Wyatt & Henter, 1995). Although the modal course is severe, bipolar individuals experience substantial heterogeneity in symptom expression. For instance, as many as 25% of bipolar I individuals will never experience a depressive episode (Goodwin & Jamison, 1990). Further,

- by Sheri Johnson
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- Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Bipolar Disorder, Prediction

Social avoidant behavior is a key aspect of SAD and also one of the known risk factors for depression. It is therefore not surprising Little is understood about generalized and non-generalized social anxiety disorder (SAD) and their associations with co-occurring internalizing and externalizing problems in adolescence. In the present study, we investigated adolescent boys with SAD symptoms and considered depressive symptoms as well as antisocial behaviors when looking for patterns during two developmental time periods; junior high and high school. Participants in the analyses were part of a longitudinal study. No patterns were found linking antisocial problems and non-generalized SAD in either junior high or high school. Furthermore, it was uncommon for youths in the non-generalized SAD subgroup to develop comorbidity over time. The generalized SAD subgroup of boys, however, was likely to develop comorbidity either with depressive symptoms only or with depressive symptoms and antisocial tendencies. Our findings suggest that developmental pathways for SAD subgroups may differ. ß

- by Maria Tillfors and +1
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- Psychology, Social Sciences, Anxiety Disorders, Social Anxiety

Testing a model suggested by J. , this study investigated how a personal vulnerability (attachment ambivalence) interacts with perceptions of deficient spousal support before and during a major life stressor (the transition to parenthood) to predict pre-to-postnatal increases in depressive symptoms. Highly ambivalent women who entered parenthood perceiving either less support or greater anger from their husbands experienced pre-to-postnatal increases in depressive symptoms at 6 months postpartum. The associations between these 2 prenatal interaction terms and pre-to-postnatal increases in depressive symptoms were mediated by perceptions of declining spousal support across the transition period. Moreover, for highly ambivalent women, the association between prenatal and postnatal depression scores was mediated by perceptions of the amount of support available from their husbands.

- by Sisi Sisi
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- Marketing, Psychology, Cognitive Science, Personality
- by Emmanuel Stip
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- Demography, Depression, Schizophrenia, Dual Diagnosis
- by Kristin Vickers
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- Health Behavior, Depression, Tobacco, Physical Activity

Objectives To study the relationship between the prevalence of depressive symptoms in newly admitted nursing home residents and their previous place of residence. Methods In 65 nursing homes in the Netherlands trained physicians assessed 562 residents (mean age 78.5, range 28-101, 64.6% female) within 10 days after admission. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Minimum Data Set (MDS) Depression Rating Scale (DRS), and the MDS items: 'diagnosis of major or minor depression', 'change in depression' and 'indicators of persistent depressed, sad or anxious mood disorder present'. Previous place of residence was categorized as 'own home', 'hospital' or 'sheltered living facility'. Adjustments were performed for demographic and health related factors measured with the MDS. Results The prevalence of depressive symptoms (DRS ! 3) for all 562 residents was 26.9%; it was higher in residents admitted from their own home (34.3%) than in residents admitted from the hospital (19.7%) (p ¼ 0.002). Residents who were admitted from the hospital have an adjusted Odds Ratio for having many depressive symptoms of 0.54 (95% CI 0.31-0.94) compared to residents admitted from their own home. There is, after adjustment, no statistical significant difference between residents admitted from their own home, or residents admitted from a sheltered living facility. Conclusions Depressive symptoms are very prevalent in nursing homes. Residents who are admitted from their own home, or from a residential facility, have more depressive symptoms than residents admitted from the hospital. This may reflect different conceptualizations or different adjustment patterns for those groups. For a better understanding of the factors associated with nursing home depression, future studies in detection, prevention and management of depressive symptoms should start prior to or directly after admission, especially for those who have no prior institutional history.

- by Wilco P Achterberg
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- Psychology, Cognitive Science, Depression, Hospitals

The s allele serotonin transporter polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) is associated with a number of physiological mechanisms that may increase the risk of elevated depressive symptoms. However, reports of a relationship between serotonin transporter polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) genotype and depressive symptoms have thus far been inconclusive. This heterogeneity of results suggests that other factors may be moderating the relationship between 5-HTTLPR and depressive symptoms. Higher levels of physical activity are associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms. Mechanisms responsible for this association include alterations of the serotonergic system and the hypothalamicepituitary axis. The aim of the current study was to measure the moderating effect of physical activity on the relationship between 5-HTTLPR genotype and depressive symptoms. Participants, ages 18e23, provided a saliva sample for DNA analysis and completed questionnaires to assess depressive symptoms and physical activity. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the moderating effect of physical activity on the relationship between 5-HTTLPR genotype and depressive symptoms. Analysis revealed a significant interaction between 5-HTTLPR and physical activity (p ¼ .010). At low levels of physical activity, individuals with at least one s allele had significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms compared to ll individuals (p ¼ .011). This finding provides preliminary support for a moderating effect of physical activity on the relationship between 5-HTTLPR and depressive symptoms.

- by Craig Nagoshi
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- Depression, Polymorphism, Physical Activity, Adolescent

The associations between social relationships and health have been examined using two major research traditions. Using a social epidemiological approach, much research has shown the beneficial effect of social supports on health and health behaviors. Family interaction research, which has grown out of a more clinical tradition, has shown the complex effects of family functioning on health, particularly mental health. No studies have examined the relative power of these two approaches in explicating the connections between social relationships and health. We hypothesized that social relationships (social support and family functioning) would exert direct and indirect (through depressive symptoms) effects on health behaviors. We also hypothesized that the effects of social relationships on health would be more powerfully explicated by family functioning than by social support. We mailed a pilot survey to a random sample of patients attending a family practice center, including questions on depressive symptoms, cardiovascular health behaviors, demographics, social support using the ISEL scale, and family functioning using the FEICS scale. FEICS is a self-report questionnaire designed to assess family emotional involement and criticism, the media elements of family expressed emotion. Eighty-three useable responses were obtained. Regression analyses and structural modelling showed both direct and indirect statistically significant paths from social relationships to health behaviors. Family criticism was directly associated (standardized coefficient = 0.29) with depressive symptoms, and family emotional involvement was directly associated with both depressive symptoms (coefficient = 0.35) and healthy cardiovascular behaviors (coefficient = 0.32). The results support the primacy of family functioning factors in understanding the associations among social relationships, mental health, and health behaviors. The contrasting relationships between emotional involvement and depressive symptoms on the one hand and emotional involvement and health behaviors on the other suggest the need for a more complex model to understand the connections between social relationships and health.

- by Peter Franks
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- Anthropology, Health Behavior, Mental Health, Family

OBJECTIVE: To examine relationships between body mass index (BMI) and psychological correlates in Chinese school adolescents during the period of economic transition. DESIGN: Baseline data of 1655 Chinese adolescents aged 11-15 y were retrieved from a longitudinal smoking cessation and health promotion program in Wuhan, China. Assessments of body weight and height, depressive symptoms, perceived peer isolation (PPI) and perceived availability of social support (PASS) were collected. RESULTS: Based on the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) age-and sex-specific BMI cutoffs, 12.5% of boys and 9.2% of girls were overweight. In girls, high BMI was significantly related to higher self-reported depressive symptoms, and was dominantly mediated by PPI. On the contrary, high BMI boys reported significantly lower levels of PPI although high PPI level aggravated depressive symptoms. For both girls and boys, the observed effect of PPI on the relationship between BMI and depressive symptoms was sustained only in low PASS boys and girls. CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed different effects of PPI on the association of BMI and depressive symptoms between boys and girls, which were buffered by levels of PASS. The findings of this study may contribute to our understanding of the influences of psychological correlates in pediatric overweight in the Eastern cultural environment.

- by C A Johnson
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- Psychology, Education, Health Promotion, Depression

The authors of this study tested a selection-influence-de-selection model of depression. This model explains friendship influence processes (i.e., friends' depressive symptoms increase adolescents' depressive symptoms) while controlling for two processes: friendship selection (i.e., selection of friends with similar levels of depressive symptoms) and friendship de-selection (i.e., de-selection of friends with dissimilar levels of depressive symptoms). Further, this study is unique in that these processes were studied both inside and outside the school context. The authors used a social network approach to examine 5 annual measurements of data in a large (N ϭ847) community-based network of adolescents and their friends (M ϭ 14.3 years old at first measurement). Results supported the proposed model: adolescents tend to select friends with similar levels of depression, and friends may increase each other's depressive symptoms as relationships endure. These two processes were most salient outside the school context. At the same time, friendships seemed to be ended more frequently if adolescents' level of depressive symptoms was dissimilar to that of their friends.

- by Håkan Stattin
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- Psychology, Cognitive Science, Developmental Psychology, Depression

We studied symptom burden and associated factors in a cohort of 1582 seriously ill patients admitted at five tertiary care academic centers in the U.S. between June 1989 and June 1991 in the SUPPORT Study. Logistic regression was used to test the independent association of symptoms with demographic, psychological, chronic, and acute illness measures. Pain, dyspnea, anxiety, and depression caused the greatest symptom burden. The following symptoms accounted for 67.3% of all symptoms that were at least moderately severe at least half of the time: dyspnea (19.2%), pain (17.6%), pain/dyspnea (7.6%), anxiety (5.9%), depression (5.0%), anxiety/depression (4.4%), anxiety/depression/pain/dyspnea (3.9%), and nausea (3.7%). Hospital, male gender, disease category, more comorbidities, more dependencies in activities of daily living prior to illness, and poorer quality of life were associated with greater symptom burden. Seriously ill patients have a high symptom burden. Better strategies will be needed to control symptoms in these patients.

- by Norman Desbiens
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- Pain, Depression, Quality of life, Logistic Regression

Patterns of comorbidity between depressive symptoms and substance use were examined simultaneously in community and clinical-based samples of 5268 Costa Rican adolescents, ages 12-20, through a series of descriptive, ANCOVA and logistic regression analyses. Groups surveyed included high school students, street youth, and youth in treatment for substance abuse problems. Results revealed significant group differences in substance use and significant correlations between depressive symptoms and problems with alcohol and drugs. The association between depressive symptoms and overall substance use involvement was significant for all youth, but strongest for female street youth. Logistic regression analyses revealed that depressive symptoms were associated with increased odds of specific substance use for all three groups, though in the case of street youth and youth in treatment, these associations only were observed in males. Analyses of covariance indicated that problems with drugs and alcohol differed across group and sex. Youth in treatment had more problems with drugs and alcohol than other groups. Among street youth, males had more problems with drugs than females. This study provides a unique cross-cultural perspective on the comorbidity of depression and substance use among youth, and allows for comparative analyses between community and clinical-based participants.

- by Wendy Kliewer
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- Addiction, Depression, Costa Rica, Adolescent

General practitioners (GPs) are recommended to use DSM-IV criteria to diagnose major depression in daily clinical practice. This implies the assessment of nine depressive symptoms and four additional criteria. A short structured interview has been developed to assess these symptoms and criteria, and a study was carried out to investigate the reliability and validity with which GPs can assess these symptoms and criteria and the DSM-IV diagnosis of major depression. In 14 general practices, 52 patients with symptoms of distress and depression were interviewed twice by their GP, with an interval of one to four days. Furthermore, the patients filled out three depression questionnaires. The reproducibility of eight symptoms and three additional criteria was moderate to good (kappa Ͼ0.40). The reproducibility of the depressive symptom count, that is necessary to arrive at a diagnosis of major depression, was such that in 75 percent of the patients the test-retest difference did not exceed one symptom. The reproducibility of the diagnosis of major depression was good (kappa 0.63). The validity of the diagnosis of major depression assessed by the GPs, as compared to results of the self-report depression questionnaires, was satisfactory (r 0.35-0.61). Diagnosing major depression in patients with depressive symptomatology just above or below the threshold of major depression warrants a certain amount of caution in general practice.

Clinical depression affects millions of women annually. Exercise has been studied as a potential antidepressant, with most studies supporting its efficacy. Exercise also has the potential to reduce the risk for physical comorbidities that occur with depression. However, less is known about the types of exercise programs to which women with depressive symptoms will adhere. Our objectives were to (1) compare two exercise programs, varying in their degree of structure, on improvements in physical activity and (2) compare the two exercise interventions on depressive symptoms, body composition, and fitness.

- by Larry Culpepper
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- Health Promotion, Depression, Life Style, Physical Activity

Controlled trials have established the efficacy of cognitivebehavior therapy (CBT) for depression. However, the relative effectiveness of individual versus group treatment formats in real-world settings is less well established. The current study evaluated the effectiveness of group CBT (n = 157) compared to individual CBT (n = 77) for depressed outpatients in a naturalistic setting. Symptom improvements for depression, anxiety, and quality of life were compared between treatment formats in intent-to-treat and completer analyses. Effect sizes and rates of recovery were examined. Results showed that both individual and group CBT were effective, even in the presence of high levels of comorbidity. Whereas individual CBT was associated with larger effect sizes and significantly higher rates of recovery, group CBT compared favorably to outcomes established by past research. A broad-spectrum group CBT program may be a viable treatment option when depression symptoms are less severe and when this format of treatment delivery is desirable.

- by Mark Craigie
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- Psychology, Mental Health, Quality of life, Treatment Outcome

The repetitive involvement in risk-taking behaviour is a major cause of somatic damage or accidents in adolescents and young adults. Previous research points out the importance of psychological factors such as personality variables and... more

- by J. Pedinielli and +1
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- Psychology, Coping Strategies, Emotion Regulation, Risk Taking

A prenatal intervention designed to prevent the onset of major depressive episodes (MDEs) during pregnancy and postpartum was pilot tested at a public sector women's clinic. The Mamás y Bebés/Mothers and Babies Course is an intervention developed in Spanish and English that uses a cognitive-behavioral mood management framework, and incorporates social learning concepts, attachment theory, and socio-cultural issues. The four goals of this project were to develop the intervention, assess its acceptability, test the feasibility of conducting a randomized trial with public sector patients, and obtain estimates of its effect size. Forty-one pregnant women at high risk for developing MDEs were randomized to the Mothers and Babies Course (n = 21) or a comparison condition (n = 20). Assessments occurred during pregnancy and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postpartum. Differences in terms of depression symptom levels or incidence of MDEs between the two groups did not reach statistical significance in this pilot trial. However, the MDE incidence rates of 14% for the intervention condition versus 25% for the comparison condition represent a small effect size (h = 0.28) that will be further examined in a larger scale study. The intervention was well received by the participants and implementation of a randomized trial appeared quite feasible as indicated by our follow-up rate of 91% at 12 months. Implications for the continuing development of preventive interventions for perinatal depression are discussed.

- by Kevin Delucchi and +1
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- Psychology, Cognitive Science, Behavior Modification, Public sector

ObjectiveDepression often goes undetected and untreated in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). To investigate whether patients with CHF show a specific profile of depression symptoms, we compared depression symptoms in depressed... more

- by Wolfgang Herzog
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- Demography, Depression, Adolescent, Comorbidity

Certain symptoms of grief have been shown (a) to be distinct from bereavement-related depression and anxiety, and (b) to predict long-term functional impairments. We termed these symptoms of "complicated grief" and developed the Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG) to assess them. Data were derived from 97 conjugally bereaved elders who completed the ICG, along with other self-report scales measuring grief, depression, and background characteristics. Exploratory factor analyses indicated that the ICG measured a single underlying construct of complicated grief. High internal consistency and test-retest reliabilities were evidence of the ICG's reliability. The ICG total score's association with severity of depressive symptoms and a general measure of grief suggested a valid, yet distinct, assessment of emotional distress. Respondents with ICG scores > 25 were significantly more impaired in social, general, mental, and physical health functioning and in bodily pain...

- by E. Frank
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- Psychiatry, Psychometrics, Depression, Bereavement

Recent studies have suggested an information-processing bias in social phobia (SP). Little is known about the electrophysiological correlates of anxiety in SP. The aim of the present study was to investigate the quantitative electroencephalogram (EEG) in 25 drug-free patients with SP as compared with age- and sex-matched normal controls and to correlate anxiety and depressive symptoms with EEG data. EEG was recorded under vigilance-controlled and resting conditions. The Spielberger State and Trait Anxiety Scale (STAI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were administered to assess anxiety and depression levels. Multivariate analysis of variance revealed significant differences between patients and controls, specifically frontopolarly and right centrally. Statistical analysis demonstrated a decrease in absolute and relative delta, theta power, alpha-adjacent slow-beta and fast beta power and an increase in absolute and relative intermediate beta power, as well as an acceleration ...

- by Karl Dantendorfer
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- Cognitive Science, Depression, Electroencephalography, Information Processing
- by Jan Simoni
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- Depression, Calcium, Adolescent, Psychological Well Being

Depression is one of the most prevalent health problems for immigrants in the United States (U.S.) and it has been associated with the process of acculturation. A cross-sectional study was conducted to identify subgroups of Korean immigrant women based on their Korean as well as American acculturation levels using cluster analysis and to determine whether these subgroups differ on depressive symptoms in 200 Korean immigrant women aged 20-64. Cluster analysis identified four as the most appropriate number of subgroups: they were designated as Korean cluster (45%), Marginalized cluster (26%), American cluster (22%), and Bicultural cluster (7%). Korean cluster had high scores on Korean acculturation and low American acculturation, Marginalized had low for both, American had high scores on American acculturation, low for Korean acculturation, and Bicultural had high scores for both. Women in the Marginalized subgroup reported significantly higher depression scores than women in the American and Korean clusters. It is important to identify immigrants who do not relate to either their heritage culture or the new host culture and address their mental health risk issues.

- by Arlene Miller
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- Mental Health, Depression, Acculturation, Adolescent
- by sophi chan
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- Mental Health, Anthropometry, Neuroepidemiology, Physical Activity

The objective was to evaluate the associations between older persons' health status and their social integration and social networks (family, children, friends and community), in two French-speaking, Canadian community dwelling populations aged 65 years and over, using the conceptual framework proposed by Berkman and Thomas. Data were taken from two 1995 surveys conducted in the city of Moncton (n ¼ 1518) and the Montreal neighbourhood of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve (n ¼ 1500). Social engagement (a cumulative index of social activities), networks consisting of friends, family and children and social support were measured using validated scales. Multiple logistic regressions based on structured inclusion of potentially mediating variables were fitted to estimate the associations between health status and social networks. Self-rated health was better for those with a high level of social integration and a strong network of friends in both locations. In addition, in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve family and children networks were positively associated with good health, though the effect of friend networks was attenuated in the presence of disability, good social support from children was associated with good health. Age, sex and education were included as antecedent variables; smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise, locus of control and depressive symptoms were considered intermediary variables between social networks and health. In conclusion, social networks, integration and support demonstrated unique positive associations with health. The nature of these associations may vary between populations and cultures. r

- by Aylin Aylin
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- Sociology, Medical Sociology, Anthropology, Social Networks

Obesity, increased visceral fat and disturbed glucose metabolism have been found in borderline personality disorder (BPD) patients. These conditions are often associated with disturbed androgen metabolism. Elevated androgens in women are related to polycystic ovaries (PCO) and might have an impact on psychopathology. Thus, higher prevalence of PCO and elevated androgen levels are suspected in BPD. In the study, we examined 31 BPD patients and 30 healthy controls ultrasonographically for PCO and measured their serum levels of androgens and interacting hormones. Furthermore, influence on psychopathology of free testosterone (FT) serum level was assessed. PCO was significantly more prevalent in BPD patients (30.4%) compared to healthy controls (6.9%). Testosterone, FT, androstenedione (A), and 17a-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) were significantly elevated in the BPD group independently of BMI. FT serum level significantly correlated with depressive symptoms. In summary, our data suggest a disturbed androgen metabolism in BPD patients.

- by Ulrich Schweiger
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- Depression, Borderline Personality Disorder, Comorbidity, Testosterone

This study investigated the prospective, longitudinal relations between parental behaviors observed during parent-adolescent interactions, and the development of depression and anxiety symptoms in a community-based sample of 194 adolescents. Positive and negative parental behaviors were examined, with negative behaviors operationalized to distinguish between observed parental expressions of aggression and dysphoria. Results showed that higher levels of parental aggression prospectively ...

- by Julian Simmons
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- Psychology, Depression, Parenting, Adolescent

The study examined the role of affect regulation strategies in mediating the relationship between attachment dimensions and both depressive and eating disorder (ED) symptoms. Participants were 310 women seeking treatment for an ED. Structural equation modeling indicated that attachment anxiety contributed to both depressive symptoms and ED symptoms through emotional reactivity. In contrast, only the association between attachment avoidance and depressive symptoms was mediated by emotional deactivation; whereas attachment avoidance had a direct relationship with ED symptoms not mediated by emotional deactivation. The results suggest tailored clinical interventions that take into account attachment style and accompanying affect regulation strategies. Treatment of patients who experience attachment anxiety may emphasize impulse regulation, whereas treatment of ED patients with attachment avoidance could focus on gradual exposure to affective expression.

- by Natasha Demidenko
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- Psychology, Cognitive Science, Personality, Depression

This paper describes the development and preliminary validation of a scale to assess perceived self-efficacy to complete culturally and age-appropriate life tasks (Self-Efficacy for Life Tasks, or SELT) among male veterans of Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom; OEF) and Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom; OIF). The SELT scale was developed for this population in a multistage process that included: 1) semistructured interviews inquiring about expectations of self among OEF/OIF veterans; 2) content analysis to inductively derive a list of priority life tasks; 3) item development; 4) field-testing; and 5) preliminary instrument validation. Forty-one veterans completed the final instrument along with measures of anxiety and depression symptoms, positive and negative social support, and postdeployment life stressors. We tested two scoring methods, one using a simple mean and one a weighted mean. Using either scoring method, SELT had statistically significant negative correlations with anxiety, depression, and being separated from partner, as well as strong positive correlations with postdeployment social support. These findings support the construct validity of the SELT scale in the population of male OEF/OIF veterans. Future research examining the relationship between SELT and long-term outcomes using longitudinal designs will be needed to assess predictive validity.

- by Mary Jo Pugh
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- Psychology, Content Analysis, Social Support, Self Efficacy

Depressive symptoms among 40 fourth-and fifth-grade students as measured by the Children's Depression Inventory, correlated highly with impaired problem solving at block designs (r = . 64) and anagrams (r = .67). Similar impairments have been found among depressed adults, suggesting that depression among children may be continuous with depression among adults.

- by Dr Nadine Kaslow
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- Psychology, Psychometrics, Problem Solving, Child

STAR * D is a multisite, prospective, randomized, multistep clinical trial of outpatients with nonpsychotic major depressive disorder. The study compares various treatment options for those who do not attain a satisfactory response with citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant. The study enrolls 4000 adults (ages 18-75) from both primary and specialty care practices who have not had either a prior inadequate response or clear-cut intolerance to a robust trial of protocol treatments during the current major depressive episode. After receiving citalopram (level 1), participants without sufficient symptomatic benefit are

- by Jerrold Rosenbaum
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- Research Design, Clinical Trial, Adolescent, Prospective studies
- by Nick Glozier
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- Psychology, Cognitive Science, Mental Health, Depression

The goal of the current study is to examine the relationship amongst social support, stress, and depressive symptoms within a transactional and diathesis-stress framework using a multi-wave, longitudinal design. At the initial assessment, adolescents (n = 258) completed self-report measures assessing social support (peer, classmate, parent, and total), dependent interpersonal stress, anxious symptoms, and depressive symptoms. Additionally, participants reported stress and symptomology in each of the four waves spanning six months. Results of time-lagged, idiographic, multilevel modeling indicated that stress mediated the relationship between lower parental, classmate, and total social support and subsequent depressive, but not anxious, symptoms. In contrast, lower levels of peer support were not associated with higher levels of stress and subsequent depressive symptoms. Additionally, only classmate support deficits significantly moderated the relationship between stress and depressive symptoms. Overall, the results suggest that deficits in parental and classmate support may play a greater role in contributing to adolescent depression as compared to deficits in peer support.

- by Christian Webb
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- Psychology, Depression, Social Interaction, Stress

Objective: To compare the emotional state during the first 3 days after coronary artery surgery of patients who had undergone early versus conventional extubation. Design: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Setting: University hospital, single center. Participants: Eligible patients (n= 100) presenting for elective coronary artery surgery, randomized to an early extubation group or a conventional extubation group. Interventions: Emotional status was measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), the ...

- by Maggie Wong
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- Depression, Cardiac Surgery, Emotions, Affect
- by Bradley D Stein
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- Violence, Depression, Juvenile Delinquency, Stress

Background The study aimed: (1) to describe the 12-month course of depressive symptoms among medical inpatients aged 65 þ, and (2) to investigate predictors of a more severe course that could be identified easily by non-psychiatric staff. Methods Patients were recruited at two Montreal hospitals. Inclusion criteria were: aged 65 þ, admitted to medical service, at most mild cognitive impairment. Patients were screened for major and minor depression (DSM-IV criteria). All depressed patients and a random sample of non-depressed patients were invited to participate in the prospective study. The Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) was administered at admission, 3, 6, and 12 months. Individual patient trajectories of depressive symptoms over time were grouped using hierarchical clustering into three patient groups with a minimal, mild, and moderate/severe course of symptoms, respectively. The baseline predictors of a more severe clinical course were identified using ordinal logistic regression. Results Two hundred and thirty-two patients completed baseline and one or more follow-up interviews. Baseline patient characteristics that independently predicted a more severe symptom course included higher initial HAMD score, depressive core symptoms lasting 6 months or more, and female sex. Conclusion The 12-month course of depression symptoms in this medically ill older sample was generally stable. Patients who will experience a more severe course can be identified by non-psychiatric staff at admission to hospital.

- by Eric Latimer
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- Psychology, Cognitive Science, Geriatrics, Psychiatry

Currently available epidemiological evidence suggested that an increase of saturated fatty acids (SFA) could have negative effects on cognitive functions, while increased polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) may be protective against cognitive decline. In a Southern Italian elderly population from the Italian Longitudinal Study on Aging (ILSA), a clear reduction of risk of age-related cognitive decline (ARCD) has been found with elevated intake of PUFA and MUFA. Furthermore, in the ILSA, while dietary fatty acids intakes were not associated with incident mild cognitive impairment (MCI), high PUFA intake appeared to have borderline non-significant trend for a protective effect against the development of MCI. These epidemiological findings on predementia syndromes, i.e. MCI or ARCD, together with a recent randomised controlled trial on a possible effect on cognitive and depressive symptoms of ω-3 PUFA supplementation in patients with very mild AD, suggested a possible role of fatty acids intake in maintaining adequate cognitive functioning and possibly in preventing or delaying the onset of dementia.

- by Cristiano Capurso
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- Aging, Mild Cognitive Impairment, Italy, Fatty acids

1. Among end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on hemodialysis, death from withdrawal from life-sustaining dialysis is increasingly common. The present study's objective was to examine depression as a potential risk factor for hemodialysis withdrawal. Two hundred forty ESRD hemodialysis (133 male and 107 female) patients were followed for an average of 4 years after depression symptom assessment. Of these, 18% withdrew from dialysis. Using multivariate survival analysis and after controlling for the effects of age ...

- by Alan Christensen
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- Health Psychology, Education, End Of Life Studies, Depression

Background/Aims: Neurodegenerative disorders (ND) have a major impact on quality of life (QoL) and place a substantial burden on patients, their families and carers; they are the second leading cause of disability. The objective of this... more

- by Ramona Lucas
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- Cognitive Science, Psychometrics, Multiple sclerosis, Depression
- by Andy Hochstetler
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- Criminology, Law, Mental Health, Self Control

Background. Substance abuse is highly prevalent in schizophrenia and it has been associated with negative consequences on the course of the pathology. Regarding cognition, the prevailing literature has produced mixed results. Some groups... more

- by Tania Pampoulova and +1
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- Depression, Schizophrenia, Working Memory, Cognitive Neuropsychiatry

Objectives: 1) to evaluate the role of the pediatrician in detecting postnatal depression (PD) symptoms by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS); 2) to detect factors increasing the risk of PD and, 3) to assess the importance of... more

- by Anna Zambrano
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- Pediatrics, Italian, The, Maternal Age

A number of studies have supported the hypothesis that negative attributional styles may confer vulnerability to the development of depression. The goal of this study was to explore factors that may contribute to the development of negative attributional styles in children. As hypothesized, elevated levels of depressive symptoms and hopelessness at the initial assessment predicted negative changes in children's attributional styles over the 6-month follow-up period. In addition, elevated levels of verbal victimization occurring between the 2 assessments, as well as that occurring in the 6 months preceding the initial assessment, prospectively predicted negative changes in children's attributional styles over the follow-up. Further, initial depressive symptoms and verbal victimization during the follow-up continued to significantly predict attributional style change even when the overlap among the predictors was statistically controlled. Contrary to the hypotheses, however, neither parentreported levels of overall negative life events nor parents' attributions for their children's events predicted changes in children's attributional styles.

- by Gail Shen and +1
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- Psychology, Depression, Parenting, Social behavior