Search Results (121)

Background/Objectives: Research shows that mothers of premature infants can experience increased symptoms of anxiety, depression, and even a post-traumatic stress in comparison to mothers of healthy, full-term infants. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare anxiety, coping, and self-efficacy in mothers who have and have not experienced a preterm birth, providing a basis for developing a targeted, mother-oriented support program that supports their adjustment to difficult situations. Methods: The study included 251 women, 112 of whom delivered infants prematurely (PTB group) and 139 who delivered infants at term (T-B group). Data were collected by using (1) The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) Questionnaire, (2) the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), and (3) the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations Questionnaire (CISS). Results: PTB women had higher results in anxiety in comparison to T-B women. Also, they were characterized by statistically significantly lower generalized self-efficacy and ability to cope with stress. PTB women more often presented the emotion-oriented coping style. Conclusions: A mother-oriented support program based on personal resources is a solution which could help mothers better adjust to difficult situations related to preterm birth child treatment and care. Full article

Background: Stress adversely affects health behaviors, particularly problematic eating. However, the psychological mechanisms underlying this relationship remain underexplored. This study seeks to examine the mediating role of irrational health beliefs and the moderating role of negative coping styles in the associations of perceived stress with three types of problematic eating—restrained, emotional, and external eating. Methods: A total of 929 emerging adults (57.8% females; mean age = 21.50 ± 2.36 years, age range = 17–35 years) participated in an online survey to provide their self-reported data. Results: Perceived stress was positively associated with restrained, emotional, and external eating. Irrational health beliefs partially mediated these associations, with indirect effects of 0.24, 0.40, and 0.07, respectively. Negative coping styles only moderated the associations of perceived stress with restrained eating (β = 0.05, p = 0.047) and emotional eating (β = 0.08, p = 0.001), but not external eating (β = 0.01, p = 0.859). Conclusions: Our findings suggest the effect of cognitive factors such as irrational health beliefs and negative coping styles on stress-induced eating. Interventions aimed at cognitively restructuring irrational health beliefs and raising attention on health, as well as promoting adaptive stress-coping strategies that alleviate emotional distress without compromising other aspects of health, are therefore essential. Full article

Drawing on Antonovsky’s salutogenic model, this study investigated how stressful life events relate to university students’ sense of coherence (SOC), focusing on the potential mediating roles of coping style and general self-efficacy, and the moderating role of stress mindset. An analysis of data collected from 2454 Chinese college students (63.6% males, 36.4% females) revealed that stressful life events negatively predicted SOC, with coping style and general self-efficacy significantly sequentially mediating this relationship. Furthermore, stress mindset moderated the relationship between stressful life events and coping style, such that a more positive mindset was associated with more adaptive coping under stress. These findings support the dual-pathway structure of the salutogenic model by illustrating both behavioral and perceptual mechanisms. Importantly, they also underscore the idea that stress, when cognitively reappraised and effectively managed, may contribute to the development of SOC—rather than simply undermining it. This highlights the potential value of stress itself within salutogenic processes. The study offers theoretical insights and preliminary directions for strength-based mental health promotion in higher education settings. Full article

Background/Objectives: An increasing number of studies are exploring how stress influences the development of various psychiatric and physical disorders. Psychological coping strategies and defense mechanisms play a vital role in managing stress. However, the biological mechanisms involved in coping with stress have not been thoroughly researched. This study focuses on the relationships between plasma levels of tPA-BDNF pathway proteins and their correlations with coping strategies and defense mechanisms. Methods: The study involved 48 healthy young adults. All participants completed the self-reported Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40) and Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (COPE). BDNF, proBDNF, t-plasminogen activator/tPA, total serpin E1/PAI-1, serpin F2/alpha 2-antiplasmin, and MMP-9 plasma concentrations were determined using ELISA. Results: We detected higher BDNF and lower MMP-9 levels in females. We found differences in the DSQ-40 humor subdimension and in the COPE focus on and venting of emotions category between women and men. We found correlations between studied protein plasma concentrations. Positive correlations of total serpin E1/PAI-1 with denial and mental disengagement and negative correlations with some active coping categories were found. Correlations of DSQ-40 scores with BDNF, proBDNF, MMP-9, and total serpin E1/PAI-1 were detected. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that there are functional associations between the proteins we studied and various coping styles, as well as mature, immature, and neurotic defense mechanisms. Full article

Background and Objectives: Pregnant women may experience various difficulties when abnormal conditions are detected in their babies. We examined the relationship between anxiety and depression levels, spousal support, and stress-coping styles in pregnant women diagnosed with fetal anomalies. Materials and Methods: A total of 157 pregnant women, 59 of whom were diagnosed with fetal anomalies and 98 of whom were healthy with no obstetric complications, were included in this study. All participants were administered the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Spousal Support Scale (SSS), and Coping Styles Scale (CSS) questionnaires. The data were compared statistically. Results: The BAI (p < 0.001) and the Submissive Approach (p = 0.004), which is a subdimension of the CSS, were significantly higher in the group of pregnant women diagnosed with fetal anomalies than in the control group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis performed to calculate the risk of fetal anomalies showed that having a high school education or below and living in the city were associated with a higher risk of fetal anomaly than living in the countryside. The cut-off value of 4 for the BAI had a sensitivity of 64.4% and a specificity of 65.3. Additionally, a cut-off value of 6 for the Submissive Approach, a CSS subdimension, had a 66.1% sensitivity and a 57.1% specificity. A significant negative correlation was observed between the Spousal Support Scale, the BDI, and the gravidity in the case group. There was a positive correlation between the BAI and the BDI and a significant negative correlation between the BAI and these CSS subdimensions: Self-Confident Approach, Seeking Social Support, and Optimistic Approach. There was a positive correlation between the BDI and the Helpless Approach subdimension of the CSS and a significant negative correlation between the BDI and the Self-Confident Approach and Optimistic Approach subdimensions, as well as the gestational age at which fetal anomaly was detected. A significant positive correlation was observed between the BDI and the Helpless Approach subdimension of the CSS, while significant negative correlations were observed between the BDI and the Self-Confident Approach and Optimistic Approach subdimensions and the gestational age at which the fetal anomaly was detected. Conclusions: The pregnant women diagnosed with fetal anomalies experienced anxiety, but most tended to use the submissive coping style to deal with stress, and their partners also supported them. Full article

The psychobiological response to stress is known to be a key factor affecting health at any age, but especially in older adults. It involves the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, a hormonal circuit whose product is the activation of cortisol. We sought to explore the relationships leading to resilience to stress, as exemplified by the model of aging, stress, and resilience, in a sample of older adults at risk for mental health problems. Specifically, we examined the concurrent effects of individual age-related determinants, social support, and coping style on the cortisol awakening response (CAR), the cortisol area under the curve (AUC) with respect to ground, and the rate of change of cortisol from the awakening peak to bedtime. Our results showed an association between life impairment and health problems on the three indicators of HPA disturbance. An higher AUC was also observed in older age and in individuals reporting more major life events. Less use of avoidance coping was also associated with greater levels of CAR and AUC. Although significant, the measured determinant explained only a small part of the total interindividual variability in our three cortisol indices. Other factors, such as same-day stressors especially in older populations at risk for psychological distress, should be considered in future studies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Resilience, defined as the ability to adapt and cope effectively with stress, plays a crucial role in preparing candidates for the paramedic profession. This study aimed to assess the resilience intensity as a personality trait and identify stress-coping styles among paramedic candidates. Methods: A cross-sectional cohort study was conducted across multiple Polish universities offering bachelor’s degree programs in emergency medical services. The study included 138 participants (56 females, 82 males, aged 18–51). Data collection involved demographic surveys and standardized tools, including the Polish version of the Resilience Scale (SPP-25), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS). Results: The study revealed a positive correlation between resilience and age (p = 0.002). Males exhibited significantly higher resilience compared to females (p = 0.0004). While both genders demonstrated average life satisfaction (SWLS), men scored significantly higher (p = 0.0082). Task-oriented coping strategies were predominant among all participants, but females scored higher in emotion-oriented coping (p = 0.0003). Resilience was positively correlated with task-oriented coping (0.4872) and negatively correlated with emotion-oriented coping (−0.4727). Conclusions: These findings emphasize the importance of resilience in paramedic training and selection, as it significantly influences stress management and professional performance in high-pressure situations. Full article

Personality has been reported to influence fish response to stress. This study aimed to assess whether shy and bold fish display different sensitivities to two environmental contaminants: caffeine (CAF) and cadmium (Cd). Thus, the sensitivity to Cd was compared based on lethal concentrations (LCs). The potential different response to CAF, known to alter the social behavior and locomotor activity of zebrafish, was studied using behavioral parameters. Overall, different LC values were found for each group: 48 h LC₅₀ values of 4.79 (shy fish) and 8.20 mg·L⁻¹ (bold fish); and 96 h LC₅₀ values of 3.79 (shy fish) and 9.79 mg·L⁻¹ (bold fish). In terms of response to CAF, a significant interaction between CAF and personality traits (bold and shy) was found in the locomotion activities (distance travelled, and medium and rapid movements), in the mirror test (frequency of contact and entries into the contact, approach, and distant zones), and in social tests (swimming distance in zones 2 and 3; time spent in zones 1, 2, and 3; and number of entries into zones 1 and 2). Shy fish exposed to 300 μg·L⁻¹ of CAF presented hypoactivity, reduced aggressive behavior, and reduced sociability. Conversely, CAF did not influence the behavior of bold fish. In general, shy fish were more sensitive to Cd and exhibited anxious behavior when exposed to CAF, which appears to be the factor responsible for changes in their social behavior. Our results highlight the importance of taking personality traits into account in future studies, as variations in behavioral responses between bold and shy individuals can mask the toxicological effects of different chemicals. Full article

Background: This research project examining the moderating role of the Scout Movement in supporting mental health through the shaping of personal competence is based on Bandura’s conception of social development (social cognitive theory) in terms of generating a sense of general self-efficacy. Methods: This research examined the moderating value of Scouting with regard to the connection between self-esteem and a sense of efficacy and styles of coping with stress in a group of 683 volunteers. Results: The results suggest that Scouting is a moderator of the relationship between the intensity of an emotion-focused stress coping style and a sense of self-efficacy—being a Scout intensifies the blocking effect of self-esteem on emotions in stressful situations, which can positively influence emotion regulation. Conclusions: The features described suggest the need to research Scouting as a non-formal education strategy to support the development of young people’s mental health in different theoretical and methodological contexts. This work provides conclusions regarding understanding the role of Scouting as a moderator in coping with stress and, consequently, ensuring good mental health. It detailed the knowledge pertaining to specific mechanisms thanks to which Scouting can influence the development of emotional regulation and adaptive response to stressful situations. Full article

Background/Objectives: In the past few decades, many studies have been conducted to find out that psychological stress and cancer are closely linked. Moreover, it was reported that stress can induce mutations in gene level. Therefore, in this study we want to examine a relationship between stressful life events, gene mutation and cancer. Methods: Stressful Life Experiences Screening (SLES), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Coping with Stress Style Scale (CSS) were applied to the participants to examine relationship between stress and cancer. Results: NGS results showed higher level of mutations accumulated on FKBP5 and ALOX12 genes in cancer patients who were exposed to stressful life events. The expression status of ALOX12 and FKBP5 genes on patients with or without cancer and several cancer cell lines demonstrated that both ALOX12 and FKBP5 mRNA levels were downregulated only in cancer patients and cancer cell lines but not in cancer free control groups. Re-created overexpression of the WT-ALOX12 and WT-FKBP5 extremely inhibited cellular growth, cellular invasion in cancer cell lines, tumor growth in xenograft model too. Conclusions: Our results indicate that Stressful Life Experiences may induce cancer development by increased somatic mutations in ALOX12 and FKBP5 genes. Full article

Around the world, family caregivers are an important source of support for people with intellectual disability (ID) and for those with severe mental disorder (SMD), although the level of support can be influenced by the culture and government healthcare systems in each country. However, there is little evidence about the mental health and coping mechanisms of these caregivers in low-income countries. To address this need, we aimed to elicit whether there are potential links between coping style, mental health, and perceived burden experienced by this group, using a sample from a central Asian upper middle-income country. Methods: We recruited 120 participants, of which 60 were caregivers of people with ID and 60 of people with SMD. All participants were recruited from Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia, Central Asia, and were asked to complete of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) and the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced inventory scale (COPE). Multiple regression analyses were used to investigate associations between these measures. Results: We found that DASS scores were significantly higher among the sample of caregivers of individuals with ID than in those of SMD. Mental and behavioral disorders were associated with higher DASS scores in the sample of caregivers of those with SMD. Good coping styles, indicated by higher scores in the COPE, were associated with increased age in caregivers of individuals with ID. Conclusion: Although overall the carers of people with SMD appeared to have better active coping skills and better acceptance of the caring role, they demonstrated comparatively high levels of stress. This study was not registered. Full article

Background: Amongst children presenting to an interdisciplinary clinic with complaints of picky eating, we aim to identify the proportion who have underlying selective feeding and to describe its implications on growth and nutrition, as well as parental coping responses. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of first-visit consults from January 2020 to July 2022. Caregiver and child mealtime behaviours were assessed using the standardised Caregiver’s Feeding Styles Questionnaire (CFSQ) and by direct observation. Caloric intake and oromotor skills were assessed by dietitians and speech therapists, respectively. Medical concerns were addressed by the doctor. Results: Out of 152 children referred for concerns of “picky eating”, 128 (84.2%) were diagnosed as having selective eating, while the rest were diagnosed with delayed oromotor skills, poor appetite, oral aversion and 4 were deemed to have normal feeding behaviour for their age. Of the 128 selective eaters, 67 (52%) children had comorbidities such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (n = 59), attention-deficit/hyperactivity (ADHD) (n = 2) and underlying medical conditions (n = 6). The remaining 61 children were “otherwise well”. Of the “otherwise well” children, 47.5% had inadequate caloric intake and 31% had failure to thrive. The commonest feeding style among caregivers of “otherwise well” picky eaters was authoritarian (36%). The majority (80%) of these caregivers also experienced helplessness. Conclusions: We conclude that picky eating in young children is a symptom with several possible underlying aetiologies. It is associated with nutritional consequences for the child and significant stress on caregivers. Being able to recognise those who need referral for specialist intervention and multidisciplinary management (such as selective feeding and delayed oromotor skills) would be important. Full article

Stress is widely known to have debilitating effects on physical health and mental wellbeing, particularly on one’s coping styles, personality traits, and outlook on life. Cumulative and chronic stress, which can serve as a triggering or aggravating factor for many pathological disorders if left unaddressed, has been linked to many life-threatening diseases. While many studies have looked at how optimism and pessimism are used as a form of coping mechanism, few have examined how different bio-psycho-social reactions to stress shape the level of optimism and pessimism. Using a sample of adult individuals aged 18 and older in the United States (n = 3361), this study addressed the following research questions: (1) What types of stress are predictive of optimism and pessimism? (2) Which responses to stress and coping mechanisms are most predictive of optimism and pessimism? (3) Do optimism and pessimism share the same stress-related risk and protective factors? Overall, this study found that while optimism and pessimism share conceptual similarities, they are not necessarily influenced by the same stress mechanisms. Stress, whether personal or financial, was associated with a negative outlook on life. This study showed that having good sleep quality and a lower number of psychological stress symptoms was linked to increasing optimism and reducing pessimism, while overeating or eating unhealthily was connected to both optimism and pessimism. Additionally, this study found that exercise/walking and emotional support mediated the effects of the responses to stress on the respondents’ level of optimism and pessimism. Full article

As age increases, children will face more and more adversity. How effectively they cope with stress and difficulties of life is of great significance to the development of children’s mental health and academic achievement. However, few studies have explored how different interpersonal relationships and psychological suzhi work together to influence children’s healthy behaviors, particularly healthy coping in adversity. Therefore, this research focused on the teacher–student relationships and coping styles, as well as the chain-mediated effects of peer relationships and psychological suzhi. A total of 688 children (360 boys, 52.3%; Mage = 10.98 and SD = 0.89) completed questionnaires that assessed using teacher–student relationships, peer relationships, psychological suzhi, and coping styles. The results indicated that teacher–student relationships correlated positively with coping styles, peer relationships, and psychological suzhi in children. Besides, teacher–student relationships positively affected coping styles through both the mediating roles of peer relationships and psychological suzhi. This research elucidated the extrinsic and intrinsic factors impacting the coping styles of children, thus providing empirical validation of existing theoretical frameworks. In China, interventions aimed at promoting Chinese children’s positive coping could benefit from strategies focused on cultivating high-quality relationships and enhancing psychological suzhi. Full article

Background: Being an unexpected, undesired and life-threatening situation, preterm birth (PTB) is a stress-, anxiety- and depression-generating factor for women delivering prematurely. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between self-efficacy, coping strategies and perceived stress in mothers who experienced preterm birth and full-term birth, to determine the needs for personalized emotional support. Methods: The study was conducted among 251 women divided into the preterm birth group (PBG) and the full-term birth group (FBG). Data were collected using the following: (1) The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) Questionnaire, (2) Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) and (3) Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations Questionnaire (CISS), which were distributed online from January 2021 to June 2021. Results: Lower STAI scores were recorded in the preterm birth group (PBG) with high self-efficacy (HSE) when compared to the full-term birth group with HSE. CISS test scores were higher in PBG women with low self-efficacy (LSE) in comparison to women with LSE in FBG (p < 0.001). A positive and strong relationship (0.83; p < 0.05) was found between avoidance-oriented style and strategy of avoidance by engaging in surrogate activities and a positive moderate relationship (0.58; p < 0.05) with the style of looking for social contacts in PBG with LSE. Conclusions: The task-oriented coping style seems to be the most beneficial strategy for mothers, regardless of their preterm or term delivery, as focusing on specific activities increases the sense of self-efficacy and the anxiety level can decrease. Awareness of different styles of coping with stress and a sense of self-efficacy are necessary to plan personalized interventions for premature infants’ mothers. Full article