The Effects of Childhood Trauma on College Students’Depressive Symptoms:The Mediation Role of Subjective Well-Being and the Moderation Role of Resilience

Background:The enduring and detrimental impact of childhood trauma on later health and well-being is now well established.However,research on the relationship between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms,along with the potential risk and protective factors,is insufficient in the context of Chinese college student population.Methods:Data on childhood trauma,depressive symptoms,resilience,and subjective well-being were collected through surveys conducted with 367 Chinese university students.The data collected in this study were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 and PROCESS 3.5.Results:The results revealed that subjective well-being mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms among college students,with direct and indirect effects accounting for 59.46%and 40.54%of the total effect,respectively.The pathway process between subjective well-being and depressive symptoms was moderated by resilience,whereby an increase in resilience levels corresponded to a gradual escalation in the predictive power of subjective well-being on depressive symptoms.Conclusion:The study indicates that childhood trauma significantly and positively predicts depressive symptoms among college students,and it can also directly predict depressive symptoms through the mediating effect of subjective well-being.Elevating levels of psychological resilience and subjective well-being among college students can mitigate depression and promote psychological well-being.From the perspective of positive psychology,the present study provides a new perspective for the prevention and intervention of depressive symptoms among college students.

Relationship between physical activity and specific working memory indicators of depressive symptoms in university students

BACKGROUND The detection rate of depression among university students has been increasing in recent years,becoming one of the main psychological diseases that endangers their physical and mental health.According to statistics,self-harm and suicide,for which there is no effective intervention,are the second leading causes of death.AIM To explore the relationship between different elements and levels of physical activity and college students’depression-symptom-specific working memory indicators.METHODS Of 143 college students were analyzed using the Beck Depression Self-Rating Scale,the Physical Activity Rating Scale,and the Working Memory Task.RESULTS There was a significant difference between college students with depressive symptoms and healthy college students in completing verbal and spatial working memory(SWM)tasks correctly(all P<0.01).Physical Activity Scale-3 scores were significantly and positively correlated with the correct rate of the verbal working memory task(r=0.166)and the correct rate of the SWM task(r=0.210)(all P<0.05).There were significant differences in the correct rates of verbal and SWM tasks according to different exercise intensities(all P<0.05)and different exercise durations(all P<0.05),and no significant differences in the correct rates of verbal and SWM tasks by exercise frequency(all P>0.05).CONCLUSION An increase in physical exercise among college students,particularly medium-and high-intensity exercise and exercise of 30 min or more,can improve the correct rate of completing working memory tasks.

Can Social Support be Protective against Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents from 24 Low- and Middle-Income Countries?

Background:Adolescents are highly vulnerable to depressive symptoms worldwide partially because of limited social supports.However,it still remains largely unknown regarding the associations between social support(s)and depressive symptoms among adolescents living in low-and middle-income countries(LMICs).The aim of this study aimed to explore the associations between different types of social support and depressive symptoms in adolescents from LMICs.Methods:Data were retrieved from the Global School-based Health Survey(GSHS)in which 92,551 adolescents(50.6%females)were included with mean of 15.6 years.Depressive symptoms in the past one month as the dependent variable were measured in combination with social support(was measured by“During the past 30 days,how often were most of the students in your school kind and helpful?”).Multivariable logistic regression and meta-analysis of country-wise estimates were performed to investigate the associations between social support and depressive symptoms,and the heterogeneity of the associations across the countries,respectively.Results:The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 30.9%of adolescents from LMICs.Peer support and parental connectedness were two major factors that were significantly associated with depression symptoms in adolescents.However,the associations of peer support and parental connectedness with depressive symptoms were significant in males and females,respectively.The country-wise analysis indicated that varied inconsistency(small to large)across the associations of peer support and parental connectedness with depressive symptoms in adolescents.Conclusion:Results in this study provides multi-national evidence of the protective roles of social support against depressive symptoms among adolescents.However,the association between social support and depression symptoms may be moderated by sex and types of social support.Although we found that social sup-port may be an important protective factor against depressive symptoms in adolescents from LMICs,specifically designed interventions should be implemented based on sex difference and country difference.

Associations of Time Spent on Study and Sleep with Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Junior High School Students:Report from the Large-Scale Monitoring of Basic Education Data in China

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and under the pressure of high competitiveness for higher education in China,junior high school students’mental health is facing greater challenges.Understanding the time allocation of study and sleep is necessary for developing effective prevention and treatment programs.Based on a survey of 31,057 junior high school students in 47 junior high schools in Gansu Province,China's Mainland,the study analyzed the associations of time spent on study and sleep with anxiety and depressive symptoms among junior high school students through chi-square test,ANOVA,logistic regression model and threshold regression model.It was found that 18.4%–21.1%of junior high school students had mild and above anxiety and depressive symptoms.Female junior high school students were more likely to have anxiety and depressive symptoms.In addition,time spent on study was significantly and positively associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms and time spent on sleep was significantly and negatively associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms.Late sleepers were more likely to suffer from anxiety and depressive tendencies.Reducing after-school study time appropriately and getting more sleep are beneficial in reducing anxiety and depression,but it is more important to ensure time of sleep.For the reduction of anxiety and depressive symptoms,the maximum time spent on study after school should not exceed 1.92 h,the minimum time spent on sleep at night should be more than 7 h and a 40-min lunch break should be guaranteed at noon.

Relationship between family cohesion/adaptability and postpartum depressive symptoms:A single-center retrospective study

BACKGROUND Depression is the most common mental illness in postpartum mothers,and the etiology of postpartum depression remains poorly understood.Over the past several decades,studies have reported that postpartum depression is caused by multiple factors,such as genetic,psychological,pregnancy,and environmental factors,with the family environment being an important environmental factor.The theory of family cohesion and adaptability put forward by Olson is a classic model that describes the level of family function.However,to date,this model has not been examined regarding its applicability to patients with postpartum depression.AIM To investigate the relationship between family cohesion and adaptability and the risk of postpartum depressive symptoms.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 1446 patients admitted to the postpartum healthcare clinic of the Affiliated Foshan Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital from April 2021 to December 2021.Patients were grouped according to whether postpartum depression symptoms were reported(symptoms,n=454;no symptoms,n=992).All patients completed the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale and the Chinese version of the Family Cohesion and Adaptability Assessment Scale II.Baseline and clinical data were compared between groups.Univariate regression analysis was used to investigate the association between different types of family cohesion and postpartum depressive symptoms and the association between different family adaptability types and postpartum depressive symptoms.RESULTS After adjusting for age,education,occupation,gravidity,parity,and mode of delivery,disengaged[adjusted odds ratio(AOR)=3.36,95%CI:1.91-5.91],and separated(AOR=1.97,95%CI:1.34-2.90)family cohesion types showed a higher risk of postpartum depression than the connection type,whereas the enmeshed type(AOR=0.38,95%CI:0.28-0.51)protected against postpartum depressive symptoms.Rigid(AOR=4.41,95%CI:3.02-6.43)and structured families(AOR=1.88,95%CI:1.34-2.63)had a higher risk of postpartum depressive symptoms than flexible families,whereas chaotic families(AOR=0.35,95%CI:0.24-0.51)protected against postpartum depressive symptoms.CONCLUSION Family cohesion and adaptability are influencing factors for postpartum depressive symptoms,with higher family cohesion and adaptability being associated with a lower risk of postpartum depressive symptoms.

Relationship between nightmare distress and depressive symptoms in Chinese emergency department nurses: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND Most of the recent research on nightmare distress and depressive symptoms has focused on adolescents and students,with less research on the nurse population.Emergency department nurses are at high risk for nightmare distress and depressive symptoms,but no studies have been conducted to explore the relationship between the two;thus,further investigation is needed.AIM To understand the relationship between nightmare distress and depressive symptoms among emergency department nurses in China.METHODS A convenience sampling method was used to select 280 emergency department nurses from nine provinces,including Jiangxi,Sichuan,Jiangsu,and Shanxi Provinces.The Chinese version of the Nightmare Distress Questionnaire and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale(CES-D)were administered.RESULTS Emergency department nurses’nightmare distress scores were positively associated with depressive symptom scores(r=0.732),depressed affect(r=0.727),somatic symptoms(r=0.737),and interpersonal difficulty(r=0.647).Further multiple linear regression analyses showed that education level,work pressure,self-reported health,and CES-D scores were factors that influenced nightmare distress among Chinese emergency department nurses(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Nightmare distress is closely associated with depressive symptoms in Chinese emergency department nurses,and early intervention is recommended for professionals with this type of sleep disorder to reduce the occurrence of depressive symptoms.

Correlation and pathways of behavioral activation systems mediating physical activity level and depressive symptoms among college students

BACKGROUND Depression is a common mental disorder among college students.The main symptoms include being persistent low mood,sad emotional experiences,lack of pleasure,listlessness,and impaired cognitive function accompanied by tendencies of self-harm and suicide.AIM To clarify the pathways and effects of the behavioral activation system between physical activity and depressive symptoms in college students with depressive symptoms.METHODS This cross-sectional research screened 3047 college students.Of these,472 had depressive symptoms,with a depression detection rate of 15.49%.Furthermore,442 college students with depressive symptoms were analyzed.A one-way analysis of variance and Pearson’s correlation,linear regression,and structural equation modeling analyses were used to explore the correlations and pathways of the interactions between the variables.RESULTS Depressive symptoms were significantly negatively correlated with physical activity(r=-0.175,P<0.001),the behavioral activation system(r=-0.197,P<0.001),and drive(r=-0.113,P=0.017).Furthermore,it was negatively correlated with fun-seeking(FS)(r=-0.055,P=0.251);however,it was not significant.Physical activity was significantly positively correlated with reward responsiveness(RR)(r=0.141,P=0.003)and drive(r=0.124,P=0.009)and not significantly positively correlated with FS(r=0.090,P=0.058).The mediating effect of RR between physical activity and depressive symptoms was significant[B=-0.025,95%confidence interval(95%CI):-0.051 to-0.008,P=0.001].The direct and total effects of physical activity on depressive symptoms and were significant(B=-0.150,95%CI:-0.233 to-0.073,P<0.001;B=-0.175,95%CI:-0.260 to-0.099,P<0.001),respectively.CONCLUSION As physical activity levels increased,depression scores among college students decreased.The mediating effect of RR between physical activity and depressive symptoms was significant.Therefore,colleges and universities should encourage college students with depression to increase their physical activity and improve their behavioral activation system.Particular attention should be paid to RR,which may reduce the prevalence of depressive symptoms.

Depressive symptoms in neurodegenerative diseases

Depressive symptoms are very common in chronic conditions. This is true so for neurodegenerative diseases. A number of patients with cognitive decline and dementia due to Alzheimer's disease and related conditions like Parkinson's disease, Lewy body disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal degeneration amongst other entities, experience depressive symptoms in greater or lesser grade at some point during the course of the illness. Depressive symptoms have aparticular significance in neurological disorders, specially in neurodegenerative diseases, because brain, mind, behavior and mood relationship. A number of patients may develop depressive symptoms in early stages of the neurologic disease, occurring without clear presence of cognitive decline with only mild cognitive deterioration. Classically, depression constitutes a reliable diagnostic challenge in this setting. However, actually we can recognize and evaluate depressive, cognitive or motor symptoms of neurodegenerative disease in order to establish their clinical significance and to plan some therapeutic strategies. Depressive symptoms can appear also lately, when the neurodegenerative disease is fully developed. The presence of depression and other neuropsychiatric symptoms have a negative impact on the quality-of-life of patients and caregivers. Besides, patients with depressive symptoms also tend to further decrease function and reduce cognitive abilities and also uses to present more affected clinical status, compared with patients without depression. Depressive symptoms are treatable. Early detection of depressive symptoms is very important in patients with neurodegenerative disorders, in order to initiate the most adequate treatment. We review in this paper the main neurodegenerative diseases, focusing in depressive symptoms of each other entities and current recommendations of management and treatment.

Depressive symptoms and their associated factors in heart failure patients

Objectives:Depressive symptoms are common in heart failure(HF)patients and they may exacerbate the progression of HF.Thus,identifying associations with depressive symptoms is essential to develop effective interventions to alleviate patients’depressive symptoms.Therefore,this study aimed to explore the factors related to HF patients’depressive symptoms.Methods:Potential hospitalized patients were recruited from a university-affiliated hospital by convenience sampling.This study included 321 HF patients who had completed information about depressive symptoms,functional capacity,social support,dispositional optimism,self-care confidence,and health literacy.Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the sample.Independent group t-tests and one-way analysis of variance were used to assess the difference in depressive symptoms score in demographic and clinical characteristics,while Pearson’s correlation was used to assess the associations among continuous variables.Results:The scores for functional capacity,social support,dispositional optimism,self-care confidence,and health literacy were negatively associated with the score for depressive symptoms.The interaction effect between the functional capacity and the dispositional optimism on depressive symptoms was significant.Conclusions:Interventions targeted improving the above-mentioned factors may be beneficial to reduce depressive symptoms in HF patients.

Inhibited and impulsive subgroups of socially anxious young adults: Their depressive symptoms and life satisfaction

Purpose: Socially anxious people are typically thought of as being behaviorally inhibited;however, an atypical subgroup, which is impulsive rather than inhibited, has recently been identified [1]. Theoretically, inhibition and impulsivity could be viewed as different strategies for coping with anxiety that have the same goal—escape from negative emotions—but they seem to have different implications. Previous studies have found that the socially anxious-impulsive subgroup was higher on risk-prone behavior, as for example drug use, compared with a socially anxious-inhibited subgroup [1]. In this study, we aimed to identify these subgroups in a general population, and asked whether they also experience various levels of depressive symptoms and life satisfaction, as well as moderating effects of gender. Methods: Cluster analysis was used to identify subgroups of young adults (20 - 24 years old;N = 772) characterized by different profiles of social anxiety and impulsivity. These subgroups were compared on levels of internal adjustment, and the moderating effects of gender were also tested. Results: We identified five clusters, including an Anxious-Inhibited and an Anxious-Impulsive cluster. In the interaction between gender and cluster membership, gender showed evidence of moderation regarding both depressive symptoms and life satisfaction, with the young women in the Anxious-Inhibited and the Anxious-Impulsive clusters faring worst. Conclusions: We replicated previous findings demonstrating the existence of a socially anxious-impulsive subgroup, thus solidifying current knowledge that may be important when it comes to diagnostics and treatment. This may prove particularly important for young women regarding internalizing symptoms.

Insomnia is associated to depressive symptoms in patients with chronic heart failure

Introduction: Insomnia and depressive symptoms are common among patients with chronic heart failure (HF). Aim: The aim was to describe the prevalence of insomnia and depressive symptoms, as well as to examine the association between insomnia and depressive symptoms in patients with HF. Method: A crosssectional descriptive study including 212 patients with HF. All patients responded to questionnaires regarding sleeping difficulties (Uppsala Sleep Inventory-Chronic Heart Failure), daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale) and depressive symptoms (The Mental Health Scale). Results: Patients with depressive symptoms (34%) had, compared to those without, significantly more major complaints of insomnia as indicated by the sub-types;non-restorative sleep (66% vs. 32%, p < 0.0001), difficulty in maintaining sleep (35% vs. 16%, p = 0.003), difficulty in initiating sleep (29% vs. 14%, p = 0.009) and early morning awakenings (25% vs. 10%, p = 0.004). The odds ratio (OR) to suffer from depressive symptoms;were for;non-restorative sleep 5.2 (CI 95%, 2.2 - 12.3), difficulties maintaining sleep 2.5 (CI 95%, 1.2 - 4.9), difficulties in initiating sleep 2.2 (CI 95%, 1.1 - 4.4) and early morning awakenings 2.4 (CI 95%, 1.1 - 5.4). When categorising insomnia into three severity groups, 1) non insomnia, 2) mild insomnia, and 3) severe insomnia, the OR for depressive symptoms for the mild insomnia and severe insomnia group were 2.2 (CI 95%, 1.1 - 4.2) and 7.4 (CI 95%, 2.4 - 22.8) respectively, compared to the non insomnia group. Conclusion: Insomnia is independently associated to depressive symptoms. Assessment of depressive symptoms and insomnia in patients with HF is important since treatment could be targeted to depressive symptoms only and/or to the sleep disturbance.

Association between Self-Rated Health and Depressive Symptoms in Rural Chinese Adults:A Cohort Study Based on Propensity Score Matching

Health status is widely regarded as a correlate of depressive symptoms.However,health assessments based on clinical diagnosis in rural areas with poor medical conditions are very limited.Self-rated health(SRH)serves as a simple and convenient evaluation indicator,which may be used as an independent predictor of depressive symptoms.To confirm the relationship between SRH and depressive symptoms in rural adults,a longitudinal survey of rural households in China was conducted using the China Family Panel Studies(CFPS)from 2012 to 2016.Propensity score matching and logistic regression analysis were used to explore the association.After data cleansing,3,127 pairs(6,254 participants)aged 16 and older followed for 4 years were enrolled,of which the average age was(50.02±14.19)years old,and the proportions of male and female were 48.64%and 51.36%,respectively.The incidence rate of depressive symptoms within 4 years was 30.86%(95%CI:29.24–32.48)in the group with fair or poor SRH,and 21.59%(95%CI:20.14–23.03)in the group with good SRH.The difference between the two groups was statistically significant(χ^(2)=69.51,P<0.001).The results of univariate unconditional logistic regression analysis showed that there was a correlation between SRH and depressive symptoms in rural adults aged 30 and above(OR=1.65,95%CI:1.46–1.85,P<0.001).Thus,a simple and practical assessment tool based on SRH and other indicators should be established for early prevention and intervention in rural primary mental health care.

Identifying the factors associated with depressive symptoms among postpartum mothers in Kathmandu, Nepal

Purpose:This study aimed to identify the factors associated with depressive symptoms among postpartum mothers in Kathmandu,Nepal.Method:A hospital-based cross-sectional study that included 346 postpartum mothers at 4-14 weeks after delivery was carried out.Validated Nepalese version of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale with cut-off value of≥12 was used to screen depressive symptoms and structured questionnaires were used to identify the associated factors.Possible factors associated with depressive symptoms were identified by logistic regression analysis.Result:The mean age of the mothers was 22.75(SD=4.51).The prevalence of depressive symptoms among postpartum mothers was 17.1%(95%CI=15.07-19.12).No significant association existed between postpartum depressive symptoms and socio demographic and economic characteristics.In multivariate analysis,risk factors for postpartum depressive symptoms were identified as follows:women without adequate rest during pregnancy(aOR=4.023,95%CI=1.294-12.501),abortion history(aOR=3.25,95%CI=1.208-9.065),poor relationship with husband(aOR=1.67,95%CI=1.073-8.384),marital dissatisfaction(aOR=4.053,95%CI=2.281-12.819)and stressful life events(aOR=3.89,95%CI=1.504-9.810).Conclusions:This study aids to draw attention on the incorporation of routine screening for basic support and intervention for identified risk factors in postpartum period.Policies can be formulated to encourage postpartum women to obtain adequate rest during pregnancy,support women with poor partner relationship,reduce marital dissatisfaction,help women adjust with stressful life events,and prevent and manage abortion appropriately.These policies may reduce harmful consequences of postpartum depressive symptoms for women,newborn and their family.

Food Insecurity and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents Aged 12–15 Years from Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Purpose:Little is known about the role of food insecurity(FIS)on depressive symptoms among adolescents.Thus,this study aimed to explore the association between FIS and depressive symptoms among adolescents aged 12–15 years from low-and middle-income countries across the world.Methods:Data from the Global school-based Student Health Survey were analyzed in 51,702 adolescents[mean(SD)age 13.8(1.0)years;49.3% girls].Self-reported measures assessed depressive symptoms during the past 12 months,and food insecurity.Partici-pants reporting yes for depressive symptoms.FIS was categorized intofive levels,including‘never’,‘rarely’,‘some-times’,‘most of the time’and‘always’.Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed,and a country-wise meta-analysis was undertaken to compare country difference in the associations between FIS and depressive symptoms.Results:The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 30.0%,respectively.Compared with those reporting never for FIS,adolescents with increased severity of FIS were more likely to report depressive symptoms regardless of gender.Country-wise meta-analysis demonstrated that having FIS versus not having FIS was asso-ciated with 60%greater odds for depressive symptoms(OR=1.60;95%CI:1.52–1.69)but with a moderate between-country heterogeneity(I^(2)=12.7%).Conclusion:The current study indicates that alleviating FIS may be an effective prevention against depressive symptoms among adolescents from LMICs.Future studies should adopt improved study design to confirm or negate our researchfindings,which informs more efficient public mental health interventions.

Quality of Life and Depressive Symptoms in Female Models

The purpose of the present study was to analyze quality of life (QoL) levels and depressive symptoms in female models in comparison to non-models. The study was conducted in Estacao Saúde Gym, in Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The sample of the study was composed of ten runaway and/or commercial female models between the ages of 15 and 25 from Cast One Models agency and eight control adolescent and young adult students from public/private schools and universities, all from Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Quality of life and depressive symptoms of all participants were evaluated. Data were described by mean and standard deviation values. The main results were analyzed by independent t-test for comparison between models and non-models, adopting a significance level (α) of 0.05. No differences were found between the groups in the analyzed variables (p > 0.05). The results of our study, suggest that professional runaway and commercial female models have similar QoL and depressive symptoms when compared to their control counterparts.

Depressive symptoms, social support, cognitive function, and stigma: predictors of resilience in caregivers of children with intellectual disabilities

Objective:Family plays an important role in taking care of children with intellectual disabilities(IDs).Resilience supports coping strategies for caregivers with their children caring.However,factors influencing the resilience of caregivers with ID in Thailand are yet to be identified.Therefore,the aim of this study was to identify the predictors of resilience in caregivers of children with moderate to severe ID.Methods:A cross-sectional study was implemented in caregivers of children with ID aged 18 years and older who had children diagnosed with ID aged 6–18 years and classified as moderate to severe ID.Descriptive statistic and multiple linear regression were used for data analysis.Results:The study sample consisted of 85 caregivers who took care of their children older than 5 years(95.30%).Depression,social support,cognitive function,and stigma could predict the resilience(F[4,80]=26.79,P<0.001)and explain the variability of resilience by 57.3%.Conclusions:Caregivers have to take care of their children for a long period,which could develop a burden to the caregivers.The resilience and influencing factors should be monitored and managed by developing a campaign to promote caregivers’health and well-being.

Transition of Depressive Symptoms and Anxiety Symptoms According to Parity and Associations of These Symptoms with Feelings for Involvement with Newborn Infants during a 6-Month Postpartum Period

Background: Depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms during the postpartum period affect physical health and child rearing and that these effects are important social issues. Objective: The aims of this study were to clarify the differences in the transition of depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms according to parity during a 6-month postpartum period and to clarify the differences in associations of depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms with feelings for involvement with newborn infants in primiparous and multiparous postpartum women. Methods: The design of this study was a longitudinal investigation. This study was conducted from February 2017 to July 2018 in Japan. By using self-administered questionnaires that included questions on psychological symptoms in a standard climacteric scale and questions on feelings for involvement with newborn infants, we collected data at 3 days postpartum, 2 weeks postpartum, one month postpartum, 3 months postpartum and 6 months postpartum. Results: Responses to all of the questionnaires were obtained from 121 (52.8%) of 229 women. The score for depressive symptoms in primiparous women was significantly higher than that in multiparous women at 3 days postpartum. Depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms showed peaks at 2 weeks postpartum in both primiparous women and multiparous women, but depressive symptoms reoccurred from 3 months postpartum to 6 months postpartum in primiparous women and anxiety symptoms reoccurred from one month to 3 months postpartum in multiparous women. Depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms were associated with negative feelings for involvement with newborn infants and with mother’s sleeping time. Conclusion: Changes in depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms were different in primiparous women and multiparous women during a 6-month postpartum period. In addition, depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms were associated with negative feelings for involvement with newborn infants and with sleeping time in postpartum women.

Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Cancer

The purpose of this survey was to investigate depressive symptoms in cancer patients and the differences based on gender, quality of life and social support. Sixty-eight patients diagnosed with cancer participated in the research, with ages varying between 25 and 83 years (A = 55.4;SD = 13.3) and 85.3% were female. The instruments used were Identification Questionnaire, Perceived Social Support Scale—adult version (EPSUS-A), Medical Outcomes Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the Baptista Depression Scale Hospital—clinic version (EBADEP-HOSP-AMB). It was verified that most of the patients reported not having depression diagnosis before the cancer, nor in the current moment, besides not using anti-depressive medication. The scores obtained in the EBADEP-HOSP-AMB suggest light depressive symptoms. It is concluded that the depressive symptoms were mostly presented in women, in patients with worse mental health condition and in those less satisfied with the social support.

Generalized Anxiety and Major Depressive Symptoms of General Public in South Korea during the Early COVID-19 Pandemic

The extent of viral spread and strategies in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic have been different in each country.There are overall increased mental health concerns in many countries but it is unclear what the general public individuals who do not have heighten vulnerability to stressors for existing mental diseases or significant physical illnesses were experiencing during the pandemic.We evaluated the stressors and mental health of general public in South Korea that has a relatively low confirmed cases and deaths.Responses on the on-line survey questions were used to assess the mental and physical symptoms in association with individuals’reported stressors.Individuals with the symptoms of the generalized anxiety disorder(GAD)were reported in 58.9%,and major depression(MD)in 23.2%,mostly in minimal to mild degrees,cut-off scores of 5 and 10,respectively by the validated screening tools,GAD-7 and PHQ-9.Both GAD and MD symptoms were in 21.5%of the respondents.The total number of stress had significant association with the scores of GAD-7,PHQ-9,physical symptoms,sleep difficulties and resilience(p<0.01).GAD scores were also associated with sleep difficulties(p<0.01)and raising young children(p<0.05).MD scores were associated with sleep difficulties,job-dissatisfaction,and educational level(p<0.05).The limitations of the study include small sample size,usage of smartphone or email,potential under-reporting by stigma in the socio-cultural context and evolving nature of pandemic.We conclude that keeping careful watch for mental symptoms,stressors,sleep difficulties and other physical symptoms are important even for the individuals without previous mental illnesses during the pandemic era.

Exploring the relationship-oriented spaces of social networks and depressive symptoms among older adults

The Republic of Korea has the highest suicide rate of older population among OECD countries,and depression is the prevailing factor.While it is well-known that the urban physical environment affects mental health,research on the physical characteristics of spaces remains limited.This study aims to explore relationship-oriented space characteristics that can form social networks and reduce depressive symptoms in older adults.After analyzing the differences in social interaction spaces between high-density and low-density areas for older adults in Seoul,we identified social interaction spaces(parks and traditional markets)that are frequently used based on on-site interview results.Two areas were selected for the questionnaire surveys.The main findings revealed that older adults living in areas with diverse spatial planning and close physical relationships between parks and traditional markets,convenient pedestrian environments,and lower population density of older adults had better social networks and lower depressive symptoms.More significantly,the physical characteristics of parks and traditional markets(convenient accessibility,maximized visibility,connectivity,and territoriality)significantly facilitate social interactions.Those engaging in social interactions within these spaces exhibited significantly better social networks and lower depressive symptoms.These findings underscore the importance of considering relationship-oriented space characteristics in spatial and urban planning.