Influence of mental stress on platelet bioactivity

It is well established that various mental stress conditions contribute, or at least influence, underlying pathophysiological mechanisms in somatic, as well as in psychiatric disorders; blood platelets are supposed to represent a possible link in this respect. The anculeated platelets are the smallest corpuscular elements circulating in the human blood. They display different serotonergic markers which seem to reflect the central nervous serotonin metabolism. They are known as main effectors in haematological processes but recent research highlights their role in the innate and adaptive immune system. Platelets are containing a multitude of pro-inflammatory and immune-modulatory bioactive compounds in their granules and are expressing immune-competent surface markers. Research gives hint that platelets activation and reactivity is increased by mental stress. This leads to enhanced cross talk with the immune system via paracrine secretion, receptor interaction and formation of platelet leucocyteaggregates. Recently it has been demonstrated that the immune system can have a remarkable impact in the development of psychiatric disorders. Thereforeplatelets represent an interesting research area in psychiatry and their role as a possible biomarker has been investigated. We review the influence of mental stress on what is termed platelet bioactivity in this article, which subsumes the mainly immune-modulatory activity of platelets in healthy volunteers, elderly persons with chronic care-giving strain, patients with cardiovascular diseases who are prone to psychosocial stress, as well as in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder. Research data suggest that stress enhances platelet activity, reactivity and immune-modulatory capacities.

Human Stress Recognition by Correlating Vision and EEG Data

Because stress has such a powerful impact on human health,we must be able to identify it automatically in our everyday lives.The human activity recognition(HAR)system use data from several kinds of sensors to try to recognize and evaluate human actions automatically recognize and evaluate human actions.Using the multimodal dataset DEAP(Database for Emotion Analysis using Physiological Signals),this paper presents deep learning(DL)technique for effectively detecting human stress.The combination of vision-based and sensor-based approaches for recognizing human stress will help us achieve the increased efficiency of current stress recognition systems and predict probable actions in advance of when fatal.Based on visual and EEG(Electroencephalogram)data,this research aims to enhance the performance and extract the dominating characteristics of stress detection.For the stress identification test,we utilized the DEAP dataset,which included video and EEG data.We also demonstrate that combining video and EEG characteristics may increase overall performance,with the suggested stochastic features providing the most accurate results.In the first step,CNN(Convolutional Neural Network)extracts feature vectors from video frames and EEG data.Feature Level(FL)fusion that combines the features extracted from video and EEG data.We use XGBoost as our classifier model to predict stress,and we put it into action.The stress recognition accuracy of the proposed method is compared to existing methods of Decision Tree(DT),Random Forest(RF),AdaBoost,Linear Discriminant Analysis(LDA),and KNearest Neighborhood(KNN).When we compared our technique to existing state-of-the-art approaches,we found that the suggested DL methodology combining multimodal and heterogeneous inputs may improve stress identification.

Maternal stress exposure during pregnancy impairs ultrastructural changes in the white matter and reduces cognitive function in offspring mice

Objective:To explore whether maternal stress exposure during pregnancy impairs cognitive function and white matter ultrastructure in offspring mice.Methods:The parent rats were divided into two groups:pressure exposure group(group PE)and control group(group C),and the positive date of vaginal smear of female SD rats was day 0 of gestation.Female mice in group PE were exposed to binding pressure(3 times/day)on day 14-20 of gestation for 45 min-1 h/time.Behavioral tests(Morris water maze and Y maze)were performed on 1-month-old offspring mice followed by cardiac perfusion of fixed brain specimens and placement in mixed fixative solution.The total volume of white matter,total length and volume of myelinated nerve fibers and total length and volume of myelin sheath were calculated using modern stereoscopic methods,and the inner and outer diameter and inner and outer circumference of the myelin sheath were analyzed.Results:1)Behavioral tests:compared with the group C,the average latency of the 3th and 4th day in the group PE were significantly prolonged,the percentage of the resting time in the quadrant of the platform and the frequency of acrossing the effective area of platform in the fifth day of space exploration experiment were significantly reduced of Morris water maze test,and visiting distance,duration and numbers in novel arm significantly increased of Y-maze test(P<0.05).2)Compared with group C,the total volume of white matter,total length of myelinated nerve fibers,total volume of myelinated nerve fibers and myelin sheath in the group PE were significantly reduced(P<0.05),the inner diameter and outer diameter of myelin sheath decreased significantly(P<0.05),and the inner perimeter,outer perimeter and inner and outer perimeter differences increased significantly(P<0.05).3)There was a correlation between behavioral test results and white matter ultrastructure measurement results.Conclusions:Maternal stress exposure during pregnancy could impair the cognitive function and white matter and its ultrastructure in the offspring,and there was a correlation between decreased cognitive function and white matter damages.

Relation between Stress Conditions, Uncertainty and Incongruity Intolerance, Rigidity and Mental Health: Experimental Demonstrations

An innovative critique of existing studies on creativity has revealed the opportunity of distinguishing between different varieties of creative tasks, and namely creativity for “Continuity”, “Opposition” and “Detachment”, considering relations between products and perceived models. This theoretical contribution has led to a specific evaluation procedure: the COD Creativity test. Considering the influences of dynamic processes on creative processes, it is worth experimentally studying the effects of short-term stress or comfort treatments. The similarities and differences between various existing studies are examined. A non-invasive but effective procedure, compared to classic techniques, is described: the “drawing recall” of stressful or relaxing real experiences, accompanied by detailed evaluations of the emotional sphere. In a specific investigation, creativity turned out to be significantly lower after acute stress with respect to comfort treatment. In conclusion, the cognitive, decisional and activity processes involved in creativity operations can be considered as strictly reflecting emotional dynamic processes, as well as the experiences gained during the stress or comfort treatments. Results are explained considering the role of conflict overload in stress as a factor of incongruity and uncertainty intolerance, inhibiting the production of bizarre and unusual ideas and configurations, and thus reducing essential aspects relevant to the evaluation of creativity levels. From clinical point of view, we underline that decades of research has generally shown that being more rigid is associated with poorer mental health. Our experimental study gives confirmation of the link between stress and intolerance of uncertainty and incongruity;this correlation could augment the negative impact of stressors on anxiety levels. In summary, people with high level of intolerance of uncertainty and, generally, with high level of intolerance of incongruity, develop mental rigidity, and this traits constellation represent a risk for mental health.

Level of Stress, Predisposing Factors and Status of Mental Health among Pharmacy Students of a Private University of Dhaka, Bangladesh: A Cross Sectional Study

Stress during tertiary educational period has significant negative effect on the performance of a student. Mental distress is increasing among students and is one of the important public health concerns. This study was carried out to investigate the socio demographic characteristics of students, level of their stress feeling, and status of mental health and to find out the co-relation of different factors associated with the level of stress feelings. A cross sectional study was conducted among the students of the Department of Pharmacy of UAP. A total of 504 students (181 male students and 323 female students) participated in this study. Feeling of severe stress was almost equal to both sexes. But, moderate level of stress was more associated with female students (N = 253, F = 78.33%) and overall female students were more stressful than male. Thought towards future career ranked one among many reasons of stress in students (59.67% for male students and 37.46% for female students). In terms of academic achievements, feeling of stress was higher in female students compared to male students (34.98% for female students vs. 15.47% for male students). Other factors such as unrealistic expectations, family relationship and affairs, socio economic condition, being of too busy also significantly participate in the development of stress in young mind. Mental health status was estimated by considering some facts such as state of shock due to unwanted life events, lacking of expression of emotions, reduced feeling of pleasure, unusual thinking, fear of any specific objects, short term memory loss, self identity disorder and lack of self confidence. We co-related different risk factors like age, gender, socio-economic condition, unrealistic thought patter to different levels of stress feeling. Feelings of stress were most among the student of 21 - 25 years of age. Socio-economic condition is always a great factor of stress, middle class society has more stress compared to other socio-economic classes. Psychological counseling is required in educational institution to detect and prevent mental distress and stress among students.

Effects of Community Mental Health Centers on Oxidative Stress in Patients with Schizophrenia

Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate of oxidative stress between the schizophrenic patients who regularly continued to Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC) and the patients who did not continue to CMHC. By this study, the effects of CMHC on oxidative stress between these two group of patients were assessed. Methods: Total number of 86 volunteers were enrolled in this study;43 (27 males, 16 females) patients who regularly continued (average 2 years, at least 3 days a week) to CMHC and 43 (25 males, 18 females) patients who regularly did not continue to CMHC. Total antioxidative stress (TAS), total oxidative stress (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), paraoxanase (PON1), arylesterase (ARE) and total thiol (T.Thl) levels were measured with a novel automated method. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used to assess the patients. Results: TOS, PANSS-Negative subscale and PANSS-Total subscale were found to be significantly higher in the group of patients who were not continuing to CMHC, than the group of patients who were continuing to CMHC. ARE and T.thl were found significantly lower in the group of patients who were not continuing to CMHC. There was a significant positive correlation between PANSS-Negative Subscale and TOS, OSI in the group of patients who were not continuing to CMHC. There was a positive correlation between PANSS-Negative Subscale and TOS in the group of patients who were continuing to CMHC. Conclusions: Oxidative stress and negative symptoms of schizophrenia in the group of patients who were continuing to CMHC were less than in the group of patients who were not continuing to CMHC. Thus, regular follow up at CMHC is very important in the treatment of schizophrenia patients.

Mental Health Intervention in the Workplace amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

The purpose of this project is to examine why the mental health of employees should be prioritized in the workplace. Most employees have likely experienced a visible illness or injury at some point during their careers. It is easier to identify these physical ailments that may adversely affect an employee’s performance at work, such as a broken leg or the common cold. However, there are conditions that are much less visible that negatively impact employees every day, and mental health is one of them. A person’s mental health is a significant factor in their work life that should not be ignored. While it may be difficult to recognize when someone is struggling with depression, anxiety, or another form of mental illness on the surface, employers should not automatically assume their entire staff is okay. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with an increase in civil unrest in society, employers must reevaluate the way they conduct business, starting with the treatment of their employees. To aid employers with prioritizing mental health at work, this paper’s objectives are to address the stigma associated with mental health issues/illness, develop recommendations for inclusive work environments, increase an employer’s investment in mental health, reduce employee turnover, and normalize respect in the workplace. The findings are discussed, and recommendations are provided. Employers who intentionally prioritize and invest in their employees’ mental health will significantly reduce the costs associated with attracting and recruiting new staff due to high turnover rates. Additionally, their reputation as a preferred employer will increase.

The Effect of Workplace-Based Sports Participation on the Mental Status of Japanese Workers

Whether workplace-based sports are part of a company’s employee welfare program in terms of mental status is unknown. This study examined the impact of workplace-based sports participation on the mental status of Japanese workers. It involved a single-arm intervention comprising participation in a company’s volleyball team. Data on mental status were collected using a simplified version of the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire. Overall, 11 individuals participated, 9 (81.8%) of whom were women;the mean participant age was 38.2 years. Because the intervention was conducted during busy periods, the median (25th and 75th percentiles) score for qualitative job overload significantly increased from 3.0 (2.0, 4.0) to 3.0 (3.0, 4.3) (p = 0.03). Nonetheless, the fatigue score significantly decreased from 3.0 (3.0, 4.3) to 3.0 (2.0, 4.0) (p = 0.03). These results indicate that participation in workplace-based sports can prevent the deterioration of mental status during busy periods.

The Therapeutic Role of Guided Mental Imagery in Treating Stress and Insomnia: A Neuropsychological Perspective

Excessive distress and insomnia are much too common in the modern world and often lead to a myriad of detrimental effects including loss of cognitive ability and even physical ailments such as cancer. Current pharmaceutical treatments can be addictive, detrimental to health, and in the case of insomnia don’t produce naturalistic sleep. We present a viewpoint on a potential adjunctive treatment of distress and insomnia that harnesses specific mental imagery as a component of mind/body relaxation technique. Via our perspective on the modern nature of stress and insomnia, our theoretical perspective on how specific guided mental imagery can be used to treat these ailments, and our review on the current literature on treatment with mental imagery, we hope to stimulate further research into mental health treatment with mental imagery which has traditionally been neglected. This perspective on the pathology of insomnia and distress is founded in prevailing “dysevolution” and hyper-arousal theories. Hyper-arousal is characterized in part by a vicious cycle of chronic physiological and emotional stimulation/distress. We argue for spatially based mental imagery in the form of nighttime-sky imagery to attenuate such pathology by breaking one away from a vicious cycle of stimulation and distress and discuss neuropsychological bases for its potential treatment mechanisms which include the autonomic nervous system and a phenomenal foundation of conscious cognition.

The Effect of Workplace-Based Sports Participation on the Mental Status of Japanese Workers

Whether workplace-based sports are part of a company’s employee welfare program in terms of mental status is unknown. This study examined the impact of workplace-based sports participation on the mental status of Japanese workers. It involved a single-arm intervention comprising participation in a company’s volleyball team. Data on mental status were collected using a simplified version of the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire. Overall, 11 individuals participated, 9 (81.8%) of whom were women;the mean participant age was 38.2 years. Because the intervention was conducted during busy periods, the median (25th and 75th percentiles) score for qualitative job overload significantly increased from 3.0 (2.0, 4.0) to 3.0 (3.0, 4.3) (p = 0.03). Nonetheless, the fatigue score significantly decreased from 3.0 (3.0, 4.3) to 3.0 (2.0, 4.0) (p = 0.03). These results indicate that participation in workplace-based sports can prevent the deterioration of mental status during busy periods.

关于北京市科技工作者精神压力与心脏损伤的研究

为研究北京市科技工作者精神压力与心脏损伤的关系,以155名北京市科技工作者为研究对象,测量相关指标。结果表明,样本群体中心血管疾病占比20.6%,抑郁占比35.9%,焦虑占比24.8%,失眠占比38.8%。在应对精神压力应激时,科技工作者血压、心率均较静息时明显升高,心率变异性指标中SDNN(Standard deviation of NN intervals,RR间期标准差)下降、LF/HF(low frequency/high frequency,低高频比值)升高,反映样本群体在精神压力应激时心脏交感副交感神经失衡。通过远程心电监测,发现科技工作者在居家时存在异常心电活动,包括各类心律失常、心电图ST-T改变(ST为心室肌除极过程,T为心室肌复极过程)等。基于以上结果,建议定期给科技工作者提供心脏心理的检测,必要时提供远程的心电监测,及时发现科技工作者的心脏心理问题,对有必要进行干预的人员,及早提供干预措施,以保障科技工作者的心脏心理健康。

信阳市小学4~6年级儿童心理健康状况与校园欺凌、学业压力的关系

目的:研究信阳市小学4~6年级儿童心理健康状况与校园欺凌、学业压力的关系,为改善儿童心理健康状况提供实证依据。方法:从信阳市抽取6所小学4~6年级儿童1736名为调查对象,采用儿童少年心理健康问卷(Mental Health Scale for Child and Adolescent,MHS-CA)、特拉华欺凌受害量表(学生版)(Delaware Bullying Victimization Scale-Student,DBVS-S)、小学生学习压力问卷进行调查,采用回归分析考察变量之间的关系。结果:①单因素分析显示,男生的MHS-CA评分、学业压力评分高于女生,DBVS-S评分低于女生(P<0.01);城区学生的MHS-CA评分、学业压力评分高于农村,DBVS-S评分低于农村(P<0.001);独生子女的MHS-CA评分、学业压力评分高于非独生子女(P<0.001);汉族学生的学业压力评分高于少数民族,DBVS-S评分低于少数民族(P<0.001);贫困家庭学生的DBVS-S评分高于非贫困家庭,学业压力评分、MHS-CA评分低于非贫困家庭(P<0.001);双亲家庭学生的MHS-CA评分高于单亲或其他家庭,DBVS-S评分低于单亲或其他家庭(P<0.001);留守学生的DBVS-S评分高于非留守学生,MHS-CA评分低于非留守学生(P<0.001);不同年级学生的MHS-CA评分、DBVS-S评分、学业压力评分比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.001)。②Pearson相关分析法显示,小学生心理健康与校园欺凌、学业压力呈负相关(P<0.05)。③多重线性回归分析发现,影响小学生心理健康状况的因素有家庭经济状况、家庭类型、校园欺凌、学业压力、是否为独生子女、有无留守经历(P<0.05)。结论:生源地为农村、单亲或其他家庭、家庭贫困、非独生子女、有留守经历的4~6年级儿童心理健康状况较差,且与校园欺凌、学业压力有关。

社会支持与大学生心理压力的关系路径研究--以内蒙古高校为例

本研究运用一般情况调查表、压力源量表与领悟社会支持量表等开展在线问卷调查,获得12670份有效问卷。从个人特征和社会支持两个方面来探究不同类型大学生心理压力的影响因素。结果发现学业、就业和经济压力是大学生群体主要的心理压力;学校类别、专业类别、年级、生源地、是否服用过精神科药物、是否单亲家庭和是否享受过助学金等因素对大学生心理压力有显著影响。研究结果显示,社会支持与大学生心理压力呈显著负相关。研究结果提示我们应提高对社会支持的重视程度,通过积极开展社会支持干预工作促进大学生心理健康。

正念减压疗法在大隐静脉曲张伴睡眠障碍患者围术期中的应用效果

目的探究正念减压疗法在大隐静脉曲张伴睡眠障碍患者围术期中的应用效果。方法选取2020年1月—2022年6月收治的90例大隐静脉曲张伴睡眠障碍,采用随机数字表法随机将其分为试验组和对照组2组各45例。试验组围术期在常规治疗基础上给予正念减压疗法,对照组围术期给予常规治疗。比较2组入院当天和出院当天应对方式(采用简易应对方式问卷评估)、心理状态[采用焦虑自评量表(SAS)及抑郁自评量表(SDS)评估]和睡眠质量[采用匹兹堡睡眠质量指数量表(PSQI)评估],以及出院当天住院满意度。结果出院当天,2组积极应对评分、消极应对评分、SAS评分、SDS评分和PSQI评分均优于入院当天;试验组积极应对评分、消极应对评分、SAS评分、SDS评分、PSQI评分和住院满意度均优于对照组(P<0.05)。结论围术期实施正念减压疗法有助于改善大隐静脉曲张伴睡眠障碍患者应对方式、心理状态、睡眠质量,且患者住院满意度较高。

认知评估视角下领导底线心智对员工创新行为的双刃剑效应研究

通过来自创业和非创业团队的685个样本,从压力认知评估视角分析领导底线心智如何以及何时会对员工创新行为产生影响。研究结果表明:领导底线心智首先会让员工感知到基于底线目标的绩效压力;领导底线心智在一般情况下会对员工创新行为产生“双刃剑”影响效应,即领导底线心智在一般情况下不仅会通过员工对绩效压力的挑战性评估促进员工创新行为,同时也会通过员工对绩效压力的阻碍性评估抑制员工创新行为;团队类型在影响机制中起到了显著的调节作用,即创业团队中的领导底线心智主要通过绩效压力的挑战性评估对员工创新行为产生积极影响,而非创业团队中的领导底线心智主要通过压力的阻碍性评估对员工创新行为产生消极影响。

青少年手机压力与心理健康的关系:基于多元宇宙样分析和密集追踪方法

为探究手机压力与青少年心理健康的关系及其作用机制,研究1基于74182名青少年样本,采用多元宇宙样分析检验了手机压力与青少年心理健康的稳健性关系;研究2对507名青少年采取为期35天的密集追踪测查,探究了手机压力影响青少年心理健康的机制。研究1发现50%以上青少年报告对手机有过压力感受,且手机压力与心理健康之间的负向关联是稳健的,这值得研究者和社会的关注。研究2发现反刍和消极情绪的强度/波动性在手机压力和心理健康间起到中介作用,且二者对积极和消极心理健康维度的作用机制有一定差异。研究首次扩展了数字化时代背景下“压力-认知/情绪”理论和“媒体使用-数字化压力-心理健康”模型的广度和深度,为促进青少年心理健康发展提供了新的视角和依据。

职业压力对律师心理健康状态的影响:自我调节疲劳的中介作用和健康素养的调节作用

背景 律师是压力较大的行业之一,然而国内关于律师职业压力的研究较少。既往研究表明律师职业压力、心理健康状态、自我调节疲劳、健康素养具有相关性,但缺乏对其相互作用机制的研究。目的 探讨职业压力对律师心理健康状态的影响及自我调节疲劳和健康素养的内在作用机制。方法 2022年5—6月采用方便取样法选取7家头部中资律所中的660位律师为研究对象。调查问卷包括自编人口学问卷、律师职业压力量表、症状自评量表(SCL-90)、自我调节疲劳量表(SRF-S)和全国居民健康素养监测快速评估调查问卷(HLSRAQ)。采用逐步回归法探讨自我调节疲劳在律师职业压力与心理健康状态间的中介作用,使用Bootstrap法检验自我调节疲劳的中介效应。采用PROCESS 3.4中的模型5探讨健康素养在律师职业压力与心理健康状态间的调节中介作用,使用Bootstrap法检验健康素养的调节中介效应,进一步进行简单斜率检验调节作用,并分析不同健康素养水平下职业压力对律师心理健康状态的影响。结果 回收有效问卷656份,有效回收率为99.39%。律师职业压力、SCL-90、SRF-S、HLSRAQ得分为(106.9±34.8)、39.0(15.0,84.0)、(39.4±10.0)、(13.9±3.7)分。逐步回归法最终结果显示,律师职业压力正向预测心理健康状态(β=0.36,t=13.40,P<0.01),自我调节疲劳正向预测心理健康状态(β=0.55,t=20.32,P<0.01);Bootstrap法结果显示律师职业压力对心理健康状态产生影响的总效应、间接效应和直接效应的95%CI均不包括0(P<0.01)。调节中介作用分析表明,律师职业压力与健康素养的乘积项对心理健康状态的预测作用有统计学意义(β=-0.02,t=-2.00,P<0.05),Bootstrap法结果显示律师职业压力对心理健康状态产生影响的间接效应的95%CI均不包括0(P<0.01);进一步简单斜率检验结果显示,不同健康素养水平下,律师职业压力对心理健康状态正向预测作用均有统计学意义(P<0.01);随着健康素养水平的提高,职业压力对心理健康状态的预测作用呈下降趋势(P<0.01)。结论 职业压力通过自我调节疲劳的中介作用对律师心理健康状态产生影响,律师健康素养在其中起调节作用。

大学生日常压力与负性情绪的多层分析:情绪调节困难与心理韧性的作用

通过抽取75名在校大学生完成每天2次、持续14天的日常知觉压力和负性情绪的密集型追踪测量,结果表明,情绪调节困难与心理韧性可以显著预测日常压力对负性情绪的动态影响。个体心理韧性水平越低,情绪调节困难对日常知觉压力影响愤怒情绪的调节作用越强。情绪调节困难对日常生活压力反应具有损害作用,心理韧性水平高者在面对压力时会改善情绪调节困难造成的愤怒情绪。

压力知觉对大学生心理健康的影响——睡眠质量的中介作用

探究大学生睡眠质量在压力知觉与心理健康关系间的中介作用.采用压力知觉量表、匹兹堡睡眠质量指数量表和症状自评量表对苏州大学、苏州城市学院、苏州大学应用技术学院、苏州科技大学352名在校大学生进行在线问卷调查.结果表明:(1)不同性别和不同生源地的大学生在压力知觉、睡眠质量及心理健康上并无显著差异;(2)大学生压力知觉、睡眠质量、心理健康两两之间呈显著正相关;(3)压力知觉对心理健康的直接效应,以及睡眠质量在压力知觉和心理健康之间的中介效应均显著,直接效应值和中介效应值分别为0.16、0.13.可见,大学生压力知觉可以直接预测其心理健康,也可以通过睡眠质量的中介作用间接影响其心理健康.建议高校采取更加科学有效的措施来提升学生心理健康水平,具体措施包括加强心理健康教育,提升个体心理韧性,以及提高学生体育锻炼积极性,培养规律作息习惯.