The assessment of ADL among frail elderly in an interview survey: self-report versus performance-based tests and determinants of discrepancies

The impact of three sociodemographic, two cognitive, two affective, and four personality measures on the discrepancies between self-reported and performance-based ADL in a sample of 753 frail elderly is studied by means of multiple regression analyses. Underestimation (i.e., lower self-reported levels of ADL compared to performance-based levels) occurs, in particular, among subjects with low perceptions of physical competence and mastery or personal control, and high levels of depressive symptomatology. In contrast, the role of cognitive functioning and sociodemographic variables in the discrepancies is a minor one. Although self-report ADL measures are easier to administer and less sensitive to nonresponse than performance-based ADL measures, the confounding effects of perceived physical competence, mastery, and depressive symptomatology on self-reported ADL should be considered in any application of self-report measures of ADL among frail elderly.     

Loneliness as a specific risk factor for depressive symptoms: Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses.

The extent to which loneliness is a unique risk factor for depressive symptoms was determined in 2 population-based studies of middle-aged to older adults, and the possible causal influences between loneliness and depressive symptoms were examined longitudinally in the 2nd study. In Study 1, a nationally representative sample of persons aged 54 and older completed a telephone interview as part of a study of health and aging. Higher levels of loneliness were associated with more depressive symptoms, net of the effects of age, gender, ethnicity, education, income, marital status, social support, and perceived stress. In Study 2, detailed measures of loneliness, social support, perceived stress, hostility, and demographic characteristics were collected over a 3-year period from a population-based sample of adults ages 50-67 years from Cook County, Illinois. Loneliness was again associated with more depressive symptoms, net of demographic covariates, marital status, social support, hostility, and perceived stress. Latent variable growth models revealed reciprocal influences over time between loneliness and depressive symptomatology. These data suggest that loneliness and depressive symptomatology can act in a synergistic effect to diminish well-being in middle-aged and older adults. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cognitive triad: relationship to depressive symptoms, parents' cognitive triad, and perceived parental messages

Evaluating the relationship between children's depressogenic thinking, children's depressive symptoms, parents' depressogenic thinking, and perceived parental messages about the self, world, and future was the primary objective of this investigation. Children (n = 133) from grades 4 to 7 completed measures of depression and anxiety, including a semistructured clinical interview, a measure of their cognitive triad, and a measure of perceived parental messages about the self, world, and future. Mothers (n = 112) and fathers (n = 95) completed a measure of their own cognitive triad. Results of a series of regression analyses revealed that (1) children's views of self, world, and future (cognitive triad) are related to severity of depression; (2) mothers' but not fathers' cognitive triads are related to their children's cognitive triads; (3) perceived parental messages to the children about the self, world, and future are predictive of the children's cognitive triads and ratings of depression; and (4) the relationship between perceived parental messages and depression is completely mediated by children's cognitive triads. Analyses of covariance indicated that the obtained mediational relationship between children's views of self, world, and future, perceived parental messages, and children's depressive symptoms was specific to depressive versus anxious symptomatology. Implications for existing theory and research are discussed.     

Perceived Partner Critical and Avoidant Behaviors as Predictors of Anxious and Depressive Symptoms Among Mothers of Children Undergoing Hemopaietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

This prospective study examined the role of perceived partner criticism and avoidance in the anxiety and depressive symptoms of 148 mothers of children undergoing hemopaietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The roles of indicators of transplantation risk and posttransplantation medical course were also examined. Perceived partner criticism (e.g., criticizing coping efforts) and perceived partner avoidance (e.g., changing the topic), objective indicators of transplantation risk, and anxiety and depressive symptoms were assessed at the time of HSCT and again 3 and 6 months later. Growth curve modeling analyses indicated that perceived partner criticism was associated with higher average depressive symptoms. However, perceived partner criticism did not predict changes in mother's anxiety. Contrary to predictions, perceived partner avoidance was associated with decreases in maternal anxiety. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Clinical outcome after infection with Helicobacter pylori does not appear to be reliably predicted by the presence of any of the genes of the cag pathogenicity island

OBJECTIVE: This study proposes to assess the differences of two psychosocial risk indicators for coronary artery disease (CAD), ie, depressive symptoms and vital exhaustion. METHOD: In a representative, stratified, nation-wide sample of the population of Hungary over the age of 16 years (N = 12,640), analyses were made of whether those risk indicators were differentially related to several illness behaviors (including history of cardiovascular treatment and cardiovascular sick days), cognitions, mood states, and socioeconomic characteristics that may generally be associated with increased CAD risk. The sample was stratified by age, sex, and composition of the population of all counties in Hungary. RESULTS: Although depressive symptoms and vital exhaustion correlated strongly, there were clear and significant differences in strength of association between depressive symptoms, vital exhaustion and several variables under study. Dysfunctional cognitions, hostility, lack of purpose in life, low perceived self-efficacy, illegal drug use, alcohol and drug abuse, several forms of subjective disability complaints and history of treatment because of congenital disorders, and chronic skin and hematological disorders were more often associated with depressive symptoms, whereas loss of energy, use of stimulants, chest-pain-related disabilities, history of treatment because of cardiovascular disorders, and self-reported cardiovascular sick days were significantly more often associated with vital exhaustion. CONCLUSIONS: Vital exhaustion and depressive symptomatology are differentially associated with relevant external criteria. Vital exhaustion is associated with perceived cardiovascular complaints and history of cardiovascular treatment, whereas depressive symptomatology seems to be more closely connected to disabilities and complaints related to alcohol, drug, and congenital-disorder, and to dysfunctional cognitions and hostility.     

Patterns of relatedness, depressive symptomatology, and perceived competence in maltreated children.

An attachment theory framework is applied toward understanding the emergence of depressive symptomatology and lower perceived competence in maltreated and nonmaltreated children. Hypotheses that maltreated children with nonoptimal patterns of relatedness evidence elevated depressive symptomatology and lower competence, whereas nonmaltreated children with optimal or adequate patterns of relatedness exhibit the least depressive symptomatology and higher competence, were confirmed. Additionally, differentiations between maltreated children with and without optimal or adequate patterns of relatedness emerged, suggesting that relatedness may mitigate against the adverse effects of maltreatment. Moreover, sexually abused children with confused patterns of relatedness evidenced clinically significant depressive symptomatology. Results are discussed with regard to mechanisms that contribute to adaptation or maladaptation in children with negative caregiving histories (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Perceived overprotection and distress in adults with visual impairment.

Objective: To investigate the role of perceived overprotection, a problematic aspect of social support, as a risk factor for distress among adults with chronic vision impairment. Study Design: Cross-sectional study using telephone interviews. Setting: Vision rehabilitation agency. Participants: One hundred fourteen adults with vision impairment (ages 24-64). Measures: 18-item Overprotection Scale for Adults, 20-item Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale, 21-item Beck Anxiety Inventory. Results: Hierarchical multiple regression analyses demonstrated that higher levels of perceived overprotection were associated with higher levels of depressive symptomatology as well as higher levels of anxiety. Conclusions: Vision rehabilitation programs should address issues around perceived overprotection. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Prospective investigation of postpartum depression: Factors involved in onset and recovery.

We examined the role of a number of psychosocial variables in the onset of postpartum depression and in recovery from depression that occurs during pregnancy. Women (N?=?730) were recruited during pregnancy and were followed through 1 mo postpartum. They were assessed on demographic variables and on measures of depressive symptomatology and diagnostic status, perceived stress, marital satisfaction, perceptions of their own parents, dysfunctional cognitions, and coping style. Onset of depression in the postpartum was predicted by the levels during pregnancy of depressive symptomatology and perceived maternal and paternal care during childhood. In contrast, recovery in the postpartum from depression during pregnancy was not predicted by the variables examined in this study. These results are discussed with reference to previous investigations that have examined depression that occurs outside the context of childbirth. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Perceived social isolation makes me sad: 5-year cross-lagged analyses of loneliness and depressive symptomatology in the Chicago Health, Aging, and Social Relations Study.

We present evidence from a 5-year longitudinal study for the prospective associations between loneliness and depressive symptoms in a population-based, ethnically diverse sample of 229 men and women who were 50–68 years old at study onset. Cross-lagged panel models were used in which the criterion variables were loneliness and depressive symptoms, considered simultaneously. We used variations on this model to evaluate the possible effects of gender, ethnicity, education, physical functioning, medications, social network size, neuroticism, stressful life events, perceived stress, and social support on the observed associations between loneliness and depressive symptoms. Cross-lagged analyses indicated that loneliness predicted subsequent changes in depressive symptomatology, but not vice versa, and that this temporal association was not attributable to demographic variables, objective social isolation, dispositional negativity, stress, or social support. The importance of distinguishing between loneliness and depressive symptoms and the implications for loneliness and depressive symptomatology in older adults are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Predicting mild and severe husband-to-wife physical aggression.

Nonordered multinomial logistic models were used to estimate the odds of mild and severe husband-to-wife physical aggression in 11,870 White men. Being younger, having a lower income, and having an alcohol problem significantly increased the odds of either mild or severe physical aggression. A drug problem uniquely increased the risk of severe physical aggression. Marital discord and depressive symptomatology, but not work stress, further increased the odds of both mild and severe physical aggression, with marital discord being the most influential psychological variable. Compared with mildly physically aggressive men, those who were severely physically aggressive earned lower income, were more likely to report an alcohol or a drug problem, and had more marital discord and depressive symptomatology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Lifetime suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in Asian Americans.

Few studies have examined the role of culturally relevant factors in suicidal behavior among Asian Americans. Using the National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS) (Alegria et al., 2004; Heeringa et al., 2004), the current study examined the role of culturally related variables (family conflict, perceived discrimination, and ethnic identity) on suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in a nationally representative sample of 2,095 Asian Americans. Important covariates were sociodemographic characteristics (gender, age, marital status, years of education, household poverty, and nativity status), depressive and anxiety disorders, and number of chronic conditions. Gender related correlates were also explored. The lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts was 8.8% and 2.5%, respectively. Female gender, family conflict, perceived discrimination, and the presence of lifetime depressive or anxiety disorders were positively correlated with suicidal ideation and attempts. A high level of identification with one’s ethnic group was associated with lower rates of suicide attempts. Among Asian men, but not women, the presence of chronic medical conditions was associated with suicidal ideation. Findings highlight the contributions to suicide risk of cultural factors and gender differences in Asian Americans. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Differential responses to male and female depressive reactions.

Suggests that the commonly reported preponderance of female over male depression in incidence and prevalence studies requires further analysis. One explanation is that the social consequences of expression of depressive symptomatology are different for males and females. A comparison of 157 male and 189 female undergraduates' reactions to male and female case histories of common reactions to stress confirmed the hypothesis. Depression elicited more rejection of males than of females, and the sex difference in rejection of depression was more pronounced than for anxiety or flat affect-detached responses. A discriminant analysis suggested that depressed males are especially likely to be perceived as impaired in role functioning as compared with depressed females. Results suggest that depressed males are not rejected for expression of emotionality as such. Speculations about the causes and consequences of differential rejection of depression are noted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A prospective study of adolescents' self-reported depressive symptoms: Are risk behaviours a stronger predictor than anxiety symptoms?

This longitudinal study of adolescents from a Nova Scotia coastal town examined whether change in self-reported depressive symptoms could be predicted from adolescents' concurrent and prior reports of anxiety symptoms and risk behaviors. Questionnaires were completed by 131 youths (80 females, 51 males; aged 12–17 yrs) in their classrooms 2 years apart. Results show that adolescents' concurrent reports of involvement in risk behaviors were linked to an increase in depressive symptoms only when they also were high on anxiety symptoms. Prior involvement in risk behaviors, but not prior anxiety symptoms, also predicted an increase in depressive symptoms. The importance of evaluating covariation among multiple types of symptoms and targeting the positive and negative consequences of risk behaviors adolescents is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Predictors of perceived memory impairment: do they differ in Alzheimer's disease versus normal aging?

Predictors of perceived memory impairment were investigated in 40 elderly normal adults and 28 individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Measures of perceived memory impairment, global cognitive functioning, memory, use of memory strategies, memory strategy efficacy, and depressive symptomatology were obtained for all participants. The elderly normal and Alzheimer's disease groups did not differ in the extent to which they reported perceived memory impairment. For both participant groups, more frequent use of memory strategies and lower perceived memory strategy efficacy were significant predictors of perceived memory impairment. Depressive symptomatology was an additional, significant determinant of perceived memory impairment for the elderly normal group.     

Comorbidity of anxiety and depression in children and adolescents.

Anxiety and depression in children and adolescents are reviewed, including differential diagnosis, assessment of symptoms, family history data, developmental features, and clinical correlates. Findings indicate that 15.9% to 61.9% of children identified as anxious or depressed have comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders and that measures of anxiety and depression are highly correlated. Family history data are inconclusive. Differences emerged among children with anxiety, depression, or both disorders. Anxious children were distinguishable from the other 2 groups in that they showed less depressive symptomatology and tended to be younger. The concurrently depressed and anxious group tended to be older and more symptomatic. In this group, the anxiety symptoms tended to predate the depressive symptoms. Findings are discussed in the context of a proposed developmental sequence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychosocial correlates of depressive symptomatology in adult women.

Investigated the relationship between depressive symptomatology and a set of demographic and psychosocial variables presumed to be depression-susceptibility factors. 499 22–59 yr old women completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies—Depression Scale (CESD), a demographic assessment, and measures of 4 psychosocial variables: life control, perceived accomplishment, derived identity, and social support. Higher CESD scores were associated with less perceived life control, less perceived accomplishment, higher derived identity, lower social support, lower education, lower or unemployment, younger age, and lower family income. A hierarchical multiple regression was conducted with demographic variables entered first, followed by the psychosocial variables, and then the interaction variables. Psychosocial variables accounted for an additional 28% of depression variance beyond the 11% accounted for by the demographic variables. Perceived life control was the strongest contributor to the final regression equation. (33 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The presence of others does make a difference--sometimes.

Questions, on 2 counts, the conclusion of W. S. Epley (see record 1974-29273-001) that there was no uncontaminated evidence that the physical presence of others is sufficient to decrease self-reported anxiety: (a) the "methodological inadequacy" described by Epley in a pivotal study did not, in fact, exist; and (b) there were some significant interactions between birth order and waiting condition in another study only briefly mentioned in Epley's review. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Are negative affective states associated with HIV sexual risk behaviors? A meta-analytic review.

This meta-analytic review examined whether negative affective states (depressive symptomatology, anxiety, anger) are associated with sexual behaviors that place people at risk for contracting or transmitting HIV. The results from 34 study samples were included in the analysis. Contrary to popular belief, the findings as a whole provide little evidence that negative affect is associated with increased sexual risk behavior. The average weighted correlation for the overall association was .05. The effect size was nonsignificantly higher for anger (r?=?.10) than for depressive symptoms (r?=?.04) or anxiety (r?=?.03). The variability of effect sizes was not accounted for by type of sexual risk measure, subject population, or methodological aspects of the studies. Conceptual and methodological limitations of the literature are identified and directions for future research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Depressive symptomatology in relation to emotional control and chronic pain in persons who are HIV positive.

Objective: To examine the relations of emotional control and chronic pain to depressive symptomatology in persons with positive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status. Study Design: Cross-sectional survey. Participants: One hundred twenty (51 women, 69 men) individuals with serologically documented HIV. Main Outcome Measures: Measures of depressive symptomatology (Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale [CES-D]; L. S. Radloff, 1977), emotional control (i.e., inhibited expression of feelings of anger, anxiety, or depression; Courtauld Emotional Control Scale; M. Watson & S. Greer, 1983), and chronic pain. Results: Full multiple regression analysis showed that constant pain, emotional control, and antidepressant use were all significant predictors of (and positively associated with) CES-D total scores. Conclusions: Within comprehensive rehabilitation programs with these patients, pain management is a critical issue. Treatment should address patients' comorbid depressive symptomatology and difficulties with expressing negative emotions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The phenomenology of post-traumatic stress disorder. A symptomatic study of 70 victims of psychological trauma

This study analyses and categorises the subjective experiences and psychological symptoms of those involved in a major disaster but not themselves physically injured. It examines the concept of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and relates it to other psychiatric diagnoses and also to the particular nature of the disaster. 70 police officers are the subjects of this study, 59 men and 11 women, all of them involved in the Hills-borough Football Stadium Disaster. Assessment included detailed psychiatric history and examination with an account of the events experienced by the informants and their psychological reaction to this at the time and subsequently. Psychiatric diagnosis was made and quantified measurements were also recorded, including a rating scale for the criteria of PTSD, the General Health Questionnaire and rating scales for depression and anxiety. Severity of PTSD symptoms was associated with higher scores on rating scales for both depressive and anxiety symptomatology. Subjective depressive symptoms and depersonalisation were associated with severity of PTSD. Frustrated helplessness was a recurring theme in the psychopathology. Alcohol consumption of those who were already drinkers increased. Social functioning at work and in marriage deteriorated with increased severity of PTSD. Although PTSD has features that distinguish it from other conditions, the degree of distress and long-term disability is more related to depressive symptomatology than to the severity of PTSD itself.