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Previous research has found that major depressive disorder (MDD) commonly occurs in hypothyroid populations. The purpose of this study was to use the biopsychosocial model to investigate factors associated with MDD and hypothyroidism by comparing hypothyroid patients with MDD and without MDD. A sample of 386 participants with hypothyroidism completed both cognitive and psychosocial self-reported assessments along with a questionnaire rating the severity of common hypothyroid symptoms. Participants were divided into two groups (MDD and no MDD) using the diagnostic criteria of the Patient Health Questionnaire. Univariate comparisons were used to assess differences in the severity of physical, psychological, and social correlates in participants with and without MDD. Participants with MDD reported significantly worse symptom severity, increased stress, and disruptions of cognitive functioning. Compared to individuals without MDD, they also indicated poorer quality of life, doctor–patient relationships, and treatment adherence. Individuals with comorbid depression and hypothyroidism reported worse outcomes across physical symptoms, social factors, and psychological and cognitive states than individuals without MDD. Integrating depression screeners and independent treatment for MDD, in addition to the patient's hypothyroid treatment plan, may result in hypothyroid symptom relief and greater quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effects of a Salutogenic program on sense of coherence, depression, and suicidal ideation among rural older adults. Quasi-experimental, nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. Participants were female, aged 65 years and older from G and O province, South Korea. The experimental group (n = 22) received a 12-session Salutogenic program for 6 weeks, twice a week. The control group (n = 19) was put on a waiting list to receive the intervention after completing the study. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, a χ2 test, independent t-test, and repeated measure ANOVA with SPSS WIN 26.0. There were significant differences in sense of coherence (F = 19.34, p <.001), depression (F = 12.93, p <.001), and suicidal ideation (F = 4.40, p =.027) over time pretest, posttest, and follow-up test after intervention between two groups. The study discussed the effect of Salutogenic program on sense of coherence, depression, and suicidal ideation, and considered its benefits in suicide prevention for elderly women. The Salutogenic program can be recommended as useful strategies to enhance sense of coherence and to reduce depression and suicidal ideation of elderly women in community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anxiety sensitivity (AS) is a multidimensional construct associated with the etiology and maintenance of panic disorder (PD) symptoms. However, only a few studies have evaluated whether cognitive-behavioral group therapy (CBGT) can modify the condition. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of CBGT on AS in patients with PD and to analyze AS and its dimensions as predictors of response to CBGT. In the present clinical trial, an intervention group (n = 37) attended 12 CBGT sessions, while a control group (n = 52) did not receive any intervention. The severity of symptoms and of AS were evaluated before and after CBGT in the intervention group and once in the control group. Significant improvement occurred in all specific PD symptoms and in general anxiety and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, AS scores reduced significantly after intervention. This study confirmed that AS is higher in patients with more severe PD. The effectiveness of CBGT for reducing the physical, cognitive, and social dimensions of AS was also observed, supporting the hypothesis of a positive impact of therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was performed to identify the factors influencing gender differences in sleep quality between men and women. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a convenience sample of 300 young adults from three Korean universities. Participants were 20–40 years of age, used smartphones, and took no sleep medication. Participants completed questionnaires on sleep quality, exercise, stress, depression, and smart phone addiction. The predictors of sleep quality in men were coffee consumption, napping, depression, failure to engage in light exercise at least three times per week, being overweight, being in the potential smart phone addiction group, and being employed, which explained 30.2% of the variance. The predictors of sleep quality in women were education to college level or higher, smoking, and stress, which explained 30.5% of the variance. To improve sleep quality in this population, future intervention should contain life style modification strategies containing smartphone addiction prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

There are no established screening criteria to help identify mothers of premature infants who are at risk for symptoms of emotional distress. The current study, using data obtained from recruitment and screening in preparation for a randomized controlled trial, aimed to identify potential risk factors associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress in a sample of mothers with premature infants hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit. One hundred, thirty-five mothers of preterm infants born at 26-34 weeks of gestation completed three self-report measures: the Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory (2nd ed.), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory to determine their eligibility for inclusion in a treatment intervention study based on clinical cut-off scores for each measure. Maternal sociodemographic measures, including race, ethnicity, age, maternal pregnancy history, and measures of infant medical severity were not helpful in differentiating mothers who screened positive on one or more of the measures from those who screened negative. Programs to screen parents of premature infants for the presence of symptoms of posttraumatic stress, anxiety, and depression will need to adopt universal screening rather than profiling of potential high risk parents based on their sociodemographic characteristics or measures of their infant's medical severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study was to identify the sociodemographic, clinical, and functional determinants of quality of life in elderly (older than 60 years) patients from a Psychosocial Care Center. The sample was randomly selected patients undergoing treatment at the center during the study period. Quality of life was assessed using the brief version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment (WHOQOL-BREF) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for older adults (WHOQOL-OLD). A total of 50 elderly individuals with a mean age of 67.5 ( SD = 5.72) years were included in the study. A hierarchical linear regression showed that clinical characteristics, such as severe symptoms of depression and a higher number of comorbidities, were related to lower quality of life. Better functional capacity and more frequent visits to the center were determinants of higher quality of life. These findings underscore the importance of assessing quality of life and of taking this variable into account when planning health interventions for elderly patients at a Psychosocial Care Center. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This pilot study evaluated the effectiveness of the Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse (APPN) in improving clinical outcomes of depressed clients and measured their clients' level of satisfaction with APPN care. A longitudinal study design using repeated measures was conducted to evaluate clinical outcomes and satisfaction with care of depressed clients treated by APPNs. The findings suggest that APPNs are highly effective in treating clients with depression and that clients are very satisfied with the care they receive from APPNs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]