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Objective: This study sought to understand how the pandemic impacted mental and physical health behaviors in University students. Methods: Undergraduate and graduate students were asked to answer questions on depression, anxiety, stress, sleep quality, and physical activity "prior to" and "during" the shutdown. Results: 457/960 (47.6%) completed the entire survey. Paired samples t -tests showed significant change in mental and physical health behaviors over time. Hierarchical regression models indicated that negative experiences during the shutdown were associated with depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep quality (all p 's < .001), but not time spent exercising or sedentary behavior. In addition, positive experiences during the shutdown acted as a buffer. Conclusion : The COVID-19 pandemic shutdown negatively impacted University students. Significant mental and physical health consequences were observed. These effects may linger long past the re-opening of society, and it may be prudent to prepare for additional demand on campus resources. more...

Background: Depression is present in all societies and affects members of all racial and ethnic groups. However, attitudes about depression differ across groups and have been shown to impact help-seeking behaviors, preferences for treatments, and compliance with treatments., Methods: Taking a cross-cultural approach, this project used a case vignette of depression to examine race/ethnic group differences in attitudes about depression and its treatment among young adults in the U.S., Results: Data analyses revealed significant racial/ethnic group differences in attitudes as well as the treatments/strategies participants reported they would use. Gender x race/ethnicity interactions revealed that White and Multiracial/ethnic men were more likely to believe the vignette character should find a partner to help with symptoms, while White and Multiracial/ethnic women did not endorse those strategies. Hispanic men and women did not show a gender difference in that strategy, but gender differences were observed in other strategies. In a rare comparison, majority-minority Multiracial/ethnic participants (i.e., White selected as one of their races/ethnicities) rated identified helpers and treatments similarly to White participants and significantly higher than multiple-minority Multiracial participants (i.e., White not selected as one of their races/ethnicities)., Conclusions: Findings supported previous research that indicates different U.S. racial/ethnic group ideas of depression and its treatment are potentially linked with cultural values, and we suggest that investigating these more fine-grained group differences can help to inform treating professionals as well as public health messages., (© 2024. The Author(s).) more...

Depression is frequently comorbid with diabetes; however, less is known about this comorbidity in socially disadvantaged populations. This cross-sectional study examined depressive symptomatology among 424 patients with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitus at a federally qualified health center. Prevalence of clinically significant depressive symptoms was assessed using the World Health Organization Five-Item Well-Being Index. The majority (67.7%) endorsed depressive symptoms, with greater prevalence among middle-aged adults (45-64 years) than younger or older counterparts. More women than men endorsed depressive symptoms. Findings suggest the need for routine depression screening in both prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus, particularly among middle-aged and low-income individuals. more...

Depression and diabetes are both serious chronic conditions common in Western cultures. These conditions impart a significant burden on the patients and society. Depression is often comorbid with chronic illness, and past research has found an increased prevalence of depressive symptoms in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). However, the exact nature and direction of this relationship are unknown. Depression is often thought to be a consequence of diabetes, perhaps due to the burden of chronic illness. Research has also suggested that depression may be a risk factor for development of diabetes, in part due to biochemical changes in depression and in part because of a reduction of health care behaviors in individuals with depression. This paper reviews the literature behind both lines of investigation and includes special diagnostic and clinical considerations for at risk populations. We discuss clinical implications, limitations of current research, and areas of interest for future research., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.) more...