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Having a toddler with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be challenging for parents and may negatively impact on parents' mental health. This study examined the relationship between parental depressive symptoms and their cognitive control and cognitive flexibility, and toddlers' ASD symptoms. A total of 68 parents with toddlers with ASD participated in this cross-sectional study. Parents completed a series of questionnaires covering the toddlers' symptoms of ASD (Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (GARS-2), and their symptoms of depression (Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II)) and their cognitive control and cognitive flexibility (Cognitive Control and Flexibility Questionnaire (CCFQ)). Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression were used to analyze the data. Toddlers' greater severity of ASD symptoms (r = 0.33; p < 05), parents' a lower ability of cognitive control (r = -0.62; p < 01) and cognitive flexibility (r = -0.33; p < 05) were associated with parents' greater severity of depressive symptoms. Toddlers' severity of ASD (11%) and parents' cognitive control (39%) and cognitive flexibility (11%) explained significant changes of the variance of parents' depressive symptoms. Parents' cognitive control, but less so toddlers' severity of ASD, predicted the severity of their depressive symptoms. Interventions to improve cognitive control among parents of toddlers with ASD might favorably impact on parents' symptoms of depression., Author(s): Saeid Sadeghi [sup.1] [sup.2] , Hamid Reza Pouretemad [sup.1] [sup.2] , Serge Brand [sup.3] [sup.4] [sup.5] [sup.6] [sup.7] Author Affiliations: (1) https://ror.org/0091vmj44, grid.412502.0, 0000 0001 0686 4748, Institute for [...]

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests that adolescents' moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is associated with less off-task behaviour in the classroom. However, the contribution of cognitive functions to this relation still remains unclear. Executive function and aspects of social cognition, which appear to be correlated with MVPA, have been found to determine academic behaviours. Aim: This study examines the direct association between MVPA and off-task behaviour as well as mediations by different cognitive domains. Sample: Forty-six-male and 67-female adolescents aged 13.0 ± 1.3 years were recruited from local schools. Methods: Participants recalled their MVPA. Using video cameras, their classroom behaviours were recorded and a 6-min period was rated for off-task behaviour. Additionally, participants completed a modified Flanker task, which assessed both inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility, a Sternberg paradigm, which assessed working memory, and an Emotion Recognition task. Results: Path-analyses revealed that higher MVPA was associated with less off-task behaviour. Inhibitory control accounted for a partial mediation of this association. The mediating role of inhibitory control was most pronounced for the relation between MVPA and off-task behaviours related to noise. Conclusion: These findings provide a first indication that curricular and extracurricular physical activities targeting specific improvements in inhibitory control may promise transfer effects to classroom behaviours.

Background: In major depressive disorder (MDD), cognitive dysfunctions strongly contribute to functional impairments but are barely addressed in current therapies. Novel treatment strategies addressing cognitive symptoms in depression are needed. As the gut microbiotabrain axis is linked to depression and cognition, we investigated the effect of a 4-week high-dose probiotic supplementation on cognitive symptoms in depression. Methods: This randomized controlled trial included 60 patients with MDD, of whom 43 entered modified i ntention-to-treat analysis. A probiotic supplement or indistinguishable placebo containing maltose was administered over 31 days in addition to treatment as usual for depression. Participant scores on the Verbal Learning Memory Test (VLMT), Corsi Block Tapping Test, and both Trail Making Test versions as well as brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels were assessed at 3 different time points: before, immediately after and 4 weeks after intervention. Additionally, brain activation changes during working memory processing were investigated before and immediately after intervention. Results: We found a significantly improved immediate recall in the VLMT in the probiotic group immediately after intervention, and a trend for a time x group interaction considering all time points. Furthermore, we found a time x group interaction in hippocampus activation during working memory processing, revealing a remediated hippocampus function in the probiotic group. Other measures did not reveal significant changes. Limitations: The modest sample size resulting from our exclusion of low-compliant cases should be considered. Conclusion: Additional probiotic supplementation enhances verbal episodic memory and affects neural mechanisms underlying impaired cognition in MDD. The present findings support the importance of the gut microbiota-brain axis in MDD and emphasize the potential of microbiota-related regimens to treat cognitive symptoms in depression. Clinical trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT02957591., Introduction Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects about 264 million people worldwide and is a leading cause of the global disability burden. (1) Next to affective symptoms, cognitive symptoms characterize depression. [...]

Introduction: Major depressive disorders (MDD) are a leading health concern worldwide. While first line medication treatments may fall short of desired therapeutic outcomes, physical activity (PA) interventions appear to be a promising and cost-effective add-on to improve symptoms of depression. This study aimed to address challenges in the assessment of PA in inpatients treated for MDD by examining the correspondence of self-reported and accelerometer-based PA. Methods: In 178 inpatients treated for MDD (mean age:M= 41.11 years, SD = 12.84; 45.5% female) and 97 non-depressed controls (mean age: M= 35.24 years, SD = 13.40; 36.1% female), we assessed self-reported PA via the Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (SIMPAQ) for one week, followed by a week where PA was monitored using an accelerometer device (Actigraph wGT3x-BT). Additionally, we examined correlations between PA levels assessed with the SIMPAQ and exercise determinants in both groups. Results: Descriptively, inpatients treated for MDD showed lower levels of light PA on accelerometer-based measures, whereas they self-reported increased levels of certain types of PA on the SIMPAQ. More importantly, there was only a small degree of correspondence between self-reported and actigraphy-based PA levels in both in patients (r = 0.15, p < 0.05) and controls (r = 0.03, ns). Only few significant correlations were found for self-reported PA (SIMPAQ subscores) and perceived fitness, whereas self-reported PA and estimated VO2max were unrelated. Furthermore, only weak (and mostly statistically non-significant) correlations were found between exercise determinants and SIMPAQ-based exercise behavior in both populations. Discussion: Our findings emphasize the intricate challenges in the assessment of PA, not only in inpatients treated for MDD, but also in non-depressed controls. Our findings also underline the necessity for a diversified data assessment. Further efforts are needed to refine and improve PA questionnaires for a more accurate data assessment in psychiatric patients and healthy controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to design the Farsi Scale of Sexual-Reproductive Needs and Concerns of never-married women over 35 and to assess its psychometric properties. Materials and methods: This mixed method research had two phases. The first phase was qualitative (Conventional Content Analysis). We interviewed never-married Iranian women over 35; from their responses, we extracted specific statements which to be used as questionnaire items. To validate the questionnaire psychometrically, we tested its validity (face, content, and structure) and reliability (internal consistency and stability). For qualitative face validity, 15 never-married women and 5 experts commented on the style of sentences. For quantitative face validity, we used the impact score. For qualitative content validity, 15 experts commented on the items based on their appropriateness, and for quantitative content validity, we performed the Content Validity Ratio and Content Validity Index. Exploratory Factor Analysis was used to Construct Validity. To evaluate structural validity, a crosssectional sample of 240 never-married women over the age of 35 completed the questionnaire. Cronbach's Alpha was used for internal consistency. In addition, the test-retest method and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient were used to ensure stability. Results: The Sexual-Reproductive Needs and Concerns Scale of Iranian Never-Married Women over 35 was developed with 15 items and three dimensions (Emotional burden; Sexual needs; Stigma). Cronbach's alpha for the instrument was 0.81 and the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient was 0.98. Conclusion: The results of the study showed that the developed scale has acceptable validity and reliability, and thus can be used to assess the sexual-reproductive needs and concerns of never-married Iranian women of 35 and over. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to develop, implement, and evaluate a physical education-based coping training program for vocational students. Two vocational schools participated in the quasi-experimental pilot study (EPHECT I). One school received the intervention (intervention group: n = 434), while the other school maintained regular physical education classes (control group: n = 430). Repeated measures ANCOVAs were used to examine the effects on coping and perceived stress. Additionally, effects were compared among students who reported low versus elevated life satisfaction. Finally, the implementation rate was considered as a moderating factor. Overall, no significant time by group effects were found between the intervention group and the control group. However, a reduction in maladaptive coping occurred among students of the intervention group who reported low life satisfaction. The implementation rate did not moderate the findings. Despite a relatively low implementation rate, the intervention program reduced maladaptive coping strategies in adolescents with low life satisfaction. Program monitoring needs to be increased in future research.

Introduction: The first-line treatment for opioid dependence is opioid agonist treatment (OAT) with oral opioids. However, in some cases, treatment with intravenous diacetylmorphine (IV-DAM) is indicated. Research on neurocognitive impairments and treatment effects of OAT - particularly with IV-DAM - on neurocognitive functioning, is scarce. The current study is the first to investigate the neurocognitive performance of individuals on OAT with IV-DAM. Using a prospective study designwith two timepoints of measurement, the first aimwas toassess thenature and extent of neurocognitive functioning in individuals with opioid dependence by comparing participants' neurocognitive performance with normative data of the general population on admission to treatment (baseline) and after an initial three-month period of OAT (study end). The second aim was to examine whether and to what extent neurocognitive performance would improve after three months on OAT. The third aim was to investigate whether, and if so, to what extent the treatment method (IV-DAM vs. oral opioids) would lead to higher neurocognitive improvements at study end. Methods: Forty-seven opioid-dependent individuals (baseline; 33 individuals at study end) participated in this study (mean age: 34.3 years; 27.7% female). Participants underwent neuropsychological testing with a battery of 12 tests covering different neurocognitive domains, including attention, memory, and executive functions. Results: Compared to normative data, opioid-dependent individuals showed impairments in almost every test both at baseline and at study end. At baseline, neurocognitive performance did not differ between individuals receiving IV-DAM or oral opioids forOAT.Compared to baseline, the neurocognitive performance did neither improve nor deteriorate after three months of treatment with neither IV-DAM nor oral opioids. However, a trend towards improvement was found for the memory domain. Discussion: Given that neurocognitive impairments should be considered in treatment planning and therapeutic interventions. Since a reduced cognitive performance may affect both the treatment outcome and the therapeutic relationship unfavorably, specific neurocognitive training at the beginning of treatment should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Almost by default, young adult students are at increased risk of suffering from mental health issues, and this holds particularly true for medical students. Indeed, compared to the general population and non-medical students, medical students report higher scores for symptoms of depression. For Swiss medical students, research on the associations between psychiatric characteristics and symptoms of depression and insomnia, including cognitive–emotional processes and social activity, has been lacking so far. Given this, the aims of the present study were to relate self-declared psychiatric characteristics to symptoms of depression, insomnia, emotion regulation, and social activity. Methods: A total of 575 medical students (mean age: 22.4 years; 68.9% females) completed an online survey covering sociodemographic information (age and gender), study context (year of study), self-declared psychiatric characteristics and symptoms of depression, insomnia, emotion regulation (cognitive reappraisal vs. emotion suppression), and social activity. Data on insomnia sum scores and categories of historical samples (862 non-medical students and 533 police and emergency response service officers) were used for comparison. Results: Of the 575 participants, 190 participants (33%) self-declared psychiatric issues, such as major depressive disorder; anxiety disorders, including PTSD and adjustment disorders; eating disorders; ADHD; or a combination of such psychiatric issues. Self-reporting a psychiatric issue was related to higher symptoms of depression and insomnia and lower symptoms of social activity and cognitive reappraisal (always with significant p-values and medium effect sizes). Compared to historical data for non-medical students and police and emergency response service officers, medical students reported higher insomnia scores. In a regression model, current self-declared psychiatric issues, female gender, higher scores for insomnia, and lower scores for social activity were associated with higher scores for depression. Conclusions: Among a sample of Swiss medical students, the occurrence of self-declared psychiatric issues was associated with higher scores for depression and insomnia and lower cognitive reappraisal and social activity. Further, insomnia scores and insomnia categories were higher when compared to non-medical students and to police and emergency response service officers. The data suggest that medical schools might introduce specifically tailored intervention and support programs to mitigate medical students' mental health issues. This holds particularly true for insomnia, as standardized and online-delivered treatment programs for insomnia (eCBTi) are available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: For military leaders, military values and virtues are important psychological prerequisites for successful leadership and for ethical and moral military behavior. However, research on predictors of military values and virtues is scarce. Given this background, we investigated whether Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB), resilience, and vulnerable narcissism might be favorably or unfavorably associated with military values and virtues, and whether vulnerable narcissism could moderate the association between the OCB-by-resilience-interaction, and military virtues. Methods: A total of 214 officer cadets (mean age: 20.75 years; 96.8% males) of the Swiss Armed Forces (SAF) volunteered to take part in this cross-sectional study. They completed a booklet of self-rating scales covering dimensions of military values and military virtues, OCB, resilience, and vulnerable narcissism. Results: Higher scores for military virtues were associated with higher scores for military values, OCB, and resilience, and with lower scores for vulnerable narcissism. Multiple regression models showed that higher scores for OCB and resilience were associated with military values and virtues. Vulnerable narcissism moderated the association between military virtues, and the OCB-by-resilience-interaction: the higher the vulnerable narcissism, the more the OCB-by-resilience-interaction was associated with lower scores for military virtues. Conclusions: Among cadets of the SAF, the associations between military values, military virtues, OCB, and resilience were highly intertwined, while vulnerable narcissism appeared to attenuate the association between military virtues, OCB, and resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Acute benefits of aerobic exercise on executive functioning have been reported frequently under laboratory conditions. However, to date, a beneficial effect on long-term memory has been less well supported and no data are available regarding nonlaboratory conditions in young adults. The aim of the current study was to investigate acute effects of aerobic exercise on cognitive functioning in a university classroom setting. Method: Using a cross-over design, 51 participants performed a bout of moderately intense running (RUN) and read an article while seated (CON). Afterwards, they completed free-recall tests, followed by a Flanker task and an n-back task. Results: Participants in the RUN condition compared with those in the CON condition showed shorter reaction time on the inhibition task, F(1, 50) = 5.59, p = 0.022, ?[superscript 2] = 0.101, and recalled more words in the immediate- and delayed-recall tests, F(1, 50) = 8.40, p = 0.006, ?[superscript 2] = 0.144. Conclusion: The present findings suggest that a moderately intense bout of aerobic exercise benefits verbal short-term and long-term memory as well as inhibitory control among students in a classroom setting.