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Normal aging presents subtle cognitive changes that can be detected before meeting the criteria for Mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Older people with low cognitive reserve and who receive limited cognitive stimulation are at greater risk of deterioration. In this regard, cognitive stimulation (CS) has been identified as an intervention that reduces this risk, provided that its design takes into account the differences in the level of cognitive reserve (CR) acquired throughout life and the baseline level of cognitive functioning. The general objective of this study is to evaluate, through a randomized clinical trial, the effectiveness of a computerized cognitive stimulation program, designed and adapted from Occupational Therapy based on the level of cognitive reserve in older adults in Primary Care. 100 participants will be randomized in a stratified manner according to the level of cognitive reserve (low/moderate/high), assigning 50 participants to the control group and 50 participants to the intervention group. The intervention group will carry out a computerized cognitive stimulation intervention designed and adapted from occupational therapy according to the level of cognitive reserve, through the "stimulus" platform. The main result expected to be achieved is the improvement of higher brain functions. As secondary results, we expect that those cognitive aspects most vulnerable to aging will decrease more slowly (in areas such as memory, executive function, attention and processing speed), and that the cognitive reserve of the participants will increase, in addition to being able to balance gender differences in these aspects. We think that these results can have a positive impact on the creation of adapted, meaningful and stimulating CS programs in older adults to prevent MCI and experience healthier aging.
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Background: The objective of our study is to analyze the health care received by older adults with COVID-19 according to their place of residence (whether or not they live in a long-term care [LTC] facility) and to find out the effect of health care on mortality. Methods: Retrospective cohort study based in Aragón (Spain) from March 2020 to March 2021 in patients aged 65 years or older with a confirmed COVID-19 infection. The population was classified according to their place of residence (living in a LTC or not). A propensity score was used to match individuals by sex and age. The effect of living in a LTC facility on healthcare delivery and mortality was conducted using adjusted multivariate models. Varimp was used to estimate the best predictors of mortality for both groups. Results: Healthcare services utilization varied depending on whether the patients lived in a LTC facility or not. The time to diagnosis was shorter in institutionalized patients, but the time to hospital admission was longer. Length of hospital stays, risk of ICU admission and 30-day mortality were also different and remained statistically significant in the adjusted models. The variables that were more important in the association between healthcare utilization and mortality were those associated with greater severity of COVID-19. Conclusions: There were differences in health care for older adults diagnosed with COVID-19 according to their place of residence. There is a need to strengthen collaboration between professionals in LTC centers and health services to provide equitable health care.
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Objectives. The COVID-19 pandemic, remote work and new technologies have heightened workplace pressures. Effective response and essential organizational changes require business leaders to be more adaptable, with managers' presence playing a pivotal role in successful implementation. The study assesses a brief mindfulness-based emotional regulation for managers (MBERM) intervention, to reduce workplace stress and enhance managerial well-being. Methods. An 8-week non-randomized controlled trial was conducted with a waiting list control group and an intervention group. Pre-post differences were measured by Student's t test or Wilcoxon test, and effect size calculated using the Hedge's g formula. The sample included 23 managers (17 men and six women) with average age 50 years. The study assessed anxiety and depressive symptoms, psychological flexibility, perceived self-efficacy, general work-related well-being, perceived stress and mindfulness. Results. Statistically significant changes were observed in the intervention group in depression, anxiety, work-related acceptance and action, general self-efficacy, exhaustion, alienation, stress and non-reactivity. The control group showed no statistically significant changes in any of the variables. Conclusion. The MBERM intervention could improve the emotional and work-related well-being of managers and reduce stress levels and burnout. Further study of this intervention is needed to promote adherence and ensure a long-term improvement.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Mindfulness , Occupational Stress , Humans , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Pilot Projects , Occupational Stress/prevention & control , Occupational Stress/psychology , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19/psychology , Depression/prevention & control , Depression/psychology , Adult , Anxiety/prevention & control , Anxiety/psychology , Burnout, Professional/prevention & control , Burnout, Professional/psychology , Workplace/psychology , Self Efficacy , SARS-CoV-2 , Administrative Personnel/psychology , Emotional RegulationABSTRACT
Background: Although motivational interviewing was originally developed to address abuse disorders, scientific evidence confirms that it is an increasingly used and effective approach in a wide range of therapeutic interventions. To date, however, no studies have analyzed the use of this tool in patients with persistent symptoms following coronavirus disease 2019, a condition known as Long COVID. Purpose: To analyze the effectiveness of motivational interviewing with regard to the adherence to telerehabilitation for Long COVID using a mobile application. As a secondary objective, factors related to greater motivation before and after the motivational interviewing techniques were analyzed. Patients and Methods: This longitudinal design substudy used a sample of 52 adult patients with Long COVID participating in the intervention group of a randomized clinical trial. This trial examined the effectiveness of a telerehabilitation program for this population using a mobile application. This program included three motivational interviews to achieve maximum treatment adherence. In this study, the main variables were motivation and adherence to application use. Sociodemographic and clinical data, personal constructs, and affective state were also collected. Subsequently, a descriptive, correlational, and regression statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS Statistics program. Results: The median motivation prior to the first motivational interview was 8 (IQR 2), the median at the end of the last motivational interview was 8.5 (IQR 2.75), and the change in motivation levels after the three motivational interviews was 0.5 (IQR 1). Affective state and final motivation scores were predictors of greater adherence to telerehabilitation treatment. Conclusion: A high level of motivation after participating in motivational interviewing appears to be related to higher levels of adherence to telerehabilitation in patients with Long COVID. This suggests that motivational interviewing may be an effective tool in the treatment of this disease.
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BACKGROUND: By 2050, the number of people aged 60 years and older will have doubled worldwide and the most common mental disorders in this age group are currently depressive symptoms and anxiety. This study aimed to analyze the Basic and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (BADLs and IADLs, respectively) in older adults; socio-demographic, clinical, lifestyle, and environmental variables; and cognitive impairment related to the appearance of depressive symptoms and anxiety. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 327 participants aged ≥65 years in primary care. The variables were Yesavage's Geriatric Depression Scale, the Goldberg Anxiety Subscale, socio-demographic, clinical, lifestyle, environmental variables, BADLs, IADLs, and the Spanish version of the Mini-Mental State Examination. RESULTS: An analysis of variance was carried out for the predictive multiple linear regression models. '≥ 1 chronic pathology' and 'low dependency' in BADL are negatively associated with anxiety, while 'physical activity' and 'low dependency' in BADL are associated with positive factors for depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Predictor variables could improve the early detection of anxiety and depressive symptoms by general practitioners and serve as a basis for future studies and personalised-adapted cognitive stimulation programs.
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Activities of Daily Living , Depression , Humans , Middle Aged , Aged , Depression/diagnosis , Depression/epidemiology , Depression/psychology , Activities of Daily Living/psychology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Anxiety/diagnosis , Anxiety/epidemiology , Primary Health CareABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The global population is experiencing accelerated biopsychosocial aging. Cognitive impairment is frequently associated with functional impairment in basic and instrumental daily living activities. To maintain optimal cognitive and functional functioning, health professionals recommend that older adults participate in cognitive training. AIMS: This study examines the cognitive and functional evolution of older adults with and without Intellectual Disability and the factors associated with favourable evolution following the intervention of a multicomponent programme based on the human occupational model and the person-centred care model. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: 247 people participated. Descriptive and univariate analyses were performed to examine baseline data. The Wilcoxon paired samples test was used to compare cognitive and functional evolution one year after the intervention. Linear regression was used to detect factors predicting favourable evolution. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Both populations improved cognitively. There was no change in basic activities of daily living. There was an improvement in instrumental activities of daily living in the group with Intellectual Disability. None of the variables collected was a predictor of greater improvement. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: This study demonstrated that older people with Intellectual Disability who have supports to cope with this life stage can improve their cognitive and functional abilities.
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Cognitive Dysfunction , Intellectual Disability , Humans , Aged , Activities of Daily Living/psychology , Longitudinal Studies , Prospective Studies , Cognitive Dysfunction/epidemiology , CognitionABSTRACT
Introduction: This research aims to study the role of social support as a mediator in the relationship between technostress or academic stress and health in university students. Methods: A descriptive, quantitative cross-sectional study has been carried out through a self-reported survey answered by 389 students during March and April 2022. The current level of health was the outcome variable. Technostress and academic stress were the criterion variables. Perceived social support was the mediator variable. The sociodemographic variables and ICT use at the educational level were the independent variables. Results: Women have higher levels of technostress and academic stress than men. Social support significantly and positively mediates the relationship between academic stress and self-perceived health in men. Discussion: There is a clear need to develop new social management strategies that assist students in developing stable and long-lasting social networks, which can reduce stress during the student period and provide personal tools for later working life.
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INTRODUCTION: Cognitive stimulation (CS) is a popular and cost-effective intervention, which applies different types of techniques focused on cognitive skills and can be administered by different professionals. CS can be defined as activities that involve cognitive processing usually conducted in a social context and often in a group. Therefore, CS can improve psychosocial functioning and quality of life (QoL), depression, anxiety and activities of daily living (ADLs) independent of the pharmacological treatment such as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of CS on psychosocial outcomes in older adults (aged 65 years or over), with healthy cognitive ageing, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. METHODS: PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were examined from inception to October 2021. A total of 1,997 studies were initially identified in these databases. After discarding studies that did not meet the inclusion criteria, 30 studies were finally included in the systematic review and the meta-analysis performed with robust variance estimator (RVE) due the inclusion of studies with repeated measurements. The quality assessment tools from the National Institutes of Health were used to evaluate the quality of the studies. RESULTS: CS was significantly associated with a higher QoL in participants who received personalized/adapted CS (RVE = 0.11±0.19 [-0.76, 0.99], t(1.86) = 0.6, p = 0.61). . CONCLUSION: Personalized/adapted CS seems to improve QoL in older adults.
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Cognition , Cognitive Dysfunction , Aged , Humans , Activities of Daily Living , Cognition/physiology , Cognitive Dysfunction/therapy , Quality of LifeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: An estimated 280 million individuals suffer from depression. Brief group interventions in Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) are recommended. One goal of these interventions is to educate people about healthy lifestyle habits, as they prevent the development of depression. This study aims to analyse the one-year follow-up results about the effectiveness of a Lifestyle Modification Programme (LMP) and an LMP plus Information and Communication Technologies (LMP + ICTs) when compared to Treatment as Usual (TAU). METHODS: We conducted an open-label, multicentre, pragmatic, randomised clinical trial. A total of 188 individuals that visited a general practitioner and met the inclusion criteria were randomised. LMP consisted of six weekly 90-minute group sessions focusing on lifestyle improvement. LMP + ICTs was a hybrid of the LMP format with the inclusion of a wearable smartwatch. We used linear mixed models (with a random intercept and an unstructured covariance) to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions, and an intention-to-treat analysis and Multiple Imputation technique for handling missing data. RESULTS: LMP + ICTs showed a statistically significant reduction on depressive symptoms (b = -2.68, 95 % CI = [-4.239, -1.133] p = .001) and sedentarism (b = -37.38, 95 % CI [-62.930, -11.833], p = .004) compared to TAU. LIMITATIONS: Most of the dropouts were due to time restrictions. CONCLUSIONS: In long-term, LMPs plus ICTs administered in PHCs to people suffering from depression were effective in reducing depressive symptomatology and sedentarism comparing to TAU. More research is needed to enhance adherence to lifestyle recommendations. These promising programmes could be easily implemented in PHCs. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT03951350).
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Depression , Life Style , Humans , Depression/therapy , Follow-Up Studies , Behavior Therapy , Primary Health Care , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Quality of LifeABSTRACT
PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH: Cognitive stimulation (CS) is defined as activities that involve cognitive processing, usually conducted in a social context and often in a group. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a personalized-adapted CS program in older adults on global cognition, neuropsychological constructs, activities of daily living (ADLs), and mood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The randomized controlled single-blind trial involving 337 participants (235 women and 102 men) ≥ 65 years of age in a Primary Care centre classified participants into 4 groups: 101 for the no deterioration (ND) group; 100 for the subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) group; 108 for the level deterioration (LD) group and 28 for the moderate deterioration group. The intervention consisted of a personalized CS adapted program for 10 weeks. Follow-up assessments were conducted post-intervention, and at 6 and 12 months. The primary outcome was global cognition measured by the Spanish version of the Mini-Mental State Examination. The secondary outcomes were measured by the Barthel Index, the Lawton and Brody Scale, the Goldberg Questionnaire (anxiety sub-scale) and the abbreviated Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale. RESULTS: The intervention showed a tendency of improvement on global cognition and different cognitive functions for groups with no deterioration or level deterioration. The group with moderate deterioration improved in anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrated benefits in global cognition, different cognitive functions, semantic fluency, IADLs and anxiety. The most benefits are given in the intermediate groups, SCI, and LD. Moreover, the intervention works by increasing the benefits in the different phases.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy , Cognitive Dysfunction , Male , Humans , Female , Aged , Activities of Daily Living , Single-Blind Method , Cognition , Cognitive Dysfunction/therapy , Cognitive Dysfunction/psychologyABSTRACT
Background/objective: The COVID-19 pandemic and consequent physical distancing has made it difficult to provide care for those with Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD). As a secondary analysis of a clinical trial, the aim of this study was to explore potential mechanisms through which three online-delivered approaches, added to treatment as usual, improve depressive symptoms in TRD patients. Methods: The three approaches included (a) Minimal Lifestyle Intervention (MLI), (b) Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and (c) Lifestyle Modification Program (LMP). Sixty-six participants with TRD completed assessments pre-post intervention (mindfulness skills [FFMQ]; self-compassion [SCS]; and experiential avoidance [AAQ-II]) and pre-intervention to follow-up (depressive symptoms [BDI-II]). Data were analyzed using within-subjects regression models to test mediation. Results: Mindfulness skills mediated the effect of MBCT on depressive symptoms (ab = -4.69, 95% CI = -12.93 to-0.32), whereas the lack of experiential avoidance mediated the effect of LMP on depressive symptoms (ab = -3.22, 95% CI = -7.03 to-0.14). Conclusion: Strengthening mindfulness skills and decreasing experiential avoidance may promote recovery in patients with TRD, MBCT, and LMP have demonstrated that they may help increase mindfulness skills and decrease experiential avoidance, respectively. Future work will need to unpick the components of these interventions to help isolate active ingredients and increase optimization.
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Cognitive stimulation is essential for successful aging. The influence of sex and socio-occupational elements on this area remains unknown. This study aimed to analyze the possible mediation of those elements in the effectiveness of a cognitive stimulation program in primary care. A randomized clinical trial was conducted with 232 adults aged 65 years or older without cognitive impairment. The intervention produced significant cognitive improvements. Women improved independently of social and occupational factors, while men's improvement occurred at a low role level (zero to one), a medium level of interests (two to three), with a medium level of mental occupation (neither high nor low), and with marked personal values. The mediating variables were the intervention group in both sexes and, also in men, a low and medium role level. Therefore, the intervention and roles appear as mediating variables moderated by sex. In conclusion, cognitive stimulation programs should be adapted.
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Cognitive Dysfunction , Male , Humans , Female , Aged , Cognitive Dysfunction/psychology , Aging , CognitionABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is a common complaint having distressing consequences for those that suffer from it. Pain and depression concur within the context of comorbidity, and both share underlying stress conditions. Sense of coherence (SOC) is a factor that determines how well an individual manages stress and stays healthy. Its relationship with depression has been frequently reported in the literature. Our objective was to assess the amount of evidence available regarding the association between SOC and depression in patients suffering from chronic pain. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed. Searches were conducted between November 01 and December 31, 2020 in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, PsycINFO, Psicodoc, ScienceDirect and Dialnet. There were no restrictions regarding the date of publication of the study. Evidence related to the relationship between SOC and depression in patients with chronic pain was summarized and compared. RESULTS: A total of 163 articles were identified. We included 9 papers in the qualitative and quantitative synthesis. The pooled correlation coefficient was -0.55 (95%: -0.70; -0.41) and was not modified after removing any study. The heterogeneity across the studies was considerable (I2 = 94.8%; p < 0.001). The random-effects meta-regression models for the association between SOC and depression showed that age (p = 0.148) and percentage of women (p = 0.307) were not related to heterogeneity across studies. No publication bias was detected (p = 0.720). CONCLUSIONS: At first glance, the included studies give the impression that SOC is an important factor in depression levels of patients with chronic pain. Most of the included studies revealed a moderate association between SOC and depressive symptoms.
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Chronic Pain , Sense of Coherence , Humans , Female , Chronic Pain/complications , Depression/complications , Depression/diagnosis , Comorbidity , AnxietyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The high prevalence of depression is partly attributable to the poor response of patients to first-line antidepressants. Multimodal programs that promote a healthy lifestyle are successful in treating depression when used as a complementary therapy, but their medium- and long-term benefits have not been demonstrated for patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The main aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a lifestyle modification program (LMP) with mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and a placebo-control (written suggestions for lifestyle changes) in Spanish patients with TRD. METHODS: This controlled clinical trial randomized 94 patients with TRD into 3 arms. The primary outcome was the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) score at baseline, 2, 6 and 12 months. The secondary outcomes were changes in scores that evaluated quality-of-life, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, physical activity, and social support. RESULTS: Relative to the placebo group, the LMP and MBCT groups had significantly better quality of life (p = 0.017; p = 0.027), and the LMP group had significantly better adherence to the Mediterranean diet (p<0.001) and reduced use of antidepressants (p = 0.036). However, the three groups showed no significant differences in BDI-II score. LIMITATIONS: Only about half of the planned 180 patients were recruited, in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence that the LMP treatment significantly reduced symptoms of depression relative to the other groups during the COVID-19 lockdown.
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COVID-19 , Depressive Disorder, Major , Mindfulness , Humans , Depression/therapy , Depressive Disorder, Major/drug therapy , Quality of Life , Pandemics , Communicable Disease Control , Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use , Healthy Lifestyle , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The lack of cognitive activity accelerates age cognitive decline. Cognitive stimulation (CS) tries to enhance cognitive functioning. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of CS on cognitive outcomes (general cognitive functioning and specific cognitive domains) in older adults (aged 65 years or older, cognitively healthy participants, or with mild cognitive impairment, or dementia). METHODS: PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were examined from inception to October 2021. A total of 1,997 studies were identified in these databases, and. 33 studies were finally included in the systematic review and the meta-analysis. Raw means and standard deviations were used for continuous outcomes. Publication bias was examined by Egger's Regression Test for Funnel Plot Asymmetry and the quality assessment tools from the National Institutes of Health. RESULTS: CS significantly improves general cognitive functioning (mean difference=MD = 1.536, 95%CI, 0.832 to 2.240), memory (MD = 0.365, 95%CI, 0.300 to 0.430), orientation (MD = 0.428, 95%CI, 0.306 to 0.550), praxis (MD = 0.278, 95%CI, 0.094 to 0.462) and calculation (MD = 0.228, 95%CI, 0.112 to 0.343). CONCLUSION: CS seems to increase general cognitive functioning, memory, orientation, praxis, and calculation in older adults.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy , Cognitive Dysfunction , Dementia , Humans , Aged , Cognition/physiology , Healthy VolunteersABSTRACT
Background: Depression symptoms are prevalent in the general population, and their onset and continuation may be related to biological and psychosocial factors, many of which are related to lifestyle aspects. Health promotion and lifestyle modification programmes (LMPs) may be effective on reducing the symptoms. The objective of this study was to analyse the clinical effectiveness of a LMP and a LMP plus Information and Communication Technologies, when compared to Treatment as Usual (TAU) over 6 months. The interventions were offered as an adjuvant treatment delivered in Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) for people with depression symptoms. Methods: We conducted an open-label, multicentre, pragmatic, randomized clinical trial. Participants were recruited from several PHCs. Those participants visiting general practitioner for any reason, who also met the inclusion criteria (scoring 10 to 30 points on the Beck II Self-Applied Depression Inventory) were invited to take part in the study. TAU+LMP consisted of six weekly 90-min group sessions focused on improving lifestyle. TAU+LMP + ICTs replicated the TAU+LMP format, plus the addition of a wearable smartwatch to measure daily minutes walked and sleep patterns. A total of 188 participants consented to participate in the study and were randomized. We used linear mixed models, with a random intercept and an unstructured covariance to evaluate the impact of the interventions compared to TAU. Results: Both interventions showed a statistically significant reduction on depressive symptoms compared to TAU (TAU+LMP vs. TAU slope difference, b = -3.38, 95% CI= [-5.286, -1.474] p = 0.001 and TAU+LMP+ICTs vs. TAU slope difference, b = -4.05, 95% CI = [-5.919, -2.197], p < 0.001). These reductions imply a moderate effect size. In the TAU+LMP+ICTs there was a significant increase regarding minutes walking per week (b = 99.77) and adherence to Mediterranean diet (b = 0.702). In the TAU+LMP there was a significant decrease regarding bad sleep quality (b = -1.24). Conclusion: TAU+LMPs administered in PHCs to people experiencing depression symptoms were effective on reducing these symptoms compared to TAU. They also have a positive impact on changing several lifestyle factors. These findings indicate that these interventions can be promising strategies for PHCs.
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There is currently little scientific evidence available that allows us to understand patterns of knowledge, risk perception, attitudes, and behaviours among adolescents in relation to COVID-19. This study aims to analyse the relationship between knowledge about COVID-19, risk perception, and psychological variables and the adherence to preventive measures among the adolescent population. It is a descriptive cross-sectional study, which included adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18 (n = 354). The questionnaire was sent to several secondary schools chosen by convenience sampling and following a non-probabilistic snowball sampling. Descriptive, univariate, and multivariate analyses were carried out in order to determine whether knowledge about COVID-19, risk perception, tolerance of frustration, planning and decision-making, family functionality, self-efficacy, self-esteem, and social skills are related to preventive measures. The adoption among adolescents of behaviours which protect them against COVID-19 depends on knowledge about the disease, the perception of the risk it poses to them, as well as their tolerance of frustration and planning and decision-making abilities. The relationship between the individual variables among adolescents with the adoption of behaviours which protect them against COVID-19 has been confirmed. The development of intervention and communication strategies that take the psychosocial situation of adolescents into account will help to increase the adoption of protective health behaviours in the context of a pandemic.
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There is much evidence, both in humans and rodents, that while navigating males tend to use geometric information whereas females rely more on landmarks. The present work attempts to alter the geometry bias in female rats. In Experiment 1 three groups of female rats were trained in a triangular-shaped pool to find a hidden platform, whose location was defined in terms of two sources of information, a landmark outside the pool and a particular corner of the pool. On a subsequent test trial with the triangular pool and no landmark, females with prior experience with two other pool shapes-with a kite-shaped pool and with a rectangular-shaped pool (Group Long Previous Experience, LPE), were significantly more accurate than control rats without such prior experience (Group No Previous Experience, NPE). Rats with a short previous experience-with the rectangular-shaped pool only (Group Short Previous Experience, SPE) did not differ from Group NPE. These results suggest that the previous experience with different shaped-pools could counteract the geometry bias in female rats. Then, Experiment 2A directly compared the performance of LPE males and females of Experiment 1, although conducting several test trials (i.e., shape, landmark, and preference). The differences between males and females disappeared in the three tests. Moreover, in a final test trial both males and females could identify the correct corner in an incomplete pool by its local, instead of global, properties. Finally, Experiment 2B compared the performance of NPE rats, males and females, of Experiment 1. On the test trial with the triangular pool and no landmark, males were significantly more accurate than females. The results are explained in the framework of selective attention.
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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The impact of COVID-19 and its control measures have exacerbated existing mental health conditions. Although the deleterious effects of mental health problems are well known, fewer studies have examined the links between the Social Determinants of Health (SDHs) and depression. This study provides insights into the relationship between SDHs and depression during the first strict lockdown in Spain, which lasted for a period of 7 weeks. METHODS: Fifty-two structured interviews were conducted with people diagnosed with depression during June 2020 in the province of Zaragoza (Spain). Interviews were conducted by telephone due to lockdown constraints. Inductive thematic content analysis was used to explore, develop, and define emergent categories of analysis, which were mapped against the SDH framework. RESULTS: Listening to people's experiences of living with depression during lockdown provided insights into their concerns and coping strategies, which are greatly influenced by the conditions in which they live, their job and their age. Examples of these factors include access to and quality of physical spaces, including housing conditions and public spaces for socialising, social support, adverse working conditions which include caring responsibilities, and access to digital technologies and healthcare services. CONCLUSION: SDHs have played a fundamental role in shaping people's health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this study has shown that they have a considerable effect on depression outcomes. Governments should consider implementing social welfare programs to tackle both psychosocial problems and material need during crisis situations.