Teachers' competence: How to protect teachers' mental health from the burden caused by students' private in-class use of technical devices?

The current study investigated how students' private in-class use of technical devices is associated with teachers' mental health. Data of 361 teachers from primary and secondary schools in Germany were assessed via online surveys. The present cross-sectional results show a positive association between burden caused by the students' private in-class use of technical devices and teachers' depression symptoms. Both were negatively linked to teachers' positive mental health (PMH) and teachers' competence in handling students' private in-class use of technical devices. In a moderated mediation analysis, the association between burden and depression symptoms was mediated by PMH. Teachers' competence moderated the link between PMH and depression symptoms. Specifically, the higher the competence, the weaker the relationship between both variables. Thus, the protective effect of teachers' competence could be especially important in persons with low PMH. Competence training in handling students' use of technical devices is discussed as a potential step that could protect teachers' mental health.

The "Vicious Circle of addictive Social Media Use and Mental Health" Model.

Social media use (SMU) is a significant part of many people's everyday life. Research around the globe describes an increase of addictive SMU tendencies since the COVID-19 outbreak. The present work combines available findings in the "Vicious Circle of addictive Social Media Use and Mental Health" model to explain how social media (SM) activity can contribute to the development of addictive tendencies, which consequences they have for mental health, and how to prevent them. Following the model, the interplay between the risk factors negative experiences caused by daily hassles and by unexpected global and traumatic events, SMU (dimension "quality"), and SM flow can directly contribute to addictive SMU through the "vicious circle". Time spent on SMU (dimension "quantity"), symptoms of depression and anxiety, and the personality trait narcissism contribute to the circle as moderators. Symptoms of stress, insomnia, and suicide-related outcomes are described as potential consequences of addictive SMU. Based on longitudinal intervention studies, a conscious reduction of SMU time and an increase of physical activity, as well as positive mental health and mindfulness are identified as protective factors that reduce the risk of addictive tendencies. The model contributes to a better understanding of addictive SMU. Implications of the model for future research and praxis, specifically for mental health programs and therapeutic treatment are discussed.

Positive mental health accounts for the relationship between insomnia symptoms and suicide-related outcomes.

Insomnia symptoms have been shown to be associated with suicide ideation/behavior. However, the underlying mechanism is unclear and studies on protective factors that might mitigate the association between sleep-related problems and suicide ideation/behavior are largely missing. On this background the aim of the current study was to investigate, whether positive mental health (PMH) accounts for the association between insomnia symptoms and suicidal ideation/behavior. A total of 913 participants (72.2% women; age: M(SD) = 25.91 (7.08)) completed measures on insomnia symptoms, PMH and suicide ideation/behavior via an online survey. The results reveal a significant association between insomnia symptoms and PMH. Both variables were significantly linked to lifetime suicide ideation/behavior and 12-month suicide ideation. Moreover, the association between insomnia symptoms and suicide-related outcomes was significantly mitigated by PMH. The current findings complement previous studies on the association between insomnia symptoms and suicide ideation/behavior. Furthermore, they demonstrate that PMH can mitigate the risk of suicide-related outcomes. Therapeutic intervention targeting insomnia symptoms and fostering PMH might be useful in the prevention of suicide ideation/behavior.

The Relationship between Reasons for Smartphone Use, Addictive Use Tendencies, Fear of Missing Out, Depression, and Life Satisfaction: A Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: In the present cross-sectional study, we investigated whether reasons for smartphone use are similar to those of social media use. Also, we explored links between reasons of smartphone use and mental health variables (problematic smartphone use, FOMO, depression symptoms, and life satisfaction) in Germany during the COVID-19 lockdown period. METHODS: Overall, 571 smartphone users (Mage = 31.60, SDage = 12.73) provided their reasons for smartphone use. The reasons were assigned to six categories by an inductive qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Five of six reasons were similar to those of social media described by previous research. "Search for social interaction" goes along with less problematic smartphone use and depression symptoms and more life satisfaction. "Search for positive feelings" is associated with lower life satisfaction. More depressed people, those with problematic smartphone use tendencies, higher FOMO, and lower life satisfaction tend to "escape from negative emotions." DISCUSSION: Our results help to understand the relationships between reasons for smartphone use and mental health variables.

The "bubbles"-study: Validation of ultra-short scales for the assessment of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms.

Depression, anxiety and stress symptoms cause substantial psychological and economic burdens around the globe. To mitigate the negative consequences, the negative symptoms should be identified at an early stage. Therefore, the implementation of very brief valid screening tools in mental health prevention programs and in therapeutic settings is advantageous. In two studies on representative German population samples, we developed and validated three ultra-short scales-the "bubbles"-that consist of only one item based on the Depression Anxiety Stress 21 subscales (DASS-21) for the assessment of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms. The results of Study 1 (N = 1,001) and Study 2 (N = 894) revealed that the bubbles are valid instruments that fit the DASS-21 subscales on the factor level. Moreover, the bubbles replicated the association pattern of the DASS-21 subscales with demographic variables, and with variables that belong to the negative and the positive dimension of mental health. Thus, due to their time- and cost-efficiency, the bubbles can be used as brief screening tools in research (e.g., large-scale studies, longitudinal studies, experience sampling paradigms) and in praxis. Their shortness can prevent fatigue, motivation decrease, and participants' drop-out.

Nicotine-related interpretation biases in cigarette smoking individuals.

Addictive behaviors are characterized by information processing biases, including substance-related interpretation biases. In the field of cigarette smoking, such biases have not been investigated yet. The present study thus adopted an open-ended scenario approach to measure smoking-related interpretation biases. Individuals who smoke, those who ceased smoking, and those without a smoking history (total sample N = 177) were instructed to generate spontaneous continuations for ambiguous, open-ended scenarios that described either a smoking-related or neutral context. Overall, people who smoke generated more smoking-related continuations in response to smoking-relevant situations than non-smoking individuals or people who had stopped smoking, providing evidence for a smoking-related interpretation bias. When differentiating for situation type within smoking-relevant scenarios, smoking individuals produced more smoking-related continuations for positive/social and habit/addictive situations compared to negative/affective ones. Additionally, the tendency to interpret habit/addictive situations in a smoking-related manner was positively associated with cigarette consumption and levels of nicotine dependence. Exploratory analyses indicated that other substance-related continuations were correlated with their respective behavioral counterparts (e.g., the level of self-reported alcohol or caffeine consumption). The present study is the first to demonstrate smoking-related interpretation biases in relation to current cigarette smoking. Future studies should investigate the causal role of such biases in the initiation and/or maintainance of nicotine addiction and the merit of Interpretation-Bias-Modification training to support smoking cessation.

Trust in higher guidance and suicidality in Afghan students under the Taliban regime

Background/Objective: After years of war, political instability and natural catastrophes high rates of PTSD and depression have been found in the Afghan population. On this background, it was investigated whether religious beliefs (trust in higher guidance; TIHG) moderated the association between PTSD symptoms and/or depression and suicidal ideation. Method: A total of 279 Afghan university students (61.6% women; aged 18 to 30 years) took part in this cross-sectional study between July and November 2022. Self-report measures of PTSD, depression, suicidal ideation, trust in higher guidance were used. Results: Severe PTSD symptoms were reported by 58.4%, clinically relevant depression symptoms were reported by 55.2% and current suicidal ideation was reported by 44.4% of the sample. TIHG moderated the impact of PTSD symptoms, on suicidal ideation. TIHG and depression were unrelated. Conclusion: PTSD symptoms, depression and suicidal ideation show an alarmingly high prevalence in this specific sample of Afghan students. TIHG seems to be a resilience factor of special importance. (AU)

A dual-factor model perspective on depressed inpatients: examining the dynamics of mental health and therapy outcomes.

Background: The dual-factor model of mental health posits that mental health and mental illness constitute two distinct axes; accordingly the model identifies four mental health groups: (1) complete mental health, (2) troubled, (3) vulnerable, (4) symptomatic but content. Yet, only a few studies investigated effectiveness of therapy on both dimensions of mental health simultaneously. Against this background, the present study aimed to determine proportions and changes of group assignments in depressed inpatients undergoing therapy. Method: N = 1,044 depressed inpatients (age in years: M = 53.36, SD = 9.81, range: 17-83) completed a pre- and a post-treatment survey including questionnaires on depression, anxiety, and positive mental health. A total of n = 328 persons completed the survey also at 6-month and 12-month follow-up assessments. Results: In the classification that included depression symptoms and positive mental health, 49% of the participants were classified as troubled and 13.2% were classified as completely mentally healthy at the pre-treatment assessment. At the post-treatment, 9.5% were classified as troubled and 55.7% were classified as completely mentally healthy. In the classification that included anxiety symptoms and positive mental health, 21.9% of the participants were classified as troubled and 14.2% were classified as completely mentally healthy at the pre-treatment assessment. At the post-treatment, 3.7% were classified as troubled and 56.1% were classified as completely mentally healthy. About 10 to 20% of patients showed an improvement in depression/anxiety and positive mental health, whereas another 10 to 20% showed a reduction in depression/anxiety, but only a minor increase in positive mental health between pre- and post-treatment. Conclusion: Findings are in line with past research inspired by the dual-factor model in showing that enhancing positive mental health and alleviating psychopathology do not always co-occur in treatment. It is therefore important to implement measures of both psychopathology and positive mental health in therapy outcome studies, and to promote interventions targeting both psychopathology and positive mental health.

Predicting adaptive and maladaptive responses to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak: A prospective longitudinal study / Predicción de respuestas adaptativas y desadaptativas durante el brote de Coronavirus (COVID-19): estudio longitudinal prospectivo

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The outbreak of COVID-19 and the lack of vaccine made extraordinary actions such as social distancing necessary. While some individuals experience the restrictions on daily life as a heavy burden, others adapt to the situation and try to make the best of it. The present longitudinal study investigated the extent and predictors of the burden induced by the outbreak of COVID-19 in Germany. METHOD: Data were assessed in October 2019 using the DASS-21 and the PMH-Scale, and in March 2020 adding a six-item measure of burden and a 2-item rating of sense of control. RESULTS: In a sample of 436 participants, about 28% stayed in self-quarantine, 22 persons had relevant symptoms and one person was positively tested for COVID-19. Most participants experienced medium to high levels of burden but tried to make the best of it. Stress symptoms in 2019 predicted a higher level of burden and PMH predicted a lower level of burden in March 2020. Remarkably, depression and anxiety symptoms did not significantly predict burden. The protective effect of PMH and the negative impact of stress symptoms were mediated by perceived sense of control. CONCLUSIONS: The results emphasize the protective effect of PMH in extraordinary situations such as the current outbreak of COVID-19

ANTECEDENTES/OBJETIVO: El brote COVID-19 y la falta de vacuna hicieron necesarias acciones extraordinarias como la distancia social. Algunas personas experimentan las restricciones en la vida diaria como sobrecarga emocional y otras se adaptan a la situación, tratando de sacar lo mejor de ella. Se investigó el alcance y predictores de sobrecarga emocional inducida por el COVID-19 en Alemania. MÉTODO: Se evaluaron niveles de estrés y salud mental positiva en octubre de 2019 con DASS-21 y Escala-PMH, y en marzo de 2020, agregando medidas de sobrecarga emocional y percepción de control. RESULTADOS: En una muestra de 436 participantes, el 28% permaneció en cuarentena, 22 personas tuvieron síntomas relevantes y una dio positivo en COVID-19. La mayoría experimentaron niveles de sobrecarga emocional medio-alto, aunque trataron de sobrellevar la situación lo mejor posible. Los síntomas de estrés en octubre 2019 predijeron un nivel de sobrecarga más elevado en marzo 2020 y, contrariamente, los niveles de salud mental positiva en octubre 2019 predijeron un menor nivel de sobrecarga emocional en marzo 2020. Sorprendentemente, los síntomas de depresión y ansiedad no predijeron la sensación de sobrecarga posterior. El efecto protector de la salud mental positiva y el impacto negativo de los síntomas de estrés fueron mediados por la percepción de control. CONCLUSIONES: Se resalta el efecto protector de la salud mental positiva en situaciones extraordinarias como el brote COVID-19

Positive mental health, positive affect and suicide ideation / Salud mental positiva, afecto positivo e ideación suicida

Background/Objective: Positive mental health (PMH) has been shown to confer resilience against suicide ideation. However, the mechanisms underlying the positive effect of PMH on suicide ideation/behavior are largely unknown. The current study aimed to determine whether positive affect mediates the association between PMH and suicide ideation. Method: A total of 150 adult outpatients (65.3%; female; age: M(SD) = 37.79 (13.50), range:18-77) completed measures on PMH, positive and negative affect, as well as suicide ideation. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires. Linear hierarchical regression analysis was used to analyze the data. Positive affect was considered to mediate the association between positive mental health and suicide ideation. Results: While positive affect fully mediated the significant negative association between PMH and suicide ideation, negative affect did not reveal to be a significant mediator of this relationship. Conclusions: The protective influence of PMH against suicide ideation is due to heightened positive affect: If positive mental health translates into positive affect, then suicide ideation becomes less likely

Antecedentes/Objetivo: Se ha demostrado que la salud mental positiva (SMP) confiere resistencia contra la ideación de suicidio. Sin embargo, los mecanismos subyacentes al efecto positivo de la SPM en la ideación/comportamiento suicida son en gran medida desconocidos. El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar si el efecto positivo media la asociación entre el SPM y la ideación suicida. Método: Un total de 150 pacientes externos adultos (65,3%; mujeres; edad: M(DT)=37,79(13,50), rango:18-77) completó las medidas sobre SPM, afectos positivos y negativos, así como la ideación de suicidio. Los datos se recopilaron mediante cuestionarios de autoinforme. Se utilizó el análisis de regresión jerárquica lineal para analizar los datos. Se consideró que el afecto positivo mediaba en la asociación entre la salud mental positiva y la ideación suicida. Resultados: Mientras que el afecto positivo mediaba completamente la asociación negativa significativa entre SPM e ideación suicida, el afecto negativo no reveló ser un mediador significativo de esta relación. Conclusiones: La influencia protectora de la SMP contra la ideación de suicidio se debe a un mayor afecto positivo. Si la salud mental positiva se traduce en afecto positivo, entonces la ideación de suicidio se vuelve menos probable

Positive mental health moderates the association between depression and suicide ideation: A longitudinal study / La salud mental positiva modera la asociación entre depresión y ideación suicida: un estudio longitudinal

Background/Objective: Depression and suicide ideation regularly occur together. Yet, little is known about factors that buffer individuals against the development of suicide ideation. The present study investigated, whether positive mental health buffers the association between depression and suicide ideation in a longitudinal study design. Methods: A total of 207 German students (70.3% female; age: M = 26.04, SD = 5.33) were assessed at a baseline evaluation and again twelve months later. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires. Linear hierarchical regression analysis was used to analyze the data. Positive mental health was considered to moderate the impact of depression on suicide ideation-controlling for age and gender. Results: Positive mental health was shown to moderate the impact of depression on suicide ideation: in those students who reported higher levels of positive mental health, depression severity showed no association with suicide ideation over time. Conclusion: Positive mental health seems to confer resilience and should be taken into account, when assessing individuals for suicide risk (AU)

Antecedentes/Objetivo: La depresión y la ideación suicida ocurren regularmente juntos. Sin embargo, poco se sabe sobre los factores que protegen a las personas contra el desarrollo de la ideación suicida. El presente estudio investigó si la salud mental positiva amortigua la asociación entre la depresión y la ideación suicida en un diseño de estudio longitudinal. Método: Un total de 207 estudiantes alemanes (70,3% mujeres; edad: M = 26.04, SD = 5.33) fueron evaluados en una evaluación de línea base y nuevamente doce meses después. Los datos fueron recolectados usando cuestionarios de autoinforme. Se utilizó un análisis de regresión jerárquica lineal para analizar los datos. Se consideró que la salud mental positiva moderaría el impacto de la depresión en la ideación suicida, controlando la edad y el sexo. Resultados: Se demostró que la salud mental positiva modera el impacto de la depresión en la ideación suicida: en aquellos estudiantes que reportaron niveles más altos de salud mental positiva, la severidad de la depresión no mostró asociación con la ideación suicida con el paso del tiempo. Conclusión: La salud mental positiva parece conferir resistencia y debe tenerse en cuenta al evaluar a los individuos por riesgo de suicidio (AU)

Positive and negative mental health across the lifespan: A cross-cultural comparison / Salud mental positiva y negativa a lo largo de la vida: una comparación transcultural

Mental health and well-being are closely related to age. Complete mental health includes psychopathological symptoms (negative mental health) and subjective well-being (positive mental health). The aim was to compare indicators of complete mental health across the lifespan cross-culturally. Method: We tested age trends in measures of resilience, social support and positive and negative mental health, including the subscales depression, anxiety and stress using data from national representative samples from Germany, Russia and the United States (U.S.) ranging in age from 18 to 100 (N=6,303). Results: The effects of age differed in each country. Today’s older Germans experienced more positive and less negative mental health whereas today's older Russians experienced less positive and more negative mental health than the younger people. In the U.S., positive mental health was higher among the older adults, but there was no effect of age for negative mental health. Age also had significant linear and curvilinear effects on resilience and social support. Conclusions: The pattern of mental health across the lifespan is clearly dependent on the nation (AU)

La salud mental y el bienestar están relacionados con la edad. La salud mental completa incluye síntomas psicopatológicos (salud mental negativa) y bienestar subjetivo (salud mental positiva). El objetivo es una comparación transcultural de los indicadores de salud mental completa a lo largo de la vida. Método: Hemos probado las tendencias de edad en medidas de resiliencia, apoyo social y salud mental positiva y negativa, incluyendo depresión, ansiedad y estrés, utilizando datos de muestras nacionales representativas de Alemania, Rusia y Estados Unidos con edades entre 18 y 100 años (N=6.303). Resultados: Los efectos de la edad diferían en cada país. Los alemanes mayores experimentaron una salud mental más positiva y menos negativa, mientras que los rusos mayores experimentaron una salud mental menos positiva y más negativa que los jóvenes. En Estados Unidos, la salud mental positiva fue mayor entre los adultos mayores, pero no hubo efectos de la edad para la salud mental negativa. La edad también tuvo efectos lineales y curvilíneos significativos sobre la resiliencia y el apoyo social. Conclusiones: El patrón de salud mental a lo largo de la vida depende claramente de la nación (AU)

The effects of daily stress on positive and negative mental health: Mediation through self-efficacy / Efectos del estrés cotidiano en la salud mental positiva y negativa: mediación de la autoeficacia

Background/Objective: Daily stressors, compared to traumatic events, are increasingly recognized as important risk factors for mental health. The role of general self-efficacy on the relationship between daily stress and aspects of mental health has not yet been examined. Taking into account the dual factor model of mental health, which postulates that mental health is more than the absence of psychopathological symptoms, we tested mediation effects of self-efficacy separately for positive and negative mental health. Method: Total, direct and indirect effects were estimated using data from a large nationally representative German population sample (N = 1,031) by bootstrapped mediation analyses providing 95% bias corrected bootstrap confidence intervals. Results: Results indicated self-efficacy as a mediator of the effects of daily stressors on mental health, with superior effect sizes for positive compared to negative mental health. Mediation effects were replicated in student samples from Germany (N = 394), Russia (N = 604) and China (N = 8,669). Findings suggest that self-efficacy operates as a buffer of daily stress. However, a full mediation model was not supported as multiple psychological resources can have protective effects. Conclusions: This study provides the first transnational evidence for different stress-buffer effects for the two dimensions of mental health (AU)

Antecedentes/Objetivo: El estrés cotidiano, en comparación con acontecimientos traumáticos, es reconocido cada vez más como un importante factor de riesgo para la salud mental. El papel de la autoeficacia general en la relación entre estrés diario y aspectos de la salud mental todavía no se ha examinado. Teniendo en cuenta el modelo de dos factores, que postula que la salud mental es más que la ausencia de síntomas psicopatológicos, examinamos la mediación de la autoeficacia separadamente para la salud mental positiva y negativa. Método: Efectos totales, directos e indirectos fueron evaluados, utilizando datos de una muestra de la población alemana representativa (N = 1.031). Resultados: La autoeficacia es un mediador de los efectos del estrés cotidiano, con efectos superiores para la salud mental positiva. Los resultados fueron replicados en muestras de estudiantes de Alemania (N = 394), Rusia (N = 604) y China (N = 8.669). La autoeficacia actúa como un buffer para el estrés cotidiano. Un modelo de mediación completo no fue apoyado con múltiples recursos psicológicos que pueden tener efectos protectores. Conclusiones: Es la primera evidencia transnacional para diferentes efectos del buffer-estrés para las dos dimensiones de salud mental (AU)