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1.
Cogn Behav Ther ; 53(1): 87-104, 2024 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37929588

ABSTRACT

As a multi-systemic disease, COVID-19 infection engendered a rise in co-occurring mental and physical health symptoms, particularly affecting the Latinx population. The current work sought to evaluate the main and interactive influence of acculturative stress and anxiety sensitivity in terms of mental and physical health symptoms among 181 Latinx persons (30.4% female, Mage = 34.1 years, SD = 8.20). Data were collected during a period of high COVID-19 impact (2020-2021) and analyses included five separate, two-step hierarchical regressions that were conducted for each of the criterion variables: (1) fear of coronavirus; (2) somatic symptoms; (3) fatigue severity; (4) anxiety symptoms; and (5) depression symptoms. For all analyses, step 1 covariates included years living in the U.S. COVID-19 impact, gender identity, education, and work life distress and home life distress. Results revealed an interactive effect of anxiety sensitivity and acculturative stress on COVID-19 fear, unique main effects for both anxiety sensitivity and acculturative stress on COVID-19 related fear and somatic symptoms, and main effects for anxiety sensitivity alone in relation to fatigue severity, anxiety, and depression. Overall, this study represents an initial investigation of the associations between acculturative stress, anxiety sensitivity, and a range of salient COVID-19 related outcomes among Latinx persons.


Subject(s)
Acculturation , Anxiety , COVID-19 , Hispanic or Latino , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Anxiety/epidemiology , COVID-19/psychology , Hispanic or Latino/psychology , Medically Unexplained Symptoms
2.
Subst Use Misuse ; 59(2): 225-234, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37838964

ABSTRACT

Background: Latinx individuals experience significant tobacco cigarette smoking-related diseases and illnesses. Although most Latinx smokers report a desire to quit smoking, evidenced-based cessation treatments are underutilized in this group, which may partially be due to lower likelihood of receiving advice from a healthcare professional. Further, there are a lack of cessation treatments that account for comorbid symptoms/conditions (e.g., co-occurring pain) and social determinants of health (e.g., perceived discrimination). Extant work has established the reciprocal relation between pain and smoking trajectories. Additionally, although social determinants, such as perceived racial/ethnic discrimination, have demonstrated clinical relevance to a variety of health-related behaviors, limited work has examined the role of perceived discrimination in pain-smoking relations. The current study examined the effects of perceived discrimination and pain severity in relation to smoking cessation problems and self-efficacy for quitting among Latinx cigarette smokers. Method: Participants included 226 (Mage = 34.95 years, SD = 8.62; 38.5% female) adult Latinx daily cigarette smokers. Results: Results indicated that the interaction of pain and perceived discrimination was predictive of greater quit problems (p = 0.041) as well as greater confidence in the ability to refrain from smoking in response to internal (p < 0.001) and external stimuli (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Overall, this work provides a more nuanced understanding of the psychosocial contexts in which Latinx smokers may encounter problems related to quitting, and this data is important for future smoking cessation research and treatment.


Subject(s)
Cigarette Smoking , Smoking Cessation , Tobacco Products , Adult , Humans , Female , Male , Smoking Cessation/psychology , Perceived Discrimination , Pain Measurement , Self Efficacy , Pain , Hispanic or Latino/psychology , Delivery of Health Care
3.
Cogn Behav Ther ; 53(1): 1-28, 2024 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37766610

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the present investigation was to develop and test a measure of negative emotional reactivity to racial/ethnic minoritized stress. In Study 1, we developed item content for a measure of negative emotional reactivity to racial/ethnic minoritized stress. We then evaluated item performance and produced a refined 15-item scale among a large sample of racial/ethnic minority adults (N = 1,343). Results supported a unidimensional construct and high levels of internal consistency. The factor structure and internal consistency were replicated and extended to a sample of Latinx persons who smoke (N = 338) in Study 2. There was evidence of convergent validity of the Emotional Reactivity to Minoritized Stress (ERMS) total score in terms of theoretically consistent and statistically significant relations with indices of mental health problems, social determinants of health, and substance use processes. There was also evidence that the ERMS demonstrated divergent validity in that it was negatively associated with psychological well-being, health literacy, subjective social status in Study 1, and positive abstinence expectancies in Study 2. Overall, the present study establishes the reliability and validity of measuring individual differences in negative emotional reactivity to racial/ethnic minority stress with the ERMS and that such responsivity is associated with behavioral health problems.


Subject(s)
Ethnicity , Minority Groups , Adult , Humans , Minority Groups/psychology , Ethnicity/psychology , Reproducibility of Results , Stress, Psychological/psychology
4.
Addict Behav ; 148: 107864, 2024 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37778236

ABSTRACT

The experience of perceived ethnic discrimination is prevalent and has harmful effects across various behavioral health processes among Latinx persons. Yet, there is limited work on the association between perceived ethnic discrimination and smoking among this health disparities group. Building from initial work that has demonstrated a relationship between perceived ethnic discrimination and smoking abstinence expectancies, the present study sought to explore mechanisms by which perceived ethnic discrimination may be related to cigarette dependence. Specifically, we tested the indirect effect of perceived ethnic discrimination on cigarette dependence through smoking abstinence expectancies (i.e., negative mood, somatic symptoms, harmful consequences, and positive consequences) among Latinx persons who smoke (N = 338; Mage = 35.53 years; SD = 8.65; age range 18-61; 37.3% female). Results indicated that abstinence expectancies related to harmful consequences was a statistically significant underlying factor between the experience of perceived discrimination and cigarette dependence (b = 0.39, SE = 0.16, CI95% = 0.08, 0.71, CSE = 0.14). Overall, the present study suggests that smoking abstinence expectancies pertaining to harmful consequences may be a point of intervention for Latinx persons seeking to reduce or quit smoking. Future research is needed to extend the generalizability of these findings by corroborating the mediational role of abstinence expectancies related to harmful consequences across Latinx persons of varying cigarette use severity levels over time.


Subject(s)
Smoking Cessation , Tobacco Products , Tobacco Use Disorder , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Hispanic or Latino , Perceived Discrimination , Smoking
5.
Cogn Behav Ther ; 52(4): 317-330, 2023 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36786315

ABSTRACT

Latinx persons are exposed to higher rates of traumatic events and conditional risks for developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and comorbid mental health symptoms compared to other minority groups. The study evaluated PTSD symptom severity for global and specific cluster severity relating to co-occurring anxiety, social anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation among 326 Latinx adults who endorsed trauma exposure. Results indicated that global PTSD symptom severity was significantly related to greater social anxiety, anxious arousal, depression, and suicidal ideation symptoms. PTSD arousal and reactivity symptom cluster had the strongest relation to anxious arousal, social anxiety, and depression, whereas negative alterations in cognitions and mood symptoms had the strongest association with social anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. The findings suggest that global PTSD symptom severity, alongside arousal and reactivity and negative alterations in cognitions and mood, are related to a range of concurrent negative mental health symptoms among trauma exposed Latinx young adults.


Subject(s)
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic , Young Adult , Humans , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/psychology , Mental Health , Anxiety Disorders/psychology , Anxiety/complications , Hispanic or Latino
6.
Subst Use Misuse ; 58(4): 570-577, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36762460

ABSTRACT

Background: Opioid misuse in the context of pain management exacts a significant public health burden. Past work has established linkages between negative mood (i.e., symptoms of anxiety and depression) and opioid misuse/dependence, yet the mechanisms underlying these associations have received little scientific investigation. Anxiety sensitivity (AS), the fear of the negative consequences of internal states, may be relevant to better understanding negative mood-opioid relations among adults with chronic pain. Methods: Simultaneous indirect effects of negative mood on opioid misuse and opioid dependence via lower-order factors of AS (physical, cognitive, and social concerns) were examined cross-sectionally in the present study. The study sample consisted of 428 adults (74.1% female, Mage = 38.27 years, SD = 11.06) who self-reported current moderate to severe chronic pain and opioid use for chronic pain. Results: Results indicated that negative mood was (in part) indirectly related to opioid misuse (in part) via AS physical and cognitive concerns and was (in part) indirectly related to opioid dependence via AS cognitive concerns only. No significant indirect effects via social concerns were observed. Discussion and Conclusions: Findings suggest the importance of further exploring the role of anxiety sensitivity cognitive and physical concerns in terms of opioid misuse and dependence among adults with chronic pain.


Subject(s)
Chronic Pain , Opioid-Related Disorders , Prescription Drug Misuse , Adult , Humans , Female , Male , Analgesics, Opioid/adverse effects , Chronic Pain/drug therapy , Chronic Pain/psychology , Anxiety/psychology , Opioid-Related Disorders/drug therapy , Opioid-Related Disorders/psychology , Anxiety Disorders , Prescription Drug Misuse/psychology
7.
Addict Behav ; 136: 107495, 2023 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36156453

ABSTRACT

The opioid epidemic is a significant public health concern, and opioid consumption rates and opioid-related deaths are on the rise. Chronic pain acceptance, or willingness to experience pain and pain-related distress, is one pain-related psychological mechanism that may reduce maladaptive attempts to avoid or control pain using opioids among individuals with chronic lower back pain (CLBP). However, little work has examined chronic pain acceptance as it relates to opioid use and motives for use among adults with CLBP. The current investigation sought to explore the effects of chronic pain acceptance on opioid misuse and motives for opioid use (i.e., pain management and coping motives) among adults with CLBP. Participants were 291 adults (69.1 % female, Mage = 45.77 years, SD = 11.22) self-reporting current mild to severe CLBP and current opioid use who were recruited via an online survey. Results indicated that higher acceptance of pain was related to lower levels of opioid misuse and lower motivation to use opioids to cope with pain. Contrary to hypotheses, chronic pain acceptance did not predict motivation to use opioids to cope with emotional distress (i.e., coping motives). The current findings provide support for chronic pain acceptance as a potential protective mechanism in terms of opioid misuse and motivation to use opioids to manage pain.


Subject(s)
Chronic Pain , Low Back Pain , Opioid-Related Disorders , Prescription Drug Misuse , Adult , Analgesics, Opioid/therapeutic use , Chronic Pain/drug therapy , Chronic Pain/psychology , Female , Humans , Low Back Pain/drug therapy , Male , Motivation , Opioid-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Pain Management , Prescription Drug Misuse/psychology
8.
Cogn Behav Ther ; 52(2): 75-90, 2023 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36196955

ABSTRACT

The mental and behavioral health burden resulting from COVID-19 has disproportionately affected the Latinx population. Yet, no work has investigated the influence of resilience as a protective factor against COVID-19 related consequences. The aim of the current study was to evaluate resilience in relation to COVID-19 related fear, anxiety symptoms, COVID-19 anxiety-related sleep disturbances, and depression among Latinx persons (178 Latinx persons [31.5% female, Mage = 34.1 years, SD = 8.2]). It was hypothesized that greater levels of resilience would be associated with lower levels of all COVID-19 related behavioral health outcomes above and beyond the variance accounted for by years living in the United States (U.S.), degree of COVID-19 exposure, sex, age, education, and COVID-19 related work and financial troubles and home-life distress. Results indicated that greater levels of resilience were associated with lower levels of COVID-19 related fear (ΔR2 = .06, p < .001), anxiety symptoms (ΔR2 = .03, p = .005), COVID-19 anxiety-related sleep disturbances (ΔR2 = .06, p < .001), and depression (ΔR2 = .04, p = .001). Overall, the present study is the first to document the potential importance of resilience in relation to common and clinically significant COVID-19 behavioral health problems among Latinx persons.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Sleep Wake Disorders , Humans , Adult , Female , Male , COVID-19/epidemiology , Pandemics , Depression/complications , Depression/epidemiology , Anxiety/complications , Anxiety/epidemiology , Sleep Wake Disorders/epidemiology , Hispanic or Latino
9.
Fatigue ; 10(3): 136-145, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36339280

ABSTRACT

Background: Fatigue sensitivity, or the misattribution that fatigue symptoms will lead to negative personal consequences, is one individual difference factor related to adverse behavioral health consequences. Methods: The current study investigated whether fatigue sensitivity was related to panic symptoms, depression, as well as fatigue severity among 166 persons of diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds with severe fatigue. Results: As hypothesized, fatigue sensitivity was statistically significantly related to greater panic symptoms, general depression, and fatigue severity. These results were evident over the variance explained by age, sex, neuroticism, and somatic symptoms. Conclusions: This work is the first to evaluate fatigue sensitivity in terms of behavioral health outcomes among a racial/ethnically diverse sample with severe fatigue.

10.
J Ethn Subst Abuse ; : 1-18, 2022 Oct 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36190317

ABSTRACT

Black individuals who smoke in the United States experience health disparities related to tobacco use (e.g., greater nicotine dependence, less success in quitting smoking) and interoceptive distress (e.g., somatic symptoms, anxiety). Individual difference factors that amplify interoceptive distress and contribute to poorer smoking behaviors and outcomes warrant further attention and investigation. Thus, the present study sought to explore the association between anxiety sensitivity and clinically-relevant smoking variables of perceived barriers for quitting, smoking inflexibility, and problems experienced during past quit attempts. Participants in the current study included 98 Black adult smokers (71.4% male; Mage = 44.08 years, SD = 11.44 years). Results indicated greater levels of anxiety sensitivity were associated with greater levels of perceived barriers for quitting smoking (b = 0.10, SE = 0.08, p = 0.01), smoking inflexibility (b = 0.02, SE <.001, p <.001), and problems experienced during past smoking quit attempts (b = 0.17, SE = 0.07, p = 0.02). Clinical implications and future directions are further discussed as it relates to anxiety sensitivity and efforts to reduce or quit smoking for this health disparities population.

11.
J Behav Med ; 45(3): 404-415, 2022 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35567730

ABSTRACT

The Latinx population is the largest minority group in the United States (U.S.) and is expected to continue to grow through at least 2050. Although there is growing recognition of the importance of pain among Latinx individuals, few studies have examined individualized psychological processes governing pain severity and disability in Latinx populations. One psychological factor that has shown promise in relation to pain experience specifically and clinical conditions more generally is anxiety sensitivity. The present investigation sought to (1) characterize the severity of pain among an unselected sample of adult Latinx individuals attending a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC); (2) evaluate the severity of anxiety sensitivity as a function of pain severity; and (3) test the potential explanatory relevance of anxiety sensitivity as an individual difference factor for pain intensity, pain disability, psychological inflexibility for emotional distress, and global life impairment. Participants included 406 adult Spanish-speaking Latinx persons (87.2% female; Mage = 40.26 years, SD = 11.20, and 98.3% used Spanish as their first language) who attended an FQHC in Houston, Texas. Analyses revealed that 62.6% of the sample had at least some pain, and 21.9% of the same had high intensity, moderate interference, or severe interference chronic pain. Further, results provided evidence for anxiety sensitivity as a function of pain grade, such that individuals with grade 2 (high-intensity pain), grade 3 (moderate pain interference), and grade 4 (severe pain interference) chronic pain reported significantly higher levels of anxiety sensitivity than those with grade 0 pain (no chronic pain). Additionally, after controlling for age, gender, marital status, years of education, years living in the U.S., and generalized anxiety, anxiety sensitivity significantly accounted for significant variance in pain intensity, inflexibility in relation to emotional distress, and life impairment. Overall, the current study builds upon what is currently understood about anxiety sensitivity among the Latinx population and uniquely extends past work by linking individual differences in this construct to clinically relevant aspects of pain experience and life impairment among adults attending FQHC's. Additional clinical attention should be focused on anxiety sensitivity to offset pain disparities among this established health disparities group.


Subject(s)
Chronic Pain , Disabled Persons , Adult , Anxiety/psychology , Anxiety Disorders , Female , Hispanic or Latino , Humans , Male , United States
12.
Cognit Ther Res ; 46(3): 470-479, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35125558

ABSTRACT

Background: Latinx persons are overrepresented in terms of 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection rates and constitute a subpopulation at increased risk for COVID-19 related physical ailments. Fatigue and pain are among the most prevalent somatic symptoms among the Latinx population; however, there is little understanding of individual difference factors that are related to fatigue and pain during COVID-19 among this health disparities population. Experiential avoidance (EA) reflects the persistent tendency to avoid aversive internal sensations. Methods: The current study sought to extend past work by exploring EA in relation to fatigue severity, pain intensity, and pain disability among 182 Latinx adult persons during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Results indicated that EA accounted for a statistically significant amount of variance across the criterion variables. Conclusions: Overall, the current work provides initial empirical evidence that EA is related to greater fatigue severity and pain severity/disability among Latinx persons during COVID-19.

13.
Transcult Psychiatry ; 59(3): 337-348, 2022 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35018872

ABSTRACT

The Hispanic population is the largest minority group in the United States and frequently experiences racial discrimination and mental health difficulties. Prior work suggests that perceived racial discrimination is a significant risk factor for poorer mental health among Hispanic in the United States. However, little work has investigated how perceived racial discrimination relates to anxiety and depression among Hispanic adults. Thus, the current study evaluated the explanatory role of experiential avoidance in the relation between perceived racial discrimination and anxiety/depressive symptoms and disorders among Hispanic adults in primary care. Participants included 202 Spanish-speaking adults (Mage = 38.99, SD = 12.43, 86.1% female) attending a community-based Federally Qualified Health Center. Results were consistent with the hypothesis that perceived racial discrimination had a significant indirect effect on depression, social anxiety, and anxious arousal symptoms as well as the number of mood and anxiety disorders through experiential avoidance. These findings suggest future work should continue to explore experiential avoidance in the association between perceived racial discrimination and other psychiatric and medical problems among the Hispanic population.


Subject(s)
Mental Health , Racism , Adult , Anxiety/psychology , Depression/psychology , Female , Hispanic or Latino , Humans , Male , Perceived Discrimination , Primary Health Care , Racism/psychology , United States
14.
Exp Clin Psychopharmacol ; 30(2): 132-140, 2022 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32881556

ABSTRACT

Recent years have been marked by an increase in electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use. Although some evidence suggests that e-cigarettes used in isolation may be less harmful than combustible cigarettes, e-cigarette use carries significant health risks. Data are critically needed to identify risk factors that promote and maintain e-cigarette use. The current project examined how the relation between pain interference (i.e., how much pain interferes with daily functioning) and cognitive processes of e-cigarette use (i.e., perceived barriers for quitting e-cigarettes, perceived risks of e-cigarettes, and negative expectancies of using e-cigarettes) differ across sex. Participants included 340 (61.5% female; 77.1% Caucasian/White; Mage = 36.68 years, SD = 10.75) adult past-month e-cigarette users. Results suggested that increased pain interference was more strongly related to greater perceived barriers to cessation, perceived risks of e-cigarettes, and negative expectancies of using e-cigarettes among males relative to females. Importantly, this work suggests that e-cigarette use may operate differently than other substances that have been studied in the past in that male e-cigarette users may be more vulnerable than female e-cigarette users to the effects of pain interference on cognitive processes of e-cigarette use. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).


Subject(s)
Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems , Vaping , Adult , Cognition , Female , Humans , Male , Pain , Smokers/psychology , Vaping/adverse effects , Vaping/psychology
15.
J Ethn Subst Abuse ; 21(2): 387-401, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32543305

ABSTRACT

In this study we provide information on e-cigarette use characteristics in relation to racial and ethnic characteristics in a sample of 535 adult e-cigarette users. We also evaluated how anxiety sensitivity (AS; fear of anxiety) interacted with race/ethnicity to predict vaping outcomes. We found an association between greater AS and higher e-cigarette dependence for White, but not Black, participants. A similar trend was observed for level of risk perception. Also, Hispanic status was associated with higher perception of e-cigarette benefits. Overall, the present study contributes to the understanding of factors linked to e-cigarette use.


Subject(s)
Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems , Tobacco Products , Vaping , Adult , Ethnicity , Hispanic or Latino , Humans
16.
Br J Clin Psychol ; 61 Suppl 1: 111-129, 2022 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33939190

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of death and disability. Although most US smokers want to quit, more than 95% of cessation attempts end in relapse within 6 months. To improve cessation outcomes, research has turned to targetable mechanisms, such as anxiety sensitivity (AS), which maintain smoking behaviour, impede cessation success, and can be effectively targeted in the context of psychosocial interventions. Although integrated treatment programmes that address AS reduction in the context of smoking cessation have demonstrated promising results, presently, no mobile, technology-based integrated treatment exists to expressly address smoking and AS. The current study evaluated the initial feasibility and acceptability of a mobile smoking cessation intervention, Mobile Anxiety Sensitivity Program for smoking (MASP). METHODS: Participants were 15 daily adult combustible cigarette smokers (females n = 6, Mage = 46.5 years, SD = 13.3) who completed a 6-week total intervention period (baseline visit, 2 weeks pre-quit, 4 weeks post-quit, follow-up visit). RESULTS: Most participants (N = 12) completed the full 6-week intervention, and participant engagement with MASP was high. Participants reported that MASP was acceptable. Biochemical verification of smoking abstinence indicated 25% of smokers were abstinent for at least 24 hr prior to the in-person 4 weeks post-quit follow-up visit. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicated that MASP has the potential to provide effective assistance to those wanting to quit cigarettes. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Mobile-based smoking cessation interventions may be a promising treatment option, particularly for those of lower socio-economic status. Targeting AS in the context of a mobile-based smoking cessation app may be a viable way to improve smoking cessation success and treatment outcome. Due to the pilot nature of this study, there was no control group. Thus, comparative conclusions and generalizability based on the current study must be made with caution.


Subject(s)
Mobile Applications , Smoking Cessation , Adult , Anxiety/therapy , Biomedical Technology , Feasibility Studies , Female , Humans , Middle Aged
17.
J Racial Ethn Health Disparities ; 9(4): 1135-1144, 2022 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33977507

ABSTRACT

Rates of traumatic event exposure, posttraumatic stress (PTS), and co-occurring mental health symptoms and disorders are conditionally higher among Latinx individuals compared to other racial/ethnic populations. Importantly, Latinx persons are a heterogeneous population, and certain subgroups endorse higher rates of negative mental health outcomes than others, including Latinx young adults born in the USA. Yet, there is little understanding of individual difference factors among trauma-exposed US born Latinx young adults that may be involved in mental health burden among this group. The present investigation sought to evaluate the potential explanatory relevance of heart-focused anxiety as an individual difference factor regarding some of the most common co-occurring mental health problems among trauma-exposed populations. Specifically, we tested whether heart-focused anxiety was related to increased co-occurring anxious arousal symptoms, depression, social anxiety, and suicidality among 169 (84% female, Mage=23.15 years, SD=6.07) trauma-exposed Latinx young adults. Results indicated that heart-focused anxiety was a statistically significant predictor of general depression (ΔR2 = .02, F(1, 161) = 4.25, p = .041), suicidality (ΔR2 = .10, F(1, 161) = 21.49, p < .001), anxious arousal (ΔR2 = .11, F(1, 161) = 27.31, p < .001), and social anxiety (ΔR2 = .03, F(1, 161) = 7.93, p = .005). Overall, this work offers empirical evidence that individual differences in heart-focused anxiety are related to more severe co-occurring anxiety and depressive symptomatology among a particularly at risk Latinx segment of the Latinx population (non-immigrant Latinx young adults s with previous trauma history).


Subject(s)
Depression , Suicide , Anxiety , Arousal , Female , Hispanic or Latino , Humans , Male , Young Adult
18.
Cognit Ther Res ; 46(1): 11-19, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34334844

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Young adults are overrepresented in terms of adverse mental health problems related to COVID-19. Emerging work has identified worry about the consequences and trajectory of COVID-19 and loneliness as important factors in mental health during the pandemic. However, the main and interactive effects of worry about COVID-19 and loneliness have not been explored in one overarching model in relation to mental health problems among young adults. METHODS: The present study therefore evaluated loneliness and COVID-19 related worry in terms of anxiety, stress, and depression among young adults (209 college students, 76.1% female, M age = 22.99 years, SD = 5.25) recruited to participate in an online survey study. RESULTS: Results indicated a significant interaction between COVID-19 worry and loneliness for each criterion variable (depression: b = .01, SE = .003, t = 2.86, p = .01; anxiety: b = .01, SE = .002, t = 2.36, p = .02; stress: b = .01, SE = .003, t = 2.54, p = .01), such that worry was more strongly related to each mental health outcome among those that endorsed higher levels of loneliness. CONCLUSION: The current findings suggest loneliness is related to negative mental health symptoms among young adults experiencing COVID-19 related worry. The current findings provide initial empirical evidence for the impact of COVID-19 worry on mental health among young adults experiencing loneliness. Future research may benefit from exploring how COVID-19 worry and loneliness interplay over time.

19.
Cognit Ther Res ; 46(2): 358-366, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34483401

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The outbreak of the novel 2019 SARS2-Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has led to substantial psychological distress across the United States and the world. However, emerging work suggests that prominent COVID-19 consequences such as fear of COVID-19 infection and emotional distress resulting from economic adversity and social distancing may afflict the Latinx population disproportionately. The current study sought to investigate the influence of experiential avoidance (EA), or an individual's tendency to rigidly avoid negative internal experiences (i.e. feelings, thoughts, etc.), on the severity of COVID-19 fear and emotional distress symptoms due to economic adversity and social distancing. METHOD: Participants included 188 Latinx persons recruited via an online survey panel program. RESULTS: Results indicated that EA was a statistically significant contributing factor to fear of COVID-19 and emotional distress associated with economic adversity and social distancing. These effects were evident over and above the variance accounted for by gender, years living in the United States, education, and COVID-19 related work and home life stress. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the present work is the first to document empirically EA as it relates to fear of COVID-19 infection and related emotional distress resulting from economic adversity and social distancing among Latinx persons.

20.
Cognit Ther Res ; 46(1): 20-30, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34177003

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The outbreak of the novel 2019 SARS2-Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has led to substantial physical and mental health consequences. Rates of mortality and hospitalization are highest among those of racial and ethnic minority persons, including Latinx persons. Further, Latinx persons have been experiencing elevated mental health problems in response to the pandemic compared to non-Latinx Whites. The current study examined whether individual differences in anxiety sensitivity (AS) related to more severe emotional distress associated with social distancing, financial strain, fear of COVID-19, and physical health symptoms stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic among Latinx adults. METHODS: Participants included 188 Latinx persons (31.4% female, M age = 34.1 years, SD = 8.16) recruited via an online survey panel program. RESULTS: Results indicated that AS significantly contributed to increased severity of the emotional stress response associated with social distancing (ΔR 2 = 0.15, p < 0.001), financial strain (ΔR 2 = 0.15, p < 0.001), physical health symptoms (ΔR 2 = 0.03, p = 0.006), and fear of COVID-19 (ΔR 2 = 0.15, p < 0.001). These effects were evident over and above the variance accounted for by gender, years living in the United States, education, and work and home life COVID-19-related stress. CONCLUSIONS: These cross-sectional findings suggest AS may be an important individual difference factor for better understanding mental health among Latinx persons in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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