Potential strategies for supporting mental health and mitigating the risk of burnout among healthcare professionals: insights from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Healthcare professionals (HCPs) experienced prolonged stressful conditions during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, and the global situation (particularly in the United Kingdom) meant that they continue to sustain mental stress related to the subsequent cost-of-living and healthcare budgeting crises. The psychological toll on HCPs may lead to increased staff attrition, adversely impacting the quality of patient care and work security. To help mitigate this psychological impact, the current evidence is strongly supportive of healthcare providers consistently adopting programmes fostering improvement in coping and resilience, facilitating healthy lifestyle, and allocating some resources for therapeutic strategies (e.g. cognitive behavioural therapy-based strategies and other strategies specified to trauma-related issues) which can be delivered by trained professionals. We stress that some approaches are not a one-size-fits-all strategy, and we also highlight the need to encourage treatment-seeking among those who need it. These strategies are highly relevant to healthcare employers and policymakers to support all HCPs in settings marked by prolonged periods of stress. The investment in these strategies are expected not only to reduce staff attrition in the long-term, but are likely to add to the cost-effectiveness of overall healthcare budgetary allocation.

High-risk pregnancy and its relationship with the neurodevelopment and behavior of 2-year-old children.

High-risk pregnancies elevate maternal stress, impacting offspring neurodevelopment and behavior. This study, involving 112 participants, aimed to compare perceived stress, neurodevelopment, and behavior in high-risk and low-risk pregnancies. Two groups, high-risk and low-risk, were assessed during pregnancy for stress using hair cortisol and psychological analysis. At 24 months post-birth, their children's neurodevelopment and behavior were evaluated. Results revealed higher perceived stress and pregnancy-related concerns in high-risk pregnancies, contrasting with low-risk pregnancies. Offspring from high-risk pregnancies displayed elevated internalizing behavior scores, while low-risk pregnancies showed higher externalizing behavior scores. Additionally, women in low-risk pregnancies exhibited increased cortisol concentrations 24 months post-delivery. These findings underscore the necessity for early stress detection and prevention programs during pregnancy, particularly in high-risk cases, to enhance maternal and infant health.

Imaging of the brain-heart axis: prognostic value in a European setting.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Increasing data suggest that stress-related neural activity (SNA) is associated with subsequent major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and may represent a therapeutic target. Current evidence is exclusively based on populations from the U.S. and Asia where limited information about cardiovascular disease risk was available. This study sought to investigate whether SNA imaging has clinical value in a well-characterized cohort of cardiovascular patients in Europe. METHODS: In this single-centre study, a total of 963 patients (mean age 58.4 ± 16.1 years, 40.7% female) with known cardiovascular status, ranging from 'at-risk' to manifest disease, and without active cancer underwent 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography between 1 January 2005 and 31 August 2019. Stress-related neural activity was assessed with validated methods and relations between SNA and MACE (non-fatal stroke, non-fatal myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, and cardiovascular death) or all-cause mortality by time-to-event analysis. RESULTS: Over a maximum follow-up of 17 years, 118 individuals (12.3%) experienced MACE, and 270 (28.0%) died. In univariate analyses, SNA significantly correlated with an increased risk of MACE (sub-distribution hazard ratio 1.52, 95% CI 1.05-2.19; P = .026) or death (hazard ratio 2.49, 95% CI 1.96-3.17; P < .001). In multivariable analyses, the association between SNA imaging and MACE was lost when details of the cardiovascular status were added to the models. Conversely, the relationship between SNA imaging and all-cause mortality persisted after multivariable adjustments. CONCLUSIONS: In a European patient cohort where cardiovascular status is known, SNA imaging is a robust and independent predictor of all-cause mortality, but its prognostic value for MACE is less evident. Further studies should define specific patient populations that might profit from SNA imaging.

Bibliometric Analysis and Visualization of Clinical Trials on Psychological Stress and Oral Health (1967-2024).

Stress is ubiquitous in modern life, influencing various facets of human health and well-being. While the impact of stress on mental and physical health is well-documented, its effects on oral health have garnered increasing attention in recent years. This bibliometric analysis explores the literature on the impact of stress on oral health. The study utilizes data from the PubMed database, focusing on publication trends, influential contributors and the temporal analysis of their publications, coauthorship analysis of authors and institutions, key thematic clusters, thematic evolution, and collaboration between various countries. Examining clinical trials investigating the impact of stress on oral health unveils significant trends and insights. Over time, there has been a steady rise in publication frequency, although with occasional fluctuations, indicating an increasing interest in the subject. The University of California has been identified as a leading institution, while Psychoneuroendocrinology emerges as a pivotal journal for disseminating research findings in the field. Keyword analysis reveals diverse thematic clusters, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the impact of stress on oral health. The analysis of topic trends showcases significant shifts over different periods, from basic correlations between mental health conditions and physiological indicators to a broader exploration of psychological interventions and social contexts in recent years. Thematic evolution analysis further elucidates this progression, categorizing themes into motor, basic, niche, and emerging or declining categories. Additionally, the analysis of corresponding authors' countries uncovers patterns of collaborative efforts, with the United States leading in collaboration levels. In summary, these analyses collectively highlight an evolving comprehension of the impact of stress on oral health, providing valuable insights for clinical practice and guiding future research endeavors.

Moral distress measurement in animal care workers: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: The mental health of veterinary and other animal health professionals is significantly impacted by the psychological stressors they encounter, such as euthanasia, witnessing animal suffering and moral distress. Moral distress, initially identified in nursing, arises when individuals are aware of the right action but are hindered by institutional constraints. We aimed to review existing research on moral distress scales among animal care workers by focusing on the identification and psychometric validity of its measurement. DESIGN: Two-step systematic review. First, we identified all moral distress scales used in animal care research in the eligible original studies. Second, we evaluated their psychometric validity, emphasising content validity, which is a critical aspect of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). This evaluation adhered to the Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN). The results were reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, EMBASE and PsycINFO to search for eligible studies published between January 1984 and April 2023. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: We included original (primary) studies that (1) were conducted in animal care workers; (2) describing either the development of a moral distress scale, or validation of a moral distress scale in its original or modified version, to assess at least one of the psychometric properties mentioned in COSMIN guidelines. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Two independent reviewers used standardised methods to search, screen and code included studies. We considered the following information relevant for extraction: study reference, name and reference of the moral distress scale used, psychometric properties assessed and methods and results of their assessments. The collected information was then summarised in a narrative synthesis. RESULTS: The review identified only one PROM specifically adapted for veterinary contexts: the Measure of Moral Distress for Animal Professionals (MMD-AP), derived from the Measure of Moral Distress for Healthcare Professionals (MMD-HP). Both MMD-HP and MMD-AP were evaluated for the quality of development and content validity. The development quality of both measures was deemed doubtful. According to COSMIN, MMD-HP's content validity was rated as sufficient, whereas MMD-AP's was inconsistent. However, the evidence quality for both PROMs was rated low. CONCLUSION: This is the first systematic review focused on moral distress measurement in animal care workers. It shows that moral distress is rarely measured using standardised and evidence-based methods and that such methods should be developed and validated in the context of animal care. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42023422259.

The effect of perceived stress on menstrual complaints in university students.

Studies have examined the effect of stress on dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome. For this reason in this study, it was aimed to determine the impact of stress on menstrual symptoms (adverse effects, abdominal pain, and coping methods). This descriptive and correlational study was conducted with 351 university students in Turkey by sharing the link to the questionnaire on online social media platforms. It was determined that those whose income was equal to their expenses had lower menstrual symptoms, having a chronic disease and smoking increased menstrual symptoms (F = 3.19/p = .04; t = 2.33/p = .02; t = 3.96/p = .00). The study identified that there was a positive low-level correlation (r: 0.25, p < .01) between the Perceived Stress Scale-14 and the Menstruation Symptom Questionnaire, and the 6.5 percent change in menstrual symptoms was explained by perceived stress. In the study, it is thought that stress affects the experience of menstrual symptoms. Therefore, it is believed that by providing training on stress and effective coping methods by midwives and nurses, menstrual symptoms can be reduced, contributing to women's health. For future studies, it is recommended to examine the effects of stress coping methods training on stress and menstrual complaints.

The association between psychological distress, abusive experiences, and help-seeking among people with intimate partner violence.

BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health problem associated with countless adverse physical and mental health outcomes. It places an enormous economic and public health burden on communities. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between psychological states (such as depression or hopeless) and help-seeking experiences of IPV survivors after experiencing IPV, based on the Allegheny County Health Survey (ACHS). METHODS: Data from 2015 to 2016 Allegheny County Health Survey with N = 8,012 adults were analyzed. The 6-item version of the Kessler Psychological Stress Scale, located in Module 11 of the ACHS questionnaire, was used to measure psychological stress in participants. Module 12 of the ACHS questionnaire collected information on participants' experiences of intimate partner violence and help-seeking in the past 12 months. Descriptive statistical analysis, Pearson's chi-square or two sample independent t-tests statistical analysis, and multivariate binary logistic regression models were used to analyze the relationship between IPV experience and psychological distress. RESULTS: A total of 212 of the 8,012 participants had IPV experience, with age, marital status, education, income, and race significantly different from those without IPV experience. The psychological stress of participants feeling hopeless (OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.37-2.99), restless or fidgety (OR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.27-2.65), perceiving everything was an effort (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.08-2.22) and worthless (OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.01-2.20) was associated with the IPV experience. Help-seeking behaviors of IPV survivors were associated with psychological distress, such as hopelessness (OR = 6.71, 95% CI = 1.38-32.60). CONCLUSIONS: This study explored the association between IPV experience, help-seeking and psychological distress, and the need to expand community support. It is necessary to implement targeted interventions, enhance training of professionals, and promote the identification of early IPV cases as well as collaboration between healthcare and social support departments to reduce the occurrence of IPV or psychological distress following IPV.

[Positive aging-How does it work? : Contribution of resilience to the prevention of depressive disorders in old age]. / Positives Altern ­ Wie geht das? : Beitrag von Resilienz zur Prävention depressiver Erkrankungen im Alter.

BACKGROUND: Although the prevalence of depressive disorders in old age is high, many older people succeed in staying healthy despite age-related stressors. The individual resilience or mental power of resistance can explain these differences. OBJECTIVE: It is shown how resilience factors or strategies of healthy aging can be used for the primary prevention of depressive disorders in old age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The article summarizes the practically relevant age-specific aspects of resilience obtained through a narrative literature search and evaluates the relevant state of knowledge, also with respect to the consecutive development of primary preventive measures to avoid depressive disorders. RESULTS: Individual psychological strategies for promoting resilience include "stay active", and "mindfulness towards positive things", social strategies "remain socially connected" and "acceptance of support options". In addition to this individual level, which aims at every single person, the social dimension of resilience also includes strategies that start at the social level. Above all, this includes the esteem of older people in society as well as improved opportunities for participation. CONCLUSION: Age-specific aspects of resilience can be specifically used for the prevention of depressive disorders in old age. They enable a framework to establish resource-promoting and activating interventions, to counteract the deficit perspective on ageing. At the same time, there are clear limits to individual prevention and resilience. The responsibility cannot be seen solely for each individual but above all social structures and framework conditions must enable successful implementation in old age.

Same game, different worlds? General conditions, perceived stress, and associations between stress and past season injuries in elite female and male ice hockey players.

BACKGROUND: Ice hockey is played by women and men but the arena they play in may differ substantially. Potential differences in general conditions to play the sport may be associated to perceived stress, which has shown to be related to athletic injury in other sports. Therefore, this study aimed to describe and compare general conditions for playing ice hockey, stress levels, and the association between perceived stress and injury occurrence among elite female and male players. METHODS: Prior to the 2022-2023 season all female and male players from the top ice hockey leagues in Sweden were invited to an online survey. Players provided information about their general conditions for playing ice hockey and reported perceived stress during the previous season on the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10; sum score range 0-40) and current stress on the Single Item Stress Question (SISQ; scale range 1-5). Injuries during the previous season were self-reported on a modified version of the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center - Overuse Injury Questionnaire. RESULTS: We received responses from 360 players (170 females and 190 males). Female players more frequently reported additional occupations besides ice hockey and less medical support during games and practices than male players (p < .001). General stress levels were significantly higher among female players (mean PSS score [SD]: 17.4 [5.6] vs 14.1 [5.6], p < 0.001; SISQ median [IQR]: 3 [2-3] vs 2 [1-3], p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant but weak correlation between past season injury and perceived stress (PSS score: rho 0.29; SISQ: rho 0.24). This correlation was stronger among males than females (PSS score: 0.38 vs 0.162; SISQ: 0.29 vs 0.16, p's < 0.05). Players with substantial injuries during previous season had higher previous and current stress levels than players without injury, a difference that was largest and statistically significant only among male players. CONCLUSIONS: General conditions for playing elite ice hockey are inequal for female and male athletes. Stress levels of elite ice hockey players were comparable to the general population. Experience of severe injuries during the previous season was associated to higher levels of perceived stress. This association is stronger among male players, which may be due to greater economic dependency.

Sleep quality in relation to perceived psychological stress in patients with type 2 diabetes and in age- and sex-matched control individuals.

AIM: To assess sleep quality in relation to perceived stress in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and age- and sex-matched controls. METHODS: Perceived stress level and sleep quality assessed in 154 patients with T2DM (58 men, 96 women, age 58.3 ± 11.9 years), 154 matched controls (58 men, 96 women, age 56.8 ± 12.2 years) using Perceived Stress Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. RESULTS: Patients with T2DM had worse subjective sleep quality (p < 0.001), sleep latency (p = 0.047) than controls. Patients with high stress level had worse subjective sleep quality (p = 0.027), higher use of sleeping medication (p = 0.023), daytime dysfunction (p < 0.001) than those with low stress level. No significant differences in sleep quality between controls with high and low perceived stress level. Perceived stress level in patients with T2DM correlated with subjective sleep quality (r = 0.260, p = 0.002), sleep duration (r = 0.228, p = 0.005), use of sleep medication (r = 0.245, p = 0.004), daytime dysfunction (r = 0.326, p < 0.001), in age- and sex-matched controls-to daytime dysfunction (r = 0.191, p = 0.037). CONCLUSION: Sleep quality (subjective sleep quality, sleep latency) is worse in patients with type 2 diabetes than in age- and sex-matched controls. Patients with high perceived stress level have worse subjective sleep quality, higher use of sleeping medication, daytime dysfunction than patients with low perceived stress level; no significant differences in sleep quality between controls with high and low stress level. Perceived stress level in patients with type 2 diabetes is related to subjective sleep quality, sleep duration, use of sleep medication, daytime dysfunction, in age- and sex-matched controls-to daytime dysfunction.

The impact of COVID-19 on school nursing: A qualitative survey of stressors faced by school nurses.

BACKGROUND: As students returned to school, school nurses were responsible for infection control, communication, and the preparation of supplies and facilities. School nurses in the Pacific Northwest US demonstrated a higher prevalence of mental health symptoms in the years since the pandemic began, suggesting that their experience may have been unique. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the stressors of school nurses in the Pacific Northwest at two time points. DESIGN: This study is a qualitative, descriptive analysis of anonymous survey responses collected in June of 2021 (n = 333) and between October and December 2021 (n = 284). SAMPLE: Self-identifying school nurses working in K-12 schools in Washington State were invited to participate. MEASUREMENTS: Participants completed open-ended survey questions designed to elicit their experiences during the pandemic. RESULTS: Four themes emerged from the data: (1) isolation from administration and the school community, (2) COVID-19-related workload, (3) disorganized and inconsistent communication, and (4) concern for students, themselves, and others. CONCLUSIONS: School nurses played a vital public health role during the pandemic. However, their effectiveness may not have been fully utilized and sometimes undermined. Lastly, our findings highlight the difficulties encountered in implementing the changing scientific and public health guidance during the pandemic.

Self-system and mental health status among Malaysian youth attending higher educational institutions: A nationwide cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Mental health disorders (MHDs) are a global health burden with an increasing prevalence. During the COVID-19 pandemic, depression was the commonest MHD, followed by anxiety and stress. This nationwide study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of depression, anxiety and stress among Malaysian students attending higher educational institutions. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to December 2021. Institutions were selected via stratified random sampling and students via convenience sampling. A self-administered questionnaire comprising questions on socio-demographic characteristics, academic background, substance abuse, childhood abuse, religiosity and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 was used. Data were analysed using SPSS version 27; descriptive, point-biserial correlation, chi-square and multiple binary logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results: Sex and adverse childhood experiences significantly predicted all three MHDs (P<0.05). The students from public institutions (odds ratio [OR]=0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.56-0.90, P=0.004) had a lower risk of depression than those from private institutions. The smokers/vapers (OR=1.43, 95% CI=1.02-2.02, P=0.041) a higher risk of depression than the non-smokers/non-vapers. The social science students (OR=1.29, 95% CI= 1.01-1.65, P=0.039) had a higher risk of anxiety than the science students. The students who highly engaged in organisational religious activity (OR=0.91, 95% CI=0.84-0.98, P=0.015) had a lower risk of anxiety than their counterparts. Conclusion: Anxiety is the commonest MHD among Malaysian youth, followed by depression and stress. Childhood abuse is a crucial related factor requiring further attention. Screening, surveillance, preventive measures and comprehensive interventions for MHDs should be initiated among youth.

Mitigating phospholipid peroxidation of macrophages in stress-induced tumor microenvironment by natural ALOX15/PEBP1 complex inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: The intricate interactions between chronic psychological stress and susceptibility to breast cancer have been recognized, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unexplored. Danzhi Xiaoyao Powder (DZXY), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, has found clinical utility in the treatment of breast cancer. Macrophages, as the predominant immune cell population within the tumor microenvironment (TME), play a pivotal role in orchestrating tumor immunosurveillance. Emerging evidence suggests that lipid oxidation accumulation in TME macrophages, plays a critical role in breast cancer development and progression. However, a comprehensive understanding of the pharmacological mechanisms and active components of DZXY related to its clinical application in the treatment of stress-aggravated breast cancer remains elusive. PURPOSE: This study sought to explore the plausible regulatory mechanisms and identify the key active components of DZXY contributing to its therapeutic efficacy in the context of breast cancer. METHODS: Initially, we conducted an investigation into the relationship between the phagocytic capacity of macrophages damaged by psychological stress and phospholipid peroxidation using flow cytometry and LC-MS/MS-based phospholipomics. Subsequently, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of DZXY based on the results of the tumor size, tumor weight, the phospholipid peroxidation pathway and phagocytosis of macrophage. Additionally, the target-mediated characterization strategy based on binding of arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15) to phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein-1 (PEBP1), including molecular docking analysis, microscale thermophoresis (MST) assay, co-immunoprecipitation analysis and activity verification, has been further implemented to reveal the key bio-active components in DZXY. Finally, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of isochlorogenic acid C (ICAC) based on the results of tumor size, tumor weight, the phospholipid peroxidation pathway, and macrophage phagocytosis in vivo. RESULTS: The present study demonstrated that phospholipid peroxides, as determined by LC-MS/MS-based phospholipidomics, triggered in macrophages, which in turn compromised their capacity to eliminate tumor cells through phagocytosis. Furthermore, we elucidate the mechanism behind stress-induced PEBP1 to form a complex with ALOX15, thereby mediating membrane phospholipid peroxidation in macrophages. DZXY, demonstrates potent anti-breast cancer therapeutic effects by disrupting the ALOX15/PEBP1 interaction and inhibiting phospholipid peroxidation, ultimately enhancing macrophages' phagocytic capability towards tumor cells. Notably, ICAC emerged as a promising active component in DZXY, which can inhibit the ALOX15/PEBP1 interaction, thereby mitigating phospholipid peroxidation in macrophages. CONCLUSION: Collectively, our findings elucidate stress increases the susceptibility of breast cancer by driving lipid peroxidation of macrophages and suggest the ALOX15/PEBP1 complex as a promising intervention target for DZXY.

Psychological Stress and its relationship to Periodontal flora and salivary Nitrite/Nitrate.

OBJECTIVE: Psychological stress can be a common risk factor for the development of oral and systemic disease; therefore, analysis of a pathophysiologic mechanisms that may explain this association may be significant in planning preventive strategies. The aim of this study was to investigate the association amongst academic stress, periodontal health, and salivary cortisol and nitrite and nitrate levels in a sample of university students. METHODS: Participants (N = 14) were classified into 2 groups according to their exposure to academic stress due to periods of university exams (n = 6 and n = 8, respectively). All participants were subjected evlauted for their behavioural, psychological, and anthropometric parameters, as well as an oral health examination. A real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis in samples of saliva and plaque was used to detect Prevotella intermedia and Veillonella dispar as well as the total bacterial count. Nitrite/nitrate ratio (NR ratio) and cortisol in saliva were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Full Mouth Bleeding Score, Full Mouth Plaque Score, and Gingival Index were significantly higher in the group exposed to academic stress. Nitrite was directly related to the presence of V dispar (coefficient, 0.13; P = .00; CI, 0.07 to 0.19) and inversely related to total bacterial count (coefficient, -0.07; P = .012; CI, -0.13 to 0.02). NR ratio was directly related to V dispar (coefficient, 4.35; P = .010; 95% CI, 1.35 to 7.36) and inversely related to total bacterial count (coefficient, -4.05; P = .018; 95% CI, -7.32 to 0.86). CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm the importance of stress on periodontal health and salivary nitrite concentration and highlight a potential differential role of specific bacteria on nitrite concentration in saliva.

Non-pharmacological strategies to reduce stress and anxiety in endovascular procedures: A scoping review.

AIM: This study aimed to identify and map the production of knowledge on non-pharmacological strategies to reduce stress and anxiety in patients undergoing endovascular procedures. DESIGN: Scoping review. METHODS: The review was performed using the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The searches were conducted in Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Wiley Online Library, BVS/BIREME, Lilacs, Gale Academic OneFile, SciELO, Cochrane Library, CAPES Catalog of Dissertations and Theses, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Portal of Theses and Dissertations, and Theses and Dissertations from Latin America. RESULTS: Twenty-two articles were selected. The articles were published from 2001 to 2022, mostly in Iran, and there was a predominance of randomized clinical trials. The Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was the most used instrument. The findings indicated that music therapy, educational guidelines or videos on the procedure, massage, psychological preparation and aromatherapy were the main non-pharmacological therapies used to reduce anxiety and stress in patients undergoing vascular procedures.

Bibliometric Analysis of Research Papers on Academic Stress (1989-2023).

This extensive study provides a comprehensive overview of the contemporary research landscape about academic stress, emphasizing on identifying the most relevant contributors and understanding prevalent trends. The analysis included 5,375 results from the PubMed database and revealed a consistent upward trajectory with fluctuations in research paper publications over the years. Network analysis and visualization were performed using the Biblioshiny app and VOSviewer software. The analysis identified that the University of Oslo has published the highest number of research papers related to academic stress. In contrast, the Netherlands, the USA, and Australia demonstrated the highest frequency of collaboration. Analysis of keywords and their co-occurrence provides an overview of the research focus and the areas associated with psychological stress due to academics. Thematic evaluation and topic trend analysis provided insights into the evolving nature of research in academic stress. The thematic map depicts two categories of themes - motor themes, including psychological stress, its epidemiology, the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the mental health of university students, particularly those in medical programs; and emerging themes, including oxidative stress and risk factors, indicated evolving areas of interest. A notable observation was the scarcity of research on primary school students, signaling a gap in the existing academic stress literature. Citation analysis identified the most cited authors, countries, universities, and sources. This multifaceted examination provides a nuanced understanding of academic stress research's current state and dynamics, offering valuable insights into trends, collaborations, and thematic shifts that will guide future research in this critical field.

Single-cell transcriptome profiling implicates the psychological stress-induced disruption of spermatogenesis.

Male infertility has emerged as a global issue, partly attributed to psychological stress. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the adverse effects of psychological stress on male reproductive function remain elusive. We created a psychologically stressed model using terrified-sound and profiled the testes from stressed and control rats using single-cell RNA sequencing. Comparative and comprehensive transcriptome analyses of 11,744 testicular cells depicted the cellular landscape of spermatogenesis and revealed significant molecular alterations of spermatogenesis suffering from psychological stress. At the cellular level, stressed rats exhibited delayed spermatogenesis at the spermatogonia and pachytene phases, resulting in reduced sperm production. Additionally, psychological stress rewired cellular interactions among germ cells, negatively impacting reproductive development. Molecularly, we observed the down-regulation of anti-oxidation-related genes and up-regulation of genes promoting reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in the stress group. These alterations led to elevated ROS levels in testes, affecting the expression of key regulators such as ATF2 and STAR, which caused reproductive damage through apoptosis or inhibition of testosterone synthesis. Overall, our study aimed to uncover the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which psychological stress disrupts spermatogenesis, offering insights into the mechanisms of psychological stress-induced male infertility in other species and promises in potential therapeutic targets.

Life satisfaction, psychological stress, and present-moment attention: a generalizability study.

During the last decade, many teachers have retired early, leading to increased discussions about how to improve and maintain their mental health. To address this concern early, we designed an online seminar covering the field of positive psychology by emphasizing on mindfulness, positive emotions about one's future, and resources for pre-service teachers. The seminar was designed to increase their wellbeing, as well as to decrease psychological stress. To explore the sensitivity of our measures to change, we investigate the following research questions: To what extent do we assess trait or state variability in students' outcomes and what are the levels of reliability achieved? Fifty-four students in their second year at a German university (median age 22 years) participated and they were asked to fill in questionnaires assessing their life satisfaction, psychological stress, and present-moment attention during each of nine sessions over the course of a semester. We performed Generalizability and Decision Studies to estimate variability between-students and within-students, error of measurement, as well as reliability. Our results show that life satisfaction and psychological stress reached high reliability, suggesting that students' trait and state variability were both assessed with high accuracy. On the other hand, the assessment of present-moment attention would benefit from adding more items to the questionnaires or collecting data from more sessions. We discuss how our findings impact research and practice.

Exploring the interplay of psychological and biological components of stress response and telomere length in the transition from middle age to late adulthood: A systematic review.

Ageing and chronic stress have been linked to reduced telomere length (TL) in mixed-age groups. Whether stress response components are linked to TL during the midlife-to-late adulthood transition remains unclear. Our study aimed to synthesise evidence on the relationship between psychological and biological components of stress response on TL in middle-aged and older adults. We conducted a systematic review of studies obtained from six databases (PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus) and evaluated by two independent reviewers. Original research measuring psychological and biological components of stress response and TL in human individuals were included. From an initial pool of 614 studies, 15 were included (n = 9446 participants). Synthesis of evidence showed that higher psychological components of the stress response (i.e., global perceived stress or within a specific life domain and cognitive appraisal to social-evaluative stressors) were linked to shorter TL, specifically in women or under major life stressors. For the biological stress response, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and IGF-1/cortisol imbalance, IL-6, MCP-1, blood pressure, and heart rate presented a significant association with TL, but this relationship depended on major life stressors and the stress context (manipulated vs. non-manipulated conditions). This comprehensive review showed that psychological and biological components of the stress response are linked to shorter TL, but mainly in women or those under a major life stressor and stress-induced conditions. The interaction between stressor attributes and psychological and biological reactions in the transition from middle to late adulthood still needs to be fully understood, and examining it is a critical step to expanding our understanding of stress's impact on ageing trajectories.

Psychological distress among individuals with a suicide attempt or suicidal ideation and suicide attempts patterns: first two years of the pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions may have led to increased stress, particularly in people with mental health problems. Since stress factors play important role in the emergence of suicide attempts (SA) and suicidal ideation (SI), they may have been exacerbated by the pandemic, which could have led to an increased number of suicide attempts. Thus, we first investigated whether the pandemic affected personal stress experiences and appraisal of coping potential in individuals with and without SA and SI. In a second step, we analyzed the frequency and dynamics of SAs by patients admitted to a psychiatric university clinic over a period of four years. Methods: We examined stress experiences and appraisal of coping resources of inpatients recruited between March 2021 and February 2022 with SA (n=38), SI (n=27), and with mood disorder without SA or SI (n=45). In the second study, we investigated the time course of prospectively recorded patients with a suicide attempt (n=399) between January 1st 2018 and December 31st 2021 using interrupted time-series Poisson regression models. Results: There was a significant main effect of group (F[2,107]=6.58, p=0.002) regarding psychological stress levels, which was significantly higher in the SA and SI groups than in the psychiatric control group. No significant differences were found in the appraisal of coping resources or in the frequency of SAs before and during pandemic. However, the pandemic had a significant impact on the seasonal pattern of SAs. Conclusions: The pandemic increased psychological stress levels in individuals with SA and SI, which may be related to SI and do not necessarily result in SA. The pandemic did not affect the overall frequency of SA between March 2020 and December 2021, but interfered with the seasonal pattern of SA occurrence. Effective intervention strategies during a pandemic should include programs to strengthen the psychological resilience of people who are susceptible to mental health problems.