ABSTRACT
Chronic stress leads to many psychiatric disorders, including social and anxiety disorders that are associated with over-activation of neurons in the basolateral amygdala (BLA). However, not all individuals develop psychiatric diseases, many showing considerable resilience against stress exposure. Whether BLA neuronal activity is involved in regulating an individual's vulnerability to stress remains elusive. In this study, using a mouse model of chronic social defeat stress (CSDS), we divided the mice into susceptible and resilient subgroups based on their social interaction behavior. Using in vivo fiber photometry and in vitro patch-clamp recording, we showed that CSDS persistently (after 20 days of recovery from stress) increased BLA neuronal activity in all the mice regardless of their susceptible or resilient nature, although impaired social interaction behavior was only observed in susceptible mice. Increased anxiety-like behavior, on the other hand, was evident in both groups. Notably, the CSDS-induced increase of BLA neuronal activity correlated well with the heightened anxiety-like but not the social avoidance behavior in mice. These findings provide new insight to our understanding of the role of neuronal activity in the amygdala in mediating stress-related psychiatric disorders.
Subject(s)
Animals , Mice , Amygdala , Anxiety/etiology , Anxiety Disorders , Avoidance Learning , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Social Behavior , Stress, Psychological/complicationsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Stress can substantially affect the symptoms and courses of mood disorders. Among the various factors of stress perception, one's personality traits and mood states are especially important. The aim of the current study is to examine the influences of personality traits on perceived stress in mood disorder, comparing depressive disorders and bipolar disorders. METHODS: Patients with depressive disorders (n=81) and bipolar disorders (n=79) and who met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition diagnostic criteria were recruited. Stress perception was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Personality traits were assessed using the Temperament and Character Inventory and the Neo-Five Factor Inventory. Linear regression analysis was performed to examine and determine the predictors that significantly affect perceived stress. RESULTS: Results of univariate linear regression analysis showed that neuroticism, harm avoidance, and novelty seeking were positively related to the PSS score in patients with bipolar disorder. However, agreeableness, self-directedness, extraversion, cooperativeness, and conscientiousness subscales were negatively related to the PSS score. In depressive patients as well, harm avoidance and neuroticism were positively related to the PSS score. Reward dependence, extraversion, agreeableness, self-directedness, and cooperativeness were negatively related to the PSS score. In multivariate linear analysis, self-directedness and extraversion were negatively associated with the PSS score in bipolar patients. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that personality traits associated with perceived stress may differ according to the subtypes of mood disorders. In addition, consideration of the differences in personality subtypes that affect perceived stress is probably required in order to establish strategies for decreasing perceived stress in mood disorder.
Subject(s)
Humans , Bipolar Disorder , Depressive Disorder , Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , Extraversion, Psychological , Linear Models , Mood Disorders , Reward , TemperamentABSTRACT
Cuidados maternais são experiências do início da vida que têm sido consistentemente relacionados com alterações na expressão gênica por meio de mecanismos epigenéticos como a metilação do DNA ou a modificação de suas histonas. O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar uma investigação teórica sobre cuidados maternais enquanto evento ambiental que pode produzir alterações epigenéticas atuantes na composição da vulnerabilidade ao estresse. A investigação teve por base estudos empíricos e de revisão de literatura com animais não humanos sobre Epigenética, estresse e cuidados maternais. Apresenta também alguns estudos com humanos que mostram tais efeitos, destacando-se aqueles que influenciam ou são influenciados pelo comportamento operante. A partir da investigação realizada encontrou-se que cuidados maternais pós-parto são uma condição ambiental que produz efeitos no eixo hipotálamo-pituitária-adrenal (HPA), participando da composição da vulnerabilidade ao estresse. Seus possíveis efeitos fisiológicos no condicionamento operante sinalizam alternativas para intervenções baseadas na plasticidade da formação do epigenoma. Este conhecimento, além de promover a aproximação entre a Epigenética e a Análise do Comportamento em nível básico por meio de estudos com animais não humanos, poderá contribuir em nível aplicado para um melhor entendimento do neurodesenvolvimento infantil e adequado planejamento de intervenções efetivas com mães e filhos. (AU)
Maternal care is an early life experience that has been consistently related to alterations in the genetic expression through epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation or DNA histone modification. The present study aims to present a theoretical investigation about maternal care as an environmental event that may produce epigenetic alterations related to the biological bases of stress vulnerability. The research was based on empirical studies as well as literature review on non-human animals concerning epigenetics, stress and maternal care. It also presents some studies on humans that show such effects, particularly the ones that influence or are influenced by the operant behavior. Post-natal maternal care is found to cause effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity participating in the building of stress vulnerability. Its possible physiological effects on the operant conditioning point out to alternatives to intervention based on the plasticity of the epigenome formation. This knowledge enhances the proximity between Epigenetics and Behavior Analysis at a basic level through studies with non-human animals and at an applied level through a better understanding of child neurodevelopment and proper planning of effective intervention with mothers and children. (AU)
Subject(s)
Animals , Rats , Stress, Psychological/genetics , Child Care/psychology , Epigenomics , Mother-Child Relations/psychology , Postpartum Period , Neurodevelopmental DisordersABSTRACT
Objective To develop stress vulnerability prediction scale for soldiers.Methods 148 items were determined by reviewing items in relating literatures and scales,interview,panel discussion and expert consultation.Then 431 and 351 soldiers in two times were picked out randomly as samples from Army Northwest District.Item analysis,exploratory factor analysis,reliability analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used to analyse the data.Results Stress vulnerability prediction scale comprised five subscales:traumatic events,positive affect,negative trait,negative coping and interpersonal support.The scale was comprised of 59 items,and the factor loading of the items ranged from 0.503 to 0.839.Cronbach's α coefficient of the five subscales were 0.777,0.903,0.923,0.882,0.908,and the Cronbach's α coefficient of the scale was 0.895.Confirmatory factor analysis showed a higher goodness of fit(RESEA =0.058,NFI =0.89,NNFI =0.93,CFI =0.94,IFI =0.98).Conclusion Stress vulnerability prediction scale in soldiers has good psychometric properties,and can be used as a prediction measurement tool for measuring the stress disorder for soldiers.
ABSTRACT
Este estudo objetivou avaliar e correlacionar os níveis de vulnerabilidade ao estresse no trabalho e percepção de suporte familiar em trabalhadores porteiros. Participaram 100 porteiros de uma empresa prestadora de serviços de médio porte. Utilizou-se o questionário de caracterização, a Escala de Vulnerabilidade ao Estresse no Trabalho (EVENT) e o Inventário de Percepção de Suporte Familiar (IPSF). A idade média dos participantes foi de 37,8 anos; trabalhavam na empresa, em torno de quatro anos e como porteiros, em média, há cinco anos. Os resultados mostraram uma pontuação média na medida de estresse geral da EVENT, sugerindo indicação de poucos estressores nesse grupo de porteiros. O IPSF também apresentou pontuação média, indicando que grande parte dos participantes possui percepção de bom suporte familiar. As análises mostraram correlações negativas fracas, porém estatisticamente significantes, entre a dimensão adaptação familiar do ipsf e as dimensões clima e funcionamento organizacional, pressão no trabalho e total da EVENT.
This study had the objective of evaluating and correlating the levels of work stress vulnerability and family support perception in doormen workers. 100 doormen of a medium sized, service provider company took part. A characterization questionnaire, the Scale of Vulnerability to the Stress at Work (EVENT), and the Inventory of Perception of Family Support (IPSF) were used. The age average of the participants was 37,8 years old, who worked in the company around four years, and as doormen, an average of five years. The results showed an average score that was obtained in measuring general stress of EVENT, suggesting that few stress factors were indicated on this doormen group. The IPSF also presented an average score, indicating that most of the participants have the perception of good family support. The analysis showed negative correlations between work stress vulnerability and family support, but statistically significant.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Young Adult , Middle Aged , Disaster Vulnerability , Burnout, Professional/psychology , Family Relations , Occupational HealthABSTRACT
Se realizó la construcción y validación de un test psicométrico para la determinación de vulnerabilidad al estrés. El test, denominado cuestionario vulnerabilidad estrés, fue realizado básicamente a partir de la batería psicométrico del método de enfoque sistémico de evaluación del estrés. Se confeccionó un cuestionario inicial de 63 ítems y 3 subescalas con el que se realizó un estudio piloto; al depurarlo, la forma definitiva fue redactada con 39 ítems y sometida a un estudio para determinar fiabilidad y validez. Se determinó una estructura trifactorial coincidente con el diseño previo. La consistencia interna fue de 0,92 según el alfa de Cronbach y de 0,90 con el coeficiente de Spearman-Brown. Se encontró una correlación test-retest de 0,97 y se correlacionó además, de forma significativa con criterios externos de vulnerabilidad-escala de neuroticismo del test de Eysenck, ansiedad como rasgo de Spielberger y el criterio clínico. Se concluyó que el cuestionario vulnerabilidad estrés constituye un instrumento válido y fiable para medir vulnerabilidad al estrés sobre la base del método de enfoque sistémico.
A psychometric test was constructed and validated to determine stress. The test denominated stress vulnerability questionnaire was basically based on the psychometric battery of the systemic approach method for evaluating stress. An initial questionnaire composed of 63 items and 3 subscales was made to conduct a pilot study. On depurating the questionnaire, the final form contained 39 items and it was subjected to a study to find out reliability and validity. A trifactorial structure coinciding with the previous design was determined. The internal consistency was 0.92 according to Cronbach's alpha and 0.90 according to Spearman-Brown's coefficient.. A test-retest correlation of 0.97 was attained and it was also significantly correlated to the external criteria of vulnerability-neuroticism scale of Eysenck's test, Spielberg's anxiety trait and the clinical criterion. It was concluded that the stress vulnerability questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument to measure vulnerability to stress based on the systemic approach method.