A case of catatonia in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic: Does autism spectrum matter?

Background: There is growing concern about the psychopathological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The prolonged stress due to the spreading fear of the contagion and to the enforced containment measures are deemed to trigger recurrences of preexisting mental disorders as well as the onset of new ones. From such perspective, clinical cases may be of primary ground to identify individual features and pandemic-related factors predisposing to the development of serious psychiatric symptoms. Case presentation: Mr. R. is a 64-year-old, married, unemployed man, whose premorbid personality was characterized by relevant autistic traits. The patient developed catatonia in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed at discussing the role of both preexisting and precipitating factors. Conclusions: Autism spectrum could represent a predisposing factor for severe psychopathological outcome and catatonia. Furthermore, the present clinical case highlights the role of COVID-19 pandemic in influencing physical and mental health. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Intrapersonal and interpersonal processes associated with co-reflection and co-brooding

Depression is one of the most pervasive and debilitating psychiatric disorders, and it is thus imperative that research identifies factors that characterize depression vulnerability. Although subsyndromal depressive symptoms (i.e., dysphoria) are a depression risk factor, the way that an individual responds to negative emotions may also mitigate or prolong that emotional state, thereby modulating depression vulnerability. Much research on depression has examined how thinking about a negative event in the form of reflective rumination (problem-solving) and brooding rumination (focusing on negative events and their consequences) differentially predicts both depressive symptoms and maladaptive avoidance behaviors. Comparatively less research has examined the use of co-rumination, wherein dyads collaboratively co-reflect and co-brood. Notably, existing research does indicate that co-reflection and co-brooding subtypes are differentially associated with depressive symptoms, yet more research is needed to examine the robustness of this relationship. Additionally, less is known about intrapersonal and interpersonal processes that modulate the use of co-brooding and co-reflection, or the mechanisms through which these co-rumination subtypes modulate depression risk, especially during an ongoing negative event, such as Covid-19. The current study examined (a) the relationship between depression risk, co-rumination subtypes, and avoidance behaviors, (b) intrapersonal (e.g., personality) factors' association with co-rumination subtypes, (c) the association between co-ruminating partners' use of acceptance statements (positive regard and attentiveness) and challenge statements (goal motivation) on the use of co-rumination subtypes and avoidance behaviors, and (d) the relationship between co-rumination subtypes, negative events surrounding an ongoing stressor (Covid-19), and depression risk. Participants were undergraduate students from the University of Kansas' introductory psychology course who reported their interpersonal and intrapersonal rumination, affect, negative experience with Covid-19, avoidance behaviors, emotion reactivity and tolerance, neuroticism, and the frequency with which their close friend provides acceptance and challenge statements during problem-focused talk. Hierarchical multiple regression and moderation analyses indicated that neither co-rumination subtypes were associated with current depressive symptoms, and co-brooding was not associated with avoidance behaviors. Moreover, avoidance behaviors and intrapersonal rumination were not shown to moderate the relationship between co-brooding and current depressive symptoms. Regarding intrapersonal factors, emotion reactivity and emotion tolerance, but not neuroticism, were associated with use of co-rumination subtypes. Regarding acceptance and challenge statements, both were differentially associated with avoidance behaviors, and at higher levels, they interacted to predict decreased behavioral nonsocial avoidance. Finally, co-rumination subtypes did not moderate the relationship between negative events related to Covid-19 and current depressive symptoms. Results indicated that co-rumination subtypes may not always have an adaptive or maladaptive association with depressive symptoms;however, results indicated intrapersonal factors that can be used to identify individuals who might be more likely to use co-rumination subtypes. Additionally, although the current study did not find evidence to support the relationship between co-rumination and avoidance behaviors, it does appear that messages exchanged within a dyad can modulate the use of avoidance behaviors, which has implications for interpersonal treatment approaches targeting avoidance behaviors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Rumination, mindfulness, and posttraumatic growth during the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic: A moderated mediation model

Early research examining the impact of the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic on the health and well-being of U.S. adult residents suggested the majority were experiencing an increase in anxiety, depression, and trauma-related symptoms. The current study responded to calls for mental health professionals to view the COVID-19 pandemic as a form of mass trauma and sought to understand whether U.S. adult residents reported experiencing posttraumatic growth (PTG) in response to this mass trauma. Consistent with Tedeschi and Calhoun's (2004) theoretical framework of PTG, the current study attempted to replicate a mediational model that had been used to explain the process of PTG and determine whether deliberate rumination mediated the relationship between intrusive rumination and PTG in the current sample. Mindfulness as a moderator of this mediation was also explored in an effort to add to the preliminary evidence linking mindfulness with rumination and PTG. Eight-two (82) participants in the current study completed the Impact of Events Scale-COVID19 to assess for traumatic stress associated with pandemic, the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory to assess for posttraumatic growth, the Event-Related Rumination Inventory to measure intrusive and deliberate rumination, and the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale to assess for mindfulness. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the data and both moderation and mediation analyses were conducted using PROCESS Macro. Results showed 82 participants who endorsed significant levels of distress in response to the COVID-19 pandemic were also experiencing PTG in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Consistent with Tedeschi and Calhoun's theoretical framework, deliberate rumination mediated the relationship between intrusive rumination and PTG, suggesting individuals were experiencing the same sequential process of PTG in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as others had in response to traumatic events such as natural disasters and other life-threatening events. Trait mindfulness did not appear to have a significant impact on PTG or the proposed mediation model. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Cognitive vulnerability and depressive symptoms among Emirati college students before and after the enactment of COVID-19 curfew and home-learning measures

The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that college students in many nations, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) included, have had to switch to home-learning. Additionally, infection control measures in the UAE have also led to the enactment of population-wide curfews. The present study represents an exploration of cognitive vulnerability to depression and depressive symptomatology, both before and after the UAE enacted measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. The study relied upon a quasi-experimental design, where two groups of college students from the same population completed measures of depressive symptoms and cognitive vulnerabilities before (N = 34) and after (N = 85) the UAE implemented home learning and curfew measures. The posited cognitive vulnerability's (ruminative response styles and dysfunctional attitudes) were both retained as predictors of depressive symptoms. Furthermore, depressive symptom scores were significantly higher after the enactment of the UAE's curfew and home learning measures. It may be particularly important to provide mental health support for college students during extended periods of enforced home learning and curfew. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Traumatic stress and positive growth amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

It is important to understand how people respond to catastrophic events and crises. The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak introduced widespread concern for impacts on mental health and wellbeing during and beyond the pandemic. Traumatic experiences result in numerous outcomes for people, including potential, positive changes in development and functioning. However, extant literature has not examined the relationship between indicators of negative and positive adaptation following trauma, nor has the literature delineated the mechanisms of action that drive these changes in people during chronic, traumatic events. This observational, cross-sectional study included a sample recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) and the University of Kansas psychology subject pool. Retrospective data were available for 166 participants who completed a one-time, online survey for monetary compensation or course credit. Participants reporting higher levels of externally oriented (e.g., chance, powerful others) and spiritually oriented (e.g., God, higher power) control beliefs experienced more traumatic stress symptoms when thinking about their COVID-19 experiences. Traumatic stress symptoms and rumination were associated with positive growth scores in the expected directions. Interaction terms investigating health-related control beliefs as buffering effects on the relationships between rumination and positive psychological adaptation were non-significant. Results of these analyses are presented with conclusions, limitations, and recommendations for future investigations and clinical support. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)