Physical Activity, Seasonal Sensitivity and Psychological Well-Being of People of Different Age Groups Living in Extreme Environments.

Physical activity can prevent many organic and mental pathologies. For people living in extreme southern high-latitude environments, weather conditions can affect these activities, altering their psychological well-being and favoring the prevalence of seasonal sensitivity (SS). This study aims to determine the relationships between the practice of physical activity, seasonal sensitivity and well-being in people living in high southern latitudes. A cross-sectional study was conducted, using the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ), applying a psychological well-being scale, and determining sports practice according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the 370 male (n = 209; 55%) and female (n = 173; 45%) participants. The main results indicated that 194 people (52 ± 7.7 years) reported physical activity. High-intensity physical activity practitioners recorded a significantly lower proportion of SS. In terms of psychological well-being, an adverse effect was found between the Seasonal Score Index (SSI) and five subcategories of the Ryff well-being scale. In conclusion, those who perform high-intensity physical activity have a lower SS, and those who have a higher SS have a lower psychological well-being.

Sintomatología depresiva y calidad de vida en estudiantes de medicina en alta latitud sur / Depression and seasonal sensitivity among medical students residing in high southern latitudes

Background: There is no evidence for the association of depressive symptoms with the sense of well-being of undergraduate medical students residing in high southern latitudes (HSL). Aim: To assess the frequency of depressive symptoms and its relationship with seasonal sensitivity and quality of life in medical students residing in HSL. Material and Methods: The Beck anxiety and depressive symptoms inventory, the seasonal pattern assessment questionnaire and the quality-of-life questionnaire of the WHO were applied to 102 medical students residing in Magallanes, Chile. Results: Fifty-two percent of respondents reported some degree of depressive symptoms. These symptoms were significantly associated with the seasonal pattern score (r = 0.432, p < 0.01). They were also inversely associated with parameters of physical health and psychosocial health (r = −0.567, p < 0.01 and r = −0.708, p < 0.01, respectively). There was also a correlation between depressive and anxiety symptoms. Conclusions: Depressive symptoms are common in medical students residing in HSL and they are associated with seasonal sensitivity and quality of life measures.

Investigando a associação entre sintomas e queixas depressivas com as estações do ano / Investigating the association between depressive symptoms and complaints in different seasons

A depressão implica diversos prejuízos na vida dos indivíduos, ocasiona desde a incapacitação para o trabalho até o prejuízo nas relações e bem estar. OBJETIVOS: Este trabalho buscou investigar se há associação entre queixas e sintomas depressivos e a estação do ano em que pacientes buscam atendimento na área da saúde mental. MÉTODO: Foi realizado estudo transversal e documental com pacientes adultos e idosos em ambulatório transdisciplinar em Porto Alegre, RS. RESULTADOS: Não foi encontrada associação entre motivo de consulta, sintomas depressivos e a estação do ano. Apesar disto, associou-se faixa etária, renda familiar, sexo e fonte de encaminhamento à busca por atendimento psicoterápico em função de patologia depressiva. CONCLUSÕES: Apesar de não ter encontrado associação entre queixa e sintomatologia depressiva e a estação do ano em que o paciente buscou atendimento, esta pesquisa levantou dados pertinentes e importantes a serem considerados em futuros estudos sobre queixas e sintomas depressivos. .

Depression involves many losses in individuals’ lives. These can vary from the incapacity to work, relationship problems and harmed well-being. This study investigated if there is association between depressive symptoms and depressive complaints and the season in which patients seek care in a mental health institution. METHOD: We conducted a cross and documentary study with adult and elderly patients in outpatient multidisciplinary clinic in Porto Alegre, RS. RESULTS: No association was found between depressive complaint and depressive symptoms with the season. Despite this, the search for psychotherapy because of depressive disorder was associated with age, family income, sex and source of referral. CONCLUSIONS: Even not having found an association between abuse and depressive symptoms with the season in which the patient sought care, this study gathered relevant and important data to consider in future studies. .

Investigando a associação entre sintomas e queixas depressivas com as estações do ano / Investigating the association between depressive symptoms and complaints in different seasons

A depressão implica diversos prejuízos na vida dos indivíduos, ocasiona desde a incapacitação para o trabalho até o prejuízo nas relações e bem estar. Objetivos Este trabalho buscou investigar se há associação entre queixas e sintomas depressivos e a estação do ano em que pacientes buscam atendimento na área da saúde mental. Método Foi realizado estudo transversal e documental com pacientes adultos e idosos em ambulatório transdisciplinar em Porto Alegre, RS. Resultados Não foi encontrada associação entre motivo de consulta, sintomas depressivos e a estação do ano. Apesar disto, associou-se faixa etária, renda familiar, sexo e fonte de encaminhamento à busca por atendimento psicoterápico em função de patologia depressiva. Conclusões Apesar de não ter encontrado associação entre queixa e sintomatologia depressiva e a estação do ano em que o paciente buscou atendimento, esta pesquisa levantou dados pertinentes e importantes a serem considerados em futuros estudos sobre queixas e sintomas depressivos. (AU)

Depression involves many losses in individuals’ lives. These can vary from the incapacity to work, relationship problems and harmed well-being. This study investigated if there is association between depressive symptoms and depressive complaints and the season in which patients seek care in a mental health institution. Method We conducted a cross and documentary study with adult and elderly patients in outpatient multidisciplinary clinic in Porto Alegre, RS. Results No association was found between depressive complaint and depressive symptoms with the season. Despite this, the search for psychotherapy because of depressive disorder was associated with age, family income, sex and source of referral. Conclusions Even not having found an association between abuse and depressive symptoms with the season in which the patient sought care, this study gathered relevant and important data to consider in future studies. (AU)

Scores of a web-based version of the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire in Brazil

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a proposed mental disorder still controversial. This condition is prevalent in northern latitudes, but few studies have been conducted at locations in the southern hemisphere. It is usually assessed by the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ). This study aimed to evaluate, through on-line questionnaire, the hypothesis that, in the Brazilian population, latitude and longitude influence SPAQ scores. Methods: An advertisement was posted on a sleep medicine website inviting visitors to investigate seasonal patterns of behavior and mood, using a Brazilian Portuguese version of the SPAQ. The geographic coordinates of the place of residence of each respondent were analyzed as a continuous variable or distributed in quartiles of latitude and longitude. The psychometric properties of the SPAQ were assessed by reliability and factor analyses. Results: Answers from 1001 respondents out of 1045 were considered eligible. High SPAQ scores were observed in 287 respondents, equally distributed among all latitude and longitude quartiles. Data collected in different seasons and during daylight saving time did not differ significantly in any of the scores for SPAQ dimensions. No correlations between SPAQ scores and latitude or longitude were observed. Psychometric properties of the SPAQ were preserved in all geographic locations. Conclusion: The finding of similar SPAQ scores at a wide latitude range defies the concept of SAD symptoms as latitude or longitude-dependent phenomena...

Efecto de la variación estacional en el estado de ánimo de adolescentes, estudio prospectivo, Santiago / Relationship between the seasonal variation and the mood of adolescents: prospective study

Introducción: El Trastorno Afectivo Estacional (TAE) es caracterizado por síntomas depresivos que se manifiestan recurrentemente durante el invierno y ceden espontáneamente en primavera-verano. Existen pocos estudios sobre TAE en niños y adolescentes. Objetivo: Estudiar la relación entre la variación estacional” y el estado de ánimo en adolescentes. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio de cohorte prospectivo a 220 estudiantes de 1° Medio a 4° Medio de dos colegios de la Región Metropolitana de diferente nivel socioeconómico, elegidos al azar. A los estudiantes se les aplicó en invierno y en primavera 2008, Cuestionario de Depresión Infantil (CDI) y Cuestionario de Evaluación de Perfil Estacional versión para niños y adolescentes (SPAQ-CA). Resultados: La prevalencia de “Sospecha de Depresión”(SD) fue mayor en invierno(20 por ciento) que en primavera(13 por ciento) (p<0,01). La “Autopercepción de tener Problemas con la Variación Estacional” (APPVE) no varió significativamente entre los periodos encuestados. La APPVE fue 2,8 veces más frecuente en mujeres que en hombres(p<0,01). Se encontró una correlación positiva entre SD y APPVE, solo en invierno. Conclusión: En una misma población de adolescentes hay variación en el autoreporte de SD según la estación del año, siendo significativamente mayor en invierno. La variación estacional influye en el ánimo de los adolescentes encuestados, especialmente en mujeres, siguiendo el patrón descrito en la literatura.

Background: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is characterized by depressive symptoms that appear repeatedly in the winter and subside spontaneously in Spring-summer. There are few studies of SAD in children and adolescents. Objective: To study the relationship between the seasonal variation (SV) and the mood of adolescents. Methodology: A prospective cohort study of 220 high school students from two randomly chosen schools of different socioeconomic status in the metropolitan area of Santiago was conducted. Students were surveyed in winter and spring 2008 with the Childhood Depression Inventory (CDI) and Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents (SPAQ-CA). Results: The prevalence of suspected depression (SD) was higher in winter (20 percent) than in spring (13 percent) (p <0.01). The perception of problems with seasonal variation (PPSV) did not differ significantly between surveys. The PPSV was 2.8 times higher in women than in men (p <0.01). We found a positive correlation between SD and PPSV only in winter. Conclusion: There is SV in adolescent self-reported SD, being higher in woman, following the pattern described in the literature.