Gender, life events, and mental well-being in emerging adulthood.

BACKGROUND: Emerging adulthood is a critical period of life involving many life transitions that may generate stress and compromise health and mental well-being. AIMS: To know the most frequent life events of women and men in emerging adulthood, analyzing also the relevance that such stressors have on their psychological well-being and life satisfaction. A second aim is to determine the relevance of age, educational level, most frequent life events, coping styles, and perceived social support as risk and protective factors for well-being. METHOD: The sample consisted of 2,000 individuals from the general Spanish population (55% women), aged between 18 and 29, who were assessed using five questionnaires and scales measuring life events, coping styles, life satisfaction, psychological well-being, and social support. RESULTS: The findings showed that 90% of the sample had experienced one or more life events during the previous year and that a higher number of life events experienced over the past year was associated with lower mental well-being. Multiple regression analyses made clear that, although some events experienced in the previous year (namely, family conflicts and change in the relationship with parents) were associated with lower women's and men's well-being, the most important determinants of well-being in either gender were coping styles; however, some predictors of women's well-being proved different from those of men. In the case of women, family and intimate partner conflicts predicted lower life satisfaction and psychological well-being was lower in the case of family conflicts. As for men, work or academic life events predicted lower life satisfaction. CONCLUSION: These research findings are relevant for the design of programs and strategies to improve mental well-being in emerging adulthood.

A Voxel-Based Morphometric Study of Gray Matter in Specific Phobia.

The objective of this study was to analyze the neurostructural abnormalities of brain areas responsible for the acquisition and maintenance of fear in small animal phobia by comparing gray matter volume (GMV) in individuals with phobia and non-fearful controls. Structural magnetic resonance imaging was obtained from 62 adults (79% female) assigned to one of two groups: 31 were diagnosed with small animal phobia and 31 were non-fearful controls. To investigate structural alterations, a whole-brain voxel-based morphometry analysis was conducted to compare the GMV of the brain areas involved in fear between both groups. The results indicated that individuals with a small animal specific phobia showed smaller GMV in cortical regions, such as the orbitofrontal (OFC) and medial frontal cortex, and greater GMV in the putamen than non-fearful controls. These brain areas are responsible for avoidant behavior (putamen) and emotional regulation processes or inhibitory control (prefrontal cortex (PFC)), which might suggest a greater vulnerability of phobic individuals to acquiring non-adaptive conditioned responses and emotional dysregulation. The findings provide preliminary support for the involvement of structural deficits in OFC and medial frontal cortex in phobia, contributing to clarify the neurobiological substrates for phobias.

Stressful Events, Psychological Distress and Well-Being during the Second Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain: A Gender Analysis.

The present study investigates gender differences in stressful events, psychological distress and well-being during the second wave of COVID-19 in Spain, analyzing women's and men's risk and resilience factors for psychological distress and for well-being. Participants were 1758 individuals from the general population, 50.8% women, aged between 18 and 79 years. Women and men did not differ in age, number of children, educational level, occupation or marital status. The participants were assessed by seven self-report questionnaires and scales. The results revealed that women experienced more psychological distress, more negative feelings, more stressful events related to the COVID-19 pandemic, more social support, and lower thriving and self-esteem than men. Multiple regression analyses showed that, in the case of women and men as well, self-esteem was the most important predictor of higher well-being and lower psychological distress and negative feelings while more COVID-19 pandemic-related stressful events were associated with higher psychological distress and lower well-being. Another important predictor of greater well-being for either gender was social support while unemployment was associated with lower well-being. In women and men, a higher educational level was associated with greater psychological distress and negative feelings; the male sample revealed that psychological distress was also connected to younger age while in women it was associated with lower instrumental social support. The results suggest that gender plays an important role in the mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the risk being higher for women than for men.

Neuronal Correlates of Small Animal Phobia in Human Subjects through fMRI: The Role of the Number and Proximity of Stimuli.

Brain regions involved in small-animal phobia include subcortical and cortical areas. The present study explored the neuronal correlates of small-animal phobia through fMRI data to determine whether a manipulation of number and proximity parameters affects the neurobiology of the processing of feared stimuli. The participants were 40 individuals with phobia and 40 individuals without phobia (28.7% male and 71.3% female). They watched videos of real and virtual images of spiders, cockroaches and lizards in motion presented more or less nearby with one or three stimuli in the different conditions. The results suggested a differential brain activity between participants with and without phobia depending on the proximity and number of phobic stimuli. Proximity activated the motor response marked by the precentral gyrus and the cingulate gyrus. By contrast, the number of stimuli was associated with significant sensory activity in the postcentral gyrus and ventromedial prefrontal cortex. We also observed a greater activity in the occipital cortex when exploring the number compared to the proximity factor. Threatening stimuli presented nearby and those presented in greater numbers generated an intense phobic response, suggesting a different emotion regulation strategy. Based on these findings, exposure therapies might consider including proximity to the threat and number of stimuli as key factors in treatment.

Stress and Psychological Distress in Emerging Adulthood: A Gender Analysis.

Emerging adulthood is a critical period of life that entails many life transitions in living arrangements, relationships, education and employment, which can generate stress and psychological distress in the emerging adult. The aim of the present study was to assess the relevance of stress, coping styles, self-esteem and perceived social support in the distress of emerging adult women and men. The sample consists of 4816 people (50% females) from the Spanish general population, ranging in age from 18 to 29 years old. All participants were assessed through questionnaires and scales that assess psychological distress, stress, coping styles, self-esteem and social support. Women scored higher than men in psychological distress, chronic stress, minor daily hassles, emotional coping style and social support, whereas men scored higher than women in rational and detachment coping styles and in self-esteem. Psychological distress was significantly predicted in women and men by high emotional coping style, lower self-esteem, high number of life events, and less social support. Another statistically significant predictor in men was less detachment coping style, whereas in women it was high chronic stress. The results of this research are relevant to healthcare professionals interested in improving the mental health of the emerging adult.

Anxiety and Depression in Drug-Dependent Patients with Cluster C Personality Disorders.

OBJECTIVE: Comorbidity between personality disorders (PD) and substance-use disorders (SUD) is one of the most common findings in the psychiatric field. The patients with Cluster C disorders present maladjustment traits often characterized by high levels of anxiety. The main aim of this study was to find evidences about higher anxiety and depression prevalence on Cluster C than others Clusters, analyzing similarities and differences within, with other Cluster A and B PD patients and patients without PD. METHOD: A total of 822 substance dependent patients (ages18-78; Mean = 38.35, SD = 10.14) completed the structured clinical interview for DSM-IV Axis I and Axis II disorders, Beck Depression Inventory, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. RESULTS: Results supported poly-consumption in Cluster C patients, being greater alcohol consumption as well as abuse of both stimulants and depressants. Anxiety and depression did not show just one pattern for all patients with SUD-Cluster C PD. There was a relation between anxiety and depression for all the groups except for the Dependent-PD. CONCLUSION: Interventions should focus on aspects like depression and anxiety more than on the substance consumed.

Relevancia del estatus menopáusico en las diferencias en salud mental entre mujeres y hombres / Relevance of menopausal status in mental health differences be-tween women and men

Se analizan las diferencias entre mujeres y hombres en la sintomatología mental más común y en autoestima, estudiando la relevancia del estatus menopáusico y la edad en tales diferencias. Se utilizó un diseño transversal con una muestra de 1341 personas adultas (726 mujeres y 615 hombres) de la población general, con diferentes edades y estatus menopáusico en el caso de las mujeres quienes respondieron a cuestionarios sobre autoestima y sintomatología mental. Se encontró que las mujeres tenían más síntomas somáticos y de ansiedad que los hombres. No se encontraron diferencias en función del género en depresión ni en autoestima entre los más jóvenes, pero a partir de los 40 años las mujeres tenían más síntomas depresivos y menor autoestima que los hombres con edades similares. Los análisis intragénero evidenciaron que hombres más jóvenes tenían más sintomatología depresiva y menos autoestima que los de más de 40 años, diferencias intragrupo que no se observaron entre las mujeres. Solo se encontraron diferencias entre las mujeres en función del periodo menopáusico en sintomatología somática, que era mayor en las perimenopáusicas respecto a las premenopáusicas. Se concluye que la menopausia tiene escasa relevancia en las diferencias de género en salud mental

The objective of this study is to examine differences between men and women in self-esteem and depressive, somatic and anxiety symptoms when studying the relevance of menopausal status and age in such differences. Research design was a cross-sectional survey of a general population sample of 1341 (n = 726 women and n = 615 men) adults of different ages and, in the case of women, with different menopausal status. Participants responded to Goldberg General Health Questionnaire and Rector and Roger Self-esteem questionnaire. Results showed that women had more anxiety and somatic symptoms than men. Gender differences in depressive symptoms and self-esteem were not found in younger participants, although women over 40 showed more depressive symptoms and lower self-esteem than men of similar ages. Intra-gender analysis indicated that younger men had more depressive symptoms and less self-esteem than those over 40, whereas these differences were not observed in the women sample. Differences among women were only observed in relation with their diverse menopausal status in somatic symptoms, these latter being greater in perimenopausal than in premenopausal women. These results make clear that menopause has little relevance in gender differences in mental health

La predicción del nivel de depresión por variables cognitivas, conductuales y temperamentales en un intervalo de seis meses / The prediction of the level of depression by cognitive, behavioral, and temperamental variables in a six-month time interval

Se han propuesto distintos modelos para explicar el fenómeno depresivo, tales como la teoría de las actitudes disfuncionales, la teoría de la desesperanza, el modelo conductual sobre el nivel de actividad o modelos temperamentales. Este artículo presenta datos sobre el papel de esos modelos en la predicción del nivel de depresión en una muestra de 414 estudiantes universitarios, con un intervalo temporal de seis meses. Se evaluaron las actitudes disfuncionales, los estilos atributivos, el nivel de actividad y los cinco factores de personalidad. Como medida de depresión se administró el BDI-II. Los resultados muestran que tales variables predicen los niveles de depresión, pero con coeficientes bajos. Especialmente la dimensión de Necesidad de Logro (actitud disfuncional) y la dimensión de Neuroticismo fueron las variables con mayor peso en la predicción, pero sólo el Neuroticismo parece comportarse como un elemento de vulnerabilidad. Los estilos atribucionales no contribuyeron significativamente en la predicción de la depresión. El nivel de actividad pierde su capacidad predictiva en el intervalo de seis meses. Estos resultados se discuten de acuerdo con el papel de los modelos propuestos y la necesidad de profundizar en la explicación de un mayor porcentaje de la varianza de las puntuaciones en depresión (AU)

Several models have been proposed to explain the depressive phenomenon, such as the theory of dysfunctional attitudes, the hopelessness theory, the behavioral model of activity level, or temperamental models. This article presents data about the role of those models in the prediction of the level of depression in a sample of 414 college students, assessed over a temporal interval of six months. Dysfunctional attitudes, attributional styles, the level of activity, and the five-factors of personality were assessed. The BDI-II was the depression level measure. The results showed that these variables predict depression levels, but with low coefficients. The dimensions of Need of Achievement (a dysfunctional attitude) and Neuroticism had particularly greater weight in the prediction, but only Neuroticism seems to behave like a vulnerability element. Attributional styles did not contribute significantly to the prediction of depression. Activity level lost its predictive role during the 6-month interval. These results are discussed according to the role of the proposed models and the need for a deeper explanation of the variance of depression scores (AU)

Adaptación española del cuestionario ¿por qué preocuparse? / Spanish adaptation of the Why worry? questionnaire

Este trabajo presenta la validación de la versión española del cuestionario Why worry? (¿Por qué preocuparse?, ¿PP?) para evaluar una variable de proceso relacionada con la sobrestimación de las consecuencias tanto positivas como negativas de la preocupación excesiva e incontrolable que es una característica del Trastorno de Ansiedad Generalizada (TAG). 833 personas de la isla de Tenerife cumplimentaron dicho cuestionario, entre otras medidas psicológicas. El análisis factorial exploratorio aisló una estructura bifactorial que explica el 41,34% de la varianza total. Ambos factores muestran adecuada consistencia interna (α1= 0.86 y α2= 0.85) y fiabilidad test-retest (r1= 0.70 y r2= 0.75). La estructura bifactorial se confirmó mediante un análisis factorial confirmatorio. Como se esperaba, la validación concurrente descubrió correlaciones importantes con los trastornos de ansiedad y del estado de ánimo. Los análisis diferenciales para las variables anteriores proporcionaron evidencia sobre la validez discriminante. La versión española del Why worry? proporciona un instrumento fiable y válido que puede ser usado en estudios transculturales sobre la preocupación como una característica del TAG

This study presents the validation of Spanish version of Why worry? Questionnaire which assesses a variable of process related to the overestimation of the positive and negative consequences of the excessive and uncontrollable worry that is characteristic of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. 833 participants from Tenerife (Canary Island) completed this questionnaire among other psychological measures. The exploratory factor analysis yielded a two-factors structure that explained 41.34% of the total variance; both of them showed adecuate internal consistency (α1= 0.86 and α2= 0.85) and test-retest (r1= 0.70 and r2= 0.75) reliability coefficients. A confirmatory factor analysis confirmed two-factor structure. As expected, concurrent validation uncovered substantial correlation with anxiety and mood disorders. The results support a good discriminate validity. The Spanish version of why worry questionnaire provides a reliable and valid instrument, which we can use in cross-cultural studies on worry as a GAD characteristic

[Spanish adaptation of the "Why worry?" questionnaire]. / Adaptación española del cuestionario "¿Por qué preocuparse?"

This study presents the validation of Spanish version of Why worry? Questionnaire which assesses a variable of process related to the overestimation of the positive and negative consequences of the excessive and uncontrollable worry that is characteristic of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. 833 participants from Tenerife (Canary Island) completed this questionnaire among other psychological measures. The exploratory factor analysis yielded a two-factors structure that explained 41.34% of the total variance; both of them showed adecuate internal consistency (alpha 1 = 0.86 and alpha 2 = 0.85) and test-retest (r 1 = 0.70 and r 2 = 0.75) reliability coefficients. A confirmatory factor analysis confirmed two-factor structure. As expected, concurrent validation uncovered substantial correlation with anxiety and mood disorders. The results support a good discriminate validity. The Spanish version of why worry questionnaire provides a reliable and valid instrument, which we can use in cross-cultural studies on worry as a GAD characteristic.

Factores de personalidad y sociodemográficos en la depresión de las mujeres / Personality and sociodemographic factors in women's depression

En este estudio analizamos las variables personales, demográficas y sociales que diferencian a las mujeres con y sin síntomas depresivos. La muestra está formada por 1.068 mujeres de edades entre 18 y 65 años, (edad media de 33,5 y desviación típica de 11,4) residentes en las Islas Ganarlas. Se realizaron análisis bivariados y multivariados usando una serie de variables predictoras entre las que se incluían la autoestima, la satisfacción laboral, los sucesos vitales estresantes, el patrón de conducta Tipo A, la tolerancia a la ambigüedad, las estrategias de con-trol emocional, los estilos de afrontamiento, el apoyo ocial, la edad, el nivel laboral y educativo, y el número de hijos. La función discriminante clasificó correctamente al 74,7 por ciento de las mujeres con síntomas depresivos, que se caracterizaban por menor autoestima y apoyo social, la utilización de la emocionalidad como estilo de afrontamiento de las situaciones estresantes, más impulsividad, intolerancia al cambio, hostilidad y competitividad, y más rumiaciones que las mujeres sin síntomas depresivos (AU)

El pensamiento planificador medios-fines: una investigacion sobre la validez de un test para medirlo / Means-ends thinking: validation of a test for measuring it

Se desarrolló y validó un test de pensamiento planificador medios-fines (el PMF) para adultos. La muestra de este estudio fue de 601 adultos, representando a la población de la Comunidad Autónoma de Canarias (España). Entre los principales resultados alcanzados destacamos los siguientes: (l) Solución monofactorial en el test PMF. (2) Altos niveles de fiabilidad en términos de consistencia interna y test-retest. (3) Hay relaciones entre el PMF, y la persona-lidad e inteligencia (como variables de personalidad e inteligencia hemos utilizado: rigidez, hostilidad, locus de control, motivación extrema, e inteligen-cia general, cada una previamente estudiada y validada en muestras españolas). (4) Esas relaciones dependen de tipo de variables. (5) Los factores mas impor-tantes en cuanto a su relación con el PMF son el locus de control y la rigidez.