Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health最新文献

{"title":"Identification of Mental Health Disorder Symptoms, Predisposing Factors and their Impact on Quality of Life in Young Hypertensive Patients: A Multicenter Longitudinal Study.","authors":"Elmeida Effendy, Mustafa Mahmud Amin, Vita Camellia, Rika Sarfika, Christantie Effendy, Tiasarah Aretha Sitepu, Dewi Gita Maharani","doi":"10.2174/0117450179470919260727062056","DOIUrl":"10.2174/0117450179470919260727062056","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Mental health problems in young adults with hypertension are often underrecognized, despite their potential impact on quality of life and long-term outcomes. Evidence in younger populations remains limited, particularly in longitudinal and multicenter settings.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To examine the relationship between hypertension duration, mental health symptoms, and quality of life among young adults, as well as to explore psychosocial stressors identified through qualitative inquiry.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This multicenter longitudinal study recruited patients aged 18-45 years with hypertension from outpatient clinics across several Indonesian cities. Participants were assessed at baseline using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and the WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). Hypertension duration was recorded as a continuous variable. A subset of participants underwent semi-structured interviews to explore psychosocial stressors. Quantitative data were analyzed using correlation analysis, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 791 participants were included in the study, with a mean age of 33 ± 10.14 years, and women slightly outnumbered men. This study found that a longer duration of hypertension was associated with worse overall quality of life (r = -0.45) and lower psychological well-being (r = -0.40). Notable correlations also emerged between hypertension duration and higher levels of anxiety (r = -0.42), depression (r = -0.38), and stress (r = -0.30), while socioeconomic and psychosocial stressors emerged as major contributing factors.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>This multicenter longitudinal study suggests a direct link between early-adulthood hypertension and subsequent psychological distress, particularly anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as lower quality of life with aging. Recent findings underscore that hypertension in young individuals extends beyond cardiovascular risk and may also impose a substantial mental health burden. Evidence identifying socioeconomic and psychosocial stressors as key predisposing factors further strengthens the rationale for incorporating routine mental health screening and psychosocial interventions into standard hypertension management protocols, thereby enhancing patients' quality of life and potentially improving long-term clinical outcomes.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In this multicenter longitudinal cohort, a longer duration of hypertension was associated with greater psychological distress and poorer quality of life among young adults. These findings support the integration of routine mental health screening into hypertension care.</p>","PeriodicalId":35447,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health","volume":"22 ","pages":"e17450179470919"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13531569/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148876015","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Silence Around Myasthenia Gravis and Mood Disorders: An Editorial Reflection.","authors":"Mauro G Carta, Antonio E Nardi","doi":"10.2174/0117450179486073260713093342","DOIUrl":"10.2174/0117450179486073260713093342","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":35447,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health","volume":"22 ","pages":"e17450179486073"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13458479/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148713890","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gender, Living Conditions, and Family Support Associated with Depression Status among Adolescents in Semarang, Indonesia.","authors":"Meira Erawati, Anggorowati, Innez Karunia Mustikarani, Apri Nur Wulandari, Fihris Aulia Sa'adah, Alfina Shafira Difany","doi":"10.2174/0117450179467270260709105016","DOIUrl":"10.2174/0117450179467270260709105016","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Adolescents around the world encounter profound difficulties with depression. Adolescents exhibit a vulnerability to depression stemming from a variety of influences, encompassing sociodemographic factors and the level of familial support available to them. However, research on the specific association of factors and depression among adolescents remains limited in Semarang. This study aimed to examine the association between sociodemographic factors and family support with depression among adolescents in Semarang, Indonesia.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>This research employed a quantitative approach within a cross-sectional design. We employed proportional stratified random sampling to select our sample and gathered data from 421 respondents in Semarang utilizing the sociodemographic questionnaire, the PSS-Fa (Perceived Social Support Family), and PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9). The data analysis encompasses univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses. Univariate analysis was conducted using a frequency distribution table, whereas bivariate analysis employed the chi-square and Fisher's exact test. Meanwhile, multivariate analysis was conducted using Multivariate ordinal logistic regression analysis. The significant value was less than 0.05.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>The results demonstrated that the predominant age group among adolescents was 16 years (61.8%), with female participants accounting for 60.6%. Moreover, 95.7% of adolescents lived with their parents. Most respondents (57%) were in the 10th grade, and 53.9% were considered to have high socioeconomic status. Additionally, more than half of the respondents (51.8%) reported receiving substantial family support. The correlation test results showed a strong link between depression level and a number of factors, such as gender (<i>p</i>=0.000), living conditions (<i>p</i>=0.037), and family support (<i>p</i>=0.000). Meanwhile, education level (<i>p</i> = 0.279) and socioeconomic status (<i>p</i> = 0.577) were not correlated with depression among adolescents. Multivariate analysis revealed that gender (AOR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.15-2.80, <i>p</i> = 0.011) and family support (AOR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.38-0.77, <i>p</i> = 0.001) were significantly associated with depression.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The findings indicated that several factors associated with the depressive state among adolescents in Semarang include gender, living conditions, and family support.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Health service providers need to consider gender, living conditions, and family support when developing health programs for adolescents. Future research is encouraged to explore additional factors and to employ qualitative approaches to further investigate the psychological conditions of adolescents.</p>","PeriodicalId":35447,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health","volume":"22 ","pages":"e17450179467270"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13531572/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148875925","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Managing Mental Health Crises in Indonesian Universities: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis of Psychologists' Experiences.","authors":"Aisha Sekar Lazuardini Rachmanie, Yesica Grahita Rumanti Mahambara, Restu Tri Handoyo, Subandi","doi":"10.2174/0117450179452308260709213331","DOIUrl":"10.2174/0117450179452308260709213331","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Mental health issues have become a major concern in universities worldwide, including in Indonesia. Various mental health challenges experienced by students can trigger crises, such as urges to self-harm or even suicidal ideation. Such crises require immediate intervention. However, access to mental health emergency services remains limited and lacks standardized guidelines. This study aims to explore participants' experiences in handling mental health emergencies in university settings, with the hope of providing insights for the development of standardized mental health emergency service guidelines.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data collection was conducted through focus group discussions involving six psychologists working in university-based mental health practices. The collected data were analyzed using reflective thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Through reflective thematic analysis, four primary themes emerged, namely the understanding and interpreting crisis; navigating crisis assessment in complex situation; professional responses in crisis intervention; and challenges in managing crises.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The findings of this study reveal the complexity of understanding and managing psychological crisis cases, including significant challenges in doing so effectively. These findings are consistent with previous research on psychological services and provide insights into how to manage clients experiencing crises. These insights make a valuable contribution to the development of regulations and the implementation of standardized mental health crisis services in higher education institutions.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Overall, this study demonstrates that crisis management in university mental health services involves diverse understandings of crisis, varied intervention practices, and multiple practical challenges. These findings highlight the importance of developing clearer frameworks to support mental health emergency services in higher education.</p>","PeriodicalId":35447,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health","volume":"22 ","pages":"e17450179452308"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13458469/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148713816","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Are Team Sports Effective in Improving Mental Health? A Systematic Review on the Primary Outcomes of Anxiety and Mood.","authors":"Augusto Cezar Rodrigues Rocha, Alberto Souza Sá Filho, Marcelo Couto Jorge Rodrigues, José Carlos Pontes Corrêa, Matias Noll, Filipe Manuel Clemente, Mário Hebling Campos, Vicente Aprigliano, Sérgio Machado, Carlos Alexandre Vieira, Gustavo De Conti Teixeira Costa","doi":"10.2174/0117450179471779260627171341","DOIUrl":"10.2174/0117450179471779260627171341","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Team Sports (TSG) have been discussed as an accessible and socially engaging way to support mental health. Although this idea is intuitively appealing and supported by several observational findings, the actual consistency of their effects on anxiety and mood in adults who do not have diagnosed mental disorders remains uncertain.The study aims to map how TSG has been investigated in this context and to systematically synthesize current evidence on their effects on anxiety and mood (PROSPERO: CRD420251121611).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This systematic review followed PRISMA 2020 recommendations. Five databases were searched: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library. Eligible studies included longitudinal, face-to-face TSG interventions involving adults or older adults and reporting validated psychometric outcomes. Randomized trials were assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool and the PEDro scale, whereas non-randomized studies were evaluated using ROBINS-I.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Six studies involving 744 participants met the inclusion criteria. The included interventions involved soccer/football, floorball, volleyball/soccer programs, small-sided soccer games, and recreational TSG. Two studies reported reductions in anxiety symptoms, while one randomized trial showed reduced mood disturbance when small-sided games were combined with verbal encouragement. One trial found no significant changes in generalized anxiety, depressive symptoms, perceived stress, or well-being. Another randomized trial showed that recreational TSG improved mental-health-related quality of life compared with control.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Evidence suggests that TSG may promote improvements in symptoms of anxiety and depression. However, in non-clinical adult populations, the value of TSG may lie less in producing large reductions in psychiatric symptoms and more in improving psychosocial functioning, perceived well-being, and social connection.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Current evidence suggests that TSG may improve selected mental-health and psychosocial outcomes in adults, including anxiety symptoms, mood disturbance, emotional well-being, and mental-health-related quality of life. However, these effects were inconsistent among studies and were strongly influenced by intervention context.</p>","PeriodicalId":35447,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health","volume":"22 ","pages":"e17450179471779"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13458477/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148713793","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From Clinic to Home: Empowering Parents with Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorders.","authors":"Sergio Machado, Flávia Paes, Hellen Condal, João Lucas Lima","doi":"10.2174/0117450179451314260330102440","DOIUrl":"10.2174/0117450179451314260330102440","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":35447,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health","volume":"22 ","pages":"e17450179451314"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13243731/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148212678","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cost-Effectiveness of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Virtual Reality-Based Cognitive Remediation for Depressive Symptoms among Cancer Patients: Protocol for a Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Federica Sancassiani, Martino Belvederi Murri, Clelia Madeddu, Michela Atzeni, Goce Kalcev, Barbara Zaccagnino, Anna Francesca Olivetti, Danila Azzolina, Marco Cruciata, Maria Giulia Nanni, Giulia Cossu, Alessandra Perra, Lorenzo di Natale, Diego Primavera, Massimo Tusconi, Rosangela Caruso, Mauro Giovanni Carta, Luigi Grassi","doi":"10.2174/0117450179376750250925051532","DOIUrl":"10.2174/0117450179376750250925051532","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>This paper presents a research protocol of a randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the feasibility and the cost-effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for depressive symptoms, quality of life, depression-related conditions, and cognitive function among patients with cancer. Specifically, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and virtual reality-based cognitive remediation (VR-COG) will be analyzed, alongside standard treatment as usual (TAU), in comparison to TAU alone.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>100 participants will be enrolled: 60 from the Health Trust of Ferrara randomized 1:1:1 to (a) TAU, (b) rTMS + TAU, and (c) VR-COG + TAU, and 40 from the University Hospital of Cagliari randomized 1:1 to (a) TAU and (b) VR-COG + TAU. The inclusion criteria will be as follows: patients aged 18 years and older, both sexes, a diagnosis of oncological disease within the last 5 years in a non-advanced stage, a diagnosis of major depressive disorder according to DSM-5 criteria, and a score of≥14 on the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D-17). The VR-COG program will include a series of exercises in virtual sailing scenarios using the software CEREBRUM. The rTMS program will be delivered at 50% of the resting motor threshold. Personalized targets created for each individual will be located at various cortical depths. TAU will include psychiatric visits and psychological counseling. All the interventions will last 3 months, with pre-post evaluation for outcomes of interest and 3-6 months of follow-up.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results of the trial will be published in international peer-reviewed journals and will be disseminated at international meetings and congresses.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The results of this study will be useful for obtaining knowledge for clinical practice regarding the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of innovative therapeutic approaches aimed at treating depression in individuals suffering from oncological pathologies.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The monitoring of the program's cost-effectiveness, encompassing both the screening and intervention phases, will enable policymakers to inform the implementation of this evidence in routine clinical practice.</p><p><strong>Clinical trial registration number: </strong>The study has been registered on the ClinicalTrials.gov website with ID no. NCT06589544.</p>","PeriodicalId":35447,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health","volume":"22 ","pages":"e17450179376750"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13096850/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147783618","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Relationship between Mindful Eating and Academic Burnout Syndrome in Medical Undergraduate Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Nikita Widya Permata Sari, Bayu Satria Wiratama, Fitrina M Kusumaningrum, Emy Huriyati","doi":"10.2174/0117450179460389260309082837","DOIUrl":"10.2174/0117450179460389260309082837","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction/background: </strong>Burnout syndrome is an important issue in academic settings. Mindful eating offers a promising approach for intervention strategies aimed at preventing burnout. Exploring the relationship between mindful eating and burnout syndrome may provide a foundation for developing effective interventions to reduce burnout.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>This cross-sectional study included 472 undergraduate students from the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Gadjah Mada University, representing both medical and non-medical study programs. The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was used to assess burnout syndrome, while the Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ) measured the dimensions of mindful eating. Simple logistic and ordinal logistic regression analyses were applied to the data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>More than 25% of respondents experienced burnout syndrome, characterized by a moderate degree of emotional exhaustion and a lack of personal accomplishment. Among medical students, distraction was the dominant mindful eating dimension, whereas awareness was predominant among non-medical students. After adjusting for confounders, distraction (aOR = 0.45, <i>p</i> < 0.05), external cues (aOR = 2.23, <i>p</i> < 0.05), and moderate physical activity (aOR = 2.02, <i>p</i> < 0.05) were significantly associated with burnout syndrome. Problem-focused coping acted as a protective factor against emotional exhaustion (aOR = 0.32, <i>p</i> < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>These findings contribute to understanding the prevalence and determinants of burnout syndrome among medical and non-medical undergraduate students, with potential implications for other faculties.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Distraction, external cues, problem-focused coping, and moderate physical activity should be considered in faculty program development to help reduce burnout syndrome.</p>","PeriodicalId":35447,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health","volume":"22 ","pages":"e17450179460389"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13243735/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148212612","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Generalized Isometric Sustained Contraction During Apnea Combined with Relaxation for Anxiety: A First Evaluation.","authors":"Carlo Cianchetti, Mauro Giovanni Carta, Alessandra Perra","doi":"10.2174/0117450179455271260220082810","DOIUrl":"10.2174/0117450179455271260220082810","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>There are several somatic techniques for reducing anxiety through relaxation, <i>i.e.</i>, the reduction of tension. Tension is an important component and corresponds, in the primordial mechanism of fear, to the pre-encounter immobilizing alert state of the defense cascade. It is hypothesized that an energetic generalized muscular activation, such as that used to face a fighting (circa-strike), can correct the immobilizing tension and counteract anxiety.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the degree of effectiveness against anxiety and anxiety attacks of a technique based on a phase of sustained, generalized muscular activation followed by relaxation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>During a private outpatient clinical practice, selected subjects suffering from various anxiety disorders were offered the opportunity to try a technique for controlling anxiety attacks. They were instructed to activate a generalized isometric sustained contraction in apnea (GISCA), followed by a generalized relaxation (GISCA+relax), to be implemented as needed during an anxiety attack. The subjects were asked to apply the maneuver in alternation, in different episodes, with a generalized relaxation. They were asked to evaluate, after repeated use, the following aspects: a) whether GISCA+relax helped in controlling anxiety, b) if the addition of the GISCA phase was more effective than generalized relaxation alone, and c) if the GISCA phase facilitated the acquisition of the subsequent generalized relaxation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results concern the first 20 patients who were allowed a complete evaluation. A substantial majority of them (75%) reported that the complete maneuver (GISCA+relax) helped in controlling anxiety and anxiety attacks, and that was more effective than generalized relaxation alone and facilitated its acquisition.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Compared to relaxation techniques, GISCA+relax offers the advantage of easier application in acute situations, such as during an anxiety attack or in anticipation of anxiety-provoking events (<i>e.g.</i>, performance anxiety). However, a sustained generalized contraction is physical exercise, with the positive effects of any non-traumatic physical activity on health-related fitness.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These first data, although on a limited number of patients, suggest that the proposed maneuver can help control anxiety. This new somatic behavioral approach likely counteracts anxiety by activating a primordial defense mechanism. Since it can be acquired by patients with sufficient simplicity, it is suggested that it could be considered an alternative to other somatic techniques or the use of as-needed medications.</p>","PeriodicalId":35447,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health","volume":"22 ","pages":"e17450179455271"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13243733/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148212675","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Addressing Stress and Rhythm Dysregulation among Health Workers in the Post-Pandemic Context: An Italian Study and a Proposal for a Preventive Psychoeducational Intervention.","authors":"Elisa Cantone, Antonio Urban, Cesar Aviles Gonzales, Alessandra Perra, Stefano Lorrai, Michela Atzeni, Stocchino Serena, Rober Romero Ramírez, Adalberto Rangel Restrepo, Mauro Giovanni Carta, Giulia Cossu","doi":"10.2174/0117450179449051260114063307","DOIUrl":"10.2174/0117450179449051260114063307","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) faced intense and prolonged stress. This exposure increased their risk of burnout and mood disorders. The <i>Dysregulation of Mood, Energy, and Social Rhythms (DYMERS) hypothesis</i> suggests that instability in biological and social rhythms may precede the onset of mood dysregulation. This study examined rhythm disturbances among HCWs and explored the potential role of a rhythm-focused psychoeducational intervention.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Ninety-seven HCWs from the University Hospital of Cagliari, Italy, participated in a cross-sectional study. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and rhythm regulation was evaluated through the Biological Rhythms Interview of Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (BRIAN). Data were compared with published findings from mood disorders, psychotic disorders, and community samples.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A current depressive episode with PHQ-9 score was identified in 35.1% of HCWs participants, with significantly higher prevalence (<i>p</i>= 0.01) among women (42.7%) than men (14.7%). Mean BRIAN scores were 46.1 ± 11.0, significantly higher than those observed in psychotic disorder (<i>p</i> = 0.04) and community samples (<i>p</i>< 0.0001). Rhythm dysregulation scores approached values reported in bipolar disorder samples. Elevated BRIAN scores were also observed among non-depressed participants.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The elevated rhythm dysregulation scores observed in healthcare workers support the hypothesis that chronic occupational stress may disrupt biological and social rhythms, potentially increasing vulnerability to mood disorders.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>HCWs displayed pronounced rhythm dysregulation and high rates of depressive symptoms, highlighting occupational stress as a potential major risk factor and further supporting the DYMERS hypothesis. From both clinical and research perspectives, it could be essential to promote psychoeducational programs that target rhythm regulation, such as adaptations of Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy, which may offer effective preventive strategies to enhance resilience and mental well-being in this population. However, the cross-sectional design, convenience sampling, limited socio-demographic data, and reliance on self-reported measures constrain generalizability and causal inference, underscoring the need for larger longitudinal studies to validate and extend these findings.</p>","PeriodicalId":35447,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health","volume":"22 ","pages":"e17450179449051"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13080392/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147700017","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}