Journal of Affective Disorders Reports最新文献

{"title":"Suicidality and mental health stigma and their impact on suicidal ideation disclosure: A narrative review","authors":"Alessandra Costanza ,&nbsp;Sophie Favre ,&nbsp;Hélène Richard-Lepouriel","doi":"10.1016/j.jadr.2026.101054","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jadr.2026.101054","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Suicidal ideation (SI) is a major global health concern, and prevention often depends on whether individuals disclose SI to clinicians or informal supports. Mental illness and suicide-related stigma may inhibit disclosure, thereby delaying help-seeking. This narrative review examines how self-stigma and perceived/anticipated social stigma shape disclosure of SI.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>We conducted a structured search of six databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, Google Scholar) for studies published from January 2014 to October 2024 examining stigma in relation to SI disclosure/non-disclosure. Primary empirical studies were screened for eligibility and methodological quality; 14 studies were included in the synthesis. Data extraction focused on study characteristics, disclosure operationalization, stigma-related findings, and disclosure recipients/settings. Quality was appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, and findings were synthesized using an inductive narrative thematic approach.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Across heterogeneous study designs and measures (predominantly cross-sectional and self-report), stigma-related processes were consistently linked to reduced likelihood of SI disclosure, often through anticipated negative social consequences (e.g., fear of judgment, overreaction, discrimination) and disclosure-adjacent processes such as secrecy/concealment. Individuals often disclosed selectively/gradually, balancing potential support against risks of discrimination. Cultural context shaped stigma perception and disclosure decisions.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Stigma remains a key barrier to disclosing suicidal thoughts and may impede timely access to support and care. Interventions should target modifiable mechanisms that influence disclosure decisions (e.g., anticipated stigma, confidentiality concerns, communication skills, supportive responses). Future research should prioritize longitudinal, multi-method, and culturally diverse designs and use clearer, context-sensitive measures to empirically test proposed pathways linking stigma to SI disclosure.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52768,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Affective Disorders Reports","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article 101054"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147599902","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of depression frequency in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and healthy controls: A case-control study in Isfahan, Iran (2025)","authors":"Shamin Ghobadi ,&nbsp;Mahboobe Bahrami Lonbani ,&nbsp;Kimia Abedini Pozve","doi":"10.1016/j.jadr.2026.101049","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jadr.2026.101049","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in reproductive-aged women, often associated with depression, which can exacerbate physical symptoms and reduce quality of life. Cultural emphasis on fertility in Iran may further impact psychological well-being.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This case-control study included 164 women aged 18–45 years (82 with PCOS, 82 age- and BMI-matched controls) attending Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Isfahan, in 2025. PCOS was diagnosed using the Rotterdam criteria. Demographics (age, marital status, education, financial status), clinical features (hirsutism, acne, menstrual irregularities, BMI), and depression were assessed using the Persian Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II, score ≥20 as depression).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Mean BDI-II scores were higher in PCOS women (26.3 ± 8.9) than controls (21.5 ± 7.4; <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001, Cohen’s <em>d</em> = 0.59). Depression prevalence was 80.5% in PCOS vs. 53.7% in controls (OR = 3.56, 95% CI: 1.77–7.16; RR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.19–1.88). In univariate analyses, higher BMI, hirsutism, menstrual irregularities, lower education, and lower financial status were associated with greater depressive symptoms. Multivariable logistic regression showed that PCOS, higher BMI, and lower educational level were independently associated with depression.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Women with PCOS in Isfahan exhibit higher depression frequency and severity than matched controls. Routine psychological screening and culturally sensitive interventions are recommended, particularly for women with socioeconomic vulnerabilities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52768,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Affective Disorders Reports","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article 101049"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147656254","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The protective role of heart rate variability against ruminative thoughts in university students accessing Psychological Support Services","authors":"Tania Moretta ,&nbsp;Carola Dell’Acqua ,&nbsp;Elisabetta Patron ,&nbsp;Gioia Bottesi ,&nbsp;Giulia Demo ,&nbsp;Giulia Buodo ,&nbsp;Daniela Palomba","doi":"10.1016/j.jadr.2025.101017","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jadr.2025.101017","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>University students have a high likelihood of developing depressive symptoms. To counteract the increasing demand for psychological support, university clinical services are developing assessment protocols aimed at improving the early identification of mental disorders. In this context, psychological features (e.g., rumination) and altered autonomic balance (e.g., low heart rate variability, HRV) are well-established predictors of the onset and exacerbation of depressive symptoms.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The present study aimed to explore the reciprocal interaction between rumination and HRV in predicting the severity of depressive symptoms among university students accessing Psychological Support Services (PSS) for emotional distress (support-seeking group) has been compared to a group drawn from the general population of college students outside of PSS (control group).</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>Thirty-six (26 F) support-seeking students and 39 (28 F) controls completed the Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Rumination Response Scale. HRV was measured through a smartphone app during a guided online meeting with a trained researcher.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The main results indicated a statistically significant interaction between levels of rumination and HRV in predicting depressive symptoms among support-seeking students, suggesting that increased HRV may buffer the impact of rumination on depressive symptoms.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>These results highlight the important role of multidimensional assessment protocols that include psychological and physiological measures, for the selective identification of risk of developing anxiety and depression among university students. Interventions could include self-regulation training aimed at improving cardiac vagal control to counteract the negative effect of rumination on the exacerbation of depressive symptoms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52768,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Affective Disorders Reports","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 101017"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924692","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Long-term consequences on mental health and health related quality of life among COVID-19 patients with different disease severities","authors":"Marlise P. de Roos ,&nbsp;Marië A.C. Nijpels ,&nbsp;Nynke G. Dijkstra ,&nbsp;Sebastiaan Siegerink ,&nbsp;Laura N. Samwel ,&nbsp;Felix K.A. Pettai ,&nbsp;Sander C. Albers ,&nbsp;Nini H. Jonkman ,&nbsp;Kees Brinkman ,&nbsp;Paul Bresser ,&nbsp;Birit F.P. Broekman","doi":"10.1016/j.jadr.2025.100988","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jadr.2025.100988","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with an increase in mental health problems and a decline in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). It has been hypothesized that disease severity of COVID-19 pneumonia may increase the risk for long-term anxiety, depressive and posttraumatic stress symptoms. This exploratory study investigates the relationship between the severity of COVID-19 infection in admitted and non-admitted patients and the prevalence of anxiety, depressive and post-traumatic stress symptoms as well as quality of life up to 2 years post COVID-19.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>COVID-19 survivors were categorized in three subgroups: “moderate” (no need for hospitalization), “severe” (hospitalization requiring oxygen), and “critical” cases (respiratory failure and intensive care unit admission). Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and HRQoL (Short Form SF-36 health survey) were studied at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months follow-up visits. Data were analysed using (repeated measures) linear mixed-effects models.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A high burden of disease persists two years after COVID, manifested by mental health symptoms and reduced quality of life across all subgroups. No significant differences were observed in the development of mental health symptoms over time between the three subgroups, except less posttraumatic stress symptoms in critically ill COVID patients compared to severe or moderate COVID patients after 2 years.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Up to 2 years after COVID-19 pneumonia, mental health symptoms and decreased quality of life are prevalent, but this is not related to the severity of COVID-19 pneumonia.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52768,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Affective Disorders Reports","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 100988"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145529474","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Psychosomatic mechanisms linking food insecurity with psychological distress among artisanal miners in Ghana","authors":"Emmanuel Nyaaba ,&nbsp;Kabila Abass ,&nbsp;Vanessa F. Epis ,&nbsp;Evans Adu-Siaw Annor ,&nbsp;Lawrence Guodaar ,&nbsp;Razak M. Gyasi","doi":"10.1016/j.jadr.2025.101020","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jadr.2025.101020","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>High levels of food insecurity (FI) and psychological distress (PD) continue to intersect in fragile, under-researched labor settings such as artisanal mining communities in Ghana. While the connection between food deprivation and poor mental health is increasingly acknowledged, the psychosomatic mechanisms that underlie this association remain poorly understood in low-income contexts. This study examines the association between FI and PD among artisanal miners in Ghana and explores the potential mediating role of psychosomatic factors in this association. Data were drawn from a cross-sectional survey of 664 adult miners. Fully adjusted regression models showed that FI was positively associated with higher levels of PD. Miners who were food secure (β = 0.340, CI = 6.397–8.203) or marginally food secure (β = 0.693, 95% CI = 12.507–14.377) reported significantly lower levels of PD compared to those who were food insecure. Bootstrapping estimates revealed that work-stress (24.46%), personal stress (∼2%), sleep problems (1.30%), physical exhaustion (∼1%), and comorbidities (∼1%) significantly and partially mediated the FI-PD association. These findings suggest that improving food access and addressing psychosomatic stressors may help mitigate psychological distress in this population.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52768,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Affective Disorders Reports","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 101020"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924591","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence and severity of depression among heavy goods vehicle drivers in Ghana","authors":"Mustapha Amoadu ,&nbsp;William Akoto-Buabeng ,&nbsp;Isaac Tetteh Commey ,&nbsp;Frederick Acheampong Nimo ,&nbsp;Edward Odoom ,&nbsp;Godfred Cobbinah ,&nbsp;Jones Abekah Baah ,&nbsp;Jerry Paul K. Ninnoni","doi":"10.1016/j.jadr.2025.101016","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jadr.2025.101016","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Depression are common among heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers due to occupational stressors. This study examined the prevalence and risk factors of depression among HGV drivers in Ghana.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cross-sectional survey involving 1575 HGV drivers was conducted. Depression was measured using the PHQ-9, and predictors were identified through hierarchical binary logistic regression analysis. Jamovi statistical software version 2.6.17 was used for the analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The study found that 75.9% of drivers exhibited some level of depression, with 28.3% reporting mild symptoms, 32.7% moderate symptoms, and 14.9% severe symptoms. In the final model, risk factors of depression among HGV drivers included being overweight or obese, lack of regular exercise, lone driving, and irregular shift work. Drivers with job insecurity, low supervisor support, low skill discretion, and low decision autonomy were also more likely to report depression. Drivers who were not using smokeless tobacco and those with regular shift work had lower odds of depression. Surprisingly, low job demands were associated with higher depression. Variables such as age, education, daily driving hours, co-worker support, RTCs, and sleep problems did not have statistically significant association with depression in the multivariate analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Data from this study suggests that depression are highly prevalent among HGV drivers in Ghana, driven by both individual and occupational factors. These findings indicate the need for tailored mental health interventions and policy reforms to address workplace stressors and promote driver well-being in Ghana.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52768,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Affective Disorders Reports","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 101016"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924686","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Medical culture and its association with health outcomes in physicians: A cross-sectional study","authors":"Emilie Banse ,&nbsp;Moïra Mikolajczak ,&nbsp;Marie Bayot ,&nbsp;Anne-Laure Lenoir ,&nbsp;Philippe de Timary","doi":"10.1016/j.jadr.2025.101018","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jadr.2025.101018","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Physician well-being is a critical issue, given the high prevalence of burnout, depression, and maladaptive health behaviors among doctors, as well as the broader implications for patient care quality and public health. Medical culture - defined by shared professional values and norms - may contribute significantly to physician distress. However, its relationship with physician mental health and self-care behaviors remains underexplored.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To investigate the associations between harmful dimensions of medical culture and health-related outcomes in physicians, including burnout, depression, presenteeism, help-seeking behavior, self-diagnosis, self-treatment, and psychoactive medication use.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cross-sectional survey of 1002 physicians assessed depression (PHQ-9), burnout (BAT-12), and health behaviors. The Harmful Dimensions of Medical Culture (HDMC) scale measured Professional Commitment, the Myth of the Invulnerable Physician, and Stigma Towards Burnout. Correlation and multivariate regression analyses examined associations between medical culture and health outcomes, adjusting for personal and professional factors.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>All three HDMC scores significantly associated with most health-related outcomes. Professional Commitment and the Myth of the Invulnerable Physician were strongly linked to burnout and depression, but showed moderate to weak associations with health behaviors. Stigma Towards Burnout was strongly associated with depression and showed weak associations with burnout and health behaviors. Multivariable analyses confirmed the independent association between the HDMC and health outcomes after adjusting for personal and professional factors.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Findings underscore the role of medical culture in shaping physicians’ mental health and health-related behaviors. Addressing harmful cultural norms through targeted interventions could enhance physician well-being and support a more sustainable healthcare workforce.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52768,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Affective Disorders Reports","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 101018"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924687","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Deliberate heat exposure for depressive disorders: A systematic review & meta-analysis","authors":"Aaron M. Rubanowitz ,&nbsp;Brendan E. Hines ,&nbsp;Varun Shravah ,&nbsp;Mike Almasri ,&nbsp;Elaina J. Vitale ,&nbsp;Tyler Owen ,&nbsp;Stephen L. Aita ,&nbsp;Nicholas C. Borgogna ,&nbsp;Nikhil Teja","doi":"10.1016/j.jadr.2026.101024","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jadr.2026.101024","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Depressive disorders affect approximately 280 million people worldwide and are associated with significant morbidity. Current treatments, including psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy, have limitations in efficacy and tolerability. Deliberate heat exposure (DHE) refers to the controlled exposure to heat through instruments such as saunas, steam showers, or hot baths. DHE has emerged as a potential novel intervention for depressive symptoms. Despite this, no synthesis of the empirical evidence exists.</div></div><div><h3>Aims</h3><div>We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating DHE’s effects on depressive symptoms.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>A systematic search strategy was applied to databases (MEDLINE, Scopus, PsycArticles, Cochrane Library) to identify RCTs of DHE for depression published between 1980 and 2025. DHE interventions encompassed infrared whole-body hyperthermia devices, far-infrared ray dry saunas, hyperthermic baths, and balneotherapy. The primary outcome was change in depressive symptoms measured by validated scales. Extracted effects from included studies were pooled using Hedges’ <em>g</em>. Analyses were conducted using the random effects model. Cochrane’s Risk of Bias 2.0 tool was used to assess each RCT’s risk of bias.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Seven studies involving 363 participants were included. Random-effects meta-analysis revealed a small but statistically significant effect of DHE in reducing depressive symptoms (Hedges' <em>g</em> = 0.32; 95% CI, 0.12-0.52). Effect sizes ranged from 0.08 to 0.77 across studies. DHE showed greater efficacy when compared to passive controls (<em>g</em> = 0.54; 95% CI, 0.04-1.03) than active controls (<em>g</em> = 0.28; 95% CI, 0.06 to 0.49). Some studies reported rapid onset of improvement within two weeks. DHE was also associated with improvements in sleep quality, pain, and fatigue.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>DHE demonstrates a small but significant effect in reducing depressive symptoms. Methodological limitations include small sample sizes and intervention heterogeneity, which necessitates larger more rigorous trials to determine a more definitive clinical role for DHE in depression management and determine optimal DHE protocols. While methodological limitations necessitate larger trials to establish definitive protocols, these consistent findings, combined with strong biological plausibility and apparent safety profile, may inform discussions between clinicians and selected patients seeking experimental non-pharmacological approaches.</div><div>PROSPERO registration (CRD42023471821)</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52768,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Affective Disorders Reports","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 101024"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145976081","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Validated self-administered screening tools to identify depression among young adults (18 to 25-years-old) in East Asia and the Pacific Region low-and-middle income countries (LMICs): A systematic review","authors":"Dennis Emralino Dantic ,&nbsp;Rebecca Sudhir Jaya ,&nbsp;Rafael Gafoor ,&nbsp;Louise Marston","doi":"10.1016/j.jadr.2025.100999","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jadr.2025.100999","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This systematic review evaluates the validity, reliability, and diagnostic accuracy of self-administered screening tools for symptoms of depression among young adults (18 to 25 years old) in East Asia and the Pacific. A total of 22 studies with 24,069 participants were included, covering both clinical and non-clinical populations. Nine self-administered screening tools were identified, with Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Patient Health Questionnaire-2 PHQ-2, and Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) being the most frequently studied. PHQ-9 demonstrated moderate to excellent internal consistency reliability, with Cronbach’s alpha ranging from 0.67 to 0.92, and a pooled AUC of 0.86, indicating strong screening accuracy. PHQ-2, showed an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.85, high sensitivity (0.96), and moderate specificity (0.80). CES-D exhibited an AUC of 0.87, good sensitivity (0.81), and specificity (0.78), with high heterogeneity (I² = 74.70 %–86.69 %). The meta-analysis revealed substantial variability in sensitivity and specificity across settings, with differences in study methodologies, cutoff scores, and reference standards contributing to high heterogeneity. Additionally, 95.5 % of studies had a moderate risk of bias in patient selection, affecting generalizability. Despite these limitations, PHQ-9, PHQ-2, and CES-D remain valuable tools for identifying symptoms of depression among young adults. The accessibility, ease of administration, and strong psychometric properties of these tests support their continued use in resource-limited settings, though standardization of methodologies and expanded regional validation are needed to improve screening accuracy and applicability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52768,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Affective Disorders Reports","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 100999"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145571914","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The impact of expectations on treatment outcomes following intensive psychotherapy in inpatients with major depression","authors":"Reinhard Maß ,&nbsp;Kerstin Backhaus ,&nbsp;Bodo Karsten Unkelbach","doi":"10.1016/j.jadr.2025.100997","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jadr.2025.100997","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Patients’ expectations concerning the effectiveness of treatment play a significant role in shaping clinical outcomes. These expectations are, in part, influenced by the explanatory models patients hold regarding the etiology of their illness. In the case of depression, both psychotherapeutic and pharmacological treatment options are available, each associated with distinct etiological models—psychological and biomedical, respectively.</div><div>Our study aimed to examine the significance of pre-treatment expectations regarding the helpfulness of medication or psychotherapy for treatment outcomes in depression.</div><div>A total of 635 inpatients diagnosed with major depressive disorder were included. Upon admission, all patients were asked to rate two statements assessing their expectations regarding the potential benefits of medication and psychotherapy. Depressive symptom severity was evaluated using the revised Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). Additionally, a subsample of 290 patients was queried about their beliefs concerning the etiology of their depression, including ongoing stress, metabolic imbalances in the brain, adverse childhood experiences, and genetic predisposition.</div><div>Mean BDI-II scores decreased substantially from admission to discharge. Expectations of receiving help through medication were more strongly associated with biomedical explanatory models, whereas expectations of benefiting from psychotherapy were more closely linked to psychological explanations. Regression analysis revealed that the reduction in depressive symptoms was attenuated by high expectations of benefit from medication, while optimistic expectations regarding psychotherapy were associated with greater symptom improvement.</div><div>Our findings suggest that fostering patients’ confidence in psychotherapy is important. Moreover, biomedical explanations for depression should not be promoted, particularly given the limited scientific evidence supporting them.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52768,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Affective Disorders Reports","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 100997"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145618499","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}