Alpha psychiatry最新文献

{"title":"Factors Associated With Insight Toward Illness in Patients With Bipolar Disorder Type 1 in Manic Episodes.","authors":"Ya-Fan Chang, Si-Sheng Huang","doi":"10.31083/AP44176","DOIUrl":"10.31083/AP44176","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Impaired insight presents a significant obstacle in the management of bipolar disorder. Research on the insight of patients with acute bipolar mania is lacking. The aim of this study was to provide understanding of patient insight in acute bipolar mania.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 52 inpatients who were diagnosed with bipolar disorder during a manic episode were included in the study. The Insight Scale for Affective Disorders (ISAD) was utilized, with high scores indicating poor insight. The Self-Appraisal of Illness Questionnaire (SAIQ) was used to assess patient attitudes and treatment experiences, with higher scores reflecting greater insight. Associated factors were identified through Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A low ISAD score was correlated with older age (<i>p</i> = 0.003), an extended duration of illness (<i>p</i> = 0.007), presence of a medical comorbidity (<i>p</i> = 0.012), and low scores on the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S) scale (<i>p</i> < 0.001), Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement (CGI-I) scale (<i>p</i> < 0.001), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) (<i>p</i> < 0.001), and Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) scale (<i>p</i> = 0.007). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the presence of a medical comorbidity (<i>p</i> = 0.031), low YMRS scores (<i>p</i> < 0.001), and low CGI-S scale scores (<i>p</i> = 0.044) were associated with low ISAD scores.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Inpatients diagnosed with acute bipolar mania, a medical comorbidity, milder disease, and less severe manic symptoms had better insight. Patients with severe symptoms affecting motor activity, energy levels, sexual interest, sleep, and speech rates had less insight.</p>","PeriodicalId":72151,"journal":{"name":"Alpha psychiatry","volume":"26 3","pages":"44176"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12231413/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144593027","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":"Fear Circuits in Panic Disorder: An Update.","authors":"Peter Kyriakoulis, Rafael Christophe da Rocha Freire","doi":"10.31083/AP44174","DOIUrl":"10.31083/AP44174","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Findings from animal models have been instrumental in elucidating the mechanisms and etiology of panic disorder (PD); nonetheless, several aspects of its neurobiological underpinnings remain to be fully clarified. This review aims to consolidate current understanding and recent advances in the neuroanatomical and pathophysiological basis of PD.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A narrative review was conducted, drawing on recent literature addressing the neurobiology and neuroanatomy of PD, with a particular focus on fear circuits as elucidated by both preclinical and clinical studies.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This updated review further delineates the fear circuitry implicated in PD, emphasizing the roles of the amygdala, thalamus, hippocampus, insula, and prefrontal cortex in the mediation of pathological fear responses.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Continued research involving human populations is essential to refine current models of fear circuitry in PD. Such efforts may yield critical insights that support the development of evidence-based therapeutic strategies aimed at re-establishing disrupted homeostatic processes that have been disrupted by the activation of the brain's fear circuitry.</p>","PeriodicalId":72151,"journal":{"name":"Alpha psychiatry","volume":"26 3","pages":"44174"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12231371/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144593028","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":"A Follow-up Study on the Trajectory and Sex Differences of Different Cognitive Dimensions in the Normal Aging Elderly in Guangzhou.","authors":"Jie Dong, Chan Su, Ruoxi Zhang, Xiong Luo, Ruoyan Huang, Bin Sun, Jia Li, Muni Tang","doi":"10.31083/AP44186","DOIUrl":"10.31083/AP44186","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To explore trajectory and sex differences of varied cognitive dimensions over time in the normal aging elderly.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The cluster sampling method was used to select a representative community (n = 341). Individuals aged 60 years and above with normal cognitive function were identified (n = 281). One-to-one neuropsychological tests were conducted at baseline and repeated 1 and 5 years later. A mixed linear model was developed to analyze the changes and sex discrepancies in different cognitive dimensions of the elderly based on the scores of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and World Health Organization Battery of Cognitive Assessment Instruments for the elderly (WHO-BCAI).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>When comparing the 1-year follow-up with baseline data, the scores of auditory vocabulary in both men and women had significantly increased (<i>t</i> = -2.52, <i>t</i> = -4.8, <i>p</i> < 0.05), while the Wechsler mapping in women had significantly increased (<i>t</i> = -2.62, <i>p</i> < 0.05). When comparing the 5-year follow-up with baseline data, MMSE (<i>t</i> = 6.38, <i>t</i> = 6.06, <i>p</i> < 0.05) and MoCA (<i>t</i> = 7.34, <i>t</i> = 7.03, <i>p</i> < 0.05) scores had significantly decreased in both groups, the digit span scores had significantly decreased in men (<i>t</i> = 2.67, <i>p</i> < 0.05), and the scores of auditory vocabulary in women had significantly increased (<i>t</i> = -2.54, <i>p</i> < 0.05). When comparing the 5-year follow-up with the 1-year follow-up data, the digit span scores in women had significantly decreased (<i>t</i> = 2.88, <i>p</i> < 0.05), and the Wechsler mapping scores in both groups had significantly decreased (<i>t</i> = 3.68, <i>t</i> = 3.14, <i>p</i> < 0.05). A sex discrepancy emerged in several tests of specific cognitive domains after adjusting for education. At baseline, women outperformed men in auditory vocabulary, associative learning, and delayed recall while men outperformed women in Wechsler mapping. Importantly, auditory vocabulary and Wechsler mapping were better in women and men, respectively, at all visit times. The superiority of associative learning and delayed recall of women shrunk with advancing age.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Sex differences in cognitive variation indicated a steeper decline for women in verbal episodic memory, associative memory, and short-term memory. Meanwhile, a sharper deterioration in memory, comprehension and recognition of spatial relationships, and visual structure ability was observed in men. The sex differences in different cognitive dimensions diminished over time.</p>","PeriodicalId":72151,"journal":{"name":"Alpha psychiatry","volume":"26 3","pages":"44186"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12231407/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144593019","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 Association Between Theory of Mind, Psychopathic Traits, Borderline Personality Traits, and Severity of Substance Use Disorder in Women: A Comparative Analysis.","authors":"Sercan Karabulut, Seyhan Uzar Uçkun","doi":"10.31083/AP44175","DOIUrl":"10.31083/AP44175","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Studies investigating social cognition impairments in substance use disorders (SUD) emerged from attempts to understand the influence of social interactions on substance use. This study aimed to measure Theory of Mind (ToM) performance and possible interactions between ToM performance, personality traits, and substance use severity.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Participants (n = 153) were assessed using the Reading the Mind in the Eyes, Dokuz Eylul Theory of Mind Index, Addiction Profile Index (API), Borderline Personality Questionnaire (BPQ), Basic Empathy Scale (BES), and Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy scale (LSRP).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Cluster analysis identified two groups: a 'high ToM' (n = 59, 41.2%) and a 'low ToM' (n = 84, 58.8%) group. Comparative analysis showed that the API effect of substance use on life subscale scores (<i>p</i> = 0.033), BES total (<i>p</i> = 0.003), and affective empathy subscale scores (<i>p</i> = 0.001) were higher in the high ToM group compared with the low ToM group. Conversely, BPQ impulsivity subscale scores (<i>p</i> = 0.011), LSRP total (<i>p</i> = 0.026), and primary psychopathy subscale scores (<i>p</i> = 0.007) were lower in the high ToM group compared with the low ToM groups. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that lower affective empathy scores (odds ratio (OR) = 0.896, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.818-0.982), <i>p</i> = 0.019) and higher primary psychopathy scores (OR = 1.099, 95% CI (1.011-1.195), <i>p</i> = 0.027) predicted ToM abilities in women with SUD.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study provides novel evidence that in women with SUD, affective psychopathic traits and lack of affective empathy predict lower ToM abilities. These findings suggest that intervention targeting affect-related psychopathy dimensions may be effective in alleviating ToM disabilities.</p>","PeriodicalId":72151,"journal":{"name":"Alpha psychiatry","volume":"26 3","pages":"44175"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12231432/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144593002","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":"Significant Events Experienced by Psychiatric Patients With Personality Disorders in Inpatient Settings: A Qualitative Study and Implications for Clinical Management.","authors":"Li Yang, Shu Yan, Shao-Jiang Miao, Min Ma, Fan Yang, Bao-Liang Zhong","doi":"10.31083/AP44141","DOIUrl":"10.31083/AP44141","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Personality disorders are complex mental disorders characterized by interpersonal difficulties and are notoriously difficult to treat. Inpatient treatment offers patients the opportunity to establish therapeutic alliances, which can help alleviate their clinical dilemmas. However, there is currently a lack of research that takes the perspective of inpatients as the main subject. This study aims to delve into the significant events experienced by inpatients with personality disorders from their own perspective and explore their significance and impact on the individuals.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Nine inpatients with personality disorders at different stages of hospitalization from a psychiatric specialty hospital were selected for semi-structured interviews. Grounded theory was used to analyze the data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the context of hospitalization, the significant events that patients experienced mainly include the 'giving' and empowerment by therapists, the contained and holding hospital environment, supportive relationships with peer patients, and the biopsychosocial impact of medication on patient perception and therapeutic engagement.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Implicit 'giving' by therapists fosters empowerment and strengthens the therapeutic alliance, enhancing patient engagement and outcomes. The hospital environment offers a structured space for self-reflection and emotional recovery, while peer relationships promote growth. The combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy stabilizes patients' psychological states and improves receptivity to treatment. An integrated approach to these treatments is essential for optimizing patient outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":72151,"journal":{"name":"Alpha psychiatry","volume":"26 3","pages":"44141"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12231403/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144593001","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 Role of Bedtime Procrastination, Rumination, Loneliness, and Positive Body Image in Predicting Sleep Quality Among University Students: A Sex-Specific Analysis.","authors":"Ying Wang, Xiaoyin Wang, Qi Wang, Guoqiu Liu, Chunmei Wu, Ming Hao","doi":"10.31083/AP44142","DOIUrl":"10.31083/AP44142","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to analyze the impact of bedtime procrastination, rumination, loneliness, and positive body image on university students' sleep quality, and to explore potential mediating pathways and sex differences.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 674 students from a university in southern China were recruited. Assessments of participants' body measurements were conducted, followed by the completion of a general information questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Bedtime Procrastination Scale, Body Appreciation Scale, Body Image-Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, Ruminative Responses Scale, and University of Loneliness Scale. Stepwise multiple linear regression and mediation models were employed to separately analyze the associations between sleep quality and the aforementioned factors in males and females.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Sex differences in sleep quality were apparent, with women having worse sleep quality than men (<i>p</i> < 0.05). In men, bedtime procrastination (β = 0.376, <i>p</i> < 0.01), loneliness (β = 0.339, <i>p</i> < 0.01), and rumination (β = 0.171, <i>p</i> < 0.01) were significant factors in predicting sleep quality. Loneliness played a partial mediating role in predicting poor sleep quality caused by bedtime procrastination, with a mediating effect of 18.95%. In women, bedtime procrastination (β = 0.399, <i>p</i> < 0.01), loneliness (β = 0.239, <i>p</i> < 0.01), body image flexibility (β = -0.153, <i>p</i> < 0.01), and body appreciation (β = -0.103, <i>p</i> < 0.05) were significant factors in predicting sleep quality. Loneliness and body appreciation played parallel mediating roles in predicting sleep quality through bedtime procrastination, with mediating effects of 9.24% and 5.19%, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Sleep quality and bedtime procrastination were worse in women than in men. The sleep quality of female students may be increased by focusing on enhancing positive body image, while for male students, managing rumination and reducing loneliness could be helpful.</p>","PeriodicalId":72151,"journal":{"name":"Alpha psychiatry","volume":"26 3","pages":"44142"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12231379/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144593004","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 Effect of Self-Help Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Exercise Therapeutics on the Psychological Status and Sleep Quality of Hubei Medical Staff.","authors":"Qian Yin, Chenxi Shi, Shuqin Wang","doi":"10.31083/AP44140","DOIUrl":"10.31083/AP44140","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To explore the effect of self-help mindfulness-based stress reduction exercise therapeutics (MBSRET) on the psychological status and sleep quality of medical staff.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A total of 85 Hubei medical staff were randomly divided into an intervention group (n = 43) and a control group (n = 42). The intervention group received MBSRET for 8 weeks and the control group received routine care. Psychological status and sleep were assessed using the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) before and after the intervention.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>After the intervention, SCL-90, PSS, and PSQI scores were significantly lower in the control group (<i>p</i> < 0.001 for all), indicating that MBSRET could effectively improve the psychological status and sleep quality of Hubei medical staff.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Mindfulness-based stress reduction exercise therapy is a simple, convenient, and low-cost intervention method that can be widely applied to improve the mental health care of medical staff during public health emergencies.</p><p><strong>Clinical trial registration: </strong>The study was registered at https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN84911422, registration number: ISRCTN84911422.</p>","PeriodicalId":72151,"journal":{"name":"Alpha psychiatry","volume":"26 3","pages":"44140"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12231402/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144593003","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":"Core Symptoms Between Adolescent Psychological Abuse-Neglect and Impulsiveness: A Network Analysis.","authors":"Yuhang Wu, Yuqin Song, Lu Pan, Cen Lin, Yu Cen, Mengqin Dai, Qiuyue Fan, Jiarui Shao, Cailin Xie, Jiaming Luo","doi":"10.31083/AP44085","DOIUrl":"10.31083/AP44085","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Psychological abuse and neglect are considered fundamental to the development of impulsiveness. However, the interplay between psychological abuse-neglect symptoms and impulsiveness dimensions remains unclear, especially during adolescence, a critical developmental stage. This study uses network analysis to explore the link between adolescent psychological abuse-neglect and impulsivity, aiming to inform targeted early interventions and treatment strategies for impulsive behaviors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Cluster sampling was used to gather demographic data from 6731 students across 17 middle schools. Clinical assessments utilized the Chinese Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) and Child Psychological Abuse and Neglect Scale (CPANS). Network analysis explored associations between the six CPANS components and three impulsiveness dimensions. Centrality indices and stability indicators were calculated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the study population, 47.4% were female, and 68.4% were middle school students. Scolding (4.0 [1.0, 7.0]) scored highest in abuse, while Emotional Neglect (6.0 [2.0, 12.0]) scored highest in neglect. Among impulsive types, Non-planning Impulsiveness (47.5 [32.5, 60.0]) ranked highest. Emotional Neglect emerged as the central node in the network, with the greatest strength, closeness, and influence, while Non-planning Impulsiveness showed the highest correlation with centrality. All centrality indices had Correlation Stability (CS) coefficients of 0.75, with narrow 95% confidence intervals for edge weights.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study underscores the central role of emotional neglect in the development of impulsive traits in adolescents. Network analysis revealed that emotional neglect serves as a critical link between abuse-neglect and impulsivity, with non-planning impulsivity acting as a key mediator. The results emphasize the need for comprehensive interventions, as well as addressing the impact of early traumatic experiences.</p><p><strong>Clinical trial registration: </strong>The study was registered at https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=134138, registration number: ChiCTR2100052297, date of registration: 24 October 2021.</p>","PeriodicalId":72151,"journal":{"name":"Alpha psychiatry","volume":"26 3","pages":"44085"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12231425/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144593023","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":"Illness Perceptions and Fear of Recurrence Among Myocardial Infarction Survivors: The Mediating Role of Psychological Flexibility.","authors":"Yan Wang, Qingyan Tian, Junhui Yan, Xi Chen, Fen Xiong, Haocheng Yang, Zhihui Huang, Hongjuan Wen, Botang Guo, Ping Tang","doi":"10.31083/AP44019","DOIUrl":"10.31083/AP44019","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Myocardial infarction (MI) patients often experience fear of recurrence, which affects their psychological well-being and quality of life. This study aimed to explore the relationship between illness perception, psychological flexibility, and fear of recurrence, as well as to investigate the demographic factors associated with fear of recurrence in MI patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional survey was conducted, enrolling 466 MI patients to complete questionnaires assessing general information, disease-related factors, illness perception, psychological flexibility, and fear of recurrence. Correlation analysis, analysis of variance, and mediation effect analysis were used to explore the relationships between these factors and fear of recurrence.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Gender, monthly income, marital status, alcohol consumption, New York Heart Association functional classification (NYHA classification), and number of chronic diseases were significantly associated with fear of recurrence. Illness perception was positively correlated with patients' fear of recurrence. Psychological flexibility was negatively correlated with fear of recurrence and played a mediating role between illness perception and fear of recurrence, mediating the negative impact of illness perception on fear.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings of this study emphasize the critical role of psychological flexibility in mitigating the fear of recurrence among myocardial infarction survivors. By targeting modifiable factors such as psychological flexibility and illness perceptions, healthcare providers can develop more effective interventions aimed at improving mental health and overall quality of life for these patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":72151,"journal":{"name":"Alpha psychiatry","volume":"26 3","pages":"44019"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12231406/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144592996","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":"Interpersonal Communication Tendency as a Mediator Between Academic Distress and Depression Among Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Ziyang Zhang, Qingzhi Wang","doi":"10.31083/AP44018","DOIUrl":"10.31083/AP44018","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Medical students frequently encounter high academic demands that increase their risk of depression. Understanding how academic distress interacts with interpersonal communication tendencies to influence depression can inform mental health interventions. This study aims to explore the direct effect of academic distress on depression and the mediating role of interpersonal communication tendency.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 7317 students in medicine and related fields at Xuzhou Medical University from September to December 2022, using stratified random cluster sampling. Data were collected using validated scales measuring academic distress, interpersonal communication tendency, and depressive symptoms. Structural equation modeling was employed to analyze the total, direct, and indirect effects of academic distress on depression, and a multi-group analysis was conducted to examine gender differences.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Academic distress was found to directly and positively affect depression (β = 0.622, 95% CI: 0.556, 0.686). Additionally, interpersonal communication tendency significantly mediated the relationship between academic distress and depression (β = -0.253, 95% CI: -0.294, -0.217). Gender-based analysis indicated a slightly stronger direct effect of academic distress on depression among male students (β = 0.630) compared to female students (β = 0.606).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Academic distress is strongly associated with depression among medical students, with interpersonal communication tendency serving as an effective mediator that reduces depressive symptoms. These findings highlight the need for academic institutions to support medical students by enhancing interpersonal communication skills and providing mental health resources to alleviate academic distress.</p>","PeriodicalId":72151,"journal":{"name":"Alpha psychiatry","volume":"26 3","pages":"44018"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12231427/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144592997","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}