Psychosomatic medicine
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The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and related lockdown measures have raised important questions about the impact on mental health. This study evaluated several mental health and well-being indicators in a large sample from the United Kingdom (UK) during the COVID-19 lockdown where the death rate is currently among the highest in Europe. ⋯ The prevalence of depressive, anxiety, and insomnia symptoms is significantly higher in the UK relative to prepandemic epidemiological data. Further studies are needed to clarify the causes for these high rates of mental health symptoms.
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Psychosomatic medicine · Jan 2021
Psychosocial Work Factors of the Job Strain Model and All-Cause Mortality: The STRESSJEM Prospective Cohort Study.
The objectives were to examine the prospective associations between psychosocial work factors of the job strain model and all-cause mortality in a national representative cohort of French employees using various measures of time-varying exposure. ⋯ This study supports the role of the psychosocial work factors of the job strain model on all-cause mortality. Preventive intervention to improve the psychosocial work environment may help to prevent mortality in working populations.
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Psychosomatic medicine · Sep 2020
Sense of Purpose in Life and Likelihood of Future Illicit Drug Use or Prescription Medication Misuse.
In the United States, 28.6 million people used illicit drugs or misused prescription drugs in the last 30 days. Thus, identifying factors linked with lower likelihood of future drug misuse is an important target for research and practice. Sense of purpose in life has been linked with better behavioral and physical health outcomes. Furthermore, a higher sense of purpose may reduce the likelihood of drug misuse because it has been linked with several protective factors including enhanced ability to handle stress, higher pain tolerance, and lower impulsivity. However, the association between sense of purpose and drug misuse has been understudied. Thus, we tested whether people with a higher sense of purpose at baseline had a lower likelihood of future drug misuse 9 to 10 years later. ⋯ A growing knowledge base suggests that a sense of purpose can be increased. Additional research is needed to evaluate sense of purpose as a novel target in the prevention and reduction of drug misuse.
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Psychosomatic medicine · Jul 2020
Meta AnalysisMindfulness-Based Interventions for the Improvement of Well-Being in People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
The study aims to meta-analytically review studies about the effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on well-being of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). ⋯ CRD42018099704.
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Psychosomatic medicine · Jan 2020
Insula Activity to Visceral Stimulation and Endocrine Stress Responses as Associated With Alexithymia in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Few studies have investigated associations between alexithymia and physiological mechanisms in psychosomatic diseases. We examined associations between alexithymia and 1) perception and brain processing of visceral stimulation and 2) the endocrine responses to corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) in healthy individuals and patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). ⋯ Higher alexithymia scores are associated with stronger physiological responses, but lower anticipatory fear ratings and higher discomfort thresholds, particularly in patients with IBS.