Self-directed passive-aggressive behaviour as an essential component of depression: findings from two cross-sectional observational studies

Background: The self-control model of depression suggests depressive symptoms to derive from distorted self-monitoring, dysfunctional self-evaluation and reduced self-reward as well as increased self-punishment. Building on this model a relationship between self-directed passive-aggressive behaviour, that is, harmful inactivity, and depression has been assumed. This association has been supported by a recent study in an inpatient sample. However, it remains unclear if patients with depressive disorders report more self-directed passive-aggressive behaviour than patients without depressive disorders and if self-directed passive aggression mediates the associations between distorted selfmonitoring and dysfunctional self-evaluation with depressive symptoms. Methods: Study 1 compared self-directed passive-aggressive behaviour levels between 220 psychotherapy outpatients with (n=140; 67.9% female; Mage=40.0) and without (n=80; 65.0% female; Mage=36.2) depressive disorders. Diagnoses were made based on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. Study 2 examined self-directed passiveaggressive behaviour as a mediator of the relationship between distorted self-monitoring and dysfunctional selfevaluation and self-reported depressive symptoms in 200 undergraduate Psychology students. Results: Compared to outpatients without depressive disorders, outpatients with depressive disorder reported signifcantly more self-directed passive aggression (d=0.51). Furthermore, Study 2 verifed self-directed passiveaggressive behaviour as a partial mediator of the relationship between dysfunctional attitudes (abcs=.22, 95%-CI: .14, .31), attributional style (abcs=.20, 95%-CI: .13, .27), ruminative response style (abcs=.15, 95%-CI: .09, .21) and depressive symptoms. Conclusion: Self-directed passive-aggressive behaviour partially mediates the association between distorted selfmonitoring and dysfunctional self-evaluation with depressive symptoms. Future longitudinal studies need to examine a potential causal relationship that would form a base to include interventions targeting self-directed passive-aggressive behaviour in prevention and treatment of depression. Trial registration: Both studies were preregistered at the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00014005 and DRKS00019020)

Incontinence in persons with Noonan Syndrome

Objective Noonan Syndrome (NS) is an autosomal neuro-developmental disorder with a high phenotypic variability. Mutations in several genes of the RAS-MAPK signaling pathways are now known to be responsible for NS. Most of the children with NS are of average intelligence, one-third have a mild intellectual disability (ID) (IQ 50-79). So far, no studies have assessed incontinence in persons with NS. The aim of this study therefore was to investigate the prevalence of incontinence and psychological problems in persons with NS. Subjects and methods Nineteen children (5-17 years) and 10 adults (18-48 years) with NS were recruited through a German parent support group (58.6% male, mean age 15.26 years). The "Parental Questionnaire: Enuresis/Urinary Incontinence", "Encopresis Questionnaire - Screening Version" and the German version of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Pediatric Lower Urinary Tract Symptom (ICIQ-CLUTS) were completed by parents or caregivers to assess incontinence and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The Developmental Behavior Checklist for parents (DBC-P) or the Developmental Behavior Checklist for adults (DBC-A) were filled out to assess psychological symptoms. Results In total, 27.3% of the children (4-12 years) had nocturnal enuresis (NE), 36.4% had daytime urinary incontinence (DUI), and 11.1% had fecal incontinence (FI). Only one adolescent (13-17 years) had NE (14.3%) and one young adult (18-30 years) had FI (11.1%); 36.4% of the children, 33.3% of the adolescents and 12.5% of young adults had a DBC score in the clinical range. No adult (>30 years) had incontinence or a critical DBC score. Children and adolescents with NE had significantly higher scores in the DBC total score as well in the "self-absorbed" and "social relating" subscales than continent children and adolescents, whereas no significant difference was found between children and adolescents with DUI compared with the continent group. Conclusions A significant proportion of children with NS are affected by incontinence. Incontinence is a relevant problem in children and adolescents with NS, but does not persist into adulthood. In particular, psychological problems are present in children and adolescents with NE. Screening for both incontinence and psychological symptoms are recommended in children with NS. As most of the children with NS have average intelligence or a mild ID, they can be treated effectively with standard methods

Incontinence in persons with Angelman syndrome

Angelman syndrome (AS) is a congenital syndrome with a prevalence of 1:15,000. Individuals with AS often have severe intellectual disability, typical dysmorphic signs, and behavioral problems. The aim of the study was to investigate the rate of incontinence and associated psychological problems in children and adults with AS. Ninety children (4–18 years) and 54 adults (18–31 years) with AS were recruited through a parent support group (55.6% male, mean age 15.1 years). The Parental Questionnaire: Enuresis/Urinary Incontinence, the Incontinence Questionnaire-Pediatric Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (ICIQ-CLUTS), as well as the Developmental Behaviour Checklist for parents (DBC-P) or for adults (DBC-A) were filled out by parents or caregivers. 85.6% of individuals with AS were affected by at least one subtype of incontinence (82.7% nocturnal enuresis (NE), 64.7% daytime urinary incontinence (DUI), and 57.1% fecal incontinence (FI)). 52.5% of the children and 32.6% of adults reached a clinically relevant DBC score. Incontinence was not associated with behavioral problems. NE and DUI were associated with genotype and epilepsy. Conclusion: Children with AS have high rates of incontinence. Many adults are still affected by NE, DUI, or even FI. Screening, assessment, and treatment of incontinence in individuals with AS are recommended.What is Known:• Incontinence in persons with Angelman syndrome (AS) is associated with younger age, lower level of adaptive functioning, and epilepsy.What is New:• Children and teens with AS are at special risk for incontinence, but older persons are also affected.• Comorbid epilepsy is significantly associated not only with nocturnal enuresis (NE) but also with daytime urinary incontinence (DUI). Underlying genotype is significantly associated with incontinence

Generation climate crisis, COVID-19, and Russia-Ukraine-War: global crises and mental health in adolescents

Climate change, COVID-19, and the Russia-Ukraine War are some of the great challenges of our time. These global crises afect young people in a particularly vulnerable phase of their lives. The current study aimed to assess the impact of these crises on mental health (depression, anxiety, and health-related quality of life) in secondary school students in Germany. Furthermore, we assessed known predictors of mental health, such as socio-economic factors, individual life stressors, and resilience factors (self-efcacy, expressive fexibility) as covariates. In our sample of 3998 pupils, pandemic- and climaterelated distress were linked to greater depression and anxiety and reduced health-related quality of life. War-related distress was associated with greater anxiety. Critically, these associations remained signifcant after controlling for all covariates, supporting the incremental predictive value of the crises measures. The study reveals a signifcant impact of the crises on the mental health of the current generation of adolescents. As such it suggests that mental health policies should include interventions that help youth to cope with the stress caused by the crises