Impact of anxiety levels and alexithymia degree on the quality of life in patients with anxiety disorders

Objective·To evaluate the relationship between anxiety level, alexithymia degree and quality of life in patients with anxiety disorders.Methods·Anxiety disorder patients admitted to the outpatient department of Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2023 were selected as the research subjects, and 438 patients were ultimately included after exclusion. Among them, there were 271 patients with generalized anxiety disorder, 101 patients with panic disorder, 48 patients with social anxiety disorder, 12 patients with agoraphobia, and 6 patients with specific phobia. Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Hamilton Depression Scale-17 (HAMD-17), the twenty-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-Brief Form Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) were used to assess the patients' anxiety level, depression level, alexithymia degree and quality of life, respectively, and the scale scores of patients with different subtypes of anxiety disorders were evaluated. Spearman correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between anxiety level, depression level, alexithymia degree and quality of life in patients with anxiety disorders. Stepwise regression model was used to analyze the key variables affecting the quality of life in patients with anxiety disorders.Results·There were no significant differences in HAMA score, HAMD-17 score and TAS-20 score among patients with different subtypes of anxiety disorders, but the differences in WHOQOL-BRIEF score were statistically significant (H=10.076, P=0.039). The results of Spearman correlation analysis showed that the WHOQOL-BRIEF score of anxiety disorder patients was negatively correlated with HAMA score, HAMD-17 score and TAS-20 score (r=-0.256, P=0.000; r=-0.311, P=0.000; r=-0.342, P=0.000). The results of stepwise regression analysis showed that age, HAMA score, HAMD-17 score and TAS-20 score had significant impact on the quality of life of patients (all P<0.05).Conclusion·The quality of life in patients with different subtypes of anxiety disorders is different. The anxiety level, depression level and alexithymia degree are the key variables affecting their quality of life

The applicability and efficacy of Micro-Video Psychological Training Camp in groups with mild to moderate symptoms of depression and anxiety: A prospective and randomized controlled trial protocol

BackgroundMental health is a global issue requiring global attention. Depression and anxiety are two of the most common mental disorders (CMDs) and are characterized by high incidence and high comorbidity. In recent years, the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and exacerbated social instability have posed significant challenges to the mental resilience and mental health outcomes of the global population. Now more than ever, with an increase in mental health needs, it has become even more crucial to find an effective solution to provide universal mental healthcare. Psychotherapy is of vital importance for those coping with symptoms of depression and anxiety and is used to enhance mental resilience. However, such therapy can be difficult to access in reality. In this context, the Micro-Video Psychological Training Camp (MVPTC) platform will be developed.ObjectivesAs an online self-help platform for psychological intervention, the MVPTC platform was developed for those who suffer from mild to moderate symptoms of depression and/or anxiety and is tasked with the goal of reducing depressive and anxious symptoms while improving mental resilience. Thus, this study will be carried out to verify its efficacy and applicability.MethodsIn this parallel-group, randomized controlled trial, a total of 200 mild to moderately depressed and/or anxious adults seeking self-help will be randomly recruited and assigned to either the micro-video psychological intervention group or the wait list control group. Online measurements by self-assessment will be taken at baseline, post-intervention, 1-month, and 3-month follow-up.ResultsThe primary results will involve symptoms of depression and anxiety. The secondary results will involve mental resilience. An analysis will be conducted based on the intention-to-treat principle.DiscussionThis trial will examine whether the MVPTC platform for the relief of symptoms and the enhancement of resilience in a population screened for depression and anxiety symptoms proves effective and applicable. Large-scale resilience enhancement may benefit public mental health in terms of preventive interventions, managing depressive and anxiety symptoms, and promoting mental health. With the MVPTC-based method being applied, a brief, efficient, and structured intervention model can potentially be established, having the potential to provide necessary and accessible mental support for an extensive target group.Clinical trial registrationhttp://www.chictr.org.cn/, identifier ChiCTR2100043725

Psychometric Properties of the Chinese Version of the Perceived Stress Scale in Policewomen

BACKGROUND: The 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) is one of most widely used instruments to measure a global level of perceived stress in a range of clinical and research settings. This study was conducted to examine the psychometric properties of the Simplified Chinese version of the PSS-10 in policewomen. METHODOLOGY: A total of 240 policewomen were recruited in this study. The Simplified Chinese versions of the PSS-10, the Beck Depression Inventory Revised (BDI-II), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were administered to all participants, and 36 of the participants were re-tested two weeks after the initial testing. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The overall Cronbach's alpha was 0.86, and the test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.68. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) yielded 2 factors with eigenvalues of 4.76 and 1.48, accounting for 62.41% of variance. Factor 1 consisted of 6 items representing "negative feelings"; whereas Factor 2 consisted of 4 items representing "positive feelings". The item loadings ranged from 0.72 to 0.83. The Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) indicated a very good fit of this two-factor model to this sample. The PSS-10 significantly correlated with both BDI-II and BAI, indicating an acceptable concurrent validity. CONCLUSIONS: The Simplified Chinese version of the PSS-10 demonstrated adequate psychometric properties for evaluating stress levels. The results support its use among the Chinese population

A novel estimation model for hysteresis loss based on semi-minor loops

This paper proposes an estimation model of hysteresis loss based on the mapping of the hysteresis loop conducted through tiny material samples with the aid of the Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID). This approach allows precise measurement of hysteresis loops. The aim of this paper is to develop a precise estimation model for hysteresis loss, one component of core loss, so as to improve the overall estimation accuracy of the entire core loss under complex excitations. First, with the help of the SQUID system and measurements conducted on tiny samples, the proposed model manages to minimize the impact of eddy current throughout the measurement and the modeling of hysteresis loss. This contrasts with the use of the conventional Steinmetz model and its modifications. Moreover, compared with methods including the modified Steinmetz equation (MSE) and the generalized Steinmetz equation (GSE) which merely focuses on the overall iron loss under simple non-sinusoidal excitations, the model presented here enables the estimation of hysteresis loss under complex excitations where multiple peaks and DC-bias take place. This approach will be very useful in situations such as those requiring pulse-width modulation (PWM) excited converters which are quite common on occasions including wind power systems. The estimation error of this model on the actual coil is within 15% under given excitations

Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Perceived Stress Scale in policewomen. PLoS One 6: e28610

Abstract Background: The 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) is one of most widely used instruments to measure a global level of perceived stress in a range of clinical and research settings. This study was conducted to examine the psychometric properties of the Simplified Chinese version of the PSS-10 in policewomen

Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Perceived Stress Scale in policewomen. PLoS One 6: e28610

Abstract Background: The 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) is one of most widely used instruments to measure a global level of perceived stress in a range of clinical and research settings. This study was conducted to examine the psychometric properties of the Simplified Chinese version of the PSS-10 in policewomen

Exploratory factor analysis and reliability coefficients of PSS-10 (n = 120).

<p>Exploratory factor analysis and reliability coefficients of PSS-10 (n = 120).</p

Correlations of PSS-10 to depression (BDI-II) and anxiety (BAI).

<p>Correlations of PSS-10 to depression (BDI-II) and anxiety (BAI).</p

Mediation model exploring the relationship between PSS and EAT.

<p>Note1: PSS-10, 10-item Perceived Stress Scale; BDI-II, Beck Depression Inventory Revised; BAI, Beck Anxiety Inventory; EAT-26, 26-item Eating Attitude Test. Note2: *<i>p</i><0.05; **<i>p</i><0.01; ***<i>p</i><0.001. Note3: Indirect effects from PSS to EAT-26 via depression is 0.036 (95%CI: 0.022∼ 0.044, <i>p</i><0.001); Indirect effects from PSS to EAT-26 via anxiety is 0.015 (95%CI: 0.005∼0.023, <i>p</i><0.01).</p