Self-esteem in Early Adolescence as Predictor of Depressive Symptoms in Late Adolescence and Early Adulthood:The Mediating Role of Motivational and Social Factors

Ample research has shown that low self-esteem increases the risk to develop depressive symptoms during adolescence. However, the mechanism underlying this association remains largely unknown, as well as how long adolescents with low self-esteem remain vulnerable to developing depressive symptoms. Insight into this mechanism may not only result in a better theoretical understanding but also provide directions for possible interventions. To address these gaps in knowledge, we investigated whether self-esteem in early adolescence predicted depressive symptoms in late adolescence and early adulthood. Moreover, we investigated a cascading mediational model, in which we focused on factors that are inherently related to self-esteem and the adolescent developmental period: approach and avoidance motivation and the social factors social contact, social problems, and social support. We used data from four waves of the TRAILS study (N = 2228, 51% girls): early adolescence (mean age 11 years), middle adolescence (mean age 14 years), late adolescence (mean age 16 years), and early adulthood (mean age 22 years). Path-analyses showed that low self-esteem is an enduring vulnerability for developing depressive symptoms. Self-esteem in early adolescence predicted depressive symptoms in late adolescence as well as early adulthood. This association was independently mediated by avoidance motivation and social problems, but not by approach motivation. The effect sizes were relatively small, indicating that having low self-esteem is a vulnerability factor, but does not necessarily predispose adolescents to developing depressive symptoms on their way to adulthood. Our study contributes to the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the association between self-esteem and depressive symptoms, and has identified avoidance motivation and social problems as possible targets for intervention

Loneliness Across the Life Span

Most people have experienced loneliness and have been able to overcome it to reconnect with other people. In the current review, we provide a life-span perspective on one component of the evolutionary theory of loneliness—a component we refer to as the reaffiliation motive (RAM). The RAM represents the motivation to reconnect with others that is triggered by perceived social isolation. Loneliness is often a transient experience because the RAM leads to reconnection, but sometimes this motivation can fail, leading to prolonged loneliness. We review evidence of how aspects of the RAM change across development and how these aspects can fail for different reasons across the life span. We conclude with a discussion of age-appropriate interventions that may help to alleviate prolonged lonelines

Nudges can be both autonomy-preserving and effective: Evidence from a survey and quasi-field experiment

Nudges are widely employed tools within organizations, but they are often criticized for harming autonomy and for being ineffective. We assess these two criticisms simultaneously: can nudges be both autonomy-preserving and effective in changing behavior? We developed three nudges - an opinion leader nudge, a rule-of-thumb and self-nudges - to reduce a particularly sticky behavior: email use. In a survey experiment of 4,112 healthcare employees, we tested their effect on perceived autonomy and subjective effectiveness. We also tested traditional policy instruments for comparison. Next, to assess objective effectiveness, we conducted a quasi-field experiment in a large healthcare organization with an estimate of 1,189 active email users. We found that each nudge in isolation, but especially when combined, was perceived to be both autonomy-preserving and effective, and more so than traditional policy instruments like an access limit or a monetary reward. We also found some evidence that the combination of all nudges decreased actual email use. This paper advances the literature by showing how innovations in nudge design improve nudges' ability to be autonomy-preserving and effective

Strengthening parental self-efficacy and resilience: A within-subject experimental study with refugee parents of adolescents

Post-migration stress and parenting adolescents can reduce parental self-efficacy. This study tested the effects of strengthening parental self-efficacy in refugee parents of adolescents and whether this makes parental self-efficacy less impacted by post-migration stressors. Using a within-subject experimental design, experience sampling data were collected in 2019 from 53 refugee parents of adolescents (Mage = 39.7, SDage = 5.59, 73% Syrian, 70% mothers) in the Netherlands. Data were analyzed by dynamic structural equation modeling using interrupted time-series analysis. The single-session personalized intervention strengthened parental self-efficacy (small effect: between case standardized mean difference = 0.09) and made refugee parents less vulnerable to post-migration stressors. Findings suggest that parental self-efficacy is malleable and strengthening it fosters refugee parents' resilience. Replications with longer-term follow-ups are needed

Healthcare Workers Who Work With COVID-19 Patients Are More Physically Exhausted and Have More Sleep Problems

In this survey study of 7,208 Dutch healthcare workers, we investigate whether healthcare workers dealing with COVID-19 patients experience lower general health, more physical and mental exhaustion and more sleep problems than other healthcare workers. Additionally, we study whether there are differences in well-being within the group of healthcare workers working with COVID-19 patients, based on personal and work characteristics. We find healthcare workers who are in direct contact with COVID-19 patients report more sleep problems and are more physically exhausted than those who are not in direct contact with COVID-19 patients. Mental exhaustion and general health do not significantly differ between healthcare workers who are in direct contact with COVID-19 patients and those who are not. Among healthcare workers in direct contact with COVID-19 p

Evaluating the Validity of a Food Frequency Questionnaire in Comparison with a 7-Day Dietary Record for Measuring Dietary Intake in a Population of Survivors of Colorectal Cancer

Background: Food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) are a commonly used method to assess dietary intake in epidemiological studies. It is important to evaluate the validity of FFQs in the population of interest. Objective: To evaluate the validity of an FFQ for measuring dietary intake in survivors of colorectal cancer (CRC), relative to a 7-day dietary record. Design: Dietary intake was assessed 1 year after the end of CRC treatment. Participants first completed a 7-day dietary record and 2 weeks later a 253-item FFQ that measured intake in the preceding month. Participants/setting: Data were used from a subsample of participants (n=100) enrolled in an ongoing prospective study (EnCoRe study) in the Netherlands, from 2015 to 2018. Main outcome measures: Estimated intakes of total energy, 19 nutrients, and 20 food groups as well as scoring adherence to the dietary recommendations of the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) were compared between both dietary assessment methods. Statistical analyses performed: Means and standard deviations, Spearman rank correlations corrected for within-person variation and total energy, and κ agreement between quintiles were assessed. Results: The median Spearman correlation corrected for within-person variation for nutrients and total energy was 0.60. Correlations >0.50 were found for 15 of 19 nutrients, with highest agreement for vitamin B-12 (0.74), polysaccharides (0.75), and alcohol (0.91). On average, 73% (range=60% to 84%) of participants were classified into the exact same or adjacent nutrient quintile. The median Spearman correlation corrected for within-person variation for food groups was 0.62. Correlations >0.50 were found for 17 of 20 food groups, with highest agreement for cereals and cereal products (0.96), fish (0.96), and potatoes (0.99). The Spearman correlation between total scores of the WCRF/AICR dietary recommendations was 0.53. Conclusions: Relative to a 7-day dietary record, the validity of an FFQ for measuring dietary intake among survivors of CRC appeared moderate to good for most nutrients and food groups.</p

Linking physical activity to breast cancer:text mining results and a protocol for systematically reviewing three potential mechanistic pathways

Epidemiological research suggests that physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer, but the causal nature of this link is not clear. Investigating mechanistic pathways can provide evidence of biological plausibility and improve causal inference. This project will examine three putative pathways (sex steroid hormones, insulin signalling, and inflammation) in a series of two-stage systematic reviews. Stage 1 used Text Mining for Mechanism Prioritisation (TeMMPo) to identify and prioritise relevant biological intermediates. Stage 2 will systematically review the findings from studies of (i) physical activity and intermediates; and (ii) intermediates and breast cancer. Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and SPORTDiscus will be searched using a combination of subject headings and free-text terms. Human intervention and prospective, observational studies will be eligible for inclusion. Meta-analysis will be performed where possible. Risk of bias will be assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool, the ROBINS-I or ROBINS-E tool, depending on study type. Strength of evidence will be assessed using the GRADE system. In addition to synthesising the mechanistic evidence that links physical activity with breast cancer risk, this project may also identify priority areas for future research and help inform the design and implementation of physical activity interventions