Stress and Health

Hagger, Martin S.

doi: 10.1002/smi.1294pmid: N/A

Kunst, Maarten J. J.; Bogaerts, Stefan; Winkel, Frans W.

doi: 10.1002/smi.1247pmid: N/A

This study investigated the adverse effects of exposure to inmate or peer aggression, type D‐personality and their interactions on post‐traumatic stress reactions among a sample of prison workers. The basic tenet of type D‐personality is that not so much the experience of negative emotions per se is responsible for negative health consequences, but rather the way individuals cope with such emotions. Many studies have revealed diverse adverse health outcomes of type D‐personality, particularly among cardiac patients. However, the moderating effect of social inhibition has never been statistically examined in other populations. Participants (111 men, 40 women) were recruited in 10 Dutch correctional institutions. The results showed that victims of aggression are more prone to develop Post‐traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms than non‐victims, although this particularly applied to victims of peer aggression. Furthermore, an interaction effect was observed between inmate aggression and type D‐personality. Finally, both peer aggression and type D‐personality contributed to the development of PTSD. The results were discussed together with recommendations for future research. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Michael, Galanakis; Anastasios, Stalikas; Helen, Kallia; Catherine, Karagianni; Christine, Karela

doi: 10.1002/smi.1248pmid: N/A

Studies investigating gender differences over the past two decades have produced contradictory results, with some to indicate no differences, and some suggesting that either men or women experience more psychological stress. In this study, we examine gender differences in occupational stress, taking into consideration the role of marital status, age and education. Results from a sample of 2775 professionals suggest that women experience higher levels of occupational stress than men. Nevertheless, when marital status, age and education were introduced in the equation, no significant gender differences were identified. Implications and future research directions are discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Karademas, Evangelos C.; Karamvakalis, Nikolaos; Zarogiannos, Aristides

doi: 10.1002/smi.1252pmid: N/A

Stress resulting from the broader life context (life stress) is involved in the development and progress of many diseases, as well as in the adjustment to chronic illness. It may also be associated with the specific ways patients perceive and respond to illness. In this respect, the purpose of this study was to examine the possible relationships between life stress, and illness‐related perceptions and coping. A cross‐sectional design was employed. Participants completed measures regarding life stress, illness perceptions, illness‐related coping and restrictions imposed by the illness. One hundred and one chronically ill outpatients participated in the study. Their mean age was 51.10 years (SD = 12.88), and the mean time elapsed since initial diagnosis was 12.74 years (SD = 9.32). According to the results, life stress was associated with certain illness perceptions (i.e. personal control over illness, illness consequences) and illness‐related coping strategies (i.e. palliative coping, emotional reactions), even after controlling for sociodemographic variables and illness‐associated factors. Moreover, illness consequences mediated the effects of life stress on the two coping strategies. These results underline the significance of the broader life context regarding the experience of chronic illness. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Kozora, Elizabeth; Ellison, Misoo C.; West, Sterling

doi: 10.1002/smi.1253pmid: N/A

We compared the frequency of life stress and coping styles using self‐report measures in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and healthy controls. We also explored the relationship between cognition, life stress and coping. Thirty‐one SLE patients with overt neuropsychiatric (NPSLE) symptoms, 22 SLE patients without overt neuropsychiatric (non‐NPSLE) symptoms and 25 healthy controls completed measures of cognition, life events and coping skills. SLE patients (NP and non‐NP) showed greater use of negative, disengaging coping scales (p = 0.002) and more negative life stress events over the past 6 months (p = 0.018) and past 6–12 months (p = 0.004) compared with controls. NPSLE and non‐NPSLE subjects were higher on a cognitive impairment index (CII) than controls (p < 0.001). Only the NPSLE subjects had significant correlations between CII and negative life events 0–6 months (p < 0.001), negative life events 0–12 months (p < 0.001) and negative coping styles (p = 0.007). SLE patients demonstrated greater negative life events over the past 12 months and tend to utilise greater negative disengaging coping skills. NPSLE patients demonstrate a potential relationship between negative life events, negative coping and cognitive dysfunction. The associations between cognitive changes and life stress and coping suggest the need for integrated behavioural strategies for treatment. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Su, Jian‐An; Weng, Hsu‐Huei; Tsang, Hin‐Yeung; Wu, Jhen‐Long

doi: 10.1002/smi.1261pmid: N/A

Numerous studies have shown that doctors, nurses or other hospital staff may suffer from tremendous stress at work. A high level of work‐related stress might increase vulnerability to mental illness and result in a poor quality of clinical care. This study was conducted in a Taiwanese regional general hospital. Minor psychiatric disorder, depressive disorder and quality of life were assessed for all staff, using self‐rating questionnaires including the Chinese Health Questionnaire 12‐item version, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale brief version. Nearly half of the staff had either a minor psychiatric disorder or depressive disorder. Nurses and pharmacists had the highest prevalence. The risk factors included single/divorced and being a nurse or pharmacist. Quality of life for hospital staff was poor, as compared with the Taiwanese norms, and was even worse for the nurses and pharmacists. In conclusion, the management teams of hospitals should pay more attention to the mental condition of all hospital staff, especially nurses and pharmacists. Adequate staffing, support, counselling or psychological intervention are required for further management, and may logically result in better mental health on the part of the staff and a better quality of care. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Chen, Wei‐Qing; Siu, Oi‐Ling; Lu, Jia‐Fang; Cooper, Cary L.; Phillips, David R.

doi: 10.1002/smi.1263pmid: N/A

This article investigated the relationship between job stressors and employee mental health (depression). It also examined the direct and moderating effects of informal social support (objective and subjective) and coping (active coping, overeating and drinking, passivity, and distancing) on the relationships. Survey data were collected from 843 employees in eight types of domestic‐ and foreign‐invested enterprises in China. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that increased exposure to job stressors was directly associated with higher levels of depression. Subjective informal social support and passivity were found to have direct effect on employees' depression. Further, objective informal social support and distancing buffered the negative effect of job stressors on depression. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed in the paper. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Smith, Andrew Paul

doi: 10.1002/smi.1272pmid: N/A

Hollingworth described chewing gum as ‘a technique of relaxation’. Recent research has examined this issue and there is evidence that chewing gum can prevent the adverse effects of acute stress. There are also plausible biological mechanisms that could explain such effects. It is now important to examine chewing gum and chronic stress and the present study involved a survey of this topic. The survey covered the ‘stress process’, collecting data on exposure to stressful events, levels of perceived stress and health outcomes. Frequency of chewing gum was also recorded. Potential confounding factors (demographics, personality and health‐related behaviours) were also recorded. The web‐based survey was completed by a community sample of 2,248 full‐time workers (68% female. Mean age: 35 years, range 18–74 years). Sixty‐one per cent of the sample were gum chewers. The results showed that chewing gum was associated with lower levels of perceived stress (both at work and life in general). Gum chewers were also less likely to be depressed and to have seen their doctor for high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Chewing gum was associated with lower levels of alcohol consumption and with cigarette smoking. Gum chewers were also more likely to be neurotic extraverts. Those who chewed gum were also more likely to be exposed to negative factors at work. Logistic regression analyses showed that the effects of chewing gum on stress and health remained significant when these confounding factors were controlled for. These results suggest that chewing gum may be a simple way of preventing stress and the negative health outcomes that are often associated with it. Intervention studies are now required and the mechanisms underlying the effects reported here need further investigation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Vaske, Jamie; Beaver, Kevin M.; Wright, John Paul; Boisvert, Danielle; Makarios, Matthew

doi: 10.1002/smi.1277pmid: N/A

The current study examined whether a dopamine receptor gene (DRD2) TaqIA polymorphism and a serotonin transporter polymorphism (5HTTLPR) moderate the effects of stressful life events on depression, and whether these interaction effects vary by type of stressor. In addition, individuals' responses to stressful life circumstances might vary by genotype, gender, and/or race. A sample of 2,023 participants from waves II and III of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) submitted buccal cells for genotyping and completed self‐report surveys that inquired about their victimization and depressive symptoms. Results showed that the DRD2 TaqI polymorphism interacts with specific types of stressful life circumstances, and these results vary across gender and race subgroups. More specifically, the DRD2 polymorphism interacts with witnessed violence to predict higher levels of depressive symptoms among African American females. The DRD2 polymorphism does not moderate the effects of stressful life circumstances on depressive symptoms for White females, White males, or African American males. 5HTTLPR does not moderate the effects of stressful life circumstances on depression in the current study for any of the gender–race subgroups. These findings suggested that the interactive effects of the DRD2 TaqI polymorphism and stressful life circumstances on depressive symptoms might vary by type of stressor, and by ethnicity and gender. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.