scholarly journals Customization of psychosocial stress effects on human health: An intrapersonal conflict perspective

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Sandoz
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Psychosocial Stress ◽  
Interindividual Variability ◽  
Stress Perception ◽  
Stress Effects ◽  
Intrapersonal Conflict ◽  
Internal Forces ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Dual Character

From etiologic, clinical or public health perspectives, differences in psychosocial stress responses remain a huge scientific and medical challenge. We address the customization of psychosocial stress responses in humans by considering our dual character of independent organisms and interdependent social group members as a source of intrapersonal conflicts. By challenging our subjective representations on our social identity, psychosocial stress triggers or exhibits intrapersonal conflicts and may enhance divergence between physiologically-driven and psycho-sociologically-driven internal forces. In this perspective, our individual-specific brain development constitutes a major cause of interindividual variability since it impacts the overall stress-to-disease links. We propose a two-step stress-to-disease etiological chain: i) stress perception and appraisal and ii) response to actually perceived stress. We argue that the first step of stress perception and appraisal is more affected by interindividual variability than the second step of response to actually perceived stress. A psychocognitive approach correlating symptoms with actually perceived stress is proposed to address the epidemiology of psychosocial stress effects. The ability of this approach to reduce interindividual variability biases is discussed. From this perspective, pathological effects of psychosocial stress might be questioned as possible conflict responses internally emerging as the lesser evil, thus corresponding to adaptation attempts.

scholarly journals Customization of psychosocial stress effects on human health: An intrapersonal conflict perspective

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Sandoz
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Psychosocial Stress ◽  
Interindividual Variability ◽  
Stress Perception ◽  
Stress Effects ◽  
Intrapersonal Conflict ◽  
Internal Forces ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Dual Character

From etiologic, clinical or public health perspectives, differences in psychosocial stress responses remain a huge scientific and medical challenge. We address the customization of psychosocial stress responses in humans by considering our dual character of independent organisms and interdependent social group members as a source of intrapersonal conflicts. By challenging our subjective representations on our social identity, psychosocial stress triggers or exhibits intrapersonal conflicts and may enhance divergence between physiologically-driven and psycho-sociologically-driven internal forces. In this perspective, our individual-specific brain development constitutes a major cause of interindividual variability since it impacts the overall stress-to-disease links. We propose a two-step stress-to-disease etiological chain: i) stress perception and appraisal and ii) response to actually perceived stress. We argue that the first step of stress perception and appraisal is more affected by interindividual variability than the second step of response to actually perceived stress. A psychocognitive approach correlating symptoms with actually perceived stress is proposed to address the epidemiology of psychosocial stress effects. The ability of this approach to reduce interindividual variability biases is discussed. From this perspective, pathological effects of psychosocial stress might be questioned as possible conflict responses internally emerging as the lesser evil, thus corresponding to adaptation attempts.

scholarly journals A systemic explanation of denial of pregnancy fitting clinical observations and previous models

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Sandoz
Keyword(s):  
Life Story ◽  
Sufficient Conditions ◽  
Conflict Theory ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Clinical Observations ◽  
Tension Response ◽  
Social Species ◽  
Intrapersonal Conflict ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Dual Character

Introduction: The etiology of denial of pregnancy remains poorly understood. Neither necessary nor sufficient conditions can be synthesized from the risk factors identified from psychological analyses. Furthermore, the involvement of mother-fetus interactions cannot result only from psychology causes in the mother. Although instructive, the few available evolutionary and systemic explanations proposed remain insufficient. This article synthesizes and extends previous knowledge within a systemic model which is fully compatible with clinical observations. Methods: A systemic intrapersonal conflict theory opposing primitive, evolutionary-inherited forces to psycho-sociological forces embodied across individual’s childhood is developed. Results: As members of a social species, human beings have a dual character of independent organisms and of social group members that is a source of customized intrapersonal conflicts. Authors explain denial of pregnancy as a standby-in-tension response to such an unresolved intrapersonal conflict between forand against-pregnancy forces. As long as the woman’s brain is unable to renounce one option in favor of the other, denial of pregnancy offers a standby-in-tension means to postpone conflict resolution. It may thus be considered as temporarily adaptive response. Conclusions: The proposed systemic psycho-evolutionary explanation of denial of pregnancy is fully consistent with clinical observations. It brings into agreement the previously reported models with the advantage of being more synthetic. It is thus compatible with a large diversity of causative events in accordance with the actual life story of each woman concerned. The systemic intrapersonal conflict approach developed herein provides a new means of investigating body-mind problems, especially pseudocyesis.

scholarly journals A systemic explanation of denial of pregnancy fitting clinical observations and previous models

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Sandoz
Keyword(s):  
Life Story ◽  
Sufficient Conditions ◽  
Conflict Theory ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Clinical Observations ◽  
Tension Response ◽  
Social Species ◽  
Intrapersonal Conflict ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Dual Character

Introduction: The etiology of denial of pregnancy remains poorly understood. Neither necessary nor sufficient conditions can be synthesized from the risk factors identified from psychological analyses. Furthermore, the involvement of mother-fetus interactions cannot result only from psychology causes in the mother. Although instructive, the few available evolutionary and systemic explanations proposed remain insufficient. This article synthesizes and extends previous knowledge within a systemic model which is fully compatible with clinical observations. Methods: A systemic intrapersonal conflict theory opposing primitive, evolutionary-inherited forces to psycho-sociological forces embodied across individual’s childhood is developed. Results: As members of a social species, human beings have a dual character of independent organisms and of social group members that is a source of customized intrapersonal conflicts. Authors explain denial of pregnancy as a standby-in-tension response to such an unresolved intrapersonal conflict between forand against-pregnancy forces. As long as the woman’s brain is unable to renounce one option in favor of the other, denial of pregnancy offers a standby-in-tension means to postpone conflict resolution. It may thus be considered as temporarily adaptive response. Conclusions: The proposed systemic psycho-evolutionary explanation of denial of pregnancy is fully consistent with clinical observations. It brings into agreement the previously reported models with the advantage of being more synthetic. It is thus compatible with a large diversity of causative events in accordance with the actual life story of each woman concerned. The systemic intrapersonal conflict approach developed herein provides a new means of investigating body-mind problems, especially pseudocyesis.

scholarly journals Recent Perceived Stress, Amygdala Reactivity to Acute Psychosocial Stress, and Alcohol and Cannabis Use in Adolescents and Young Adults With Bipolar Disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Le ◽  
Dylan E. Kirsch ◽  
Valeria Tretyak ◽  
Wade Weber ◽  
Stephen M. Strakowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Psychosocial Stress ◽  
Acute Stress ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Amygdala Activation ◽  
Amygdala Reactivity

Background: Psychosocial stress negatively affects the clinical course of bipolar disorder. Studies primarily focused on adults with bipolar disorder suggest the impact of stress is progressive, i.e., stress response sensitizes with age. Neural mechanisms underlying stress sensitization are unknown. As stress-related mechanisms contribute to alcohol/substance use disorders, variation in stress response in youth with bipolar disorder may contribute to development of co-occurring alcohol/substance use disorders. This study investigated relations between psychosocial stress, amygdala reactivity, and alcohol and cannabis use in youth with bipolar disorder, compared to typically developing youth.Methods: Forty-two adolescents/young adults [19 with bipolar disorder, 23 typically developing, 71% female, agemean ± SD = 21 ± 2 years] completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Daily Drinking Questionnaire modified for heaviest drinking week, and a modified Montreal Imaging Stress functional MRI Task. Amygdala activation was measured for both the control and stress conditions. Main effects of group, condition, total PSS, and their interactions on amygdala activation were modeled. Relationships between amygdala response to acute stress with recent alcohol/cannabis use were investigated.Results: Greater perceived stress related to increased right amygdala activation in response to the stress, compared to control, condition in bipolar disorder, but not in typically developing youth (group × condition × PSS interaction, p = 0.02). Greater amygdala reactivity to acute stress correlated with greater quantity and frequency of alcohol use and frequency of cannabis use in bipolar disorder.Conclusion: Recent perceived stress is associated with changes in amygdala activation during acute stress with amygdala reactivity related to alcohol/cannabis use in youth with bipolar disorder.

scholarly journals Glutamatergic adaptation to stress in medial prefrontal cortex underlies risk and resilience for pessimistic beliefs

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica A. Cooper ◽  
Makiah R. Nuutinen ◽  
Victoria M. Lawlor ◽  
Brittany A. M. DeVries ◽  
Elyssa M. Barrick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Medial Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Risk And Resilience ◽  
Adaptation To Stress ◽  
Stress Exposure ◽  
Induced Changes ◽  
Ecological Momentary

ABSTRACTStress is a major risk factor for the development of mental illness, including major depressive disorder (MDD), yet the underlying biological mechanisms remain unclear. Particular challenges lie in disentangling adaptive versus maladaptive responses to repeated stress exposure. Preclinically, stress-induced changes in glutamatergic function have been frequently observed in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), a key region for mediating adaptive stress responses. Here, we examined stress-induced changes in mPFC glutamate using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in four human samples varying in perceived stress exposure. Changes in mPFC glutamate following an acute stressor were reliably moderated by recent perceived stress in healthy controls. This adaptive glutamate response was absent in unmedicated individuals with MDD and was associated with excessively pessimistic beliefs as assessed via ecological momentary assessments over a 1-month follow-up period. Taken together, these data provide novel evidence for glutamatergic adaptation to stress in mPFC that is significantly disrupted in MDD.

Perceived stress at work is associated with attenuated DHEA-S response during acute psychosocial stress

2013 ◽  
Vol 38 (9) ◽  
pp. 1650-1657 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna-Karin Lennartsson ◽  
Töres Theorell ◽  
Mark M. Kushnir ◽  
Jonas Bergquist ◽  
Ingibjörg H. Jonsdottir
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Psychosocial Stress ◽  
Stress At Work ◽  
Acute Psychosocial Stress

scholarly journals Objective Evaluation of Psychosocial Stress and Its Association with Cardiovascular Risk in Women

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (04) ◽  
pp. 291-296
Author(s):  
B. Shashi Preetham ◽  
Aditya Upadhyayula ◽  
Madhuri Taranikanti ◽  
M. Aswin Kumar ◽  
Farheen Fatima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Psychosocial Stress ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Objective Evaluation ◽  
Stress Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Cardiovascular Mortality Risk

Abstract Background Psychosocial stress in women is an emerging problem that is by and large unnoticed. Workplaces are being stressful places for women, but the degree of the stress as perceived by them is highly subjective. Aim To evaluate the stress using the 10-item perceived stress scale (PSS-10) and dividing the participants into low, moderate, and severe stress groups based on the scores. To objectively assess the cardiovascular risk using heart rate variability (HRV) as an index. Methods After obtaining informed and written consent, a mixed population of 50 women working at various levels in the hospital, and home-makers were included in the study. PSS-10 questionnaires were administered and scores were obtained. Electrocardiogram was obtained from lead II at rest for 10 minutes, and HRV was estimated using the LabChart Pro software (ADInstruments). Results Of the participants, 72% were in the moderate perceived stress group. Mean PSS scores were 10.33 ± 0.82, 19.72 ± 3.4, and 29.3 ± 2.3 in low, moderate, and high stress groups, respectively. Frequency-domain measures showed very significant difference across the groups. Very low frequency (VLF) was reduced (p = 0.04) and low frequency (LF) was higher (p = 0.01) in the high stress group. Conclusions Reduced VLF in the high perceived stress group is an indicator of higher cardiovascular mortality risk, which also signifies posttraumatic stress disorder. High LF and reduced high-low frequency powers signify autonomic imbalance in these women. Their perceptions of the stress were also more toward the inability to contain positive emotions when compared with having negative emotions related to stress.

scholarly journals Maternal Prenatal Psychosocial Stress and Prepregnancy BMI Associations with Fetal Iron Status

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca K Campbell ◽  
Marcela Tamayo-Ortiz ◽  
Alejandra Cantoral ◽  
Lourdes Schnaas ◽  
Erika Osorio-Valencia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cord Blood ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Life Stress ◽  
Psychosocial Stress ◽  
Maternal Stress ◽  
Iron Status ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Prepregnancy Bmi ◽  
Psychological Dysfunction ◽  
Domains Of Life

ABSTRACT Background Iron accrued in utero is critical for fetal and infant neurocognitive development. Psychosocial stress and obesity can each suppress fetal iron accrual. Their combined effects and differences by fetal sex are not known. In an observational pregnancy cohort study in Mexico City, we investigated associations of maternal prenatal life stressors, psychological dysfunction, and prepregnancy BMI with fetal iron status at delivery. Objectives We hypothesized that greater maternal prenatal psychosocial stress and prepregnancy overweight and obesity are associated with lower cord blood ferritin and hemoglobin (Hb), with stronger associations in boys than girls. Methods Psychosocial stress in multiple domains of life stress (negative life events, perceived stress, exposure to violence) and psychological dysfunction symptoms (depression, generalized anxiety, and pregnancy-specific anxiety) were assessed with validated questionnaires during pregnancy. Prepregnancy BMI was predicted with a validated equation and categorized as normal/overweight/obese. Cord blood ferritin and Hb associations with prenatal psychosocial stress and BMI were modeled in multivariable linear regressions adjusted for maternal age, socioeconomic status, child sex, and prenatal iron supplementation. Interactions with child sex and 3-way stress-overweight/obesity-sex interactions were tested with product terms and likelihood ratio tests. Results In 493 dyads, median (IQR) cord blood ferritin and Hb concentrations were 185 µg/L (126–263 g/dL) and 16 g/dL (14.7–17.1 g/dL), respectively. Ferritin was lower in infants of mothers with higher prenatal perceived stress (−23%; 95% CI: −35%, −9%), violence exposure (−28%; 95% CI: −42%, −12%), anxiety symptoms (−16%; 95% CI: −27%, −4%), and obesity (−17%; 95% CI: −31%, 0.2%). Interaction models suggested sex differences and synergism between maternal stress and overweight/obesity. No associations were observed between stress or BMI and Hb. Conclusions Multiple prenatal psychosocial stressors and excess prepregnancy BMI were each inversely associated with fetal iron status at birth. Pregnancies and infants at elevated risk of impaired fetal iron accrual may be identifiable according to observed synergism between maternal stress and obesity and differential associations with fetal iron status by infant sex.

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