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Obesity and depression often co-occur and are interdependent. However, evidence regarding the association between body fat percentage in different regions and depression is scarce. Additionally, the impacts of sex-specific and BMI-stratified differences on the relationship between body fat percentage and depression remain unclear. Data were drawn from the NHANES for the years 2005–2006 and 2011–2018. Body fat percentage was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Depression was evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Survey-weighted binary logistic regression analyses were employed to investigate the relationship between body fat percentage and depression. Stratification analysis were stratified by sex and BMI. This study comprised 10,694 participants. Controlling confounders, the higher quartile of total body fat percentage was associated with increased OR for depression (Q4 vs Q1: OR, 1.46; 95 % CI, 1.04–2.05) as well as for leg (Q4 vs Q1: OR, 1.48; 95 % CI, 1.07–2.05), gynoid (Q4 vs Q1: OR, 1.51; 95 % CI, 1.11–2.05), subtotal (Q4 vs Q1: OR, 1.47; 95 % CI, 1.06–2.03) and head (Q3 vs Q1: OR, 1.30; 95 % CI, 1.00–1.68). In stratification analysis by sex and BMI, body fat percentage seemed to be more closely associated with depression in males or in the underweight and overweight groups. Cross-sectional study design and self-reported depression. Elevated body fat percentage was strongly associated with higher prevalence of depression, especially in males or in the underweight and overweight groups. • Depression prevalence linked to higher body fat percentage, notably in total, leg, gynoid region, subtotal, and head. • Body fat percentage impact on depression more pronounced in males. • Stronger association between body fat percentage and depression in underweight and overweight groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postpartum depression (PPD) is one of the most common mental disorders in parents after birth. To develop tailored preventive programs, it is necessary to identify risk factors for PPD in parents. This study aimed to examine the impact of parental childhood maltreatment (CM) as a risk factor for PPD. Data from a German study comprising n = 349 mothers and n = 46 fathers were used. Hierarchical regression models were performed to examine CM, educational background, single parenthood, emotion regulation and attachment style as predictors of symptoms of PPD. In exploratory analyses, potential mediators (i.e., parenting stress and emotion regulation) were investigated via a path model. CM, low level of education, difficulties in emotion regulation, and attachment anxiety were significant predictors for maternal PPD [ R 2 = 0.52, F (6, 305) = 57.99, p <.001]. For fathers, difficulties in emotion regulation were identified as a predictor [ R 2 = 0.43, F (6, 24) = 4.78, p <.01]. In exploratory analyses, emotion regulation served as a mediator for the link between CM and PPD as well as for the link between CM and parenting stress. The study design is cross-sectional and based on self-report questionnaires. Despite our attempts, only few fathers participated in the study, resulting in an underpowered sample for the regression analyses. The study confirmed the assumption that CM experiences represent a risk factor for the development of maternal PPD. Emotion regulation might provide a pivotal target for interventions with parents at-risk. • This study investigated risk factors for postpartum depression in men and women. • Childhood maltreatment increases the risk for postpartum depressive symptoms. • Emotional abuse and neglect are associated with postpartum depressive symptoms. • Emotion regulation provides a promising target for preventing postpartum depression. • Attachment anxiety and educational background are linked with postpartum depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Becoming a father is a critical period of life transition. Evidence suggests that a lifetime history of mental health disorder/s and elevated depressive symptoms prior to conception increase risk for men's post-natal depression. Less is understood about the role of positive mental health, or wellbeing, as a protective factor for future depressive outcomes during the transition to fatherhood. The present study investigated whether men's post-natal depressive outcomes were associated with pre-conception levels of wellbeing and whether wellbeing during the post-natal period predicted depressive outcomes post-infancy. Secondary analysis of data from a national, longitudinal cohort study of men's health, namely, The Ten to Men (TTM) Study, was conducted. Participants in the pre-conception sample were n = 350 men for whom data were available at both a pre-conception baseline and post-natal follow-up period. The post-natal sample were n = 427 men with post-natal baseline data and post-infancy follow-up data. Multivariate negative binomial regressions and logistic regression models were used to determine pre-conception and post-natal predictors of future depressive outcomes. Men's pre-conception depressive symptoms were the best predictor of post-natal depressive symptoms (IRR = 1.089, p < 0.001) and risk of moderate-severe depression (IRR = 1.193, p = 0.005) the latter of which was also predicted by a previous mental health diagnosis (IRR = 3.079, p = 0.029). Similarly, post-natal depressive symptoms were the best predictor of post-infancy depressive symptoms (IRR = 1.089, p < 0.001) and risk of moderate-severe depression (IRR = 1.193, p = 0.005) alongside lifetime prevalence of a mental health disorder (symptoms: IRR = 1.317, p = 0.011; moderate-severe depression: IRR = 2.606, p = 0.023). Pre-conception levels of wellbeing predicted lower post-natal depressive symptoms (IRR = 0.988, p < 0.001) and reduced risk of moderate-severe depression (IRR = 0.940, p = 0.002) after controlling for baseline symptoms and socio-demographic and behavioural confounds; however, wellbeing during the post-natal period did not predict either of the depressive outcomes post-infancy. Fatherhood-specific risk factors for mental health outcomes (e.g., conception difficulties, maternal post-natal mental health) were not assessed in the present study, and only one aspect of wellbeing was captured. Screening for history of common mental health disorders and current symptoms is recommended to inform preventative approaches to paternal mental health care during early fatherhood. Inclusion of wellbeing in such screening procedures may be beneficial; however, further research is required to elucidate the prospective associations between wellbeing and depressive symptoms during the transition to fatherhood. • Approximately 1 in 10 men screen positive for depression in the postnatal period. • Future depressive outcomes are best predicted by prior mental ill-health. • Preconception wellbeing protective against postnatal depressive outcomes • Postnatal wellbeing not associated with depressive outcomes post-infancy [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Internet use and the results of mental health are related. Numbers of studies presented the association between Internet use and depression, and the middle-aged and elderly adults with multimorbidity are of concern. The study aimed to explore the relationship between Internet use and depression in middle-aged and elderly adults with multimorbidity. Methods: We selected 2550 respondents aged 45 years and above with multimorbidity from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) 2018 database. Logistic regression models were constructed to examine the effects of Internet use on depression, as well as comparing gender differences. Meanwhile, propensity score matching (PSM) was used to test the robustness of the results. Results: Overall, 49.8% of respondents had a risk of developing depression, and 14.9% of the participants used the Internet. Internet use (OR = 0.66, P = 0.002), type of devices (one type: OR = 0.69, P =.011;≥2 types: OR = 0.53, P = 0.03), frequency of Internet use (regularly: OR = 0.67, P = 0.005) were all inversely associated with depression. Significant differences between genders were observed, Internet use was associated with a lower prevalence of depression among men, while the association was not statistically significant among women. Conclusions: There is a significantly negative association between Internet use and depression in the middle-aged and elderly adults with multimorbidity in China, and this relationship varies across different genders. This suggests that Internet use may be a protective factor for depressive symptoms in the older population, offering a guideline for policymakers to develop specific strategies for different genders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Depressive disorders are highly prevalent among people with HIV (PWH) and are related to aberrant inflammation and immune responses. However, there is currently a lack of investigation into the neurological, inflammatory, endocrine, and immune aspects of HIV-associated depressive disorders (HADD). Methods: The study involved 33 HIV-positive men who have sex with men with depressive disorders (HADD group) and 47 without neuropsychiatric disorders (HIV control group). Participants underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scans and assessments of peripheral blood. Peripheral blood cytokines, plasma concentrations of hormone and neurotrophic factors, and immune cell levels were determined using liquid chip, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. The correlation of imaging alterations with clinical variables and peripheral blood indicators was assessed. Results: Compared to the HIV control group, the HADD group exhibited a higher fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations in the left superior parietal gyrus, lower regional homogeneity in the left precentral gyrus, and reduced voxel-wise functional connectivity for the seed region in the right precentral gyrus with clusters in the right cuneus, etc. Furthermore, the HADD group had higher levels of interferon-gamma, a higher frequency of non-classical monocytes, and higher expression levels of perforin and CD38 on specific cells. These imaging results were significantly correlated with peripheral blood indicators and clinical variables. Conclusion: This rs-fMRI study provides considerable evidence for abnormal intrinsic brain activity in people with HADD. Furthermore, our data also indicate the detrimental effects of depression-related inflammation on PWH. Therefore, it is imperative to increase attention to HADD and implement effective preventive interventions accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined exposure to adulthood traumatic life events (TLEs) and their associations with depression in women and men. Then we examined whether those associations are independent of exposure loading and vulnerability including familial confounding. The fourth survey in 2011 of the population-based Finnish Twin Cohort had 8410 participants (45 % men, mean age 60 years). Using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale, depression was defined using a cut-off value ≥20. Participants reported exposure to TLEs during adulthood. Logistic regression adjusted for multiple covariates was used as the individual-based analyses. Familial confounding was tested using conditional logistic regression in 399 twin pairs discordant for depression. More women (15 %) than men (11 %) were depressed. Men reported more traffic accidents (men: 11.8 %, women: 7.4 %), other serious accidents (11.8 %, 5.8 %), and violent crime (3.1 %, 2.0 %) whereas women reported more sexual assault (0.7 %, 10.6 %). Violent crime (Odds Ratio 3.86; 95 % Confidence Intervals 2.59, 5.73), sexual assault (3.49; 2.67, 4.55), physical assault (3.10; 2.45, 3.93), and other serious accidents (1.36; 1.01, 1.85) were associated with depression. These associations, except other serious accidents, remained significant after adjusting for multiple covariates including shared familial factors. The associations did not differ by sex. A relatively small set of relevant TLEs was reported retrospectively and the order of TLEs was not assessed. Women and men differ in exposure to TLEs but, if exposed, they are equally vulnerable for depression. Because traumatic life events are robustly associated with depression, they should be considered in treatment. • We observed higher prevalence of depression among women compared with men. • Exposure to unique traumatic life events differs between women and men. • Traumatic life events were robustly associated with depression in both sexes. • Sex differences in exposure are relevant to treatment of depression. • Similar vulnerability should be considered in treatment of depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression and comorbid pain are frequently encountered clinically, and the comorbidity complicates the overall medical management. However, the mechanism whereby depression triggers development of pain needs to be further elucidated. Here, by using the chronic restraint stress (CRS) mouse model of depression and comorbid pain, we showed that CRS hyperactivated the glutamatergic neurons in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), as well as increasing the dendrite complexity and number. Chemogenetic activation of these neurons can induce depression and pain, while chemogenetic blockade can reverse such depression-induced pain. Moreover, we utilized translating ribosome affinity purification (TRAP) in combination with c-Fos-tTA strategy and pharmacological approaches and identified SIGMAR1 as a potential therapeutic molecular target. These results revealed a previously unknown neural mechanism for depression and pain comorbidity and provided new mechanistic insights into the antidepressive and analgesic effects of the disease. Molecular profiling reveals the role of SIGMAR1 in anterior cingulate cortex glutamatergic neurons in regulating the comorbid pain in depression in male mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While research suggests that sexual racism is prevalent within the gay community, studies have neglected to examine how this specific manifestation of racism influences queer Asian American men’s mental health. Queer Asian American men’s health outcomes are often overlooked as racism-related studies tend to homogenize queer Asian American men with queer men of color broadly. Thus, the present study examined the association between sexual racism and queer Asian American men’s depressive symptomatology and hazardous drinking, as well as the moderating role of collective racial self-esteem. The final sample consisted of 151 queer Asian American men who completed a 30-minute cross-sectional survey. Regression analyses indicated that sexual racism was positively associated with depressive symptomatology, whereas it was not associated with hazardous drinking. Additionally, collective racial self-esteem was not found to have a moderating effect. These findings underscore the necessity of racial justice-promoting interventions to minimize queer Asian American men’s experience of sexual racism in gay communities. Results also highlight the importance of developing culturally congruent training for clinicians working with queer Asian American men to gain an understanding of how sexual racism impacts this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjectivesMethodResultsConclusionThis study aimed to investigate the impact of sensory impairments on well-being, depression symptoms, and relationship satisfaction among older adults, and to examine whether these associations vary by gender.The study analyzed a sample of 640 Danish individuals aged 60 and older. Multilevel modeling was conducted using PROC MIXED in SAS to assess the impact of sensory impairments on well-being, depression symptoms, and relationship satisfaction. A two-step approach was employed to evaluate the main effects and interaction terms of sensory impairments and gender, controlling for covariates such as age, education, and relationship length.Both vision and hearing impairments were significantly associated with lower well-being and higher depression symptoms in men and women. However, a gender difference was observed for the association between vision impairment and relationship satisfaction: greater vision impairment was associated with lower relationship satisfaction among men but not among women.The findings add nuance to the understanding of how sensory impairments may affect older men and women, highlighting both gender similarities and differences. The study also discusses possible interpretations of the findings, suggesting that social and cultural factors may influence how sensory impairments affect mental and relational health outcomes differently for men and women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Depression presents sexual dimorphism, and one important factor that increases the frequency of depression and contributes to sex-specific variations in its presentation is obesity. The conventional use of Body Mass Index (BMI) as an indicator of obesity is inherently limited due to its inability to distinguish between fat and lean mass, which limits its predictive utility for depression risk. Implementation of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) investigated sex-specific associations between body composition (fat mass, appendicular lean mass) and depression. Methods: Data from the NHANES cycles between 2011 and 2018 were analyzed, including 3,637 participants (1,788 males and 1,849 females). Four body composition profiles were identified in the subjects: low adiposity-low muscle (LA-LM), low adiposity-high muscle (LA-HM), high adiposity-low muscle (HA-LM) and high adiposity-high muscle (HA-HM). After accounting for confounding variables, the associations between fat mass index (FMI), appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI), body fat percentage (BFP), body composition phenotypes, and depression risk were assessed using restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves and multivariable logistic regression models. We further conducted interaction analyses for ASMI and FMI in females. Results: RCS curves indicated a U-shaped relationship between ASMI and the risk of depression in males. Logistic regression analysis revealed that in males, the second (OR = 0.43, 95%CI:0.22–0.85) and third (OR = 0.35, 95%CI:0.14–0.86) quartile levels of ASMI were significantly negatively associated with depression risk. In females, increases in BFP (OR = 1.06, 95%CI:1.03–1.09) and FMI (OR = 1.08, 95% CI:1.04–1.12) were significantly associated with an increased risk of depression. Additionally, compared to females with a low-fat high-muscle phenotype, those with LA-LM (OR = 3.97, 95%CI:2.16–7.30), HA-LM (OR = 5.40, 95%CI:2.34–12.46), and HA-HM (OR = 6.36, 95%CI:3.26–12.37) phenotypes were more likely to develop depression. Interestingly, further interaction analysis of ASMI and FMI in females revealed an interplay between height-adjusted fat mass and muscle mass (OR = 4.67, 95%CI: 2.04–10.71). Conclusion: The findings demonstrate how important it is to consider body composition when estimating the risk of depression, particularly in females. There is a substantial correlation between the LA-LM, HA-LM, and HA-HM phenotypes in females with a higher prevalence of depression. It is advised to use a preventative approach that involves gaining muscle mass and losing fat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study explores the nature of the relationship between household size and depressive symptoms under COVID-19 strict lockdown conditions, when a surge in large-size households observed in South Africa. The study used nationally representative data to implement covariate balancing propensity scores within a multivalued treatment framework (by varying household size) to control for observables. While the study found that both solo living and large-sized households are positively associated with depressive symptoms for males, the depressive symptoms for females are not found to be strongly associated with household size. Further, the analysis indicates that the higher average depressive symptoms observed for males compared to females under the COVID-19 pandemic are largely driven by males in large-size households. The gendered effect points to the different roles that men and women continue to play within the household. The need for policy interventions to consider living arrangements is highlighted through this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms suggestive of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) is notably high and potentially elevates the likelihood of depressive symptoms. This study was designed to employ both cross-sectional and longitudinal methodologies to explore the correlation between LUTS/BPH and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and elderly men in China. This investigation utilized data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), with the initial dataset from 2015 serving as the baseline and subsequent data from 2018 and 2020 facilitating longitudinal analysis. The study encompassed a baseline cohort of 5156 men aged 45 years and above, and an expansive longitudinal analytical sample of 23,530 participants spanning from 2015 to 2020. The assessment of depressive symptoms was conducted using the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depressive Symptoms Scale (CESD-10). To investigate the factors associated with LUTS/BPH, the relationship between LUTS/BPH and depressive symptoms, and to evaluate the incidence rate of depressive symptoms onset based on LUTS/BPH status, multivariate logistic analyses and logistic regression models were employed. Our results reveal a markedly higher incidence of depressive symptoms among individuals with LUTS/BPH, at 30.16 %, compared to 22.94 % in those without LUTS/BPH. This pattern was consistent in both mild and moderate depressive symptoms categories. However, the prevalence of severe depressive symptoms did not exhibit a significant disparity between the two groups. Longitudinal analysis spanning from 2015 through 2018 and 2020 further corroborated these observations. Individuals with LUTS/BPH showed a substantially higher incidence of depressive symptoms across all severity levels compared to those without LUTS/BPH. Specifically, the presence of LUTS/BPH was linked to a 53 % heightened risk of mild depressive symptoms, a 45 % increase in moderate depressive symptoms, and an alarming 229 % surge in severe depressive symptoms risk between 2015 and 2018. Additionally, from 2015 to 2020, there was a 30 % increased risk for mild depressive symptoms, a 41 % rise for moderate depressive symptoms, and a 106 % escalation in the risk of severe depressive symptoms among those with LUTS/BPH. In middle-aged and older Chinese adults, LUTS/BPH were correlated with an elevated risk of depressive symptoms. • General health status, socioeconomic status, comorbidities and other factors play a role in the occurrence and development of LUTS/BPH. • Cross-sectional studies link LUTS/BPH to depressive symptoms. • A significantly increased risk of new-onset depression in LUTS/BPH patients. • Longitudinal studies have shown that LUTS/BPH patients have a significantly increased risk of new-onset depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Major depressive disorder (MDD) exhibits notable sex differences in prevalence and clinical and neurobiological manifestations. Though the relationship between peripheral inflammation and MDD-related brain changes is well studied, the role of sex as a modifying factor is underexplored. This study aims to assess how sex influences brain and inflammatory markers in MDD. We utilized voxel-based and surface-based morphometry to analyze gray matter (GM) structure, along with GM-based spatial statistics (GBSS) to examine GM microstructure among treatment-naive patients with depression (n = 174) and age-matched healthy controls (n = 133). We uncovered sex-by-diagnosis interactions in several limbic system structures, the frontoparietal operculum and temporal regions. Post hoc analyses revealed that male patients exhibit pronounced brain abnormalities, while no significant differences were noted in females despite their higher depressive scores. Additionally, heightened inflammation levels in MDD were observed in both sexes, with sex-specific effects on sex-specific brain phenotypes, particularly including a general negative correlation in males. Intriguingly, mediation analyses highlight the specific role of the parahippocampal gyrus (PHG) in mediating interleukin (IL)-8 and depression in men. The findings suggest that in clinical practice, it would be beneficial to prioritize sex-specific assessments and interventions for MDD. This includes recognizing the possibility that male patients may experience significant brain alterations, especially when identifying male patients who may underreport symptoms. Possible limitations encompass a small sample size and the cross-sectional design. In future research, the incorporation of longitudinal studies or diverse populations, while considering illness duration, will enhance our understanding of how inflammation interacts with brain changes in depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depressive symptoms can spillover between romantic partners. From an attachment lens, depressive symptoms passing from one partner to another may be more frequent in the context of anxious attachment. Using 1179 German couples who remained together across 4 years (five waves) from the Panel Analysis on Intimate Relationships and Family Dynamics, analyses tested the extent anxious attachment moderated the initial level of depressive symptom spillover between partners' depressive symptom trajectories. Results revealed that men's and women's higher initial depressive symptoms were not significantly associated with changes in their partners' depressive symptom trajectories. However, the current study found that women's anxious attachment was associated with the link between men's initial depressive symptoms and the trajectory of women's depressive symptoms. Specifically, women who were more anxiously attached had a small, but greater risk of experiencing increased depressive symptom spillover across a four‐year period when their male partners had higher initial depressive symptoms. Together, this suggests depressive symptom spillover did occur among a general population of German couples, but primarily in the context of more anxiously attached women. Future research should examine the role attachment plays in the depressive symptom spillover among couples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a new species of Cyrtodactylus from Sentul, a suburb of Bogor City, West Java, Indonesia that belongs to the C. marmoratus species group. The new species is the fourth Cyrtodactylus reported from Java. It is small (SVL 46.3–53.8 mm) and nocturnal. A combination of the following characteristics distinguishes the new species from all other congeners: supralabials 11–13; infralabials 9–11; tubercles on the dorsal surface of upper arm absent; tubercles on ventrolateral body folds present; longitudinal dorsal tubercle rows 18–20; paravertebral tubercles 27–34; ventral scale rows 37–40 at midbody; grooved precloacal depression in males; enlarged precloacofemoral scales present, containing 12 or 13 precloacal pores and 2–4 femoral pores; separated by 5–7 normal scales; subdigital lamellae on fourth toe 18–23; and enlarged transverse median subcaudals absent. The new species is genetically divergent from the other two Javan congeners of the C. marmoratus group—C. marmoratus and C. semiadii—with genetic divergences (p-distances) of 21.3–22.3% in the mitochondrial ND2 gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthetic opioids such as fentanyl are key drivers of the opioid crisis, contributing to approximately 68% of the nearly 108,000 deaths linked to drug overdose in 2022 (CDC). Though fentanyl is a μ opioid receptor agonist, it demonstrates enhanced lipophilicity, heightened potency to induce respiratory depression, and more rapid central nervous system entry compared to certain other opioids, i.e., morphine. However, there are relatively few biodistribution comparison studies of fentanyl and classical opioids like morphine in mice, despite the use of mice as preclinical models of opioid effects, i.e., respiratory depression. Therefore, the current study compared acute fentanyl (0.3 mg/kg) and morphine (30 mg/kg) biodistribution in blood and 12 tissues at doses causing respiratory depression in male Swiss Webster mice. Whole-body plethysmography was used to select fentanyl and morphine doses producing comparable respiratory depression, and an LC/MS-MS protocol was developed to quantify fentanyl, morphine, and metabolites in diverse tissue samples. Drug distribution time courses varied by tissue, with fentanyl and morphine displaying similar time courses in the lung, stomach, and small intestine, but differing in the brain and spleen. Fentanyl exhibited greater distribution out of the blood and into the brain, liver, lung, and heart than morphine early after administration and out of the blood into fat at later time points after administration. The ratios of total drug distribution (area under the curve) in tissue–blood over time suggest that fentanyl accumulation in tissue relative to blood in several areas, such as lung, heart, kidney, spleen, fat, and small intestine, is greater than morphine. These findings indicate that fentanyl administration may affect several organs to a larger degree than morphine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Negative family interactions have an adverse impact on adolescent mental health. The present study focused on the influence of family incivility on adolescent depression. In order to examine the association of family incivility with depression, an integrated framework was constructed to explore the mediating role of self-compassion and the moderating role of sex differences. Two waves of data were collected from 999 Chinese senior high school students (43.6% males and 56.4% females), with a mean age of 16.58 ± 0.54 years. Time 1 family incivility was positively associated with depression at Time 2 (r = 0.40, p < 0.001). Sex differences moderated the link between family incivility and self-compassion, with their association being significant in females (B = −0.07, SE = 0.03, p = 0.013) but not in males (B = 0.03, SE = 0.03, p = 0.376). Regarding the effect of family incivility on depression, the direct effect was significant only in males (B = 0.13, SE = 0.03, p < 0.001), whereas the indirect effect via self-compassion was significant only in females (B = 0.01, SE = 0.01, 95% CI [0.0010, 0.0232]). The present findings revealed a positive association between family incivility and adolescent depression. Moreover, family incivility has a direct impact on depression in male adolescents and an indirect impact through self-compassion in female adolescents. These findings underscore the important role of adolescent sex differences in the impact of family incivility on adolescent depression and highlight the practical importance of developing interventions to reduce family incivility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Loneliness and depression are serious public mental health problems. Meaning in life (MIL) is associated with reduced loneliness and depression. This study aimed to: (1) investigate associations between loneliness, MIL, and depression, differentiated by sex in individuals aged ≥ 50 years, residing in 26 European countries and Israel, and (2) to examine in men and women separately whether MIL mediated the relationship between loneliness and depression. We included 41,372 individuals (23,789 women) who responded to wave 8 of the SHARE project. The variables analyzed were loneliness (UCLA), depression (EURO-D scale), and MIL (CASP-19). The analytical procedures included regression analysis and exploratory mediation analysis. Among men and women, the odds of loneliness increasing depression were 3.6 and 3.3 times higher, respectively. Among men, feeling MIL sometimes or often had odds for reducing depression by 0.53 and 0.21, respectively. In women, feeling MIL sometimes or frequently reduced the odds of depression by 0.37 and 0.19, respectively. Regardless of sex, mediation analyses showed a positive association between loneliness and depression, while MIL was negatively associated with loneliness and depression. MIL partially mediated the association between LON and depression in male and female models by approximately 83.2% and 80.7%, respectively. No differences were found between men's and women's mediation models. Regardless of sex, high levels of MIL seem to be effective in benefiting the mental health of Europeans aged 50 and over. MIL proved to be a significant mediator of the relationship between loneliness and depression, while loneliness and depression strengthened each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Men have an increased risk to die by suicide compared to women but are underrepresented in suicide research. To improve individual risk prediction for suicide‐related thoughts and behaviors (STBs), risk factors are increasingly being studied at an individual level. The possible affect‐regulatory function of suicidal ideation has hardly been investigated ideographically and has not yet been tested in a male sample. Methods: We investigated the bidirectional associations between suicidal ideation and negative and positive affect in a sample of n = 21 male inpatients with unipolar depression and a history of suicidal ideation both at the group level and at the individual level. Participants underwent an intensive ecological momentary assessment for 6 days with 10 data points per day. Results: We found no evidence for an affect‐regulatory function of suicidal ideation at the group level, neither for effects of affect on subsequent suicidal ideation (antecedent affect‐regulatory hypothesis) nor for effects of suicidal ideation on subsequent affect (consequence affect‐regulatory hypothesis). Person‐specific analyses revealed substantial variability in strength and direction of the considered associations, especially for the associations representing the antecedent hypothesis. Conclusion: The demonstrated between‐person heterogeneity points to the necessity to individualize the investigation of risk factors to enhance prediction and prevention of STBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goals of this cross-sectional study were to determine associations between Big Five personality traits and the fear of COVID-19 infection among male prisoners and to assess whether anxiety and depression helped explain any of these associations. The sample comprised 168 Caucasian male prisoners aged 20 to 69. We measured personality traits using the Polish version of the Ten Item Personality Inventory and fear of COVID-19 infection using an 11-point rating scale. We evaluated participants' mental health status using the General Anxiety Disorder-7 and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scales. Fear of COVID-19 infection was negatively correlated with extraversion, openness, and agreeableness, and positively correlated with anxiety and depression. No correlations were observed between COVID-19 infection fear and emotional stability or conscientiousness. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that only low openness to experience significantly predicted COVID-19 infection fear. Anxiety and depression mediated the association between openness and COVID-19 infection fear. The importance of openness, anxiety, and depression may be considered in psychotherapy focused on reducing fear of COVID-19 infection among prisoners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) use is on the rise among athletes and bodybuilders worldwide. In addition to the well-documented adverse effects on hepatic, renal, and reproductive functions, there is an increasing recognition of psychiatric complications associated with AAS use. This study aimed to investigate psychiatric morbidity among male bodybuilders who are AAS users. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 25 male bodybuilders using AAS (mean age 31.2 ± 8.9 years) were compared with a control group of 25 healthy male bodybuilders matched in age (31.3 ± 5.5 years). The demographic, hormonal, and biochemical parameters of the participants were recorded. The impact of AAS use on psychiatric morbidity was assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) in both groups. Results: The BDI and BAI scores were significantly higher in male bodybuilders using anabolic-androgenic steroids (p < 0.0001). While the control group showed no instances of anxiety, seven individuals in the AAS user group reported mild anxiety. No participants in the control group exhibited depression, whereas seven AAS users displayed depressive symptoms (4 mild, 3 moderate). Correlations were observed between lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and BAI scores, creatinine levels and both BAI and BDI scores, as well as between estradiol levels and BDI. Conclusion: The study concluded that AAS use among male bodybuilders is associated with elevated levels of depression and anxiety. Our findings suggest a potential correlation between anxiety and depression levels and the levels of creatinine, LDH, and estradiol in AAS users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persistently poor sleep quality in young adults is linked to a higher risk of depression. However, the impact of changes in sleep quality on depression risk in middle-aged and older adults remain unclear. This study investigates the association between sleep quality, its changes, and the risk of depression in middle-aged and elderly people. We included 4007 participants (mean age 63.0 ± 7.6 years, 53.0 % women) from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Sleep quality was assessed using the Jenkins Sleep Problems Scale and a global sleep quality question. Depression was evaluated with the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and self-reported doctor-diagnosed depression. Multivariable logistic regression, restricted cubic spline curve, and mediation analysis was employed. After 10 years of follow-up, 777 individuals developed depression. Sleep quality scores positively correlated with depression risk. Among those with good sleep quality, worsening sleep quality increased depression risk (OR = 1.67, 95 % CI: 1.21–2.31). For those with intermediate sleep quality, improved sleep quality reduced depression risk (OR = 0.70, 95 % CI: 0.50–0.98). Conversely, worsening sleep quality increased depression risk (OR = 2.11, 95 % CI: 1.47–3.02). Pain and functional disability partially mediated the association between intermediate/poor sleep quality and depression (9.8 % and 4.2 %, respectively). Sleep quality is based on self-reported. Intermediate, poor, and worsening sleep quality are linked to higher depression risk. Improving sleep quality mitigates depression risk in those with intermediate sleep quality. Sleep quality may influence depression indirectly through pain and functional disability. • This pioneering study investigates how changes in sleep quality relate to depression risk among middle-aged and older adults. • Improve sleep quality significantly reduced depression risk in men and older adults. • Worsen sleep quality increased depression risk more in women and older adults. • Sleep quality may affect depression indirectly through pain and functional disability. • It could provide insights for depression prevention and intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women are twice at risk of developing depression compared to men. This risk is even higher during pregnancy where many physiological, hormonal, social, and psychological changes occur. Prevalence studies show perinatal mental disorders are at least as prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa as they are in high-income and other low- and middle-income sub-regions. The mean weighted prevalence of both antenatal and postpartum depression are 11.3% and 18.3%, respectively, and the mean prevalence of both prenatal and postpartum anxiety is 14.8% and 14%, respectively in both high and low- and middle-income countries. Although maternal mental disorders, including antenatal depression, are widespread and have serious consequences, there remains a lack of understanding and inadequate care provided to pregnant women, by midwives who are their main healthcare providers. Therefore, this study aims to explore the midwives' knowledge of antenatal depression before and after a training session on antenatal depression. The study will follow a qualitative research methodology and will be conducted in a Community Healthcare Center, in South Africa. In-depth individual interviews will be conducted with the midwives who attend to pregnant women at the study site before and after a training session on antenatal depression. Elo and Knygas' content analysis will be used to analyse data. It is hoped that the results of the study may provide support for advocating the integration of mental health services into maternal care programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Infertility is increasingly recognized as a global health issue affecting couples of reproductive age, with male factors contributing to approximately 50% of infertility cases. However, the association between depression and anxiety-two of the most prevalent mental health conditions-and impaired male fertility remains a subject of ongoing debate. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, male participants seeking fertility counseling at an IVF clinic were recruited. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), respectively. Generalized linear regression models (GLMs) were employed to investigate the relationships between mental health status and semen parameters. Results: Status of depression was negatively associated with semen quality parameters, whereas no statistically significant association was recognized between anxiety and semen quality except that sperm concentration was decreased by 25.60 (95% CI, 1.226 to 49.965, P =0.040) ×106/ml in moderate to severe anxiety group referring to normal group. Furthermore, when stratified by sleep duration, moderate to severe depression group showed a great decrease in progressive motility (PR), total motility, concentration and total sperm count (TSC) as referred to normal group in participants with sleep duration less than 7 hours. Conclusion: The present study revealed that depression rather than anxiety was a negative factor that affected semen quality, especially in individuals with shorter sleep duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The excessive secretion of glucocorticoids resulting from the overactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is a crucial factor in the pathogenesis of depression. RIPK3 plays a significant role in apoptosis and necroptosis. Glucocorticoids have been implicated in directly regulating the expression of RIPK3, leading to apoptosis and necroptosis of osteoblasts. This suggests that RIPK3 may contribute to cell death induced by glucocorticoids. However, the precise involvement of RIPK3 in glucocorticoid-induced depression remains poorly understood. In this study, a mouse model of depression was established by repeated corticosterone injections to examine the impact of RIPK3 knockdown on depression-like behavior. Additionally, a corticosterone-induced HT22 injury model was also established to investigate the role of RIPK3 in corticosterone-induced neuronal cell death and underlying mechanisms. Our findings demonstrate that hippocampal RIPK3 knockdown effectively ameliorated depression-related symptoms and restored synaptic plasticity impairment caused by corticosterone. Furthermore, treatment with the RIPK3 inhibitor GSK872 in vitro successfully mitigated corticosterone-induced HT22 cell death. Additionally, the administration of a free radical scavenger alleviated neuronal death and effectively suppressed the expression of corticosterone-induced RIPK3. The limitation of this study is that only the changes of RIPK3 in the hippocampus of depressed male animals were studied. These results suggest that corticosterone may induce RIPK3-dependent neuronal cell death and impair synaptic plasticity through the generation of high levels of oxidative stress, ultimately leading to depression-like behavior. Excessive corticosterone levels resulted in RIPK3-dependent neuronal loss and impairment of synaptic plasticity, ultimately leading to depression-like behavior. Elevated levels of RIPK3 may be associated with increased intracellular oxidative stress caused by corticosterone. Moreover, there was a detrimental cycle of reciprocal reinforcement between RIPK3 and oxidative stress, exacerbating the damage induced by corticosterone. Knockdown of RIPK3 in the hippocampus effectively reversed the depression-like behavior, synaptic plasticity impairment, and neuronal loss induced by corticosterone. [Display omitted] • Corticosterone increases RIPK3-level in the hippocampus. • Elevated RIPK3 leads to depressive behavior through neuronal death promotion. • RIPK3 down-regulation prevents corticosterone-induced depression-like behavior. • A corticosterone-induced increase of RIPK3 is associated with excessive oxidative stress. • Targeting RIPK3 represents a new treatment strategy of depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine how positive and negative relationship characteristics and their interaction were predictive of global relationship happiness, psychological symptoms, and physical health in a large sample of older couples. The NSHAP Wave 2 partner data n = 955) were used to estimate both actor (within person) and partner (between person) effects using the Actor Partner Interdependence Model with Moderation. Global relationship happiness was predicted by the interaction of positive and negative characteristics, suggesting that more positive characteristics are only predictive of greater happiness in the presence of some negative characteristics. Male partners' depressive symptoms were predicted by the female partners' interaction of positive and negative characteristics, suggesting that negative characteristics were only associated with male partner depressive symptoms when positive characteristics were rated very low by their partner. Positive and negative characteristics were predictive of anxiety and stress but not their interaction, and only the male partner's perception of positive characteristics was predictive of the female partner's physical health. These results are discussed in the context of controversy over the measurement of relationship satisfaction in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Depending on the disease’s stage, type 2 diabetes can impact anxiety, depression, and health-related quality of life. This study aimed to compare the health-related quality of life, anxiety, and depression of men and women recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes to that of healthy controls. Methods: There were 100 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients (50 females and 50 males), as well as 100 healthy controls (50 females and 50 males). Each participant receives three questionnaires: the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Results: Compared to controls, patients’ scores on the SF-36 for total, physical, and mental health were lower for both genders. Compared to controls, the female patients’ BAI and BDI scores were greater. Both male and female diabetes patients had a negative correlation between their SF-36 total score and fasting plasma glucose. Additionally, the female patients’ fasting plasma glucose and BDI score showed a positive correlation. Conclusions: In both genders, patients with recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes had a lower health-related quality of life compared to controls. However, the anxiety and depression levels of only female diabetic patients worsened when compared to controls. We suggest considering gender differences in the symptomatology of anxiety and depression among newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients to develop more effective ways to manage their condition, such as comprehensive and early intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the relationship between overweight/obesity and depressed mood in Chinese adults, examining the influence of factors such as age, gender, and place of residence. We conducted statistical tests on data from 10,833 participants of the 2018 Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS), using multiple linear regression analysis and stratified linear regression analysis. The results showed a significant and negative association between overweight/obesity and depressed mood, in which those who were overweight/obese had fewer instances of depressed mood. We found the negative correlation between overweight/obesity and depressed mood to be more significant in the Fortunate Generation cohort group and the urban group, and there was also a significant and negative association between overweight/obesity and depressed mood for men. These findings clarify the association between overweight/obesity and depressed mood as well as provide guidance for the development of relevant policies that target prevention and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The interplay between the physical and mental health of patients recovering from myocardial infarction (MI) is crucial. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common sexual issue, particularly among patients who have had a myocardial infarction and arterial diseases, and it significantly affects self-esteem and overall psychological well-being. Despite significant advances in cardiac rehabilitation, the psychosocial aspects, especially those related to sexual health, remain underexplored. Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between ED, self-esteem, and depression in male patients post-MI, and to assess how ED treatment affects patients' psychological health. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 80 male patients with a confirmed MI within the last six months, aged between 35 and 77 years. The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (SES) were used to assess psychological well-being, while the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) was employed specifically to evaluate ED. Results: This study demonstrates a strong interdependence between mental and physical health in post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients, with ED being a key factor affecting self-esteem. There is a significant negative correlation between self-esteem and depression, highlighting the importance of psychological resilience in post-MI rehabilitation. Elevated self-esteem helps mitigate depressive symptoms, contributing to improved mental health and rehabilitation outcomes. Conclusions: Older patients tend to have lower self-esteem, likely due to the presence of multiple comorbidities and a longer, more challenging recovery period post-MI. Age was a significant factor in predicting lower self-esteem, but other demographic characteristics did not have a strong influence on self-esteem, depression, or ED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the mental health of human beings since 2020, especially the young people and the pre-existing marginalized groups such as men who have sex with men (MSM). During the COVID-19 pandemic, the multi-country outbreak of mpox in 2022 additionally posed a significant stress on the most-affected communities (i.e., MSM). This study investigated the level of depressive symptoms and its multifaceted associated factors among Chinese young men who have sex with men (YMSM) in this unique period. In September 2022, a large-scale cross-sectional survey was conducted among YMSM aged 18–29 years across six representative provinces in China. Hierarchical regression analysis was performed to test the various types of associated factors of depressive symptoms. Among the 2493 participants, 65.6 % (n = 1638) reported mild to severe depressive symptoms. The hierarchical regression analysis identified that depressive symptoms was significantly positively associated with unemployment, having substance use in the past 6 months, a higher level of MSM self-stigma, incompletion of COVID-19 vaccination, greater mpox risk perception, and presence of mpox related-like symptoms. This study used the facility-based sampling method to recruit the participants, which may lead to selection bias. Chinese YMSM faced significant mental health challenges during the concurrent epidemics of COVID-19 and mpox, which was associated with their socio-economic status, risk behaviors, stigma, and multiple diseases-related variables. Proactive measures may hold promise as effective strategies for mitigating mental distress among marginalized groups during public health crises. • YMSM experienced severe depressive symptoms in dual-threat context in China. • Identifies key influencing factors across demographic and psychosocial realms. • Urges tailored mental health support for YMSM during health emergencies. • Recommends proactive mental health measures like campaigns and counseling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With increasing prevalence rate of depression by years, more attention has been paid to the influence of environmental pollutants on depression, but relationship between exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and depression is rarely studied. Therefore, this cross-sectional study use the National Center for Health Statistics (NHANES) database (2013–2016 years) to explore association between exposure to multiple VOCs and depression in general population. Multiple linear and logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between urinary VOC metabolism (mVOCs) and depression. To further analyze effect of multiple mVOCs mixed exposure, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were performed. A total of 3240 participants and 16 mVOCs were included in the analysis. Results showed that 10 mVOCs exposure were positively correlated with depression by multiple linear and logistic regression models, especially CYMA and MHBMA3, which also showed significant positive association with depression in BKMR model. Mixed exposure of multiple mVOCs was significantly positively correlated with depression. Gender differences were existed in effects of some VOCs concentrations on depression. AAMA, CYMA and MA had significant positive correlations with depression by women, and DHBMA had significant positive correlations with depression by men. Hence, this study showed that exposing to VOCs might have negative impacts on depression, and impact of CYMA and MHBMA3 on depression may be more evident, which provide new ideas for prevention and control of depression. But further research and exploration are needed to clarify the mechanism and influence factors of this relationship, to demonstrate the reliability of these relationship. • 10 mVOCs severally had significantly positively correlated with depression, especially CYMA and MHBMA3. • 16 mVOCs mixed exposure had a positive exposure-response relationship with depression at high concentrations. • Positive associations between DHBMA and depression were more significant in the male group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We aimed to clarify the controversial relationship between levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and severity of depression in men and women. Methods: Medical records were retrospectively analyzed for 1,236 inpatients at our medical center who were diagnosed with depression at discharge between January 2018 and August 2022. Depression severity was assessed during hospitalization using the 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Potential associations between severity scores and hs-CRP levels were explored using multivariate linear regression as well as smooth curve fitting to detect non-linear patterns. Results: In male patients, hs-CRP levels between 2.00 mg/L and 10.00 mg/L showed a non-linear association with depression severity overall (fully adjusted β = 1.69, 95% CI 0.65 to 2.72), as well as with severity of specific symptoms such as hopelessness, sluggishness, and cognitive disturbance. In female patients, hs-CRP levels showed a linear association with severity of cognitive disturbance (fully adjusted β = 0.07, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.12). These results remained significant after adjusting for age, body mass index, diabetes, hypertension, history of drinking, history of smoking, and estradiol levels. Discussion: Levels of hs-CRP show sex-specific associations with depression severity, particularly levels between 2.00 and 10.00 mg/L in men. These findings may help develop personalized anti-inflammatory treatments for depression, particularly for men with hs-CRP levels of 2.00–10.00 mg/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mental distress among retirees and older people is a severe public health challenge, and information on new risk groups is needed. This study aims to identify subgroups of old-age retirees with varying associations between low social support and mental distress by applying model-based recursive partitioning (MOB). Methods: We used the Helsinki Health Study follow-up survey data of old-age retired former municipal sector employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland. Phase 1 data were collected in 2000–2002, when all participants were employed, Phase 2 in 2007, Phase 3 in 2012, Phase 4 in 2017, and Phase 5 in 2022 (n = 4,466, 81% women). Social support and covariates were measured at each Phase 1–5 and the outcome, mental distress (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales [DASS-21]) was measured at a single occasion, during Phase 5. The three subscales and the common factor of general distress were analysed separately. An approach rooted in computational statistics was used to investigate risk factor heterogeneity in the association of low social support and mental distress. MOB combines decision trees with regression analysis to identify subgroups with the most significant heterogeneity among risk factors. Results: Median (IQR) general distress score from DASS-21 was 5.7 (3.0, 9.0), while Social Support Questionnaire number-score (SSQN) was 1.5 (1.15, 2.05). The primary effect modifier for the association between social support and general distress was education (p < 0.001). Those with high education had a different association of low social support and general distress than those with low or medium education. Additionally, the subgroup with low and medium education had a significant effect modification for age (p = 0.01). For the association between low social support and depressive symptoms, the moderating effect of education was dependent on gender, as men with medium–high education had the weakest association, while for women with medium–high education the association was strongest. Conclusions: Our results suggest that stratification by sociodemographic variables is justifiable when investigating risk factors of mental distress in old-age retirees. The incongruent association of low social support and depressive symptoms in men with medium–high education compared to women with medium–high education is a promising target for confirmatory research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Low-grade systemic inflammation may be a key player in the immune activation that has been reported for mental health deterioration. We hypothesised that elevated serum levels of inflammatory cytokines increase neuroinflammation and exacerbate depressive symptoms. Methods: The participants were part of a cohort study for whom data was available for both 2015 and 2019. In 2015, blood samples were collected from 232 participants. Their depressive symptoms were assessed both 2015 and 2019 using the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) (n = 33). The multiplex immunoassay system (Luminex® 200) was used to measure the serum concentrations of IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17A and TNFα. Data were analysed using linear models with the level of significance considered to be p < 0.05. Results: After controlling for age, BMI, smoking and alcohol consumption, in 2015 the serum concentrations of IL-17A and TNFα in 2015 were significantly positively associated with the CES-D scores of women (standardised β (B) =.027, p < 0.01 and B = 0.26, p < 0.01, respectively). The serum concentrations of IL-17A and TNFα of men were significantly positively associated with the CES-D scores of 2019 (B = 0.62, p = 0.02 and B = 0.59, p = 0.02, respectively). Conclusions: In this cross-sectional study, we found a significant positive correlation between the depressive symptoms and serum TNFα and IL-17A levels of women. In addition, our longitudinal findings suggest the possibility that TNFα and IL-17A could elevate the depressive symptoms of men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background setting: Domestic violence (DV) perpetrated against male victims has received little attention in the literature, since men are generally the perpetrators rather than victims of DV. This study examines the characteristics of adult male victims and female Persons of Interest (POIs) suspected and/or charged with perpetrating a DV offence in an intimate relationship. Methods: We analyzed the results from a text mining study on half a million (492,393) police-attended DV events from 2005 to 2016 in New South Wales (Australia). 7.3% (13,896) events involving an adult male victim and a female POI in an intimate relationship were included. Results: Over three-quarters (77.5%; 10,775) of DV events had at least one abuse type recorded, with the most common being "unspecified assault" (57.3%), followed by verbal abuse (34.1%), and punching (29.1%). Half of events (51.2%; 7,128) had an injury recorded by the police, with "cut/abrasion(s)" the most common (41.6%), followed by "red mark/sign" (25.4%), and "bruising" (15.8%). A total of 2,196 (15.8%) DV events had a mention of a mental illness for the POIs and 570 (4.1%) for the victims. Mood disorders had the most mentions for both POIs (37.0%) and victims (32.8%). Among victims, anxiety related disorders saw the largest increase (14.0%) in mentions from 2005 to 2016, followed by depression (8.0%). Conclusion: Our findings represent population level data insights from DV events involving an adult male victim in an intimate relationship with a female POI. Our findings align with existing studies suggesting that female POIs are more likely than male POIs to use objects/weapons, employ verbal abuse, and perform minor acts of physical violence. Female POIs had 4 times the number of mental illness mentions than male victims indicating that mental illness could be a risk factor for DV, while the increase in anxiety disorders and depression for male victims corresponds with research that associates mental illnesses and DV victimhood. This study highlights the need for a greater awareness and support for male victims of DV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a well-researched relationship between sexual satisfaction and relationship satisfaction, and recent literature has explored how body image impacts this relationship. The purpose of this study was to assess the degree to which the body dissatisfaction-sexual satisfaction-relationship satisfaction causal sequence varied at levels of pornography use and depression. Mechanical Turk data from a related study was used to explore three sets of hypotheses for the variables' relationships. Surprising results prompted the exploration of a three-way interaction outside of the original hypotheses. The exploratory analysis revealed that the moderating impact of pornography use on the relationship between body dissatisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction depends on the level of depression. These findings carry important implications for research and clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• CRP and IL-6 are elevated in females with depression, but not in males. • No sex differences existed in the relation between TNF-α and depression. • The depression-inflammation link may depend on sex and symptom dimensions. • These findings could inform future sex-specific treatments. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a heterogeneous disorder that affects twice as many women than men. Precluding advances in more tailored and efficacious treatments for depression is the lack of reliable biomarkers. While depression is linked to elevations in inflammatory immune system functioning, this relationship is not evident among all individuals with depression and may vary based on symptom subtypes and/or sex. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined whether inflammatory immune peripheral markers of depression are sex-specific. PRISMA guidelines were followed for the systematic review, and a comprehensive search strategy that identified studies from PubMed and PsycInfo was applied. Studies were included if they reported C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and/or IL-1β for males and/or females among depressed and healthy adults. We identified 23 studies that satisfied these inclusion criteria. Random-effects meta-analysis models were fit, and measures of association were summarized between levels of circulating markers of inflammation in depressed and healthy males and females. Sex-based analyses revealed elevated levels of CRP among females with depression (Cohen's d = 0.19) relative to their healthy counterparts (p = 0.02), an effect not apparent among males (Cohen's d = -0.01). Similarly, levels of IL-6 were increased among females with depression compared to healthy controls (Cohen's d = 0.51; p = 0.04), but once again this was not found among males (Cohen's d = 0.16). While TNF-α levels were elevated among individuals with depression compared to controls (p = 0.01), no statistically significant sex differences were found. The meta-analysis for IL-1β resulted in only three articles, and thus, results are presented in the supplemental section. This meta-analysis advances our understanding of the unique involvement of inflammatory biomarkers in depression among men and women, which may help inform more tailored sex-specific treatment approaches in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression is a leading cause of disability and poor health worldwide and is expected to rank first worldwide by 2030. The aim of this study is to analyze the transition and trend of depression burden in China and various income-level countries by utilizing the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database and the Joinpoint regression model. This analysis seeks to comprehend the variations in the burden of depression across different income regions and evaluate their developmental patterns. Based on the GBD 2019 open dataset, this study extracted data on YLD (Years Lived with Disability), DALY (Disability-Adjusted Life Years), and incidence related to depression. The analysis focused on the period between 1990 and 2019, covering global data and distinguishing between high-income, upper-middle-income, lower-middle-income, low-income countries, and China. We utilized the Joinpoint regression model to fit the spatiotemporal trend changes among different income-level countries. Pairwise comparisons were conducted to examine the parallelism and to determine if the differences in trend changes among various regions were statistically significant. From 1990 to 2019, the age-standardized YLD and DALY for depression female were higher than that in male. The YLD total change rate of depression men was higher than that of women. China exhibited the largest disparity in total YLD change rates between genders, reaching 0.08. During 1990 to 2019, the incidence of depression in 2005–2019 increased among females in middle to high-income countries, low-income countries, and China as compare to that of 1990–2005. Notably, China shown the most increase the incidence rate of females (from −0.4 % to 0.84 %). China experienced the most significant change in the YLD of depression during this period (AAPC = 0.45, 95 % CI = 0.41, 0.48, P < 0.01). China's YLD/Incidence rate was higher compared to the global, HICs, UMCs, LMCs, and LICs. In China, the YLD/incidence rate of depression began to rise in 1994, peaking around 2010, and then gradually declining. Since 2010, the growth rate of depression DALYs in China has been higher than the global average, high-income countries, upper-middle-income countries, lower-middle-income countries, and low-income countries. The DALY's AAPC value for the HLCs was the highest (AAPC = 0.24, 95 % CI = 0.22, 0.25, P < 0.01). The UMCs, in comparison to other regions, incidence rate had the highest AAPC value (AAPC = 0.48, 95 % CI = 0.46, 0.50, P < 0.01). Given the significant variations in the burden of depression across countries with different income levels, future strategies aimed at reducing the burden of depression should adopt tailored and differentiated approaches according to each country's specific needs and developmental stages. • Gender Disparities: From 1990 to 2019, the study reveals higher age-standardized YLD and DALY for depression among women compared to men. However, the total change rate for men's YLD was higher than for women. • China's Unique Burden: China exhibited the most significant disparity in total YLD change rates between genders, reaching 0.08. Additionally, it experienced a notable increase in the incidence rate among females, reaching 1.24. • Global and Regional Trends: The research uncovers variations in depression burden among different income countries. High-income countries showed higher age-standardized YLD rates, while low-income countries exhibited the highest change rate in depression incidence. • Gender and Income Disparities: Highlighting gender and income-related variations in depression burden underscores the need for targeted interventions based on socioeconomic and gender-specific factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual conflict occurs when the fitness interests of the two sexes do not align. Some traits shared by males and females (like mating rate) have sex-specific fitness optima that cannot be achieved simultaneously, and this conflict can favour the evolution of adaptations that benefit one sex but harm the other, like copulatory wounding. Prolonged copulation in damselflies can be seen as a clear example of sexual conflict: while it allows males to guard their partners, preventing them from remating, females cannot feed during copulation and may be more exposed to predators. Ischnura graellsii is one of the species of damselflies in the Coenagrionidae family characterized by females having a conspicuous vulvar spine on the sternum of the eighth abdominal segment, which makes contact with the male seminal vesicle during copulation. To investigate the role of the vulvar spine in sexual conflict, we evaluated whether there is a difference in copulation duration between females with the spine removed and those with an intact spine (control females) and studied the allometry between spine length and body length. We found that the vulvar spine had a significant effect on copulation duration, since males mated on average for 200 min with control females but increased copulation to 227 min with spineless females. The spine was allometric with wing size, but the slope depended on the regression method used. The male seminal vesicle has a depression exactly where the spine is in contact with it during copulation. There was no evidence of physical damage, and consequently, males mated to control and spineless females had similar longevity. We conclude that this spine allows females to reduce mating duration. • Copulation duration is at the core of sexual conflict in damselflies. • A vulvar spine in females acts as a device to shorten copulation duration. • A depression in male's sperm vesicle might be an adaptation to tolerate the spine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the relationship between resilience and mental health among Black sexual diverse men residing in Atlanta, GA, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Minority stressors often impact the well-being of sexual diverse individuals; however, resilience may be an important protective factor against the negative effects of such stressors. A total of 109 participants completed surveys during the 2020 COVID-19 state of emergency, shelter-in-place, and social distancing orders in Georgia. Logistic regression models were utilized to examine the associations between resilience, internalized sexual orientation stigma, and depressive symptoms. The results indicate that nearly half of the participants reported high levels of depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. The relationship between internalized sexual orientation stigma and depressive symptoms was found to be moderated by resilience. Specifically, higher levels of internalized stigma were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms among individuals with low and average levels of resilience. These findings emphasize the critical role of resilience in explaining mental health disparities among Black sexual diverse men during large-scale disasters and periods of cultural turmoil. Understanding the complex interplay between resilience, internalized stigma, and mental health can inform targeted interventions and support systems to enhance the well-being of sexual diverse individuals in similar contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Hypertension is a prevalent chronic condition often treated with multiple medications, leading to polypharmacy, which can heighten the risk of adverse drug reactions and contribute to psychological issues like depression. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between polypharmacy and depressive symptoms in hypertensive patients using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2017 to 2020. Materials and Methods: This study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collected between 2017 and March 2020. Results: Among 2543 hypertensive participants, 12.3% met the criteria for depression. The findings revealed that patients using 11 or more medications were ten times more likely to experience depressive symptoms compared to those taking 1 to 2 medications (OR = 10.06, p < 0.001). Additionally, younger age (18 to 45 years), female gender, and lower educational attainment were significantly associated with higher rates of depressive symptoms. Specifically, females were 1.47 times more likely to experience depression compared to males (p = 0.032). Conclusions: This research highlights the substantial impact of medication burden on mental health among hypertensive patients, emphasizing the need for tailored clinical interventions for this vulnerable population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractSexual minority men (SMM), and bisexual men in particular, show elevated risks of depressive symptoms relative to heterosexual men. A breadth of research shows that internalized heterosexism, a primary minority stressor, partially explains the disproportionately high levels of depressive symptoms among SMM. However, it is less clear which factors buffer this relationship. The present study investigated whether hope and its subfactors, agency and pathways, moderated the relationship between internalized heterosexism and depressive symptoms, and whether this was contingent on sexual orientation (gay versus bisexual). An international sample of 412 mostly cisgender gay (59.7%) and bisexual men (40.3%) aged 18–81 years (M = 37.32 years, SD = 14.26) completed the Revised Internalized Homophobia Scale, the Adult Dispositional Hope Scale, and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Results indicated that internalized heterosexism, hope, agency, and pathways were independently associated with depressive symptoms. Hope, agency, and pathways did not moderate the internalized heterosexism-depressive symptoms relationship, nor were these moderation relationships conditional on sexual orientation. Findings substantiate previous research suggesting that internalized heterosexism is a risk factor for depressive symptoms and hope, agency, and pathways are protective factors. Clinicians working with SMM should consider integrating strategies to mitigate internalized heterosexism and cultivate hope, and scholars should aim to expand research focused on the role of hope in influencing SMM’s mental health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correctional centres tend to negatively impact the mental health of incarcerated offenders, especially those unable to cope with or adjust to the correctional environment. Studies show higher rates of psychiatric disorders like depression among offenders compared to the general population. This study aimed to determine individual and combinations of possible predictors of depressed mood amongst adult male maximum-security incarcerated offenders. This study included 418 South African male incarcerated offenders, sampled using convenience sampling, and used a quantitative, cross-sectional correlational design. The PAQ subscales (Internal Adjustment, External Adjustment, and Physical Adjustment) collectively accounted for 11.6% of the variance in the depressed mood. Hierarchical regression analysis further indicated that internal adjustment and physical adjustment were the only individual predictor variables that statistically and practically significantly predicted depressed mood. This study’s findings could aid in understanding the role of adjustment in developing and maintaining depressive mood states in the correctional environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glycolipid metabolism have been implicated in cognitive impairments and depression among Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the role of sex differences in this relationship remains elusive. This study aimed to investigate the potential sex differences in the link between serum BDNF levels, glycolipid metabolism and cognitive performance among depressive PD patients. PD patients comprising 108 individuals with depression and 108 without depression were recruited for this study. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Beijing version (MOCA-BJ). The severity of depressive symptoms was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17), while motor symptoms were evaluated using the Revised Hoehn and Yahr rating scale (H-Y) and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III (UPDRS-III). Laboratory testing and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) are used to measure serum levels of glycolipid metabolism and BDNF. Females showed superior performance in delayed recall (all p < 0.05), male PD patients exhibited higher scores in naming tasks compared to females in non-depression group. There was no sex differences in serum BDNF levels between depression and non-depression groups. Liner regression analysis indicated BDNF as an independent risk factor for language deficits in male PD patients with depression (p < 0.05), while cholesterol (CHOL) emerged as a cognitive influencing factor, particularly in delayed recall among male PD patients with depression (p < 0.05). Our study reveals extensive cognitive impairments in PD patients with depression. Moreover, BDNF and CHOL may contribute to the pathological mechanisms underlying cognitive deficits, particularly in male patients with depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maternal separation can have long-lasting effects on an individual's susceptibility to stress later in life. Maternal separation during the postnatal period is a commonly used paradigm in rodents to investigate the effects of early life stress on neurobehavioural changes and stress responsiveness. However, maternal separation during stress hyporesponsive and responsive periods of postnatal development may differ in its effects on stress resilience. Therefore, we hypothesised that late maternal separation (LMS) from postnatal day 10 to 21 in mice may have different effect on resilience than early maternal separation during the first week of postnatal life. Our results suggested that male LMS mice are more resilient to chronic variable stress (CVS)-induced anxiety and depressive-like behaviour as confirmed by the open field, light-dark field, elevated plus maze, sucrose preference and tail suspension tests. In contrast, female LMS mice were equally resilient as non-LMS female mice. We found increased expression of NPY, NPY1R, NPY2R, NPFFR1, and NPFFR2 in the hypothalamus of male LMS mice whereas the opposite effect was observed in the hippocampus. LMS in male and female mice did not affect circulating corticosterone levels in response to psychological or physiological stressors. Thus, LMS renders male mice resilient to CVS-induced neurobehavioural disorders in adulthood. HIGHLIGHTS: Sexual dimorphism exists in the effects of late maternal separation (LMS) LMS provides resilience to stress-induced anxiety and depression in male mice LMS upregulates NPY and NPVF system in the hypothalamus of male mice No effect of LMS on stress-induced corticosterone levels [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated depression-related health care resource utilization and antidepressant prescription medication utilization among commercially insured men in the United States who underwent inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) implantation between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2020, and who received a depression diagnosis in the year preceding the IPP procedure. A total of 11,177 patients received an IPP during the index period, 808 of whom were diagnosed with depression. A statistically significant reduction in overall depression-related health care visits occurred from pre- to post-IPP, decreasing from 4.9 to 3.8, p <.001. In addition, there was a significant reduction in depression-related inpatient visits (0.07 vs. 0.03, p =.02) and office visits (4.25 vs. 3.29, p <.001) from pre- to post-IPP. Of the 678 men who received an antidepressant medication within 1 year prior to their IPP date, 15% stopped antidepressant medication use entirely post-IPP. Among patients with continued antidepressant medication use post-IPP (n = 574), there was a significant decrease in the number of prescriptions (7.55 vs. 8.09, p <.0001) and refills (7.52 vs. 8.11, p =.0015), with a higher likelihood of discontinuation (17.6% vs. 10.5%, p <.0001) and a lower proportion of days covered (0.79 vs. 0.83, p =.0004) post-IPP compared with pre-IPP. In conclusion, IPP was associated with reduced depression-related health care utilization and antidepressant medication use among recipients. This suggests potential mental health benefits for IPP recipients beyond restoration of erectile function. Comprehensive insurance coverage for IPP, especially for men with depression, may be beneficial to both patients and insurers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection can lead to depression and mood disorders by reducing tryptophan availability through increased activity of the enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase. Tryptophan, sourced from fruits such as pineapple (Ananas cosmosus), is vital for the body, especially the serotonergic system. Aim: This study aims to assess how pineapple pulp (PP) counters LPS-induced depressive behaviors in male Wistar rats. Methods: The experiment involved force-feeding PP for 28 days before LPS injection (0.5 mg/kg intraperitoneal [i.p.]) in 30 male Wistar rats, divided into five groups. Groups I (normal) and II (LPS control) received 15 ml aquadest/kg/day. Test Groups III, IV, and V were given varied doses of PP; low dose (3.75 ml/kg/day), medium dose (7.5 ml/kg/day), and high dose (15 ml/kg/day). At the study's end, rats underwent the open field test (OFT) and the tail suspension test (TST). In addition, blood and brain samples were analyzed for neuroendocrine markers related to depression. Results: LPS triggers depressive symptoms, as evidenced by increased immobility time in the TST and altered behaviors indicative of anxiety in the OFT, especially in groups not receiving PP. This is followed by decreased serotonin levels in both plasma and brain when compared to groups given PP. In addition, higher corticosterone levels were observed in the LPS group than in the PP-treated group. Administering PP at 7.5 ml/kg/day for 28 days can alleviate the depressive effects induced by LPS injection. Conclusion: PP may have antidepressant properties, potentially by mitigating behaviors leading to depressive symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Young adults report increased rates of anxiety and depression than other age groups. Furthermore, young adult athletes experience additional stressors that may negatively impact their mental health. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms among Division I collegiate athletes and the influences of sex, sport type, and distance from home. Hypothesis: It was hypothesized that self-reported levels of anxiety and depression would increase among this population during this timeframe. Study Design: Cross-sectional. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: Participants included 792 incoming Division I collegiate athletes. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores were completed by all incoming student athletes at a single institution as part of their preparticipation examination over 5 years. Both survey scores were categorized into different levels of severity and separately compared with chi-square tests. Continuous scores were modeled separately using negative binomial regression models including year, sex, sport type, and home location as covariates. Results: Results showed consistent levels of anxiety and depression over time. Female athletes reported higher levels of both anxiety and depression than male athletes, and individual sport athletes reported higher levels of depression than team sport athletes. Distance from home was not associated with anxiety or depression levels. Conclusion: Overall, levels of anxiety and depression did not change in this population over this time period. However, differences in anxiety and depression were seen between sexes and depression between sport types. Clinical Relevance: Understanding anxiety and depression risk factors among collegiate athletes can enhance early identification and intervention to improve mental health and allow for better allocation of resources to at-risk groups among Division I collegiate athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]