Gender differences in the effects of childhood maltreatment on adult depression and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Child maltreatment has well-documented long-term, adverse effects on mental health, but it is not clear whether there are gender differences in these effects. We conducted a systematic review to investigate whether there are gender differences in the effects of maltreatment on adult depression and anxiety. Medline, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Lilacs were searched for relevant studies published up to May 2016. Eligible studies included population-based studies (with a cohort, case-control or cross-sectional design) which assessed maltreatment during childhood or adolescence (≤18 years) and its association with major depression or generalized anxiety disorder (DSM/ICD diagnostic criteria) in adulthood (>18 years) separately for females and males. Meta-analysis was performed to estimate the association between each exposure and outcome using fixed and random effects models. Pooled odds ratios (OR) were estimated separately for women and men and compared. Five studies of physical and sexual abuse were included in the meta-analyses. These provided twenty-two effects sizes estimates (11 for men, 11 for women) for associations between physical/sexual abuse and depression/anxiety. Exposure to each kind of abuse increased the odds of depression/anxiety. Associations were larger for women than for men, however, these gender differences were not statistically significant. Physical and sexual abuse in childhood/adolescence are risk factors for depression/anxiety in adulthood and the effect could be larger for women; however, currently there is insufficient evidence to definitively identify gender differences in the effects of maltreatment.     

Depression and anxiety symptoms in Russian-speaking skilled immigrants living in Australia: A comparison with Anglo-Australians and Russian-speaking non-immigrants

Data and systematic research on Australia’s diverse immigrant population have been sparse. This study is the first empirical analysis of anxiety and depression symptoms in Russian-speaking skilled immigrants living in Australia. We compared levels of depression and anxiety symptoms in Russian-speaking skilled immigrants to Australia, Russian-speaking non-immigrants residing in one of the countries of the Former Soviet Union (FSU) and Anglo-Australians. 65 Russian-speaking immigrants from the FSU, 65 Russian-speaking non-immigrants residing in Russia, Ukraine, or Belarus, and 63 Anglo-Australians were recruited through social clubs, community web forums, churches, schools and universities. Participants completed online versions of the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List, the Perceived Stress Scale and socio-demographic questionnaires. Results indicated that levels of anxiety and depression were higher in Anglo-Australians compared to the Russian-speaking immigrant and the Russian-speaking non-immigrant groups after controlling for age, gender, relationship status, highest educational level, employment and health status. The outcomes of this study provide valuable insight into the mental health status of this under investigated group and can serve as the first step towards culturally informed mental health service delivery. Future research should address the limitations of the current study such as employing better sampling methods and using more culturally relevant scales to measure depression and anxiety.     

外语学习焦虑和个体行为类型相关性探讨

通过问卷调查和统计学的方法,对大学生外语学习焦虑和个体行为模式之间的相关性进行研究。查结果显示,大学生的外语焦虑指数和个体行为类型有显著相关性：A型行为类型的学生的外语焦虑指数明显高于非A型的学生（P〈0.01）：针对学生的行为类型适当调节,可能是除学习策略研究外解决外语学习焦虑的另一有效途径。     

大学生外语写作焦虑调查及对写作教学的启示

本研究采用《二语写作焦虑量表》对293名非英语专业大学生进行了问卷调查。研究发现外语写作焦虑包含四个因素:构思焦虑、课堂教学焦虑、回避行为以及自信焦虑。外语写作焦虑在大学生中普遍存在,其中回避行为接近高焦虑值;高低焦虑水平的被试在写作成绩上有显著差异;写作焦虑与写作成绩呈显著负相关。文章最后对大学英语写作教学提出了相关建议。     

Perceived life stress and anxiety correlate with chronic gastrointestinal symptoms in runners

Numerous causes of exercise-related gastrointestinal (GI) distress exist but scarce research has evaluated potential psychological causes. Runners (74 men, 76 women) prospectively recorded running duration, intensity (Rating of Perceived Exertion [RPE]), and GI symptoms for 30 days. Six GI symptoms were rated on a 0–10 scale. The percentage of runs over 30 days that participants reported at least one upper, lower, or any GI symptom ≥3 was calculated. After 30 days, participants completed a questionnaire on GI distress triggers (demographics, anthropometrics, experience, analgesic use, antibiotic use, probiotic consumption, fluid/food intake, stress, anxiety). Stress and anxiety were measured via the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The median percentage of runs that participants experienced at least one GI symptom ≥3 was 45.6% (interquartile range [IQR], 16.6–67.3%). Age and running experience negatively correlated with GI distress occurrence (rho = ?0.17 to ?0.34; p < 0.05). Run RPE, probiotic food consumption, PSS scores, and BAI scores positively correlated with GI distress occurrence (rho = 0.18 to 0.36; p < 0.05). Associations between GI distress, stress and anxiety remained significant after adjustment for covariates, except for lower GI symptoms. This study suggests that stress and anxiety contribute to running-related GI distress.     

The Effectiveness of Integrated Training Programme (ITP) in Decreasing Female Students’ Test Anxiety: Moderating Effect of Mothers’ Perfectionism

This study examined the effectiveness of an integrated training programme (ITP) in reducing female students’ test anxiety with a view to the mothers’ perfectionism as a moderating factor. A total of 60 primary school students (30 mothers with perfectionism trait and 30 mothers without perfectionism) were randomly selected using multi-stage cluster sampling and screening methods. Spielberger’s Test Anxiety Scale and Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS) were administered to the students and mothers, respectively. The participants were placed into four groups (two experimental and two control groups). The experimental groups received intervention in 14 sessions. The results suggested significant differences between experimental and control groups, but there was no significant difference between the two experimental groups (group 1: students with test anxiety and perfectionist mothers and group 2: students with test anxiety and non-perfectionist mothers). The moderating effect of mothers’ perfectionism was not statistically confirmed. Implications of the study are discussed.     

板鞋竞速运动员竞赛状态焦虑研究

本文采用CSAI-2量表,对参加第八届全国少数民族运动会板鞋竞速比赛的60名运动员进行竞赛状态焦虑测试。结果表明：运动员比赛前后的认知状态焦虑存在显著差异;不同性别运动员的认知状态焦虑和躯体状态焦虑存在显著差异;不同文化程度的运动员的状态自信心存在显著差异。教练员应依据不同的焦虑性质,采取不同的手段调控运动员的竞赛状态焦虑。     

Perinatal mental health and risk of child maltreatment: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundMental health problems in parents have been identified as a risk factor for child maltreatment. The perinatal period (from conception to 1 year) is a critical period but it is unclear whether perinatal mental health problems are also associated with increased risk.ObjectiveTo review evidence on perinatal mental health and risk of child maltreatment.MethodsSearches were conducted on six databases and 24 studies reported in 30 papers identified. Studies were conducted in seven countries, mainly the USA (n = 14). Sample sizes ranged from 48-14,893 and most examined mothers (n = 17). Studies were conducted in community (n = 17) or high-risk (n = 7) samples.ResultsThe majority of studies found a relationship between parental perinatal mental health problems and risk of child maltreatment, but inconsistent findings were observed between and within studies. The few studies that examined fathers (n = 6) all found a relationship between fathers’ mental health and risk of child maltreatment. Meta-analysis of 17 studies (n = 22,042) showed perinatal mental health problems increased risk of child maltreatment by OR 3.04 (95% CI 2.29–4.03). This relationship was moderated by type of sample, with larger effects for risk of child maltreatment in high-risk samples. The relationship was not moderated by type of mental illness, child maltreatment; methodological or measurement factors.ConclusionThe association between perinatal mental health and risk of child maltreatment is similar to that observed at other times during childhood. Methodological heterogeneity and inconsistent findings mean conclusions are tentative and need to be considered alongside other individual, family and social/cultural risk factors.     

交际教学法降低高职学生课堂焦虑的实证研究

本实验是在临汾职业技术学院两个焦虑水平相当的平行班进行的,一个为实验班,将交际法运用于其英语教学,一个为控制班,采用传统的英语教学。实验通过前测和后测问卷调查、口语测试来收集数据,实验数据经SPSS和Excel软件处理,结果表明：高职学生中普遍存在着外语课堂焦虑;外语课堂焦虑与口语水平呈负相关;交际教学法能够降低外语课堂焦虑,有助于提高学生口语水平。     

英语学习中口语焦虑原因与对策

语言焦虑是影响外语学习的显著因素之一。针对引起学生英语口语焦虑情绪的主客观因素,教师应该在教学过程中给学生创造轻松和谐的口语环境,改善教学方法,从而帮助学生缓解口语焦虑情绪,激发学生说好英语的兴趣和信心,提高学生的英语口语水平。