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Several studies have reported a strong bias in both human and non-human species for cradling their infants to the left side of the body. Most studies suggest that the main reason this phenomenon is the predominance of the right hemisphere of the brain for the processing of emotions and its transference, through brain laterality, to the left side of the body. Many other variables, including handedness, footedness, stress and depression have also been found to have some effect on cradling side. However, no study has been published for an Arab population. Given the strong religious and cultural belief of most Arabs that only the right hand should be used for most daily tasks, this study investigated the affect on cradling side of this habit, in addition to the factors named above. 369 Saudi citizens took part in this study. 234 lived in Saudi Arabia and 135 had lived in the UK for five or more years. 267 were women and 102 were men. Each answered a questionnaire which asked about their ‘preferred’ cradling side and then the 102 men were videotaped spontaneously cradling a real infant and an infant-like doll. Unfortunately, only the male sample could be videotaped due to restrictions on filming females in Saudi Arabia. The results confirmed those of previous studies by showing a very strong bias to leftside cradling. No difference was found between males and females in cradling a doll, or between the Saudi-based sample and the UK-based sample but the bias was significantly reduced in men. Apart from the influence of gender, the factors that reduced the cradling bias for a real infant were found to be lack of experience of parenthood, depression, stress and greater age of the infant. In cradling a doll, the most influential variables were handedness, footedness and depression. Further work is required on Arab samples, especially in examining spontaneous cradling by women and its relation to depression and stress. A mother’s mental state is known to affect the health of the infant and cradling side could be a useful filter for neonatal women who might require psychiatric treatment. Further research could also shed light on gender differences in the processing of emotion.

Research is increasingly attempting to understand the developmental nature of depressive symptomology and its links with executive functioning (EF), repetitive negative thinking (RNT) and stress (e.g., Snyder & Hankin, 2016). Prospective studies are needed to explore the potential mechanisms underlying these associations. This study investigated whether EFs can predict changes in RNT, stress and depressive symptoms during a period of stress. One hundred and two undergraduates completed questionnaires measuring life events, trait and state RNT, depressive and anxious symptoms as well as behavioural EF tasks of cognitive switching and inhibitory control at baseline (Time 1). Follow-up questionnaires of RNT, stress, depression and anxiety were gathered approximately two months later (Time 2), during students’ formal examinations, a period of naturally elevated stress. Findings indicated no association between EF and RNT, depression or anxiety but found that the interaction between high levels of trait RNT and low levels of EF (switching) at baseline was a significant predictor of change in state RNT under stress. Findings are discussed in light of current research attempting to unpick associations between EF, RNT and depression in young adults.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Overweight and obesity in children and adolescents are among the most crucial public health issues of the 21st century and are already determined in the prenatal period. In order to prevent the development of overweight and obesity, examining and changing their risk factors is important to reduce the current epidemic of overweight and obesity. Therefore, the aim of this thesis was to investigate risk factors of overweight and obesity from the prenatal period to childhood and to examine the preceding determinants of those risk factors. On the basis of three studies, the influence of maternal risk factors on maternal mental health during pregnancy (Study 1) and maternal mental health during pregnancy on birth outcomes and weight status in early childhood (Study 2), and the associations of parental feeding practices and weight status during childhood (Study 3) were examined. The results showed that pregnant women with higher pre pregnancy body mass index, sleep problems, and who did not plan pregnancy were at higher risk for mental health problems during pregnancy (Study 1), which in turn adversely affected birth weight and gestational age at birth (Study 2). Furthermore, weight status during childhood was found to be the cause of parents employing controlling feeding practices during childhood but weight status seemed to be largely unaffected by such practices (Study 3). Overall, study results were interpreted within the context of the current state of research and implications of the results for future research and practice were discussed.:Abbreviations Bibliographic summary 1 Introduction 1.1 Overweight and obesity in children and adolescents 1.1.1 Prevalence rates 1.1.2 Developmental dynamics 1.1.3 Consequences on health 1.1.4 Prevention and intervention 1.2 Parental predictors of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents 1.2.1 Prenatal predictors 1.2.1.1 Maternal anthropometric risk factors and medical conditions 1.2.1.2 Maternal behavioral risk factors 1.2.1.3 Maternal psychosocial and mental risk factors 1.2.2 Predictors during childhood 1.2.2.1 Parental feeding practices 2 Research needs and study objectives 2.1 Mental health in pregnant women and its influence on birth outcomes 2.1.1 Study objectives and hypotheses: Manuscript 1 2.1.2 Study objectives and hypotheses: Manuscript 2 2.2 Anthropometric development during childhood and parental feeding practices 2.2.1 Study objectives and hypotheses: Manuscript 3 3 Publication manuscripts 3.1 Gestational weight gain, physical activity, sleep problems, substance use, and food intake as proximal risk factors of stress and depressive symptoms during pregnancy 3.2 Maternal depressive symptoms and stress during pregnancy as predictors of gestational age at birth and standardized body mass index from birth up to 2 years of age 3.3 Stability, continuity, and bi directional associations of parental feeding practices and standardized child body mass index in children from 2 to 12 years of age 4 Summary 5 References 6 Appendix 6.1 Declaration of unaffiliation 6.2 Curriculum vitae and publication list 6.3 Acknowledgment

Background: It has been proposed that depression plays a role in how psoriasis affects quality of life. However, primary data are limited. Objective: To investigate the role depression plays in how patients experience psoriasis. Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted between January and May 2005. Recruitment of 265 adults with prevalent psoriasis through Internet advertisements. Standardized assessment of depressive symptoms, health-related quality of life (HRQL), illness-related stress, and clinical severity of psoriasis using validated scales. Results: Thirty-two percent of all participants screened positive for depression. We observed a graded relationship between depressive symptoms and HRQL impairment (p < 0.001). Only 16.5% of those with high depression scores were currently treated for depression. Both dissatisfaction with antipsoriatic treatment and illness-related stress were highly associated with depression. After adjustment for HRQL, patients with more severe psoriasis were less likely depressed, although this association failed to reach statistical significance (multiadjusted odds ratio 0.37; 95% CI 0.13–1.02; p = 0.06). Conclusion: Patients with high subjective distress and low objective measures of psoriasis should be evaluated for depression. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.