Plasma cortisol and oxytocin levels predict help-seeking intentions for depressive symptoms

Psychoneuroendocrinology
Susan Thomas, Theresa Larkin

Abstract

Depressed individuals often refuse or withdraw from help, a phenomenon termed help-negation, which is a risk factor for poor outcomes. Most previous research has investigated psychosocial factors including stigma as causes of low help-seeking intentions for depression, however these do not adequately explain the problem. We hypothesised that because help-negation worsens with symptom severity, it might be linked to important biological changes associated with depression itself. We investigated the relative contributions of cortisol, a stress hormone linked to depression, and oxytocin, a hormone which mediates social behaviours, alongside psychosocial factors, to help-seeking intentions among depressed and non-depressed individuals. Morning plasma cortisol and oxytocin levels, psychopathology, suicidal ideation, help-seeking intentions from informal sources including family and friends, and formal sources including health professionals, and perceived social support were quantified in 63 adults meeting DSM-5 criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD) who were not receiving any treatment, and 60 healthy controls. Between-group analyses of variance, correlations, and hierarchical multiple regressions were employed. Help-seeking i...Continue Reading

Citations

Nov 30, 2019·Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association·Marta SeratiMassimiliano Buoli
Feb 11, 2020·Frontiers in Psychiatry·Susan Jennifer Thomas, Theresa Larkin
Jun 23, 2019·Quality of Life Research : an International Journal of Quality of Life Aspects of Treatment, Care and Rehabilitation·Ai Ling TangTheresa Larkin
May 4, 2021·Frontiers in Psychology·Nina Smith, Susan Jennifer Thomas
May 16, 2020·Psychiatry Research·Ai Ling Tang, Susan J Thomas

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