Urs Markus Nater

Objective: Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, significantly affecting the health of individuals post stroke and their partners. Both people living with the effects of stroke (PLWS) and their partners experience elevated stress. Therefore, this daily diary study examined day-to-day variations in stress and its association with mindful awareness as a potential protective factor against stress within and between PLWS and their partners. Methods: Eighty-six community-dwelling couples (67±10 y old, 50% female) in Canada, with one partner living with the effects of stroke, reported their daily stress, their partners’ stress, and their own mindful awareness every evening for up to 14 days. Results: Distinguishable dyads models showed that individuals reporting that their partners felt more stressed (daily and overall), and whose partners felt more stressed (daily and overall) reported more daily stress themselves. In contrast, when individuals reported more mindful awareness (daily and overall), they reported less daily stress. PLWS also reported less daily stress when their partners reported more overall mindful awareness. However, this dyadic association was not found in the other direction or for daily mindful awareness. Conclusions: Results suggest dyadic associations of daily stress between partners and indicate that mindful awareness may reduce daily stress within individuals. Within the dyad, PLWS seemed to benefit from their partners’ mindful awareness. Results highlight the significant role of the partner for PLWS and emphasize the need to consider how interpersonal dynamics vary, particularly in couples managing medical conditions. Registration: The study was preregistered at OSF (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/XTV2H).

Introduction: Premenstrual symptoms occur on a continuum from mild experiences to clinically significant, menstrual cycle-related mood disorders, including premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Stress has been implicated as a key pathophysiological factor, yet the temporal coupling and dynamics between psychobiological stress patterns and premenstrual symptom expression across the menstrual cycle remain poorly characterised. The Interactions between premenstrual Symptoms and Stress Across the menstrual Cycle (ISSAC) study investigates how daily and momentary stress relates to premenstrual symptoms across two consecutive cycles, integrating ecological momentary assessments (EMA) with salivary biomarkers of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activity (cortisol) and sympathetic nervous system function (alpha-amylase). Methods and analysis: We will recruit 80 menstruating individuals aged 21–45 years with regular cycles, spanning the full spectrum of premenstrual symptom severity (from none/mild to PMDD). Following a follicular-phase baseline visit, participants will complete an EMA protocol across two menstrual cycles (ovulation to ovulation): five daily assessments during cycle 1 (awakening, +30 min, 14:00, 19:00, bedtime) and a bedtime-only prompt during cycle 2. Assessments will include momentary and daily subjective stress, momentary affective premenstrual symptoms and a daily diary including all symptoms of PMDD as defined by the diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Saliva will be collected on awakening, +30 min and at 19:00 to assess the cortisol/alpha-amylase awakening response, overall output and diurnal slopes. Ovulation will be confirmed by chromatographic ovulation tests. Primary analyses will use linear mixed-effects models to test daily, concurrent and time-lagged associations between stress and symptoms, cycle-phase specific effects and group differences. Ethics and dissemination: The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Vienna (reference: 00883). All participants will provide written informed consent. Findings will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and targeted stakeholder outreach (patient associations and clinicians). Analysis code and data will be openly shared to enhance transparency and reproducibility. Registration details: Open Science Framework preregistration: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/F3T5U .

This study investigated gender minority stress (GMS), coping, and mental health in trans, gender diverse (TGD) and cis youth in Germany and Austria and explored immediate effects of coping on stress in daily life. A 14-day Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) study containing three daily assessments of stress and coping was run. 120 participants (79 TGD, 41 cis) aged 14–21 ( M = 18.71, SD = 1.28) completed the baseline and 103 participants the EMA. TGD participants reported higher GMS, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation than cis participants. Music listening predicted lower stress at the next assessment, Behavioral Disengagement predicted lower stress the next day. Other coping effects depended on gender: Denial predicted lower subsequent stress for cis participants. Venting predicted lower subsequent stress for TGD participants. Disentangling between- and within-person effects, these findings highlight the importance of individual coping and the social context for mental health in TGD youth.

Mental health concerns among early-career researchers (ECRs) have gained attention, but prevalence and severity estimates remain fragmented. Here we conducted a preregistered systematic review and multilevel meta-analysis (PROSPERO: CRD42024596813) to quantify psychological distress among ECRs. Scopus, Web of Science, ERIC and PubMed were searched through 28 October 2025, yielding 148 studies and four primary databases ( k = 228; N = 138,446). On the basis of validated case-identification thresholds, 29.9% (95% confidence interval, 26.1–33.9%) of ECRs report elevated psychological distress across all outcomes. Specifically, pooled estimates indicated that 29.8% (26.1–33.8%) reported elevated depressive symptoms, 29.7% (25.7–33.8%) anxiety symptoms, 28.3% (23.6–33.3%) eating disorder symptoms, 22.9% (18.4–27.9%) alcohol misuse, 18.6% (14.4–23.2%) non-suicidal self-injury and 18.8% (15.2–22.6%) suicidal ideation. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was approximately two to three times higher and anxiety symptoms three to five times higher than in age-matched general-population samples. Symptom severity estimates, capturing mean symptom levels on continuous scales, on average were ‘mild’ for depressive and anxiety symptoms and ‘moderate’ for stress. Moderator analyses showed that outcome and scale type accounted for the largest share of variance, whereas demographic and individual characteristics had limited associations with prevalence and severity estimates. These findings underscore the need for structural reforms and implementation of evidence-based support services for ECRs.

Prior evidence suggests that individuals with higher fitness exhibit attenuated endocrine and autonomic responses to acute psychological and physical stressors. However, it remains unclear whether this stress‐buffering effect depends on the type of stressor. This study examined whether aerobic capacity modulates psychophysiological responses to two stress‐induction paradigms (Trier Social Stress Tests, TSST; Maastricht Acute Stress Test, MAST). We hypothesized that fitter participants show lower stress reactivity, with stronger attenuation expected for the MAST, which includes a physical stress component. Healthy participants ( n = 59; 28 women; age: 27.1 ± 5.5 years) completed the TSST and MAST on separate days under standardized conditions. We assessed self‐reported stress, salivary hormones (cortisol, cortisone, DHEAS), and autonomic cardiac regulation (heart rate and root mean square of successive differences of heart periods). Aerobic fitness was determined via graded exercise testing (peak oxygen uptake; V̇O ₂ peak: 50.4 ± 8.6 mL/kg/min). Multilevel regression models were used to examine the associations between V̇O ₂ peak and stress responses. Higher V̇O ₂ peak was significantly associated with lower heart rate across both stress‐induction paradigms (b = 0.99 bpm, p = 0.002). For other outcomes, no significant association with V̇O ₂ peak was found. The associations did not differ between TSST and MAST. Aerobic fitness was linked to lower heart rate during the experimental sessions, indicating a modest cardiovascular advantage under acute stress. Contrary to our hypothesis, this effect did not differ between the two stress paradigms, suggesting that the influence of fitness was not specific to the type of stressor. Aerobic capacity, therefore, seems to reduce cardiovascular load during stressful situations in a general manner.

Background: The digitalization of work has increased employees’ exposure to work-related information and communication demands, sparking interest in technology-related workplace stressors. Workplace Fear of Missing Out (wFoMO) refers to concerns about missing important work-related information (Informational wFoMO) and social interactions (Relational wFoMO). This study examines the psychometric properties of a French translation of the original 10-item wFoMO scale and develops and evaluates a more concise, 6-item version.Methods The study sample comprised 347 French-speaking employees in Switzerland who completed a survey assessing wFoMO, occupational variables, and wellbeing indicators. Confirmatory factor analyses were performed to test the structures of the 10- and 6-item versions. Reliability, as well as convergent and discriminant validity, were evaluated. Measurement invariance and group differences were examined according to gender, age, managerial position, and frequency of work-related ICT use during leisure time. Construct validity was assessed through associations with both previously examined constructs and theoretically relevant constructs tested for the first time in the context of wFoMO, encompassing personality traits (neuroticism, conscientiousness), mindfulness, workplace telepressure, workaholism, ICT availability expectations, work–home segmentation preferences and supplies, technostress creators, psychological detachment from work, and wellbeing indicators (depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia).Results: Analyses supported the proposed two-factor structure, distinguishing Relational and Informational wFoMO for both scale versions, with good model fit. Both scales demonstrated good reliability and validity, and measurement invariance across the tested groups. Relational and Informational wFoMO were positively associated with neuroticism, workplace telepressure, workaholism, ICT availability expectations, technostress creators, and mental health indicators, and negatively associated with mindfulness and psychological detachment from work, while showing no significant association with conscientiousness. Dimension-specific differences emerged for work–home segmentation variables. Group comparisons revealed no differences across gender or age but significant differences according to managerial position and work-related ICT use during leisure time.Conclusions: This study supports the validity of the French wFoMO scale and its 6-item short version and extends knowledge on the distinct relationships between wFoMO dimensions, digital work factors, and employee psychological health.

Introduction: While there are many anecdotal claims and a growing body of literature on the health benefits of martial arts (MA) and combat sports (CS), research on their perception by practitioners is scarce. Methods: This cross-sectional study ( N = 268) explored the associations between self-rated health and perceived health benefits of MA/CS, by utilizing a MA/CS specific questionnaire as well as widely used measures for mental and physical health. Additionally, the association of training age (in years) and training frequency (per month) with perceived health benefits was examined. Results: The results of the hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses indicated that training frequency was not associated with perceived health benefits, whereas training age showed a small association. Interestingly, in an explorative step, current self-rated health was associated with additional variance in the perceived health benefits. Small to medium associations were found between mental and physical health. Discussion: It is concluded that health benefits are reported by MA/CS practitioners regardless of training age or frequency, and may therefore be relevant to a larger population. Nevertheless, future studies are needed to further explore these relationships using a longitudinal approach.

Psychological and physiological responses co-occur during stressful tasks and jointly influence performance. Yet, research on stress–performance links often focuses on single parameters in isolation, overlooking their interrelations. The current study addressed this gap using machine learning—specifically random forest regression—to identify key psychophysiological predictors of communication performance when considered simultaneously. Participants were 229 medical students who engaged in breaking bad news encounters with simulated patients. We assessed neuroendocrine and cardiovascular activity, mood states, emotion regulation strategies and stress appraisals as predictors and communication performance as the outcome. Results revealed suppression of unpleasant feelings as the strongest predictor, with greater suppression linked to poorer performance. Physiologically, better performance was associated with moderate decreases in heart rate variability, increases in cortisol and decreases in stroke volume. Analysis of joint effects indicated that suppression was especially detrimental under high physiological reactivity and among lower-performing individuals, suggesting cognitive overload under these conditions. The findings pinpoint suppression of unpleasant feelings as a maladaptive stress coping strategy, while physiological stress responses within the observed ranges appeared to enhance performance. Ultimately, addressing maladaptive emotion regulation and leveraging assessable physiological indicators—particularly heart rate variability reactivity—could inform training programmes to improve performance under stress.