Stress is a common occurrence in the day-to-day lives of individuals. Different individuals cope with stress differently. Most deaths and comorbidities are associated with stress factors that gravely affect health, leading to an increase in health costs and family expenditure. The response of the brain to stress is an area that continues to be studied widely, but due to the nature of these studies, animal models are mainly used.
What has been derived from these animal studies is that particular regions of the brain have the capacity to undergo extensive structural and functional remodeling (neural plasticity).
Neural plasticity is an essential characteristic that offers neuroprotective benefits after an initial episode of acute stress (Gray & McEwen, 2013). Other than the brains’ neuroplasticity, environmental, personal, and behavioral factors influence one’s stress and mood handling ability. Hence, the need for a meta-synthesis of literature aimed to review the relation between mood and stress in relation to influential factors.
‘Mood and stress’ is an imperative area of focus because of the detrimental effects associated with poor stress management strategies. Individuals need to be informed of the myriad approaches that they can adopt to manage their stress levels, as well as their moods.
Various studies on the relationship between stress, mood, and triggering/mitigating factors have been conducted, but variations result due to an oversight of some factors in the research design or confounding factors, like molecular and physiological mechanisms that have not yet been exhaustively investigated.
In an attempt to understand the relationship between mood, stress, and influential factors, this study aims to expound on the influence of school-associated stress, food choice and food preparation, lithium, and multivitamin supplementation on stress and mood among students in Keanu University. Specifically, the underlying mechanisms that enable these factors to have a positive influence on stress levels and mood will be delineated.
The current society is characterized by numerous stress factors; hence, the association between mood and stress has become an area of interest. Stress has been a symptom of early disease onset, and it exacerbates symptoms of various mood disorders. There is a substantial reason that leads to the conclusion that the unique confluence of genetic and environmental factors has a long-term effect on an individual’s maladaptive state. Failure to return to normal after exposure to stressful events can mean a loss of plasticity.
The hippocampus and amygdala regions are presumed to be largely affected in such instances. Lithium has been used in the effective treatment of bipolar disorder, among other mood disorders, for a long time now. Gray and McEwen (2013) help to understand the role of Lithium by gathering scientific evidence that shows the effects of Lithium in counteracting the effects of stress by unlocking the diseased brain (enabling neuroplasticity).
Unfortunately, the mechanisms by which Lithium is able to facilitate neuroplasticity are not completely understood. For example, despite the fact that Li stabilizes patients with mood disorders, an abnormal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis still prevails. The principal role played by Li is to “activate Wnt/β-catenin and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) pathways in concert with changes in glutamate and glucocorticoid (GC) levels” (Gray & McEwen, 2013, p. 348).
The mood of an individual, to some extent, stems from the individual’s mental attitude, where stress is an influential factor. An individual’s mental attitude includes an array of domains, such as, “the positive acceptance of, controllability of, and coping efficacy of stress experience” (Saito & Tada, 2007, p. 13). This being the case, individuals can change their negative mood to a positive one through pleasant stimuli that might change their mental attitude.
Recent studies have shown the aggravated effect of serious illness on the stress of affected individuals. As a result, Saito and Tada (2007) aimed to alleviate the suffering of hospitalized patients using positive stimuli; thereby, influencing mental attitude and mood. The study by Saito and Tada (2007) focused on the effects of color on the patients’ mood. Similar studies in the past showed positive correlations between color images and emotions, whereby color images significantly reduced negative emotions and increased positive emotions.
This study by Saito & Tada (2007) adopted an experimental research design, and different photographs were shown to different groups. The experimental group interacted with colored photographs of natural scenery. The control group interacted with the same photographs of natural scenery but in black and white. The Multiple Mood Scale was used to gauge the effectiveness of color images on an individual’s emotional state. The study used biochemical parameters of chromogranin A and cortisol in saliva.
The use of CgA was based on the linear relationship between CgA and epinephrine, 2 minutes after exercise. Cortisol, also, is paramount as an indicator of stress because it shows the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Unfortunately, the study by Saito and Tada did not show significant outcomes but showed a tendency towards decreased negative mood and increased positive mood (P= 0.06). This variation between previous and current results could be attributed to the small sample size in the current study.
Dispositional optimism, which is the generalized expectation of good things in one’s life, is a trait that influences one’s stress levels. Optimism is a trait that is attributed to one’s genetic makeup. This trait is beneficial to those that possess it because it enables them to handle the inevitable and daily life stresses, positively. The discussion above (Gray & McEwen, 2013) has indicated that genetic factors have a role to play in enhancing the neural plasticity of the brain after stressful events.
Past studies have indicated beneficial outcomes in optimistic individuals in reference to recovery and quality of life. The mechanism through which optimism produces a protective effect on health is not clear. In an attempt to understand the pathways through which optimism lowers stress levels when behavioral and environmental factors are controlled, Brydon et al. (2009) evaluated the effect of the immune system. Emerging evidence has shown that optimism moderates the negative effect of stress on the immune system.
One hypothesis is that optimistic student, during times of academic stress when lymphocyte levels reduce, have high scores on cytotoxic T cells, improved natural killer cell (NKC) activity, and large antigen-simulated delayed-type hypersensitivity responses.
The converse is the case for students with low optimism scores. This study found out that subjects with high levels of dispositional optimism had low levels of Interleukin-6 during stressful conditions. This outcome was observed in both stress groups and not in the vaccine/stress group, solely.
Work-related stress is a major health burden because costs associated with such claims are 50% compared to other work claims (Stough et al. 2011). Literature has indicated that stress is a symptom in the early stages of disease onset; hence, the reason for a 560% exponential increase in stress-related illnesses within a span of 6 years, only. Work-related stress, which mainly results from expectations that are not commensurate with skills and resources, has been associated with great negative outcomes.
Evidence-based interventions, for example, education on appropriate stress management techniques and the right dietary approach, have yielded little success. Previous studies indicated the benefits associated with the consumption of multivitamins on stress, but not on work stress (Stough et al. 2011). Blackmores Executive B Stress Formula, rich in vitamin B-complex, was the multivitamin used to evaluate the effect of the multivitamin on work stress.
The study showed that the B-complex, rich multivitamin significantly reduced personal strain. After 12 weeks of supplementation (longer duration of intervention in comparison to previous studies), groups receiving the vitamin B-complex multivitamin had a mood characterized by reduced confusion and depression.
An interesting feature that may stir up controversy and debate is leadership. Unlike in the previous discussion, which states that work is mainly associated with work-related stress due to undying pressures, leadership seems to have a converse effect. Despite the fact that ascension to positions of leadership is associated with remarkably increased demands, it is not associated with an increment in the number of hours (Sherman et al., 2012).
There have been some discrepancies in results based on the sample chosen; for example, the use of the executive monkey yielded different results when compared to a study on nonhuman primates. There is reasonable evidence to show that employment is indeed associated with reduced stress compared to no employment because employment leads to the elevation of one’s socioeconomic status and education level. Sherman et al. (2012) reiterate that individuals are able to control the stress resulting from work overtime.
This ability to control stress enables individuals to have a buffering effect against stress. Control of stressor factors alters the physiological consequences that follow by reducing the production of cortisol. A study conducted in the military and federal government (public sector) by Sherman et al. (2012) found out that leadership has an inverse relationship with stress, in comparison with no leadership. Benefits derived from leadership in managing stress are better achieved based on the number of subordinates.
Sherman et al. (2012) study indicated that control over a larger number of subordinates was not associated with an increased sense of control or reduced stress. Future studies should compare the public and private sectors in relation to leadership and stress.
Osdoba, Mann, Redden, and Vickers (2015) focused on the interaction between food, stress, and mood because the interactions between these elements are not well understood. King and Meiselman (cited in Osdoba et al. 2015) state that food affects one’s mood, yet the choices of foods eaten are also influenced by both physiological (for example, hunger) and psychological (for example, emotional state) factors. People are alert and irritable when hungry and calm, and sleepy when full.
Consumption of food is deemed to elicit a positive emotional response as well as alleviate psychological and physiological stresses. In a previous study by Martin et al. (cited in Osdoba et al. 2015, p. 242), the ingestion of 40g chocolate in a day for two weeks led to reduced levels of urinary cortisol among participants considered to have chronic stress. In addition, a three-day consumption of chocolate led to reduced levels of psychological stress based on self-reports of anxiety and depression.
Also, calorie-dense foods were found to reduce stress hormone levels during times of stress. Osdoba et al. (2015) adopted a two-factor analysis approach based on choice (participants chose or did not choose the ingredients for their pasta meal) and preparation (participants either prepared or did not prepare food themselves).
The Trier Social Stress Task (TSST) protocol was used to guide the sequence of events. The no-choice group reacted more to the TSST in comparison with the group that chose its ingredients (choice group). Anxiety and anger levels increased more in the no-choice groups, and positivity was greatly reduced in these groups after the TSST when compared with the choice groups. However, it was assumed that the approach used to introduce individuals to the different groups could have affected the outcome.
Numerous factors seem to have an influential effect on one’s stress levels, and subsequently, on mood. Not limited to this literature review, it is evident that behavioral approaches, environmental factors, personality traits (which are determined by one’s genetic disposition), and medical therapy are useful in the preventive, curative, and rehabilitative measures against stress and associated mood disorders.
In these studies, it has been apparent that uncertainty and lack of control over one’s actions and situation exacerbate stress levels. This being the case, it is, therefore, true that work-related stress does not entirely lead to elevated stress levels; it depends on one’s job description and position, factors that were not taken account by Stough et al. (2011).
Molecular and physiological mechanisms of elements like vitamin supplementation are yet to be articulately deciphered. Hence, more studies are required to help understand the mechanisms that govern the action of these environmental, dietary, and behavioral factors.
The present study will build on existing literature to help in explaining the underlying molecular and physiological mechanisms that are involved when subjects are exposed to positive stimuli. The study will focus on students’ stress and will aim to establish patterns based on causes of stress, feeding habits, and medication used to aid in comparison. The following hypotheses will be used:
- There is no significant difference in stress and mood levels among students at Keanu University.
- There is no significant difference in the underlying mechanisms that govern stress management among students at Keanu University.
References
Brydon, L., Walker, C., Wawrzyniak, A., Chart, H., & Steptoe, A. (2009). Dispositional optimism and stress-induced changes in immunity and negative mood. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 23, 810-816.
Gray, J. D., & McEwen, B. (2013). Lithium’s role in neural plasticity and its implications for mood disorders. Acta Psychiatric Scandinavica, 128, 347-361.
Osdoba, K., Mann, T., Redden, J., & Vickers, Z. (2015). Using food to reduce stress: Effects of choosing meal components and preparing a meal. Food Quality and Preference, 39, 241-250.
Saito, Y., & Tada, H. (2007). Effect of color images on stress reduction: Using images as mood stimulants. Japan Journal of Nursing Science, 4, 13-20.
Sherman, G., Lee, J., Cuddy, A., Renshon, J., Oveis, C., Gross, J., & Lerner, J. (2012). Leadership is associated with lower levels of stress. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 19(44). doi: 10.1073/pnas.1207042109.
Stough, C., Scholey, A., Lloyd, J., Spong, J., Myers, M., & Downey, l. (2011). The effect of 90 day administration of a high dose vitamin B—complex on work stress. Human psychopharmacology, 26, 470-476.