A new study reveals that after menopause an estimated 1 in 4 women may develop irregular heart rhythms — known as atrial fibrillation — in their lifetime, with stressful life events and insomnia being major contributing factors, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association. Researchers reviewed data from more than 83,000 questionnaires by women ages 50-79 from the Women’s Health Initiative, a major U.S. study. Participants were asked a series of questions in key categories: stressful life events, their sense of optimism, social support and insomnia. (see details of study below).
Psychosocial stress is a pervasive challenge in our modern world, impacting people from all walks of life. Among those who often bear the brunt of psychosocial stress are women, who face unique and intersecting stressors related to societal expectations, family dynamics, and career pressures. While stress itself is a natural response to life’s demands, prolonged or excessive psychosocial stress can lead to adverse physical and mental health outcomes. In this article, we explore the role of psychology and talk therapy in supporting women experiencing psychosocial stress.
Understanding Psychosocial Stress in Women
Psychosocial stress encompasses a range of stressors related to our social environment, including financial difficulties, relationship conflicts, workplace stress, and discrimination. Women, in particular, often experience gender-specific stressors such as gender-based violence, unequal pay, and the expectation to fulfill traditional roles as caregivers and homemakers, among others.
These stressors can accumulate and manifest in various ways, including anxiety, depression, insomnia, and physical health problems like cardiovascular disease and autoimmune disorders. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by women and the impact of psychosocial stress on their well-being is crucial for addressing their mental health needs effectively.
The Role of Psychology and Talk Therapy
Psychology, as a discipline, plays a fundamental role in understanding the psychological and emotional experiences of women under psychosocial stress. It provides a framework for recognizing how social, cultural, and personal factors intersect to create stressors and influence mental health outcomes.
Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, is an essential tool within the field of psychology for addressing psychosocial stress. Several therapeutic approaches can be particularly beneficial for women facing these challenges:
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors contributing to their stress. It empowers women to develop healthy coping strategies and problem-solving skills.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): MBSR teaches women how to be present in the moment, fostering awareness and acceptance of their thoughts and emotions. This practice can help women manage stress and reduce its impact on their mental health.
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): IPT focuses on improving interpersonal relationships, making it especially useful for women dealing with relationship-related stressors. It can address issues like conflict resolution, communication skills, and grief.
Psychodynamic Therapy: This approach delves into the unconscious factors that may be contributing to stress and emotional difficulties. It can help women gain insight into their emotions and behaviors, promoting healing and personal growth.
Benefits of Talk Therapy for Women
Emotional Support: Talk therapy provides a safe space for women to express their feelings and concerns without judgment. A trained therapist can offer empathy and validation, reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Skill Building: Therapy equips women with valuable skills to manage stress, regulate emotions, and enhance their overall mental well-being. These skills are transferable and can be applied to various life situations.
Empowerment: By exploring their thoughts and emotions in therapy, women gain a greater understanding of themselves and their circumstances. This self-awareness can empower them to make positive changes in their lives.
Coping Strategies: Talk therapy helps women develop healthy coping strategies for dealing with stressors, whether they are related to work, relationships, or societal pressures.
Psychosocial stress is a complex issue that disproportionately affects women. Psychology and talk therapy offer invaluable support by addressing the underlying causes of stress and providing women with the tools to navigate these challenges effectively. By seeking help and engaging in therapy, women can improve their mental and emotional well-being, enhance their resilience, and ultimately lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. It is essential to acknowledge and validate the experiences of women facing psychosocial stress while also advocating for increased access to mental health resources and services tailored to their needs.
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STUDY: Stress and insomnia linked to irregular heart rhythms after menopause
After menopause an estimated 1 in 4 women may develop irregular heart rhythms — known as atrial fibrillation — in their lifetime, with stressful life events and insomnia being major contributing factors, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.
Atrial fibrillation may lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure or other cardiovascular complications. It primarily affects older adults, and more than 12 million people in the U.S. are expected to develop atrial fibrillation by 2030, according to the American Heart Association.
“In my general cardiology practice, I see many postmenopausal women with picture perfect physical health who struggle with poor sleep and negative psychological emotional feelings or experience, which we now know may put them at risk for developing atrial fibrillation,” said lead study author Susan X. Zhao, M.D., a cardiologist at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, California. “I strongly believe that in addition to age, genetic and other heart-health related risk factors, psychosocial factors are the missing piece to the puzzle of the genesis of atrial fibrillation.”
Researchers reviewed data from more than 83,000 questionnaires by women ages 50-79 from the Women’s Health Initiative, a major U.S. study. Participants were asked a series of questions in key categories: stressful life events, their sense of optimism, social support and insomnia. Questions about stressful life events addressed topics such as loss of a loved one; illness; divorce; financial pressure; and domestic, verbal, physical or sexual abuse. Questions about sleeping habits focused on if participants had trouble falling asleep, wake up several times during the night and overall sleep quality, for example. Questions about participants’ outlook on life and social supports addressed having friends to talk with during and about difficult or stressful situations; a sense of optimism such as believing good things are on the horizon; and having help with daily chores.
During approximately a decade of follow-up, the study found:
About 25% or 23,954 women developed atrial fibrillation.
A two-cluster system (the stress cluster and the strain cluster).
For each additional point on the insomnia scale, there is a 4% higher likelihood of developing atrial fibrillation. Similarly, for each additional point on the stressful life event scale, there is a 2% higher likelihood of having atrial fibrillation.
“The heart and brain connection has been long established in many conditions,” Zhao said. “Atrial fibrillation is a disease of the electrical conduction system and is prone to hormonal changes stemming from stress and poor sleep. These common pathways likely underpin the association between stress and insomnia with atrial fibrillation.”
Researchers noted that stressful life events, poor sleep and feelings, such as depression, anxiety or feeling overwhelmed by one’s circumstances, are often interrelated. It’s difficult to know whether these factors accumulate gradually over the years to increase the risk of atrial fibrillation as women age.
Chronic stress has not been consistently associated with atrial fibrillation, and the researchers note that a limitation of their study is that it relied on patient questionnaires utilized at the start of the study. Stressful life events, however, though significant and traumatic, may not be long lasting, Zhao notes. Further research is needed to confirm these associations and evaluate whether customized stress-relieving interventions may modify atrial fibrillation risk.
Study details and background:
Participants were recruited between 1994 and 1998. The average age of the 83,736 women included in the study was about 64 years old. Approximately 88% of the group were women who self-identified as white; 7.2% identified as Black women; and 2.9% self-identified as Hispanic women.
As women live longer, they may face higher risk and poorer outcomes associated with atrial fibrillation. While high blood pressure, obesity, Type 2 diabetes and heart failure are recognized risk factors, more research is needed about how the exposure to psychosocial stress and overall emotional well-being over time may affect the potential development of atrial fibrillation.