Salivary apelin hormone response and dysfunctional attitudes in adolescents in Türkiye: a relational screening model

Abstract

Background

Adolescence is the period in which physical and emotional changes occur through hormones, the individual acquires gender characteristics and prepares for the adult role psychologically and physically. Dysfunctional attitudes are beliefs and attitudes that can lead to depression by causing negative thoughts about oneself, others, and the future.Dysfunctional attitudes negatively affect children’s mental health. Hormones have a significant impact on human behavior and cognitive functions. However, little is known about the role and influence of hormones on dysfunctional attitudes. Apelin is a hormone responsible for controlling emotions by regulating emotional behavior. The level of dysfunctional attitudes is one of the important issues in nursing practice in terms of protecting and improving children’s mental health. However, little is known about the role and impact of hormones on dysfunctional attitudes.This study aimed to examine adolescents’ dysfunctional attitudes and salivary apelin hormone levels in terms of sociodemographic variables.

Methods

The study was conducted in a relational screening model with 151 adolescents aged 9–14 years who were reported to be clinically healthy in Türkiye. Apelin hormone levels were analyzed by ELISA technique in the saliva samples of the participants. In the evaluation of dysfunctional attitudes, the relationship between the score obtained from the dysfunctional attitude scale and salivary hormone levels was evaluated.

Results

In the study, a negative, strong and statistically significant correlation was found between the average salivary apelin hormone level and dysfunctional attitudes of adolescents ( p =.000). Mean salivary hormone levels of apelin in adolescent girls and boys were 0.696 (SD 0.052) ng/ml, respectively; while 0.671 (SD 0.047) ng/ml was determined ( p =.002), dysfunctional attitudes scale scores were 52.95 (SD 14.43); it was determined as 59.04 (SD 14.22) ( p =.006). On the other hand, the highest average salivary apelin hormone level ( p =.038). and the lowest level of dysfunctional attitudes were determined in adolescent girls aged 13–14 years ( p =.028).

Conclusions

In our study, we found that while the salivary apelin hormone levels of adolescents decreased, their dysfunctional attitudes increased. We found that adolescents’ dysfunctional attitudes decreased with age. In contrast, apelin hormone levels increased with age.

Highlights

Our study revealed the relationship between the hormone apelin and dysfunctional attitudes in adolescents.

The level of dysfunctional attitudes that play a role in the development of depression is lower in female adolescents than in male adolescents.

Apelin level recommended to be used in the treatment of depression is higher in female adolescents than male adolescents.

Apelin levels increase with age in adolescents, and dysfunctional attitude levels decrease.