Hymie Anisman

Carleton University · Department of Neuroscience

Although the threat and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic has become a significant source of distress, using religion to cope may be associated with more positive health. Given the severity and chronicity of the pandemic, religious individuals may also have relied on a variety of non-religious coping methods. Much of the existing COVID-19 resear...

Introduction Stemming from a stress appraisal and coping perspective, the present investigation developed a methodology for assessing how individuals appraise abusive dating relationship conflicts (Study 1) and the implications of such appraisals for informing coping responses to abusive interactions (Study 2). Methods Participants ranging in age...

Despite evidence supporting numerous scientific issues (e.g. climate change, vaccinations) many people still doubt the legitimacy of science. Moreover, individuals may be prone to scepticism about scientific findings that misalign with their ideological beliefs and identities. This research investigated whether trust in science (as well as governme...

Introduction: Worldwide, approximately 1900 people die by suicide daily. Daily elevations in air pollution and temperature have previously been linked to a higher risk of death from suicide. To date, there have been relatively few studies of air pollution, particularly at national levels. National analyses can play an important role in shaping hea...

The COVID-19 pandemic has been linked with increased reports of depression, anxiety, and stress. Stay-at-home directives during the pandemic-imposed lifestyle changes, including eating and sedentary behaviors that can further undermine mental health outcomes. Physical activity is a vital component for metabolic health, as well as for mental health...

Loneliness has been described as endemic among young people. Such feelings of social isolation ‘even in a crowd’ are likely linked to adverse early life experiences that serve to diminish perceptions of social support and intensify negative social interactions. It was suggested in the present series of survey studies that childhood abuse, which com...

The well-being of Indigenous peoples continues to be affected by intergenerational effects of numerous harmful government policies, which are considered root causes for bullying and cyberbullying that exist in some communities. Despite ongoing stressors, Indigenous youth demonstrate resilience, which often appears grounded in connecting to their cu...

First Nations children are over 17 times more likely to be removed from their families and placed in the child welfare system (CWS) than non-Indigenous children in Canada. The high rates of parent-child separation have been linked to discriminatory public services and the Indian Residential School (IRS) system, which instigated a multi-generational...

The policies and actions that were enacted to colonize Indigenous Peoples in Canada have been described as constituting cultural genocide. When one considers the long-term consequences from the perspective of the social and environmental determinants of health framework, the impacts of such policies on the physical and mental health of Indigenous P...

To a considerable extent, cancer is a preventable disease, but it is common for behaviors to be maintained that favor disease occurrence and progression. If individuals are aware of their counterproductive lifestyles but have been unable to modify their behaviors, then systematic approaches are available to facilitate behavior change. Some of these...

Microorganisms that comprise viruses, fungi, archaea, and protozoa are present within numerous organs of the body, but particular attention has been focused on the influence of gut bacteria on health and disease. Balances between these microorganisms are essential for well-being and several specific microbiota have been identified that can favor th...

Several forms of immunotherapy have been developed to treat diverse forms of cancer, many of which previously had not been amenable to therapy. In the main, these therapies focus on either enhancing the ability of immune cells to attack tumor cells or diminishing the ability of cancer cells from escaping detection by the immune system. Several immu...

Progress in the development of cancer therapies has been impressive, but there “are miles to go before we sleep.” Precision medicine aided by artificial intelligence might make it possible not only to define the links between genetic and epigenetic factors in predicting the use of treatment strategies but also to identify lifestyle factors that can...

The impact of stressors on health varies with features of adverse experiences, such as their severity, unpredictability, ambiguity, and uncontrollability. Especially profound consequences are provoked by chronic stressor experiences, including chronic pain and illness, which are moderated by how these events are appraised and the coping methods tha...

Sleep is fundamental for survival, contributing to multiple recuperative processes. When sleep is disturbed, including abbreviated sleep and sleep that is too lengthy (> 9 h), the occurrence of illnesses are elevated, including various types of cancer. Such outcomes may be related to effects on energy regulation, immune, and cytokine variations, an...

Somatic and behavioral phenotypes are dictated by genetic and epigenetic factors or by complex interactions that involve multiple genes and both experiential and environmental influences. Phenotypes can be determined by random gene mutations or those promoted by environmental factors. The accumulation of gene mutations and epigenetic changes increa...

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy generally act against cancer cells by damaging their DNA and limiting DNA repair processes. However, damage to healthy cells can be produced, which can promote multiple cognitive and physical disturbances, including severe conditions (e.g., cardiac problems) that can lead to death. Thus, the therapeutic doses admi...

Chronic stressful experiences have been associated with various infectious diseases and the progression of various forms of cancer. These relations have been attributed to immune changes, variations of proinflammatory cytokines, diverse hormones, growth factors, and microbial changes, as well as lifestyle changes caused by stressors. In contrast to...

Diseases related to weight changes have been increasing progressively in recent decades, giving rise to greater attention to methods to diminish weight and prevent recurrence of weight gain, as well as to determine whether specific nutrients contribute to the emergence of diverse illnesses. This included behavioral strategies to promote weight loss...

The immune system comprises several types of cells that operate in a coordinated fashion to rid the body of pathogens, while most often leaving self-tissue unaffected. In addition to innate immune cells, components of the adaptive (acquired) immune system have memory capacity so that previously encountered pathogens elicit rapid and strong response...

The foods individuals consume may have pronounced effects on gut microbiota, which can influence diverse hormonal, immune, and inflammatory processes. The abundance and diversity of microbiota contribute to wellness, provided that an appropriate balance exists between the many microorganisms present. The presence of certain bacteria may promote pos...

Treating cancer at any stage of the disease can be daunting, varying with the nature of the cancer. It is generally accepted, however, that better success is achieved when cancer is treated early. Early detection methods have been improving but are subject to problems related to sensitivity and selectivity. Moreover, considerable hesitancy exists c...

Exercise may limit the development of several illnesses, whereas maintaining sedentary behaviors have been associated with multiple health risks. Even moderate amounts of exercise, such as walking 30 min a day, may be sufficient to provide metabolic gains, elevated microbiota diversity, reduced oxidative stress, enhanced immune activity, and dimini...

Being overweight or having obesity, especially if these states are maintained for extended times, has been associated with increased risk of several chronic illnesses, including the occurrence and progression of several forms of cancer. These actions may be aligned with genetic and epigenetic influences that contribute to the development of obesity...

Resilience among Indigenous Youth in Northern Canada

The ability to effectively contend with racism is likely undermined by factors that promote uncertainty regarding racist motives. A national policy of multiculturalism exists in Canada, which is intended to encourage cultural diversity, but can also serve to mask systemic racism. This may contribute to uncertainty when racism is encountered, with i...

The relationship between adverse experiences and the emergence of pathology has often focused on characteristics of the stressor or of the individual (stressor appraisals, coping strategies). These features are thought to influence multiple biological processes that favor the development of mental and physical illnesses. Less often has attention fo...

To limit the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), many individuals were instructed to stay at home, and teleworking became commonplace. Meanwhile, many others were laid off or worked reduced hours, and some front line workers were required to work longer hours. Concurrently, a surge in reports of “pandemic baking” suggested a cascade effe...

The health and wellness of Indigenous peoples continue to be impacted by the harmful colonization practices enforced by the Government of Canada. While the long-term health impacts of the Indian Residential School (IRS) system are documented, empirical evidence elucidating the relationship between the IRSs and the risk of offspring experiencing oth...

Reduced levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), through its role in neurogenesis and neuroplasticity, may be involved in the evolution and maintenance of depression. Depression has also been tied to fewer social connections and relationships, which can vary according to gender. Thus, we assessed whether the functional single nucleotide...

Because the underdog in a conflict typically gains the support of observers, nations will often adopt a narrative that persuades both their domestic following and international allies that they are the true victim in the conflict. Three survey studies were conducted to assess the perceptions of citizens of a third-party observer nation (Canada) in...

Pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), are thought to play a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of depression within a subset of individuals. However, the involvement of IL-1β has not been as consistently linked to depression, possibly owing to difficulties in detecting this cytokine in blood s...

Two studies assessed the nature of parental communication about the trauma of Indian Residential Schools (IRSs) in relation to the psychological distress of their adult offspring, and whether the link between parental communication and distress was mediated by offsprings’ greater awareness of collective discrimination or sense of pride in cultural...

Perceived discrimination has consistently been shown to be associated with diminished mental health, but the psychological processes underlying this link are less well understood. The present series of four studies assessed the role of a history traumatic events in generating a proliferation of discrimination stressors and threat appraisals, which...

Acute stressor experiences may influence cognition, possibly through actions of cognitive flexibility, which comprises the ability to modify cognitive and behavioral strategies in response to changing environmental demands. In the present investigation, we examined the effects of an acute psychosocial stressor (the Trier Social Stress Test) on a sp...

Cognitive control and (cognitive) flexibility play an important role in an individual’s ability to adapt to continuously changing environments. In addition to facilitating goal-directed behaviors, cognitive control and flexibility have been implicated in emotion regulation, and disturbances of these abilities are present in mood and anxiety disorde...

Environmental enrichment is typically associated with enhanced well-being, improved cognitive function and stress resilience. However, in some instances grouping adult male mice in enriched conditions promoted a stressful environment, which resulted in elevated endocrine, monoamine and inflammatory outcomes in response to subsequent stressor exposu...

The Indian residential school (IRS) system in Canada ran for over a century until the last school closed in 1996. Conditions in the IRSs resulted in generations of Indigenous children being exposed to chronic childhood adversity. The current investigation used data from the 2008–2010 First Nations Regional Health Survey to explore whether parental...

The present research explored whether components of social identity, namely ingroup ties, affect, and centrality, were differentially linked to mental health and inflammatory immune responses, and whether rumination mediated those relations. Study 1 (N = 138) indicated that stronger ingroup ties were associated with fewer mental health (depressive...

Preliminary analyses. (DOCX)

Disturbances of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling, which may occur among those with a polymorphism of the Val66Met gene, comprising a Met substitution for the Val allele, may be associated with depressive cognitions. However, presumed elevated BDNF levels among individuals with the Val/Val genotype, might confer increased responsiv...

This study examined the relations among women’s experiences of abuse, forgiveness, revenge, psychological health, and physiological stress reactivity. Both dispositional (Study 1; N = 103) and state (Study 2; N = 258) forgiveness and vengeance were associated with psychological symptoms. However, the relation between revenge and greater depression...

Background: Social support can serve as a protective factor against the negative impacts of stressors and may thereby promote well-being. As well, exogenous administration of oxytocin has been tied to diminished stress responses and might also enhance the effects of social support. Methods/Results: In the current study, conducted among female under...

Appreciable evidence suggests that perturbations within the gut microbiome and the immune system may play a key role in the pathogenesis of depression stemming from earlier stressful experiences. In the present investigation we examined whether microbial changes in cecum contents were associated with social avoidance behaviors, a feature of depress...

Rejection sensitivity is a cognitive-affective processing disposition that has been linked to interpersonal difficulties. In this regard, the neuropeptide hormone, oxytocin, is thought to underlie social cognitions and behaviors that promote social affiliation. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR), in which gu...

Objective: Suicide rates among Indigenous peoples in Canada are at least twice that of their non-Indigenous counterparts. Although contemporary stressors contribute to this increased risk, historical experiences such as the Indian Residential School (IRS) system may also have continuing links with the risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The...

Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on oxytocin-related genes, specifically the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) rs53576 and the CD38 rs3796863 variants, have been associated with alterations in prosocial behaviors. A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students (N = 476) to examine associations between the OXTR and CD38 polymorp...

In this chapter, we outline the historical trauma experienced by Aboriginal peoples in Canada, focusing on the intergenerational impacts of Indian Residential Schools (IRSs). The IRS system was part of the government’s policy of assimilation, with the goal of eradicating the cultural identities of Aboriginal children by forcing them to live in chur...

Embracing a shared social identity typically serves to protect group members in the face of threats. However, under some conditions, intragroup dynamics are diverted so that instead, they contribute to disturbances in collective well-being. The present analysis applies a social identity framework to understand how intragroup processes elicited in I...

Inflammatory processes have been linked to depressive illness, possibly being driven by stressful experiences. As well changes in the balance between microbial species compromising the microbiome could be important in precipitating cytokines and other inflammatory factors that, in turn, influence several pathways leading to depression. In particula...

Although the neuropeptide oxytocin has been associated with enhanced prosocial behaviors, it has also been linked to aggression and mental health disorders. Thus, it was suggested that oxytocin might act by increasing the salience of social stimuli, irrespective of whether these are positive or negative, thus increasing vulnerability to negative me...

One in 3 of us will experience mental illness in our lifetime, and yet the current treatments as well as the development of new strategies haven’t been overly encouraging.1 In economically developed countries mental illness exerts an enormous social and economic toll; in Canada, for instance, more than 500 000 people will not go to work daily owing...

In this paper we examine the variability in the associations between discrimination/stigma and vulnerability to poor health outcomes in light of psychosocial and neurobiological processes that might contribute to these relations. Depending on the features of the discrimination or stigma, different neurobiological stress reactions occur (i.e., corti...

Considerable recent attention has focused on the rapid antidepressant effects observed in treatment resistant patients produced by the NMDA receptor antagonist, ketamine. Surprisingly, the effects of ketamine in the context of stressor exposure, as well as the consequences of its chronic use are unclear. Thus, we assessed the impact of acute and re...

A key factor to the prevalence of mental illness might be the disinclination to seek help, perhaps owing to the stigma of mental illness. In two studies, the contribution of severity of depressive symptoms, social support, and unsupport, coping strategies, and salience of psychological versus biological features of depression in relation to perceiv...

Stress responses in humans can be attenuated by exogenous oxytocin administration, and these stress-buffering properties may be moderated by social factors. Yet, the influence of acute stressors on circulating endogenous oxytocin levels have been inconsistent, and limited information is available concerning the influence of social support in modera...

The intranasal route of drug administration has gained increased popularity as it is thought to allow large molecules, such as peptide hormones, more direct access to the brain, while limiting systemic exposure. Several studies have investigated the effects of intranasal oxytocin administration in humans as this peptide is associated with prosocial...

Oxytocin is a hormone that is thought to influence prosocial behaviors and may be important in modulating responses to both positive and negative social interactions. Indeed, a single nucleotide polymorphism, rs53576, of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) has been associated with decreased trust, empathy, optimism, and social support seeking, which...

Considerable evidence supports the view that depressive illness and suicidal behaviour stem from perturbations of neuroplasticity. Presently, we assessed whether depressed individuals who died by suicide displayed brain region-specific changes in brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and whether such effects varied by gender. Using postmortem sa...

A single-nucleotide polymorphism on the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR), rs53576, involving a guanine (G) to adenine (A) substitution has been associated with altered prosocial features. Specifically, individuals with the GG genotype (i.e. the absence of the polymorphism) display beneficial traits including enhanced trust, empathy and self-esteem. Ho...

Stressful events have been implicated in the evolution of mood disorders. In addition to brain neurotransmitters and growth factors, the view has been offered that these disorders might be provoked by the activation of the inflammatory immune system as well as by de novo changes of inflammatory cytokines within the brain. The present review describ...

Social identity threats, depending on the content of the identity targeted, may evoke varying socio-political responses. In this regard, religious discrimination may be especially threatening, challenging both the social group and its belief system, thereby promoting more active collective responses. This research examined how religious and ethnic...