Testing the unsolved problems hypothesis: The evolutionary life issues-mitigating function of nature exposure and its relationship with human well-being

Purpose of Review For the most part of human existence, individuals have been living a rural lifestyle in a rural setting. However, such sleep-conducive conditions have largely been transformed dramatically by urbanization within a relatively short span of time in recent history, and the resulting evolved mechanisms-environment mismatch is theorized to bring about an increased risk for insomnia symptoms. This brief review of the recent literature is designed to evaluate the veracity of this proposition. Recent Findings The majority of recent findings have suggested that most proposed evolutionarily mismatched urban factors are indeed related to the presence of insomnia symptoms. However, there is a general paucity of longitudinal evidence (and for some other factors, a lack of enough evidence of any kind). Summary Although there is a preponderance of recent findings indicating a link between evolutionarily mismatched urban phenomena and insomnia symptoms, more longitudinal data are needed before any causative conclusion can be drawn.

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Extending a Life History Model of Psychopathology: Expectations and Schemas as Potential Mechanisms

Kahl

Kavanagh

Gleaves

2021

Evolutionary Psychological Science

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Although there have been recent advances in knowledge and thinking regarding life history conceptualizations of psychopathology, there is still a missing link. That is, although life history strategies may set the stage for the development of various psychopathologies, we believe there is a missing key factor in understanding individuals' risk profiles of psychopathology. This study explored whether schemas and expectations might help differentiate between those who experience psychopathology and those who do not in a student and community sample. In the current cross-sectional study (N = 378), we examined the associations between life history indicators and experiences of anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive symptomatology, and substance use, as well as the possible mediating and moderating effects of schema and expectations on the associations, respectively. We found several significant mediational pathways with indicators of a faster life strategy predicting increased levels of dysfunctional schemas, and in turn predicting increased experiences of depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive symptomatology, but not substance use. Moreover, although expectations did not significantly moderate the mediational pathways, expectations were a significant predictor of depression and anxiety, with those who reported having their expectations rarely met reporting increased experiences of depression and anxiety. Although this research is preliminary in nature, it has provided initial insight into how our schemas and expectations might play a role, alongside life history strategies, in better understanding individuals' risk profiles for psychopathology.

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Testing the unsolved problems hypothesis: The evolutionary life issues-mitigating function of nature exposure and its relationship with human well-being

Cited by 4 publications

References 67 publications

COVID-19 Restrictions-Related Mental Health Challenges and Associated Public Health Preventive Strategies Via a Critical Evolutionary Mismatch Perspective

COVID-19 Restrictions-Related Mental Health Challenges and Associated Public Health Preventive Strategies Via a Critical Evolutionary Mismatch Perspective

The Evolutionarily Mismatched Impact of Urbanization on Insomnia Symptoms: a Short Review of the Recent Literature

Extending a Life History Model of Psychopathology: Expectations and Schemas as Potential Mechanisms

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