Additive and Synergetic Contributions of Neuroticism and Life Events to Depression and Anxiety in Women

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 390-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Kandler ◽  
Fritz Ostendorf
Keyword(s):  
Life Events ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Negative Life Event ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Environmental Variance ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Personality Psychology ◽  
Positive Life Events ◽  
Positive Experiences ◽  
Stress Models

In this genetically informative and longitudinal study of women, we investigated the nature of individual differences in tendencies to depression (TD) and anxiety (TA) as well as in the probability to develop unipolar mood disorders (UMDs), anxiety disorders (ADs) or both. Specifically, we examined the roles of neuroticism, negative and positive life events and their interplay as heritable and environmental factors of variance in TD and TA. Cross–sectional data from a total of 1200 women including 232 patients (suffering from UMDs and/or ADs) and longitudinal data from 630 female twins including 260 complete pairs were analysed. The analyses yielded that variance in neuroticism mediated the vast majority of the genetic variance in both TD (about 85–90%) and TA (about 70–75%). Negative life events additionally contributed as risk factors accounting for common and specific environmental variance in both TD and TA, whereas positive life events only acted as protective factors in the case of TD. Moreover, TD but not TA was associated with both the probability of exposure and the sensitivity to negative life events and a negative life–event balance (i.e. more negative than positive experiences). The results were discussed within the framework of additive, dynamic and synergetic diathesis–stress models. Copyright © 2016 European Association of Personality Psychology

Personality, Life Events and the Course of Anxiety and Depression

2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 443-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Spinhoven ◽  
Karin Roelofs ◽  
Jacqueline GFM Hovens ◽  
Bernet M Elzinga ◽  
Patricia van Oppen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Moderating Effects ◽  
Positive Life Events ◽  
Dsm Iv ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Impact

Using data from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety, we examined among 1322 participants with a DSM–IV diagnosis of depression or anxiety: (i) whether positive and negative life events influence 1–year course of anxiety and depressive symptoms; (ii) whether personality traits (neuroticism and extraversion) predict symptom course and moderate the impact of life events on symptom course; and (iii) whether life events mediate relationships of neuroticism and extraversion with symptom course. Negative life events were predictive of both anxiety and depressive symptoms, while positive life events predicted the course of depressive symptoms only. Personality traits had significant predictive and moderating effects on symptom course, though these effects were rather small. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The associations between family characteristics and depressive symptoms in older adults: a community-based survey in rural China

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (8) ◽  
pp. 1226-1234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanhong Gong ◽  
Xiaopiao Wen ◽  
Chaoping Guan ◽  
Zhiqing Wang ◽  
Yuan Liang
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Rural China ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Family Characteristics ◽  
Negative Life Event ◽  
The Past

ABSTRACTBackground: The aim of the current study was to investigate the associations between family characteristics and depressive symptoms, and provide new evidence and recommendations for prevention and intervention in the depressive symptoms of older adults.Methods: The study was a cross-sectional survey conducted door-to-door, utilizing a sample of 1,317 individuals aged 60 years and above in rural China. The five family characteristic variables recorded were: living with spouse, living with descendant, support of family members, self-reported family economic status in the previous year, and family-related negative life events that occurred anytime in the past with a continuous psychological effect during the past 12 months. Gender, age, years of schooling, and self-rated physical health status were taken as potential confounders. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine independent effects on depressive symptoms.Results: In addition to the potential confounders, only family-related negative life events, support of family members, and self-reported family economic status had significant effects on depressive symptoms in older adults. Experiencing a family-related negative life event was the most significant variable (OR = 11.70, 95% CI: 7.72–17.73), the second was support of family members (OR = 6.93, 95% CI: 3.26–14.70), while family economic status was less important than support of family members (OR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.08–5.25).Conclusion: This study, from the perspective of family characteristics on depressive symptoms in older adults, showed a strong correlation between being exposed to harmful family environments and depressive symptoms among the elderly. Efforts to address family risk factors and strengthen family cohesiveness deserve a higher priority, given the importance of these factors, compared with other efforts such as promoting economic development.

scholarly journals Stressful life events are not associated with the development of dementia

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Sundström ◽  
Michael Rönnlund ◽  
Rolf Adolfsson ◽  
Lars-Göran Nilsson
Keyword(s):  
Life Events ◽  
Stressful Life Events ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Emotional Adjustment ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Stressful Life ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Population Based Study ◽  
Positive Life Events

ABSTRACTBackground:The impact of stressful life events as a risk factor of dementia diseases is inconclusive. We sought to determine whether stressful negative life events are associated with incidental dementia in a population-based study with long-term follow-up. We also tested the hypothesis that the occurrence of positive life events could mitigate or overcome the possible adverse effects of negative life events on dementia conversion.Methods:The study involved 2,462 dementia-free participants aged 55 years and older. Information on life events was ascertained at baseline from a comprehensive Life Event Inventory, which included 56 questions about specific life events. For each life event, the emotional impact (both positive and negative) and emotional adjustment were asked for.Results:During follow-up, 423 participants developed dementia; of these, 240 developed Alzheimer's disease (AD). Cox regression analysis showed no association between the total number of negative life events and the incidence of dementia when adjusted solely for age and gender (hazard ratio = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.92–1.02), or with multiple adjustments for a range of covariates (hazard ratio = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.91–1.01). Similarly, neither emotional impact nor emotional adjustment to these life events was associated with incident dementia. A separate analysis of AD did not alter the results.Conclusions:The result of this population-based study finds no association between negative or positive life events and dementia. Accordingly, our results reject the hypothesis that stressful life events trigger the onset of dementia diseases.

scholarly journals Factors influencing cognitive reactivity among young adults at high risk for depression in China: a cross-sectional study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fei Fei Huang ◽  
Zhi Peng Wen ◽  
Qi Li ◽  
Bin Chen ◽  
Wen Jie Weng
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cognitive Reactivity ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Chinese Young Adults

Abstract BackgroundUnderstanding the factors influencing cognitive reactivity (CR) may help identify individuals at risk for first episode depression and relapse, and facilitate routine access to preventative treatments. However, few studies have examined CR to depression in Asian countries. This study was performed to ascertain the current status of CR among Chinese young adults and explore the factors that influence their CR. MethodsA national cross-sectional online study using convenience sampling was conducted among 1637 healthy young adults in China (96.29%). ResultsThe mean CR score was 1.73±0.64. Binary logistic regression showed that a low level of CR was associated with the following factors: high self-compassion, high social support, high resilience, high monthly household income, and living in a rural area, with odds ratios (ORs) ranging from 0.14 to 0.70. Young adults in full-time employment, experiencing poor sleep, with high neuroticism, who reported frequent sad mood, and who had a high intensity of negative life events had increased CR to depression, with ORs ranging from 1.18 to 6.66. The prediction probability of these factors was 75.40%. Any causal relationships among the influencing factors and CR cannot be established. ConclusionsThe self-reported CR levels among Chinese young adults were moderate. Enhancing self-compassion, resilience, and social support for young adults and reducing negative life events, neuroticism, and poor sleep may facilitate reducing CR. These findings may help healthcare providers or researchers determine how to cultivate and improve the CR of young adults by establishing documented policies and/or improving intervention efficacies.

For better or worse: Negative life events and sibling relationships

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 330-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marieke Voorpostel ◽  
Tanja van der Lippe ◽  
Henk Flap
Keyword(s):  
Life Events ◽  
Sibling Relationships ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Physical Illness ◽  
Psychological Problems ◽  
Negative Life Event ◽  
Financial Problems ◽  
Life Event ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Law

Using Dutch data ( N = 6630), this article examines how sibling relationships (including full biological, half- and adopted siblings) differed for persons who experienced a negative life event (divorce, physical illness, psychological problems, addiction, problems with the law, victimization of abuse or financial problems) and those who did not. Results showed that people who experienced serious negative life events in the past often had less active, less supportive and more strained sibling ties. The group that experienced a physical illness formed an exception, showing more supportive and active sibling ties, but also higher levels of conflict. Results suggest inequality between persons who have experienced negative life events and those who have not in terms of access to positive and supportive sibling relationships.

scholarly journals Disentangling the causal inter-relationship between negative life events and depressive symptoms in women: a longitudinal twin study

2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (9) ◽  
pp. 1801-1814 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Wichers ◽  
H. H. Maes ◽  
N. Jacobs ◽  
C. Derom ◽  
E. Thiery ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Model Fitting ◽  
Negative Life Event ◽  
Life Event ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
Best Fitting ◽  
Longitudinal Twin Study

BackgroundNegative life events are strongly associated with the development of depression. However, the etiologic relationship between life events and depression is complex. Evidence suggests that life events can cause depression, and depression increases the risk for life events. Additionally, third factors influencing both phenotypes may be involved. In this work we sought to disentangle these relationships using a genetically informative longitudinal design.MethodAdult female twins (n=536, including 281 twin pairs) were followed up for measurements of negative life event exposure and depressive symptoms. Four follow-ups were completed, each approximately 3 months apart. Model fitting was carried out using the Mx program.ResultsThe best-fitting model included causal paths from life events to depressive symptoms for genetic and shared environmental risk factors, whereas paths from depressive symptoms to life events were apparent for shared environmental factors. Shared latent influence on both phenotypes was found for individual-specific effects.ConclusionsLife events and depressive symptoms have complex inter-relationships that differ across sources of variance. The results of the model, if replicated, indicate that reducing life event exposure would reduce depressive symptoms and that lowering depressive symptoms would decrease the occurrence of negative life events.

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