Early Pubertal Timing Mediates the Association between Low Socioeconomic Status and Poor Attention and Executive Functioning in a Diverse Community Sample of Adolescents

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to analyze the latent structure of executive functions (EFs) in Spanish-speaking children and to test measurement invariance across socioeconomic status (SES). We sampled 248 children, aged 8 to 12, who were divided into two groups: 124 children from a medium socioeconomic status (MSS) and 124 children from a low socioeconomic status (LSS). We applied a neuropsychological battery consisting of various EF tasks and performed confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and multi-group CFA (MGCFA). CFA showed best fit for the three factor solution: (a) Working memory, (b) Cognitive flexibility, and (c) Inhibition. Moreover, the MGCFA revealed that the three-factor solution was invariant (configural, metric, and structural) across SES, allowing valid comparison between the groups (MSS and LSS) of factors. Finally, bifactorial MANOVA revealed a significant effect of SES and group age but not for the interaction between the two in the three EF dimensions indicative of quantitative group differences. Results are discussed in terms of the dimensional nature of the EF construct and the effects of SES on executive functioning.

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Heart Rate Variability Reactivity Moderates the Indirect Link Between Child Maltreatment and Young Adult Alcohol Use Problems via Depressive Symptoms - Preprint

10.31219/osf.io/uyk9d ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sihong Liu ◽

Assaf Oshri ◽

Erinn Duprey

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Young Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Low Socioeconomic Status ◽

Community Sample ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Low Socioeconomic

Background and Objectives. Young adults with childhood maltreatment (CM) histories are particularly vulnerable to depressive symptoms and alcohol use problems. Research suggest that maltreated youth may misuse alcohol in part to alleviate depressive symptoms. However, many youths with depressive symptoms exercise self-control and abstain from heavy alcohol use. The present study aimed to examine the influence of heart rate variability reactivity (HRV-R), a psychophysiological biomarker of self-regulation, in the indirect link between CM and alcohol use problems via depressive symptoms among low socioeconomic-status rural young adults. Methods. Two waves of data were collected from a community sample of 225 low socioeconomic-status non-metropolitan young adults (Mage = 21.56, 52.9% female). HRV data were obtained with an electrocardiogram during a social stress task. CM was assessed through the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Alcohol use problems were measured using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Results. The indirect effect of CM on alcohol use problems via elevated depressive symptoms was positive and significant (α*β = .159, p < .001). Self-regulation indicated by high HRV-R (i.e., vagal withdrawal) was found to significantly buffer the link between depressive symptoms and alcohol use problems (β = .193, p = .022). Discussion and Conclusions. Adequate self-regulation capacities can protect maltreated youths from self-medicating alcohol use problems. Scientific Significance. This study will advance researchers’ understanding of the development of alcohol use problems through unwrapping the risk and protective mechanisms underlying the association between young adults’ early life stress and alcohol use behaviors.

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Heart Rate Variability Reactivity Moderates the Indirect Link Between Child Maltreatment and Young Adult Alcohol Use Problems via Depressive Symptoms

10.31234/osf.io/bgmp9 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sihong Liu ◽

Assaf Oshri ◽

Erinn Duprey

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Young Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Low Socioeconomic Status ◽

Community Sample ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Low Socioeconomic

Background and Objectives. Young adults with childhood maltreatment (CM) histories are particularly vulnerable to depressive symptoms and alcohol use problems. Research suggest that maltreated youth may misuse alcohol in part to alleviate depressive symptoms. However, many youths with depressive symptoms exercise self-control and abstain from heavy alcohol use. The present study aimed to examine the influence of heart rate variability reactivity (HRV-R), a psychophysiological biomarker of self-regulation, in the indirect link between CM and alcohol use problems via depressive symptoms among low socioeconomic-status rural young adults. Methods. Two waves of data were collected from a community sample of 225 low socioeconomic-status non-metropolitan young adults (Mage = 21.56, 52.9% female). HRV data were obtained with an electrocardiogram during a social stress task. CM was assessed through the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Alcohol use problems were measured using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Results. The indirect effect of CM on alcohol use problems via elevated depressive symptoms was positive and significant (α*β = .159, p < .001). Self-regulation indicated by high HRV-R (i.e., vagal withdrawal) was found to significantly buffer the link between depressive symptoms and alcohol use problems (β = .193, p = .022). Discussion and Conclusions. Adequate self-regulation capacities can protect maltreated youths from self-medicating alcohol use problems. Scientific Significance. This study will advance researchers’ understanding of the development of alcohol use problems through unwrapping the risk and protective mechanisms underlying the association between young adults’ early life stress and alcohol use behaviors.

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