A longitudinal study of stressful life events assessed at interview with an epidemiological sample of adult twins: the basis of individual variation in event exposure

1996 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 1239-1252 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. L. Foley ◽  
M. C. Neale ◽  
K. S. Kendler
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Individual Variation ◽  
Stressful Life Events ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Stressful Life ◽  
Small Contribution ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Epidemiological Sample ◽  
Adult Twins

SynopsisThis study investigates the basis of individual variation in exposure to stressful life events (SLEs). A population based sample of 547 MZ and 390 DZ female–female twin pairs, aged between 17 and 55 years, were surveyed by two structured interviews, separated by at least 1 year, that enquired about SLEs experienced during the preceding 12 months. Data were analysed with a model that resolves occasion specific (‘random’) versus enduring (‘stable’) influences on SLEs. The latter is partitioned into that due to genetic, familial environmental and unique environmental factors. We demonstrate that both random factors and stable individual differences underlie variation in self-reported exposure to SLEs. For most network events this stable variance makes a relatively small contribution to the total variance in SLEs exposure and is almost entirely due to genetic or familial environmental effects. Stable individual differences are more important determinants of personal SLEs, and these reflect both familial factors as well as previous experiences unshared by relatives.

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.

Childhood sexual abuse, stressful life events and risk for major depression in women

2004 ◽  
Vol 34 (8) ◽  
pp. 1475-1482 ◽  
Author(s):  
KENNETH S. KENDLER ◽  
JONATHAN W. KUHN ◽  
CAROL A. PRESCOTT
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Major Depression ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Stressful Life Events ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Stress Sensitivity ◽  
Stressful Life ◽  
Increased Risk

Background. In animals, early trauma can produce long-lasting changes in sensitivity to the pathogenic effects of stress. To explore whether similar processes occur in humans, we examine whether childhood sexual abuse (CSA) in women alters sensitivity in adulthood to the depressogenic effects of stressful life events (SLEs).Method. A history of CSA was obtained from a population-based sample of 1404 female adult twins. Cox Proportional hazard models were used to predict onsets of episodes of DSM-III-R major depression (MD) in the past year from previously assessed levels of neuroticism (N), CSA and past-year SLEs scored on long-term contextual threat.Results. In the best-fit model, onset of MD was predicted by CSA, SLEs and N. Individuals with CSA (and especially with severe CSA) had both an overall increased risk for MD and a substantially increased sensitivity to the depressogenic effects of SLEs. A ‘dose–response’ relationship between severity of CSA and sensitivity to SLEs was clearer in those with low to average levels of N than in those with high levels of N.Conclusion. As documented with physiological responses to a standardized laboratory stressor, CSA increases stress sensitivity in women in a more naturalistic setting. Both genetic and early environmental risk factors can produce long-term increase in the sensitivity of individuals to depressogenic life experiences.

Suicide in Relation to the Experience of Stressful Life Events: A Population-Based Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 544-555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita Fjeldsted ◽  
Thomas William Teasdale ◽  
Martin Jensen ◽  
Annette Erlangsen
Keyword(s):  
Life Events ◽  
Stressful Life Events ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Stressful Life ◽  
Population Based Study

scholarly journals Psychiatric resilience: longitudinal twin study

2014 ◽  
Vol 205 (4) ◽  
pp. 275-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ananda B. Amstadter ◽  
John M. Myers ◽  
Kenneth S. Kendler
Keyword(s):  
Life Events ◽  
Stressful Life Events ◽  
Stressful Life Event ◽  
Environmental Influences ◽  
Gender Effects ◽  
Stressful Life ◽  
Genes And Environment ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Longitudinal Twin Study ◽  
Adult Twins

BackgroundThe source of variability in people's response to stressful life events is poorly understood.AimsWe examine the genetic and environmental underpinning of resilience (i.e. the difference between the twins' internalising symptoms and their predicted symptoms based on cumulative stressful life events).MethodStressful life event exposure and internalising symptoms were assessed at two time points in 7500 adult twins. Using the residual between actual and predicted internalising symptom total score, twin modelling was conducted for each wave separately and longitudinally.ResultsResilience was found to have a moderate genetic heritability at each wave (~31%). Qualitative gender effects were found. Incorporating error of measurement into the model increased the estimated heritability for the latent construct of resilience (~50%). When measurement error and occasion-specific effects were removed, environmental influences contributed roughly equally to level of resilience.ConclusionsBoth genes and environment influence level of psychiatric resilience, and are largely stable over time. Environmental influences can have an enduring effect on resilience.

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