Trajectories of Alcohol Use Initiation and Risk to Develop an Alcohol Use Disorder During Adolescence: A Role for Stress and Amygdala Activity

AbstractEarly alcohol use initiation predicts onset of alcohol use disorders (AUD) in adulthood. However, little is known about developmental trajectories of alcohol use initiation or their putative biological and environmental correlates. Here we report the results of latent class analyses identifying two trajectories of alcohol use initiation in a prospective study of adolescents selected for the presence or absence of familial risk for depression at baseline. The latent class analyses identified two distinct patterns of initiation: early initiators (EI; n=32) who reported greater baseline alcohol use (M = 1.12, SE = .35) and exhibited a more rapid rate of change in use between baseline and each follow up wave (M = 4.43, SE = .94); and in contrast, late initiators (LI; n=298) who reported lower baseline use (M = .23, SE = .03) and exhibited a slower rate of change between baseline and each of the subsequent follow up waves (M = .12, SE = .03). Early initiators had more positive expectancies regarding alcohol (p = .002 – p = .005) and reported higher levels of stressful life events during the year prior to baseline assessment (p = .001). Additionally, fMRI analyses revealed that EI displayed heightened threat-related amygdala activity at baseline compared to LI (p = .001), but no differences in reward-related ventral striatum activity. Lastly survival analyses revealed that EI initiators were 6.7 times more likely to develop an AUD by age 19 when compared to the LI (p = .005). These patterns, which were independent of broad familial risk for depression, suggest that early initiation of alcohol use during adolescence associated with later risk for AUD is reflected in both higher levels of stressful life events and higher neural reactivity to threat, the combination of which may inform ongoing efforts to prevent persistent dysfunction.

Download Full-text

Prediction of parental alienation on depression in left-behind children: A 12-month follow-up investigation

Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences ◽

10.1017/s2045796021000329 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 30 ◽

Author(s):

Xiaoxiao Sun ◽

Xuemei Qin ◽

Mengjia Zhang ◽

Aigang Yang ◽

Xiaomei Ren ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Life Events ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Stressful Life Events ◽

Parental Alienation ◽

Left Behind ◽

Resilience Scale ◽

Children’S Depression ◽

Risk Predictor ◽

High Level

Abstract Aims Alienation towards parents often occurs when parents divorce; however, it can also occur when one or both parents leave for work for more than 6 months. Our previous investigation has confirmed a high level of feelings of alienation towards parents among Chinese left-behind children. However, the longitudinal prediction of alienation on children's mental health outcomes remains largely unknown. This study aims to observe the prediction of alienation towards parents on children's depression 12 months later and potential mediators and moderators. Methods A total of 1090 Chinese left-behind children took part in this 12-month follow-up investigation, using the Chinese version of the Inventory of Alienation towards Parents (IAP), the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), the Adolescent Self-Rating Life-events Checklist (ASLEC), and the Adolescent Resilience Scale. Results Alienation towards parents was high (16.42 ± 7.27 for mother, 15.63 ± 7.17 for father) in left-behind children, and 21.01% of children reported depression. Alienation towards parents predicted current depression of children directly and later depression indirectly; children's alienation toward their mothers was a stronger predictor of depression than alienation towards fathers. In models, stressful life-events acted as a risk mediator. Previous depression was the strongest risk predictor, resilience was the strongest protective factor, and duration of fathers’ absence and parents’ marital status moderated the predictive effects. Conclusions This study is among the first to longitudinally confirm that alienation towards parents is a predictor of children's later depression. The results provide important suggestions for families and schools; i.e. to prevent depression in left-behind children, parent−child bonds especially alienation towards mothers, should be carefully considered, and individuals with more negative life-events and weaker resilience need further attention.

Download Full-text

Factors associated with the onset of major depressive disorder in adults with type 2 diabetes living in 12 different countries: results from the INTERPRET-DD prospective study

Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences ◽

10.1017/s2045796020000438 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 ◽

Author(s):

C. E. Lloyd ◽

N. Sartorius ◽

H. U. Ahmed ◽

A. Alvarez ◽

S. Bahendeka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Major Depressive Disorder ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Depressive Disorder ◽

Life Events ◽

Stressful Life Events ◽

Regression Analyses ◽

Major Depressive

Abstract Aims To examine the factors that are associated with changes in depression in people with type 2 diabetes living in 12 different countries. Methods People with type 2 diabetes treated in out-patient settings aged 18–65 years underwent a psychiatric assessment to diagnose major depressive disorder (MDD) at baseline and follow-up. At both time points, participants completed the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the WHO five-item Well-being scale (WHO-5) and the Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) scale which measures diabetes-related distress. A composite stress score (CSS) (the occurrence of stressful life events and their reported degree of ‘upset’) between baseline and follow-up was calculated. Demographic data and medical record information were collected. Separate regression analyses were conducted with MDD and PHQ-9 scores as the dependent variables. Results In total, there were 7.4% (120) incident cases of MDD with 81.5% (1317) continuing to remain free of a diagnosis of MDD. Univariate analyses demonstrated that those with MDD were more likely to be female, less likely to be physically active, more likely to have diabetes complications at baseline and have higher CSS. Mean scores for the WHO-5, PAID and PHQ-9 were poorer in those with incident MDD compared with those who had never had a diagnosis of MDD. Regression analyses demonstrated that higher PHQ-9, lower WHO-5 scores and greater CSS were significant predictors of incident MDD. Significant predictors of PHQ-9 were baseline PHQ-9 score, WHO-5, PAID and CSS. Conclusion This study demonstrates the importance of psychosocial factors in addition to physiological variables in the development of depressive symptoms and incident MDD in people with type 2 diabetes. Stressful life events, depressive symptoms and diabetes-related distress all play a significant role which has implications for practice. A more holistic approach to care, which recognises the interplay of these psychosocial factors, may help to mitigate their impact on diabetes self-management as well as MDD, thus early screening and treatment for symptoms is recommended.

Download Full-text

Stressful life events are not associated with the development of dementia

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610213001804 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 147-154 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

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.

Download Full-text

0554 Insomnia Disorder Predicts Stressful Life Events in Individuals Who Have Recently Experienced Involuntary Job Loss

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleep/zsaa056.551 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 43 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. A212-A213

Author(s):

I Skobic ◽

G Howe ◽

P L Haynes

Keyword(s):

Life Events ◽

Job Loss ◽

Stressful Life Events ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Stress Generation ◽

Stressful Life ◽

Involuntary Job Loss ◽

Insomnia Disorder

Abstract Introduction The stress generation hypothesis posits that depressed (versus non-depressed) individuals generate more stressful life events, especially events for which they are at least partly responsible (i.e., dependent events). Insomnia disorder interferes with emotion regulation, potentially leading to impaired decision-making and increased stress generation. We hypothesized that insomnia disorder would lead to an increased number of stressful life events in our sample of adults who have recently experienced involuntary job loss. Methods Assessing Daily Activity Patterns through Occupational Transitions is a longitudinal study examining linkages between job-loss, sleep, obesity, and mental health. We used baseline and 3-month follow-up data from 137 participants who completed the Life Events and Difficulties Schedule, a contextual life event measure. Insomnia disorder was coded yes if participants met ICSD-3 criteria for a current chronic or acute insomnia disorder on the Duke Structured Interview for Sleep Disorders. Covariates included age, gender, and race. Linear and logistic regression were employed to assess changes in number of events over time. Secondary analysis examined the relationship between insomnia and dependent stressful life events specifically. Results When controlling for covariates, insomnia disorder at study baseline predicted the number of stressful life events generated between baseline and 3-month follow-up (β =.60, se=.30, t=1.99, p=.05). Conversely, events at baseline did not predict insomnia disorder at follow-up when controlling for baseline insomnia disorder (OR=.98, CI=.82-1.17). Secondary analysis revealed a trend toward increased generation of dependent events among individuals with insomnia disorder (β =.37, se=.23, t = 1.6, p=.11). Conclusion Our analyses provide preliminary evidence for a causal relationship between insomnia disorder and stress generation. Additional research is needed to replicate and examine the mechanisms behind this relationship. This extension of the stress generation hypothesis may have important implications for harm reduction interventions for insomnia disorder. Support #1R01HL117995-01A1.

Download Full-text

Decision letter for "Stressful Life Events, Parental Psychosocial Factors, and Glycemic Management in School-Aged Children During the One Year Follow-Up of New-Onset Type 1 Diabetes"

10.1111/pedi.13012/v2/decision1 ◽

2020 ◽

Keyword(s):

Type 1 Diabetes ◽

Life Events ◽

Stressful Life Events ◽

School Aged Children ◽

One Year ◽

The One ◽

Glycemic Management ◽

New Onset

Download Full-text

Long-term outcome in pharmacotherapy-resistant patients with panic disorder treated with cognitive-behavior therapy: 5-year follow-up

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/s0924-9338(11)71868-5 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 26 (S2) ◽

pp. 157-157

Author(s):

E. Heldt ◽

C. Blaya ◽

L. Kipper ◽

G. Salum Junior ◽

V.N. Hirakata ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Panic Disorder ◽

Treatment Response ◽

Life Events ◽

Stressful Life Events ◽

Panic Attacks ◽

Stressful Life ◽

Cognitive Behavior ◽

Long Term Treatment

BackgroundThere is a limitation of data about factors associated with treatment response in panic disorder (PD) patients at long-term follow-up period. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term treatment response of pharmacotherapy-resistant patients with PD after 5 years of cognitive-behavior group therapy (CBGT) and to identify factors that predict this outcome.MethodSixty-four patients who completed 12 sessions of CBGT were followed for 5-year. Outcome measures were evaluated by the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) and quality of life (QoL) using WHOQOL-bref. Demographic and clinical features, stressful life events were the variables investigated as predictors of CBGT response across follow-up period.ResultsTreatment was associated with significant reduction in symptoms severity (agoraphobia, anticipatory anxiety and panic attacks) with maintenance of gains at 5-year of follow-up (p < 0.05). Twenty-four (40%) of the sample remained in remission after 5 years, 12 (20%) relapsed during the follow-up period and 24 (40%) were non-responder to CBGT. The poor CBGT response had an important negative impact in QoL. Regression analyzes showed that comorbidity with dysthymia (p = 0.017) and stressful life events (p = 0.012) as the most important predictors to worse response.ConclusionsThe improvement in all evaluations suggested that brief CBGT for pharmacotherapy-resistant patients could be an alternative as next-step strategy for residual symptoms with maintenance of the gains after 5 years as assessed across follow-up period. New strategies should be tried for resistant patients, such as those with dysthymia comorbidity, and some specific tool in order to cope with adverse events.

Download Full-text

Transitional Life Events and Trajectories of Cigarette and Alcohol Use During Emerging Adulthood: Latent Class Analysis and Growth Mixture Modeling

Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs ◽

10.15288/jsad.2013.74.727 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 74 (5) ◽

pp. 727-735 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Jimi Huh ◽

Zhaoqing Huang ◽

Yue Liao ◽

Maryann Pentz ◽

Chih-Ping Chou

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Use ◽

Emerging Adulthood ◽

Latent Class Analysis ◽

Life Events ◽

Latent Class ◽

Growth Mixture Modeling ◽

Mixture Modeling ◽

Class Analysis ◽

Growth Mixture

Download Full-text

Timing of Stressful Life Events Affects Stability and Change of Neuroticism

European Journal of Personality ◽

10.1002/per.1929 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 193-200 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Harriëtte Riese ◽

Harold Snieder ◽

Bertus F. Jeronimus ◽

Tellervo Korhonen ◽

Richard J. Rose ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Life Events ◽

Stressful Life Events ◽

Outcome Measure ◽

Twin Pair ◽

Stressful Life ◽

Dizygotic Twin ◽

Stability And Change ◽

Set Point ◽

High Baseline

Neuroticism is a predictor of many health problems. To study the determinants of within–subject change in neuroticism, three hypotheses were tested: (i) subjects who experienced stressful life events (SLEs) show an increase in neuroticism; (ii) high baseline neuroticism moderated this effect; and (iii) recent SLEs had a greater impact on neuroticism than distant SLEs. Data came from the Finnish Twin Cohort. Neuroticism data were collected in 1975 and 1981 and SLEs data in 1981 (n = 21 085). By entering baseline neuroticism as a predictor for neuroticism at follow–up, the outcome measure was change in neuroticism. Changes in neuroticism were predicted from SLE indices or their interaction with baseline neuroticism. Timing of SLEs was taken into account by distinguishing recent from distant SLEs. To control for confounding by shared genes and environments, both within–twin pair and between–twin pair effects were tested for monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs separately. Neuroticism's six–year stability was high (r = .58, p < .001). Exposure to SLEs modestly increased neuroticism (βs > .55, ps < .001), unconfounded by shared genes. This effect was not moderated by high baseline neuroticism. Recent SLEs (.09 < βs < .15) had more impact than distant SLEs (.03 < βs < .11; ps < .01). In conclusion, the findings strongly supported a model of environmentally driven SLEs causing dynamic fluctuations around a person's set point of neuroticism. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Download Full-text