scholarly journals The Validity of the Residuals Approach to Measuring Resilience to Adverse Childhood Experiences

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Cahill ◽  
Reinmar Hager ◽  
Tarani Chandola
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Construct Validity ◽  
Predictive Validity ◽  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Adolescent Psychopathology ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
Sibling Relationship ◽  
Residual Variance ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Replication Studies

Abstract Background: Resilience is broadly defined as the ability to maintain or regain functioning in the face of adversity. Recent work to harmonise the quantification and definition of resilience quantifies resilience as the residual variance in psychosocial functioning that remains after accounting for adversity exposure. However, there have been no published studies that have formally investigated the validity of this approach. Considering this, we examine the construct and predictive validity of the residuals approach using participants from ALSPAC. Methods: We regressed exposures of adolescent adversity on adolescent psychopathology scores using the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire and obtained the residual variance. We investigated construct validity by analysing whether previously identified demographic and resilience factors significantly predicted resilience. Predictive validity of resilience was investigated by comparing the predictive power of resilience with other determinants of psychosocial functioning on two developmental outcomes: depressive symptoms at 18 years, measured by the Short Moods and Feelings Questionnaire, and NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) status at 17 and 23 years. The associations between depressive symptoms at 18, resilience, ACEs and covariates were tested using multiple linear regression. NEET status at 17 and 23 were run as separate binary multiple logistic regression models to test associations with resilience and known demographics previously associated with NEET status.Results: Seven previously identified protective factors, including self-esteem, positive sibling relationship, temperament, and positive perception of school, significantly predicted resilience to adolescent psychopathology, thus providing strong construct validity. Resilience significantly predicted a reduction in depressive symptoms at 18 years, and significantly decreased the likelihood of having NEET status at both 17 years and 23 years, even after taking into account early childhood adversity and other risk factors. None of the socioeconomic factors were significantly associated with resilience.Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that the residuals method of operationalising resilience has good construct and predictive validity yet recommend replication studies. It has the potential to advance research into the mechanisms and modifiability of resilience.Trial Registration: Not applicable

scholarly journals Total Plasma Homocysteine and Depressive Symptoms in Older Hispanics

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Fernando Castro ◽  
Jesús Melgarejo ◽  
Carlos A. Chavez ◽  
Gabriel A. de Erausquin ◽  
Joseph D. Terwilliger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Alcohol Intake ◽  
Plasma Homocysteine ◽  
Total Plasma ◽  
Thcy Level ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Depression Subscale ◽  
Aging Study ◽  
Intake Stroke

Background: Very few studies have investigated the association between total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) and depressive symptoms in older Hispanics. Objective: To test the hypothesis that high tHcy associate with depressive symptoms in older Hispanics. Methods: A total of 1,418 participants .55 years old from the Maracaibo Aging Study (MAS) underwent standardized neurological, neuropsychiatric, and cardiovascular assessments. The Neuropsychiatric Inventory Depression Subscale (NPId) was used to assess the burden of depressive symptoms. The tHcy levels and other biochemical parameters in blood samples were measured. Multivariable logistic regression models were applied. Results: Participants with depressive symptoms had higher levels of tHcy than those without (15.1 versus 13.9 µmol/L; p = 0.009). Elevated tHcy levels were associated with depressive symptoms after adjusting for age, sex, education, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, alcohol intake, stroke, and dementia (OR = 1.62; 95% CI, 1.10–2.21). Conclusion: Elevated levels of tHcy level were associated with depressive symptoms in older Hispanics living under the nutritional and environmental conditions of a developing country.

scholarly journals Depressive Symptoms in Swiss University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Their Correlates

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Volken ◽  
Annina Zysset ◽  
Simone Amendola ◽  
Anthony Klein Swormink ◽  
Marion Huber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
University Students ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
National Population ◽  
Student Cohorts ◽  
Containment Measures

Background: COVID-19 containment measures and the uncertainties associated with the pandemic may have contributed to changes in mental health risks and mental health problems in university students. Due to the high burden of the disease, depression is of particular concern. However, knowledge about the prevalence of depressive symptoms in Swiss university students during the pandemic is limited. We therefore assessed the prevalence of depressive symptoms and their change during the COVID-19 pandemic in a large sample of Swiss university students. Methods: We assessed depressive symptoms in two cross-sectional cohorts of university students (n = 3571) in spring and autumn 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and compared them with a matched sample of the Swiss national population (n = 2328). Binary logistic regression models estimated prevalence with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results: Adjusted prevalence of depressive symptoms in female (30.8% (95% CI: 28.6–33.0)) and male students (24.8% (95% CI: 21.7–28.1)) was substantially higher than in the matching female (10.9% (95% CI: 8.9–13.2)) and male (8.5% (6.6–11.0)) pre-pandemic national population. Depressive symptoms in the two consecutive student cohorts did not significantly differ. Conclusions: More than a quarter of Swiss university students reported depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was substantially higher as compared to the matched general population. Universities should introduce measures to support students in such times of crisis and gain an understanding of the factors impacting mental health positively or negatively and related to university structures and procedures.

scholarly journals Language Proficiency and Migrant–Native Disparities in Postpartum Depressive Symptoms

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4782
Author(s):  
Sousan Hamwi ◽  
Elsa Lorthe ◽  
Henrique Barros
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Migrant Women ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Native Women ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Postpartum Depressive Symptoms

Migrant women have a higher risk of developing postpartum depressive symptoms (PPDS) than do native women. This study aimed to investigate the role of host-country language proficiency in this disparity. We analysed the data of 1475 migrant and 1415 native women who gave birth at a Portuguese public hospital between 2017 and 2019 and were participants in the baMBINO cohort study. Migrants’ language proficiency was self-rated and comprised understanding, speaking, reading, and writing skills. PPDS were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale with a cut-off score of ≥10. Multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to estimate the association between language proficiency and PPDS. PPDS were experienced by 7.2% of native women and 12.4% among migrants (p < 0.001). Increasing proportions of PPDS were observed among decreasing Portuguese proficiency levels; 11% among full, 13% among intermediate, and 18% among limited proficiency women (ptrend < 0.001). Full (aOR 1.63 (95% CI 1.21–2.19)), intermediate (aOR 1.68 (95% CI 1.16–2.42)), and limited (aOR 2.55 (95% CI 1.64–3.99)) language proficiencies were associated with increasingly higher odds of PPDS among migrant women, compared to native proficiency. Prevention measures should target migrant women at high risk of PPDS, namely those with limited language skills, and promote awareness, early detection, and help-seeking, in addition to facilitating communication in their perinatal healthcare encounters.

scholarly journals Smoking Across the Menopausal Transition in a 10-Year Longitudinal Sample: The Role of Sex Hormones and Depressive Symptoms

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 872-877 ◽  
Author(s):  
MacKenzie R Peltier ◽  
José M Flores ◽  
Philip H Smith ◽  
Walter Roberts ◽  
Terril L Verplaetse ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Sex Hormones ◽  
Smoking Behavior ◽  
Menopausal Transition ◽  
Current Cigarette Smoking ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Smoking Behaviors ◽  
Current Cigarette ◽  
Smoking Patterns ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Introduction Current cigarette smoking rates among older women remain problematic, especially given that this population experiences increased smoking-related health consequences. Despite these increased health concerns, little research to date has explored smoking patterns across the menopausal transition (pre-, early-peri-, late-peri-, and postmenopausal) or the effect of unique factors such as sex hormones and depression during this transition. Methods This study used 10 yearly waves of data from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation, a longitudinal dataset. Data included 1397 women endorsing ever smoking regularly at baseline. Random-effects logistic regression models were used to examine smoking transitions. Results Although there were no associations between menopausal transition stage and smoking behavior, increased estradiol was associated with an increased likelihood of quitting regular smoking (eg, transitioning from regular smoking to non-regular or no smoking; odds ratio [OR] = 1.28), whereas increased testosterone was associated with an increased likelihood of relapsing to regular smoking (eg, transitioning from former or nonregular smoking to regular smoking OR = 2.56). Depression was associated with increased likelihood of continued smoking (OR = 0.97) and relapse (OR = 1.03). Conclusions The results emphasize the need to develop interventions to target initiated or continued smoking among women across the menopausal transition and specifically highlight the importance of developing treatments that target depressive symptoms in this population. In addition, although singular hormone measures were associated with smoking behavior, there is a need for future study of dynamic changes in hormones, as well as the impact of progesterone on smoking behaviors across the menopausal transition. Implications To date, no studies have examined smoking behaviors across the menopausal transition. In this study, although menopausal transition status was not significantly related to transitions in smoking behavior, important relationships between sex hormones and depression were observed. Increased estradiol was associated with an increased likelihood of quitting regular smoking, whereas increased testosterone was associated with an increased likelihood of relapsing to regular smoking behavior. Higher depression scores were related to continued smoking and relapse to regular smoking behavior. These results highlight the need to develop interventions to target smoking cessation among women across the menopausal transition.

scholarly journals The prospective relationship between social cohesion and depressive symptoms among older adults from Central and Eastern Europe

2018 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Bertossi Urzua ◽  
Milagros A Ruiz ◽  
Andrzej Pajak ◽  
Magdalena Kozela ◽  
Ruzena Kubinova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Central And Eastern Europe ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Z Scores ◽  
Prospective Association

BackgroundSocial cohesion has a potential protective effect against depression, but evidence for Central and Eastern Europe is lacking. We investigated the prospective association between social cohesion and elevated depressive symptoms in the Czech Republic, Russia and Poland, and assessed whether alcohol drinking and smoking mediated this association.MethodsCohort data from 15 438 older urban participants from the Health, Alcohol and Psychosocial factors In Eastern Europe project were analysed. Baseline social cohesion was measured by five questions, and depressive symptoms were measured 3 years later by the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Depression (CES-D) Scale. Nested logistic regression models estimated ORs of elevated depressive symptoms (CES-D 10 score ≥4) by z-scores and tertiles of social cohesion.ResultsPer 1 SD decrease in social cohesion score, adjusted ORs of elevated depressive symptoms were 1.13 (95% CI 1.05 to 1.23) and 1.05 (95% CI 0.99 to 1.13) in men and women, respectively. Further adjustment for smoking and drinking did not attenuate these associations in either men (OR=1.13, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.22) or women (OR=1.05, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.13). Similarly, the fully adjusted ORs comparing the lowest versus highest social cohesion tertile were 1.33 (95% CI 1.10 to 1.62) in men and 1.18 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.39) in women.ConclusionsLower levels of social cohesion was associated with heightened depressive symptoms after a 3-year follow-up among older Czech, Russian and Polish adults. These effects appeared stronger in men, and alcohol and smoking played no appreciable role in this association.

scholarly journals Questionnaire sur l’Ambiance du Groupe: A French-Language Instrument for Measuring Group Cohesion

2002 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Philippe Heuzé ◽  
Paul Fontayne
Keyword(s):  
Construct Validity ◽  
Predictive Validity ◽  
Present Report ◽  
Group Cohesion ◽  
French Language ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Group Environment ◽  
Psychometric Analyses ◽  
French Culture ◽  
Sport Teams

The present report provides a summary of five studies undertaken to develop a French-language instrument to assess cohesiveness in sport teams—the “Questionnaire sur l’Ambiance du Groupe” (QAG). For the initial version of the instrument, the Group Environment Questionnaire (Carron, Widmeyer, & Brawley, 1985) was translated into French using the protocol outlined by Vallerand (1989). However, psychometric analyses undertaken in Studies 1, 2, and 3 failed to yield acceptable evidence of construct validity. Items were then revised in an attempt to make them more suitable for the French culture. Subsequent analyses in Study 4 provided support for the construct validity and reliability (internal consistency and interscale equivalence) of the QAG. In Study 5, predictive validity was demonstrated. The QAG has been found to possess satisfactory psychometric properties as a measure of cohesion in sport teams.

scholarly journals The construction and empirical verification of the Sense of Team Efficacy Questionnaire (Kwestionariusz Poczucia Druzynowej Skutecznosci)

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-28
Author(s):  
ZUZANNA WALACH-BISTA
Keyword(s):  
Construct Validity ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Internal Structure ◽  
Predictive Validity ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Internal Reliability ◽  
Team Efficacy ◽  
Convergent And Discriminant Validity ◽  
Group Environment ◽  
The Stability

Background: This article presents the procedure of the elaboration and verification of the first Polish Sense of Team Efficacy Questionnaire (Kwestionariusz Poczucia Druzynowej Skutecznosci – KPDS). Material/Methods: Two research stages involved a total of 373 professional athletes. Based on the collected data, the internal structure and psychometric properties of the instrument were established. Results: As a result of the conducted statistical analyses, a questionnaire was obtained. Analyses confirmed the stability of the internal structure of the questionnaire. The instrument also obtained satisfactory coefficients of reliability (using Cronbach’s alpha internal reliability coefficient) and construct validity. In order to establish the convergent and discriminant validity of the KPDS, the analysis of the multitrait-multimethod matrix was applied, using the Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ). Predictive validity was established using the result obtained in a match played directly after the conducted study. Conclusions: The obtained results confirmed the relevance of creating the KPDS. The questionnaire was made up of 21 items representing 4 subscales: fitness, preparation, effort and endurance. Calculation of a general score for the KPDS also proved to be possible.

scholarly journals Measurement Schmeasurement: Questionable Measurement Practices and How to Avoid Them

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Kay Flake ◽  
Eiko I Fried
Keyword(s):  
Construct Validity ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Replication Studies ◽  
Psychological Science ◽  
Rigorous Research ◽  
Statistical Conclusion ◽  
Measurement Practices

In this paper, we define questionable measurement practices (QMPs) as decisions researchers make that raise doubts about the validity of the measures, and ultimately the validity of study conclusions. Doubts arise for a host of reasons including a lack of transparency, ignorance, negligence, or misrepresentation of the evidence. We describe the scope of the problem and focus on how transparency is a part of the solution. A lack of measurement transparency makes it impossible to evaluate potential threats to internal, external, statistical conclusion, and construct validity. We demonstrate that psychology is plagued by a measurement schmeasurement attitude: QMPs are common, hide a stunning source of researcher degrees of freedom, pose a serious threat to cumulative psychological science, but are largely ignored. We address these challenges by providing a set of questions that researchers and consumers of scientific research can consider to identify and avoid QMPs. Transparent answers to these measurement questions promote rigorous research, allow for thorough evaluations of a study’s inferences, and are necessary for meaningful replication studies.

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