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Shao L, Zhao C, Yu G. The Long-Term Effect of Early-Life Uncertainty on Mental Health in Adolescence and Adulthood: A Meta-Analysis. TRAUMA, VIOLENCE & ABUSE 2024; 25:3211-3225. [PMID: 38551176 DOI: 10.1177/15248380241241028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/03/2024]
Abstract
Turbulent changes in early life are a hidden source of childhood trauma, increasing potential risks for mental illness. Many studies have identified the link between childhood uncertainty and mental health. However, research on the long-term effect of early-life uncertainty (EU) on mental health has not been systematically synthesized. This meta-analysis aims to provide a quantitative estimate of the association between EU and subsequent mental health outcomes. Eight electronic databases and gray literature were searched. Twenty-eight studies met our inclusion criteria: samples of non-clinical adolescents or adults and clear and valid assessments. Random-effect models were used to calculate the pooled effect sizes of EU on internalizing problems, externalizing problems, and well-being. Meta-regression and subgroup analysis were used to explore potential moderators. Results indicated small to moderate associations involving EU and internalizing problem (r = .28; 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.228, 0.326]) and externalizing problem (r = .16; 95% CI [0.102, 0.220]). EU was not significantly associated with well-being (r = -.41; 95% CI [-0.738, 0.071]). Furthermore, moderator analyses found that composite uncertain experiences in childhood had a stronger negative effect than single experiences. EU was a stronger predictor of mental health problems in adults than in adolescents. Cross-sectional studies would amplify the correlation between EU and mental illness compared to longitudinal studies. In the future, childhood uncertain and unpredictable risks should receive more attention. More research needs to focus on positive psychological indicators and samples from non-Western countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Shao
- School of Education, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Chengjia Zhao
- School of Education, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Guoliang Yu
- Institute of Psychology, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
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2
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Foster JC, Hodges HR, Beloborodova A, Cohodes EM, Phillips MQ, Anderson E, Fagbenro B, Gee DG. Integrating developmental neuroscience with community-engaged approaches to address mental health outcomes for housing-insecure youth: Implications for research, practice, and policy. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2024; 68:101399. [PMID: 38875770 PMCID: PMC11225708 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2024.101399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
One in three children in the United States is exposed to insecure housing conditions, including unaffordable, inconsistent, and unsafe housing. These exposures have detrimental impacts on youth mental health. Delineating the neurobehavioral pathways linking exposure to housing insecurity with children's mental health has the potential to inform interventions and policy. However, in approaching this work, carefully considering the lived experiences of youth and families is essential to translating scientific discovery to improve health outcomes in an equitable and representative way. In the current paper, we provide an introduction to the range of stressful experiences that children may face when exposed to insecure housing conditions. Next, we highlight findings from the early-life stress literature regarding the potential neurobehavioral consequences of insecure housing, focusing on how unpredictability is associated with the neural circuitry supporting cognitive and emotional development. We then delineate how community-engaged research (CEnR) approaches have been leveraged to understand the effects of housing insecurity on mental health, and we propose future research directions that integrate developmental neuroscience research and CEnR approaches to maximize the impact of this work. We conclude by outlining practice and policy recommendations that aim to improve the mental health of children exposed to insecure housing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan C Foster
- Yale University, Department of Psychology, New Haven, CT, United States.
| | - H R Hodges
- University of Minnesota, Institute of Child Development, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Anna Beloborodova
- Yale University, Department of Psychology, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Emily M Cohodes
- Yale University, Department of Psychology, New Haven, CT, United States
| | | | | | | | - Dylan G Gee
- Yale University, Department of Psychology, New Haven, CT, United States.
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3
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Felton JW, Rabinowitz JA, Sadler RC, Hampton T, Sosnowski DW, Lejuez CW, Yi R. Environmental Support Moderates the association of Socioeconomic Distress and Delay Discounting across Adolescence. J Youth Adolesc 2024:10.1007/s10964-024-02051-1. [PMID: 39023841 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-024-02051-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Early exposure to socioeconomic distress is hypothesized to reinforce decision making that prioritizes immediate, relative to delayed, rewards (i.e., delay discounting); yet these relations have not been examined longitudinal across the vulnerable adolescent period. This study is one of the first to utilize objective and subjective measures to evaluate the relative effects of environmental disadvantage and the potential protective effects of perceived environmental support on delay discounting. A diverse (48.4% White; 46.7% female) sample of participants (N = 246) reported on their home addresses at baseline when they were, on average, 11.96 years old (SDage = 0.88); Youth then reported perceived environmental supports at baseline and delay discounting annually from ages 13 to 18. A socioeconomic distress index was derived from census tract rates of unemployment, income, educational attainment, and lone parenthood. Greater socioeconomic distress was associated with a greater propensity to discount delayed rewards at baseline. Findings also suggest greater perceived higher environmental support was associated with decreasing rates of delay discounting across adolescence for youth from highly socioeconomically distressed areas. These results highlight potential future avenues for preventative and intervention efforts to improve positive youth outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia W Felton
- Center for Health Policy & Health Services Research, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, MI, USA.
| | - Jill A Rabinowitz
- Department of Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Richard C Sadler
- Departments of Public Health and Family Medicine, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Flint, MI, USA
| | - Tessa Hampton
- Center for Health Policy & Health Services Research, Henry Ford Health, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - David W Sosnowski
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Carl W Lejuez
- Office of the Provost, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Richard Yi
- Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment and Department of Psychology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
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Amani N, Dehshiri G. Adverse childhood experiences, symptoms of anxiety and depression in adulthood: Mediation role of life history strategy. BIODEMOGRAPHY AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY 2024; 69:137-148. [PMID: 38804842 DOI: 10.1080/19485565.2024.2359600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Life history theory has considered the effects of childhood experiences. The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of life history strategy and the moderating role of gender in the relationship between childhood experiences and symptoms of anxiety and depression in adulthood. In this study, 248 Iranians (including 162 females and 86 males) between 18 and 53 voluntarily participated and responded to all online questionnaires regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The data were analyzed with SPSS and macro PROCESS. The mediation analysis results demonstrated that the life history strategy mediates the relationship between childhood experiences and symptoms of anxiety and depression. The moderated mediation analysis revealed that there were no gender differences in the moderated mediation. The results have highlighted the importance of life history strategies in the association between childhood experiences and depression and anxiety symptoms and can be considered in the design of interventions based on the prevention of people's vulnerability to mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazila Amani
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Dehshiri
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
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Brown JM, Sofis M, Zimmer S, Kaplan BA. Delay discounting is associated with addiction and mental health measures while controlling for health behaviors and health barriers in a large US sample. Addict Behav Rep 2024; 19:100545. [PMID: 38680208 PMCID: PMC11046061 DOI: 10.1016/j.abrep.2024.100545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Excessive discounting of future rewards [delay discounting (DD)] may be a transdiagnostic process and treatment target underlying behavioral health outcomes, including trauma, depression, anxiety, and problematic substance use. However, multiple health behaviors and barriers are also related to these outcomes, including social media usage, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), sleep quality, healthcare access, housing status, and exercise. To extend research examining DD as transdiagnostic process, we recruited a large, heterogenous sample to examine the association between DD, problematic substance use, and mental health outcomes while controlling for certain health behaviors and health barriers. Method In a cross-sectional online survey of 3992 US residents, we administered validated measures of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and problematic alcohol, stimulant, and opioid use. Using linear or ordinal logistic models, scores for each outcome were regressed onto DD while controlling for demographics, health behaviors, and health barriers. Results Including only DD and demographics, DD was associated with each outcome at low effect sizes (ƒ2 = .013, OR range = 1.08-1.16). Except for opioid ASSIST scores, these relationships held when controlling for social media usage, sleep, housing status, healthcare access, ACEs, physical exercise, and demographic variables (ƒ2 = .002, OR range = 1.03-1.12), increasing confidence that DD concurrently and directly relates to four of these five clinical outcomes. Discussion These findings support the conceptualization of DD as a transdiagnostic process underlying certain psychopathologies and suggest targeting DD in co-occurring substance use disorder and/or mental health treatments may result in clinically significant outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremiah M. Brown
- Advocates for Human Potential, 490-B Boston Post Road, Sudbury, MA 01776, USA
| | - Michael Sofis
- Advocates for Human Potential, 490-B Boston Post Road, Sudbury, MA 01776, USA
| | - Sara Zimmer
- Advocates for Human Potential, 490-B Boston Post Road, Sudbury, MA 01776, USA
| | - Brent A. Kaplan
- Advocates for Human Potential, 490-B Boston Post Road, Sudbury, MA 01776, USA
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Yang A, Jing Lu H, Chang L. The impacts of early environmental adversity on cognitive functioning, body mass, and life-history behavioral profiles. Brain Cogn 2024; 177:106159. [PMID: 38593638 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2024.106159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Early adverse experiences or exposures have a profound impact on neurophysiological, cognitive, and somatic development. Evidence across disciplines uncovers adversity-induced alternations in cortical structures, cognitive functions, and related behavioral manifestations, as well as an energetic trade-off between the brain and body. Based on the life history (LH) framework, the present research aims to explore the adversity-adapted cognitive-behavioral mechanism and investigate the relation between cognitive functioning and somatic energy reserve (i.e., body mass index; BMI). A structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis was performed with longitudinal self-reported, anthropometric, and task-based data drawn from a cohort of 2,607 8- to 11-year-old youths and their primary caregivers recruited by the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCDSM) study. The results showed that early environmental adversity was positively associated with fast LH behavioral profiles and negatively with cognitive functioning. Moreover, cognitive functioning mediated the relationship between adversity and fast LH behavioral profiles. Additionally, we found that early environmental adversity positively predicted BMI, which was inversely correlated with cognitive functioning. These results revealed an adversity-adapted cognitive-behavioral mechanism and energy-allocation pathways, and add to the existing knowledge of LH trade-off and developmental plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anting Yang
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences Building E21-G003, University of Macau, Macau.
| | - Hui Jing Lu
- Department of Applied Social Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences GH413, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hum Hong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Lei Chang
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences Building E21-G003, University of Macau, Macau; Department of Applied Social Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences GH413, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hum Hong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
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7
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Ma H, Wu Y, Lv X, Yang X, Hu P. Childhood environmental unpredictability and hoarding: Mediating roles of attachment and security. Acta Psychol (Amst) 2024; 244:104198. [PMID: 38452617 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Life history theory provides a unified perspective for understanding human behaviors as adaptive strategies to specific environmental conditions. Within this theoretical framework, hoarding emerges as a behavior reflecting an evolved strategy in response to unpredictable environmental challenges, serving as a buffer against resource scarcity and enhancing survival prospects. This study aimed to explore the key roles of childhood environmental unpredictability, attachment, and sense of security in the development of hoarding. 662 participants completed scales on childhood environmental unpredictability, Revised Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR-R), sense of insecurity, and Savings Inventory-Revised (SI-R). The results showed that childhood environmental unpredictability was significantly positively correlated with hoarding. Attachment anxiety and sense of security individually mediate the effect of childhood environmental unpredictability on hoarding. Additionally, 'attachment anxiety--sense of security' and 'attachment avoidance--sense of security' serve as chain mediators in this relationship separately. This study offers insights into the cognitive-behavioral model of hoarding, highlighting the importance of life history theory in examining childhood environmental unpredictability's relationship with hoarding. It also integrates insights from the psychosocial acceleration theory into our comprehension of hoarding's development. Future research directions are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Ma
- Department of Psychology, Renmin University of China, No. 59 Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100872, China.
| | - Yuhang Wu
- Department of Psychology, Renmin University of China, No. 59 Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100872, China
| | - Xiaojun Lv
- Department of Psychology, Renmin University of China, No. 59 Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100872, China
| | - Xiaofan Yang
- Department of Psychology, Tianjin University of Commerce, No. 409 Guangrong Road, Beichen District, Tianjin 300134, China
| | - Ping Hu
- Department of Psychology, Renmin University of China, No. 59 Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100872, China.
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8
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Shao L, Jin J, Yu G. Childhood environmental risk and youth bedtime procrastination: A path model with life history strategy and sense of control as mediators. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2024; 150:106137. [PMID: 36907784 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bedtime procrastination is a serious threat to youths' sleep quality and physical and mental health. It is affected by various psychological and physiological factors, but few studies focused on the impact and internal mechanism of childhood experience on bedtime procrastination in adulthood from the evolutionary and developmental perspective. OBJECTIVE This study aims to explore the distal factors of bedtime procrastination among young people, that is, the association between childhood environmental risk (harshness and unpredictability) and bedtime procrastination, as well as the mediating roles of life history (LH) strategy and sense of control. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING By convenience sampling, 453 Chinese college students aged 16 to 24 (55.2 % males, Mage = 21.21 years) completed questionnaires regarding demographics, childhood environmental harshness (from neighborhood, school, and family), and unpredictability (parental divorce, household moves, and parental employment changes), LH strategy, sense of control, and bedtime procrastination. METHODS Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesis model. RESULTS The results showed that childhood environmental harshness and unpredictability were both positively associated with bedtime procrastination. Sense of control had a partial mediating role between harshness and bedtime procrastination (B = 0.02, 95%CI = [0.004, 0.042]), and between unpredictability and bedtime procrastination (B = 0.01, 95%CI = [0.002, 0.031]), respectively. LH strategy and sense of control had a serial mediating role between harshness and bedtime procrastination (B = 0.04, 95%CI = [0.010, 0.074]), and between unpredictability and bedtime procrastination (B = 0.01, 95%CI = [0.003, 0.029]), respectively. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that childhood environmental harshness and unpredictability are potential predictors of youths' bedtime procrastination. Young people can reduce bedtime procrastination problems by slowing LH strategies and improving their sense of control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Shao
- School of Education, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Juanjuan Jin
- School of Education, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Guoliang Yu
- Institute of Psychology, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China.
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9
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Farkas BC, Baptista A, Speranza M, Wyart V, Jacquet PO. Specifying the timescale of early life unpredictability helps explain the development of internalising and externalising behaviours. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3563. [PMID: 38347055 PMCID: PMC10861493 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54093-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Early life unpredictability is associated with both physical and mental health outcomes throughout the life course. Here, we classified adverse experiences based on the timescale on which they are likely to introduce variability in children's environments: variations unfolding over short time scales (e.g., hours, days, weeks) and labelled Stochasticity vs variations unfolding over longer time scales (e.g., months, years) and labelled Volatility and explored how they contribute to the development of problem behaviours. Results indicate that externalising behaviours at age 9 and 15 and internalising behaviours at age 15 were better accounted for by models that separated Stochasticity and Volatility measured at ages 3 to 5. Both externalising and internalising behaviours were specifically associated with Volatility, with larger effects for externalising behaviours. These findings are interpreted in light of evolutionary-developmental models of psychopathology and reinforcement learning models of learning under uncertainty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bence Csaba Farkas
- Institut du Psychotraumatisme de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Conseil Départemental Yvelines et Hauts-de-Seine et Centre Hospitalier des Versailles, 78000, Versailles, France.
- UVSQ, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Epidémiologie et Santé des Populations, Université Paris-Saclay, 78000, Versailles, France.
- LNC2, Département d'études Cognitives, École Normale Supérieure, INSERM, PSL Research University, 75005, Paris, France.
| | - Axel Baptista
- UVSQ, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Epidémiologie et Santé des Populations, Université Paris-Saclay, 78000, Versailles, France
- Centre Hospitalier de Versailles, Le Chesnay, France
| | - Mario Speranza
- Institut du Psychotraumatisme de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Conseil Départemental Yvelines et Hauts-de-Seine et Centre Hospitalier des Versailles, 78000, Versailles, France
- UVSQ, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Epidémiologie et Santé des Populations, Université Paris-Saclay, 78000, Versailles, France
- Centre Hospitalier de Versailles, Le Chesnay, France
| | - Valentin Wyart
- Institut du Psychotraumatisme de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Conseil Départemental Yvelines et Hauts-de-Seine et Centre Hospitalier des Versailles, 78000, Versailles, France
- LNC2, Département d'études Cognitives, École Normale Supérieure, INSERM, PSL Research University, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Olivier Jacquet
- Institut du Psychotraumatisme de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Conseil Départemental Yvelines et Hauts-de-Seine et Centre Hospitalier des Versailles, 78000, Versailles, France
- UVSQ, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Epidémiologie et Santé des Populations, Université Paris-Saclay, 78000, Versailles, France
- LNC2, Département d'études Cognitives, École Normale Supérieure, INSERM, PSL Research University, 75005, Paris, France
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10
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Schuler BR, Gardenhire RA, Jones SD, Spilsbury JC, Moore SM, Borawski EA. Exploring the Association Between Trauma, Instability, and Youth Cardiometabolic Health Outcomes Over Three Years. J Adolesc Health 2024; 74:301-311. [PMID: 37843478 PMCID: PMC10873057 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.08.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Childhood adversity plays a fundamental role in predicting youth cardiometabolic health. Our understanding of how adverse experiences in childhood should best be conceptualized remains elusive, based on one-dimensional measures of adversity. The present study fills a major gap in existing research by examining two distinct forms of threat and instability-related exposures that may impact cardiometabolic risk (CMR) in adolescence. METHODS We explore two specific subtypes of adversity: trauma (e.g., badly hurt, victim of crime, loss of close person) and instability (e.g., moving, change of schools, change in household structure) as differential influences that can accumulate to impact early childhood onset of CMR (body mass index, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein, diastolic and systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, C-reactive protein, insulin sensitivity). Secondary data were drawn from a randomized control behavioral trial of youth recruited during sixth grade from urban Cleveland (Ohio) schools beginning in 2012-2014 (n = 360) and followed for 3 years. Participants reported on 12 adverse experiences, six trauma- and six instability-specific. Multiple regression assessed effects of prospective and accumulative indices of trauma and instability with 3-year trajectories of eight objective CMR markers. RESULTS Instability was associated with increased body mass index, decreased high-density lipoprotein, and increased C-reactive protein slopes. Trauma was associated with trends in triglyceride levels but not with any other CMR outcomes. DISCUSSION Experiences with instability distinctly impacted adolescent CMR. Future research is needed to examine factors that can enhance stability for families in marginalized communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany R Schuler
- School of Social Work, College of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | | | - Sarah D Jones
- Borra College of Health Sciences Nutrition, Dominican University, River Forest, Illinois
| | - James C Spilsbury
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Shirley M Moore
- Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Elaine A Borawski
- Department of Nutrition, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
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11
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Wang Z, Cao X, Zheng X, Chen Y, Zhu J. Abnormalities in brain structure following childhood unpredictability: a mechanism underlying depressive and anxiety symptoms. Psychol Med 2024; 54:299-307. [PMID: 37264828 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723001526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood adversity is associated with abnormalities in brain structure, but this association has not been tested for childhood unpredictability, one form of adversity. We studied whether abnormalities in gray matter volume (GMV) could be a mechanism linking childhood unpredictability and psychopathology, over and above the effect of childhood trauma. METHODS Participants were 158 right-handed healthy young adults (aged 17-28 years, M = 22.07, s.d. = 2.08; 66.46% female) who underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging measurements and provided retrospective reports of childhood unpredictability. The anxiety and depression subscales of the self-report Brief Symptom Inventory-53 were used to index psychopathology. RESULTS Whole-brain voxel-based morphometric analyses showed that after controlling for the effect of childhood trauma, childhood unpredictability was correlated with greater GMV in bilateral frontal pole, bilateral precuneus, bilateral postcentral gyrus, right hemisphere of fusiform, and lingual gyrus, and left hemisphere of ventrolateral prefrontal cortex as well as occipital gyrus. Greater GMV in bilateral frontal pole, bilateral precuneus, and bilateral postcentral gyrus mediated associations between unpredictability and symptoms of depression and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that childhood unpredictability could exact unique effects on neural development, over and above the effect of childhood trauma. These findings are relevant for understanding the occurrence of psychopathology following childhood unpredictability and have implications for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengxinyue Wang
- Center for Cognition and Brain Disorders of Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- Center for Early Environment and Brain Development, School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinyu Cao
- Center for Cognition and Brain Disorders of Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- Center for Early Environment and Brain Development, School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zheng
- Center for Cognition and Brain Disorders of Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- Center for Early Environment and Brain Development, School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuanyuan Chen
- Center for Early Environment and Brain Development, School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Psychology, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianjun Zhu
- Center for Early Environment and Brain Development, School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Psychology, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
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12
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Martínez JL, Maner JK. Shorter Goals for the Faster Life: Childhood Unpredictability Is Associated With Shorter Motivational Time Horizons. PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY BULLETIN 2023:1461672231216821. [PMID: 38146692 DOI: 10.1177/01461672231216821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Models of adaptive calibration provide an overarching theoretical framework for understanding the developmental roots of psychological and behavioral outcomes in adulthood. An adaptive calibration framework was used to examine an important dimension of motivation: goal timing. Across two studies, we saw mixed support for the hypothesis that unpredictability experienced in childhood would be negatively associated with the time horizons people use to set their goals, such that people who reported experiencing more unpredictability in their childhood tended to set goals on relatively shorter time horizons. The association was observed based on independent ratings of goal timing, but not based on participants' self-reported ratings of goal timing, and was statistically mediated by people's tendency to consider the short- versus long-term future consequences of their actions. These studies isolate a key component of childhood adversity-unpredictability-potentially underlying the time horizons people use to set, prioritize, and pursue their goals.
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13
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Tasso NDAM, Castro FN. Family support during childhood as a predictor of mate retention and kin care in adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: an exploratory study. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1276267. [PMID: 38169857 PMCID: PMC10758486 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1276267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Experiences during development help to explain behavior expression in adulthood. Aims In this study, we explored how unpredictability and harshness experienced during childhood may have impacted the occurrence of reproductive milestones in adulthood and the expression of fundamental motives related to self-protection, disease avoidance, mate seeking, mate retention, and kin care (children/family) during the pandemic. Methods This was an exploratory study with 438 participants. Through the administration of online questionnaires, participants were assessed and categorized based on their childhood experiences, resulting in three groups: low unpredictability, high unpredictability with family support, and high unpredictability without family support. Results We found that family support experienced during childhood predicts a slow life-history strategy. This involves an emphasis on growth and parenting efforts at the expense reproduction and was relevant even for participants who faced financial unpredictability. During the pandemic, we also observed that mate retention and kin care (family) motives were predominant among individuals who had greater family support during childhood. Discussion Overall, the findings suggest that unpredictability experienced during childhood is crucial for the development of life-history strategies and the manifestation of fundamental motives in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Felipe Nalon Castro
- Department of Physiology and Behavior, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
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14
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Feng W, Zhang J. Childhood environmental harshness and unpredictability negatively predict eHealth literacy through fast life-history strategy. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1197189. [PMID: 37663344 PMCID: PMC10473102 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1197189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background eHealth literacy-the ability to obtain, understand, evaluate, and use health information from the Internet-is important to maintaining and improving personal health. Prior research found that people differ notably in the levels of eHealth literacy, and this study tests a theoretical account of some of those individual differences. Drawing on life history theory, we propose that low eHealth literacy is partly the outcome of people adopting a resource-allocation strategy emphasizing early and fast reproduction, namely, a fast life-history strategy. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey study (N = 1,036) that measured Chinese adult respondents' eHealth literacy, childhood environmental harshness and unpredictability, and fast life-history strategy. Covariates included health-information seeking online, self-rated health, sex, age, education level, and monthly income. Results Supporting a life-history explanation of eHealth literacy, childhood environmental harshness and unpredictability negatively predicted eHealth literacy through fast life-history strategy and mainly the insight-planning-control dimension of it. Harshness, not unpredictability, also directly and negatively predicted eHealth literacy after fast life-history strategy was controlled for. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the psychological mechanisms associated with human life-history strategies produce at least some of the individual differences in levels of eHealth literacy, including those related to neuroticism, socioeconomic status, self-rated health and social capital. Thus, a possible way to increase future generation's eHealth literacy and thereby their health is to reduce the harshness and unpredictability of the environment in which they grow up, thereby making them more likely to adopt a relatively slow life-history in their adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfei Feng
- School of Journalism and Communication, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinguang Zhang
- School of Journalism and Communication, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Center for Big Data and Public Communication, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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15
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Wang X, Lu HJ, Li H, Chang L. Childhood Environmental Unpredictability and Experimentally Primed Uncertainty in Relation to Intuitive versus Deliberate Visual Search. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2023:1-14. [PMID: 37359686 PMCID: PMC10141834 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-023-04667-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Visual search is an integral part of animal life. Two search strategies, intuitive vs. deliberate search, are adopted by almost all animals including humans to adapt to different extent of environmental uncertainty. In two eye-tracking experiments involving simple visual search (Study 1) and complex information search (Study 2), we used the evolutionary life history (LH) approach to investigate the interaction between childhood environmental unpredictability and primed concurrent uncertainty in enabling these two search strategies. The results indicate that when individuals with greater childhood unpredictability were exposed to uncertainty cues, they exhibited intuitive rather than deliberate visual search (i.e., fewer fixations, reduced dwell time, a larger saccade size, and fewer repetitive inspections relative to individuals with lower childhood unpredictability). We conclude that childhood environment is crucial in calibrating LH including visual and cognitive strategies to adaptively respond to current environmental conditions. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-023-04667-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinrui Wang
- Faculty of Educational Sciences, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Hui Jing Lu
- Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong China
| | - Hanran Li
- Department of Psychology, Humanities and Social Sciences Building E21-3045, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macao China
| | - Lei Chang
- Department of Psychology, Humanities and Social Sciences Building E21-3045, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macao China
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Maner JK, Hasty CR. Life History Strategies, Prestige, and Dominance: An Evolutionary Developmental View of Social Hierarchy. PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY BULLETIN 2023; 49:627-641. [PMID: 35227124 DOI: 10.1177/01461672221078667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Although evidence documents the use of prestige and dominance for navigating group hierarchies, little is known about factors that explain people's orientation toward prestige versus dominance. The current research applied a life history perspective to assess the role life history strategies play in prestige and dominance. Four studies document associations between adopting a slow life history strategy and having an orientation toward prestige. We also saw some (less consistent) evidence that people's orientation toward prestige is rooted in exposure to predictable childhood environments, a known antecedent of slow life history strategies. Although we observed some evidence that exposure to unpredictable childhood environments was associated with dominance, there was little direct evidence that this relationship was explained by a fast life history strategy. Findings suggest that an orientation toward prestige is likely to be observed in people with a slow life history, who adopt a long-term time horizon for planning and decision-making.
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The role of childhood unpredictability in adult health. J Behav Med 2022:10.1007/s10865-022-00373-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s10865-022-00373-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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18
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Maranges HM, Hasty CR, Martinez JL, Maner JK. Adaptive Calibration in Early Development: Brief Measures of Perceived Childhood Harshness and Unpredictability. ADAPTIVE HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND PHYSIOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s40750-022-00200-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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Felton JW, Collado A, Cinader M, Key K, Lejuez CW, Yi R. The Role of Delay Discounting in the Generation of Stressful Life Events Across Adolescence. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2022; 50:1529-1541. [DOI: 10.1007/s10802-022-00950-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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20
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Fennis BM. Self-control, self-regulation, and consumer wellbeing: A life history perspective. Curr Opin Psychol 2022; 46:101344. [PMID: 35447392 DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
This review synthesizes recent research on consumer self-control, self-regulation, and wellbeing using a perspective rooted in evolutionary theorizing-the notion of Life History Strategies (LHSs), derived from Life History Theory. We discuss both correlational and experimental research that has informed our understanding about how individual differences in LHSs may shape the 'self-regulatory toolkit' and how this, in turn, affects downstream consequences for consumer health and wellbeing. We also offer a counterpoint to the prevailing notion that fast LHSs mostly have negative, and slow LHSs positive consequences and we highlight promising future avenues to boost fast LHS consumers' self-control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bob M Fennis
- Department of Marketing, University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
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