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Morgan JK, Conner KK, Fridley RM, Olino TM, Grewen KM, Silk JS, Iyengar S, Cyranowski JM, Forbes EE. Adolescents' Hormonal Responses to Social Stress and Associations with Adolescent Social Anxiety and Maternal Comfort: A Preliminary Study. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2024; 55:1701-1711. [PMID: 36995488 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-023-01521-0] [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] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Both social support and social stress can impact adolescent physiology including hormonal responses during the sensitive transition to adolescence. Social support from parents continues to play an important role in socioemotional development during adolescence. Sources of social support and stress may be particularly impactful for adolescents with social anxiety symptoms. The goal of the current study was to examine whether adolescent social anxiety symptoms and maternal comfort moderated adolescents' hormonal response to social stress and support. We evaluated 47 emotionally healthy 11- to 14-year-old adolescents' cortisol and oxytocin reactivity to social stress and support using a modified version of the Trier Social Stress Test for Adolescents that included a maternal comfort paradigm. Findings demonstrated that adolescents showed significant increases in cortisol and significant decreases in oxytocin following the social stress task. Subsequently, we found that adolescents showed significant decreases in cortisol and increases in oxytocin following the maternal comfort paradigm. Adolescents with greater social anxiety symptoms showed higher levels of cortisol at baseline but greater declines in cortisol response following maternal social support. Social anxiety symptoms were unrelated to oxytocin response to social stress or support. Our findings provide further evidence that mothers play a key role in adolescent regulation of physiological response, particularly if the stressor is consistent with adolescents' anxiety. More specifically, our findings suggest that adolescents with higher social anxiety symptoms show greater sensitivity to maternal social support following social stressors. Encouraging parents to continue to serve as a supportive presence during adolescent distress may be helpful for promoting stress recovery during the vulnerable transition to adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith K Morgan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA.
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA.
| | | | | | - Thomas M Olino
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, USA
| | | | - Jennifer S Silk
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Satish Iyengar
- Department of Statistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
| | | | - Erika E Forbes
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
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2
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Holt-Lunstad J. Social connection as a critical factor for mental and physical health: evidence, trends, challenges, and future implications. World Psychiatry 2024; 23:312-332. [PMID: 39279411 PMCID: PMC11403199 DOI: 10.1002/wps.21224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Rising concerns about social isolation and loneliness globally have highlighted the need for a greater understanding of their mental and physical health implications. Robust evidence documents social connection factors as independent predictors of mental and physical health, with some of the strongest evidence on mortality. Although most data are observational, evidence points to directionality of effects, plausible pathways, and in some cases a causal link between social connection and later health outcomes. Societal trends across several indicators reveal increasing rates of those who lack social connection, and a significant portion of the population reporting loneliness. The scientific study on social isolation and loneliness has substantially extended over the past two decades, particularly since 2020; however, its relevance to health and mortality remains underappreciated by the public. Despite the breadth of evidence, several challenges remain, including the need for a common language to reconcile the diverse relevant terms across scientific disciplines, consistent multi-factorial measurement to assess risk, and effective solutions to prevent and mitigate risk. The urgency for future health is underscored by the potentially longer-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the role of digital technologies in societal shifts, that could contribute to further declines in social, mental and physical health. To reverse these trends and meet these challenges, recommendations are offered to more comprehensively address gaps in our understanding, and to foster social connection and address social isolation and loneliness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julianne Holt-Lunstad
- Departments of Psychology and Neuroscience, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
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3
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Stranks J, Heistermann M, Sangmaneedet S, Schülke O, Ostner J. The dynamics of sociality and glucocorticoids in wild male Assamese macaques. Horm Behav 2024; 164:105604. [PMID: 39013354 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105604] [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] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
For males of gregarious species, dominance status and the strength of affiliative relationships can have major fitness consequences. Social dynamics also impose costs by affecting glucocorticoids, mediators of homeostasis and indicators of the physiological response to challenges and within-group competition. We investigated the relationships between dominance, social bonds, seasonal challenges, and faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGC) measures in wild Assamese macaques (Macaca assamensis) at Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand, combining behavioural data with 4129 samples from 62 adult males over 15 years. Our previous work on this population suggested that increased competition during the mating season was associated with elevated fGC levels and that, unusually for male primates, lower rank position correlated with higher fGC levels. With a much larger dataset and dynamic measures of sociality, we re-examined these relationships and additionally tested the potentially fGC-attenuating effect of social support. Contrary to our previous study, yet consistent with the majority of work on male primates, dominance rank had a positive relationship with fGC levels, as high status correlated with elevated glucocorticoid measures. fGC levels were increased at the onset of the mating season. We demonstrated an fGC-reducing effect of supportive relationships in males and showed that dynamics in affiliation can correlate with dynamics in physiological responses. Our results suggest that in a system with intermediate contest potential, high dominance status can impose physiological costs on males that may potentially be moderated by social relationships. We highlight the need to consider the dynamics of sociality and competition that influence hormonal processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Stranks
- Behavioral Ecology Department, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; Primate Social Evolution Group, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Goettingen, Germany; Leibniz ScienceCampus Primate Cognition, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Goettingen, Germany.
| | - Michael Heistermann
- Endocrinology Laboratory, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Somboon Sangmaneedet
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Oliver Schülke
- Behavioral Ecology Department, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; Primate Social Evolution Group, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Goettingen, Germany; Leibniz ScienceCampus Primate Cognition, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Julia Ostner
- Behavioral Ecology Department, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; Primate Social Evolution Group, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Goettingen, Germany; Leibniz ScienceCampus Primate Cognition, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Goettingen, Germany
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4
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Dauvermann MR, Moreno-Lopéz L, Vai B, González-García N, Orellana S, Jones PB, Bullmore E, Goodyer IM, van Harmelen AL. Early adolescent perceived friendship quality aids affective and neural responses to social inclusion and exclusion in young adults with and without adverse childhood experiences. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2024; 19:nsae044. [PMID: 38902943 PMCID: PMC11219303 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsae044] [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: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Friendships increase mental wellbeing and resilient functioning in young people with childhood adversity (CA). However, the mechanisms of this relationship are unknown. We examined the relationship between perceived friendship quality at age 14 after the experience of CA and reduced affective and neural responses to social exclusion at age 24. Resilient functioning was quantified as psychosocial functioning relative to the degree of CA severity in 310 participants at age 24. From this cohort, 62 young people with and without CA underwent functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging to assess brain responses to social inclusion and exclusion. We observed that good friendship quality was significantly associated with better resilient functioning. Both friendship quality and resilient functioning were related to increased affective responses to social inclusion. We also found that friendship quality, but not resilient functioning, was associated with increased dorsomedial prefrontal cortex responses to peer exclusion. Our findings suggest that friendship quality in early adolescence may contribute to the evaluation of social inclusion by increasing affective sensitivity to positive social experiences and increased brain activity in regions involved in emotion regulation to negative social experiences. Future research is needed to clarify this relationship with resilient functioning in early adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria R Dauvermann
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 8AH, United Kingdom
- Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Moreno-Lopéz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 8AH, United Kingdom
| | - Benedetta Vai
- Psychiatry & Clinical Psychobiology Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, 20127, Italy
| | - Nadia González-García
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 8AH, United Kingdom
- Laboratory of Neurosciences, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City, 06720, Mexico
| | - Sofia Orellana
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 8AH, United Kingdom
| | - Peter B Jones
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 8AH, United Kingdom
| | - Ed Bullmore
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 8AH, United Kingdom
- Department of Research and Development, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, CB21 5EF, United Kingdom
| | - Ian M Goodyer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 8AH, United Kingdom
| | - Anne-Laura van Harmelen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 8AH, United Kingdom
- Institute of Education and Child Studies, Leiden University, Leiden, AK 2333, The Netherlands
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5
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Liu J, Gao Y, Liu X, Wang H. Developmental trajectories of non-suicidal self-injury in adolescence: The effect of social support and socioeconomic status. Suicide Life Threat Behav 2024. [PMID: 38949258 DOI: 10.1111/sltb.13110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in early adolescence has been amply documented. However, there has been little research on the progression of NSSI over time. Most studies have focused on the risk factors for NSSI, with less attention devoted to understanding the role of protective factors. This paper aimed to expand existing knowledge about the development of NSSI, with an emphasis on the impacts of protective factors such as social support and socioeconomic status (SES). METHODS A total of 436 adolescents completed self-report surveys that addressed social support including friend, family, and teacher support, objective and subjective SES, and NSSI at three different points in time for 2 years. RESULTS Latent growth curve analyses revealed that NSSI increased across early adolescence to mid-adolescence. Support from friends and family negatively predicted adolescents' initial NSSI level. Furthermore, subjective SES negatively predicted the rate of NSSI. CONCLUSIONS These findings contribute to an understanding of the influences of both social support and SES on NSSI over time. NSSI interventions and education should include considerations of both the value of support from friends and family as well as subjective SES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinmeng Liu
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yemiao Gao
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Xia Liu
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
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Venticinque JS, McMillan SJ, Guyer AE. Expanding understanding of adolescent neural sensitivity to peers: Using social information processing theory to generate new lines of research. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2024; 67:101395. [PMID: 38823235 PMCID: PMC11176966 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2024.101395] [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: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Adolescence is a period of normative heightened sensitivity to peer influence. Individual differences in susceptibility to peers is related to individual differences in neural sensitivity, particularly in brain regions that support an increasingly greater orientation toward peers. Despite these empirically-established patterns, the more specific psychosocial and socio-cognitive factors associated with individual differences in neural sensitivity to peer influence are just beginning to gain research attention. Specific features of the factors that contribute to how adolescents process social information can inform understanding of the psychological and neurobiological processes involved in what renders adolescents to be more or less susceptible to peer influences. In this paper, we (1) review the literature about peer, family, and broader contextual influences on sensitivity to peers' positive and negative behaviors, (2) outline components of social information processing theories, and (3) discuss features of these models from the perspectives and social cognitive development and social neuroscience. We identify gaps in the current literature that need to be addressed in order to gain a more comprehensive view of adolescent neural sensitivity to peer influence. We conclude by suggesting how future neuroimaging studies can adopt components of this social information processing model to generate new lines of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph S Venticinque
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis 267 Cousteau Pl, Davis, CA 95618, USA; Department of Human Ecology, University of California, Davis 1 Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Sarah J McMillan
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis 267 Cousteau Pl, Davis, CA 95618, USA; Department of Human Ecology, University of California, Davis 1 Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Amanda E Guyer
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis 267 Cousteau Pl, Davis, CA 95618, USA; Department of Human Ecology, University of California, Davis 1 Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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Gnanadesikan GE, Carranza E, King KM, Flyer AC, Ossello G, Smith PG, Steklis NG, Steklis HD, Connelly JJ, Barnett M, Gee N, Tecot S, MacLean EL. Glucocorticoid response to naturalistic interactions between children and dogs. Horm Behav 2024; 161:105523. [PMID: 38484567 PMCID: PMC11065563 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105523] [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: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
Although research has shown that pets appear to provide certain types of social support to children, little is known about the physiological bases of these effects, especially in naturalistic contexts. In this study, we investigated the effect of free-form interactions between children (ages 8-10 years) and dogs on salivary cortisol concentrations in both species. We further investigated the role of the child-dog relationship by comparing interactions with the child's pet dog to interactions with an unfamiliar dog or a nonsocial control condition, and modeled associations between survey measures of the human-animal bond and children's physiological responses. In both children and dogs, salivary cortisol decreased from pre- to post-interaction; the effect was strongest for children interacting with an unfamiliar dog (compared to their pet dog) and for the pet dogs (compared to the unfamiliar dog). We found minimal evidence for associations between cortisol output and behaviors coded from video, but children scoring higher on survey measures of the human-animal bond exhibited the greatest reductions in cortisol when interacting with dogs. Self-reported loneliness was not related to cortisol or the human-animal bond, but measures of both loneliness and the human-animal bond were higher among children who participated after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, relative to those who participated before the pandemic. This study builds on previous work that investigated potential stress-buffering effects of human-animal interaction during explicit stressors and demonstrates important physiological correlates of naturalistic interactions between children and dogs, similar to those that occur in daily life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gitanjali E Gnanadesikan
- School of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA; Cognitive Science Program, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Elizabeth Carranza
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Arizona, Oro Valley, AZ, USA
| | | | - Abigail C Flyer
- School of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Gianna Ossello
- School of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Paige G Smith
- School of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Netzin G Steklis
- School of Animal & Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - H Dieter Steklis
- School of Animal & Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Jessica J Connelly
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Melissa Barnett
- Human Development and Family Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Nancy Gee
- School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Stacey Tecot
- School of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Evan L MacLean
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Arizona, Oro Valley, AZ, USA.
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Lee Y, McDonald E, Gundogan F, Barry CV, Tallo V, Colt S, Friedman JF. Early-life matters: The role of fetal adrenal steroids in the relationship between cytokines within the placental circulation and cognitive development among infants in the Philippines. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 118:510-520. [PMID: 38431237 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.02.036] [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: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to inflammation is related to the risk for cognitive impairment in offspring. However, mechanisms underlying the link between inflammatory cytokines at the maternal-fetal interface and human cognitive development are largely unknown. This study addressed this research gap by examining whether i) cytokines within the placenta are associated with different domains of neurocognitive development during infancy, and ii) if DHEA-S in cord blood mediates these associations. We also explored the role of early-life socioeconomic status (SES) in moderating the effect of fetal adrenal steroids on cognitive development in low- and middle-income country contexts. A cohort of 242 mother-infant dyads in Leyte, the Philippines participated in the study and all of them were followed from early pregnancy until 12-months. Concentrations of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the placenta, and DHEA-S in cord blood collected at delivery were evaluated. The multifactorial aspects of the infant's cognitive functioning were assessed based on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, third edition (BSID-III). We used Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) with an orthogonal rotation to examine associated paths among latent variables of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the placenta, fetal neuroendocrine factors, and cognitive development. Pathway analyses showed that both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the placenta were indirectly related to cognitive (p < 0.05) and language developmental outcomes (p < 0.1) via DHEA-S in cord blood among the low SES group. Yet, we found no statistically significant indirect effect of pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokines on neurocognitive development among the high SES sub-sample. This study extends our understanding of how early-life socioeconomic conditions modify biological pathways underlying the relationship between prenatal factors and postpartum cognitive development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeonjin Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States; Department of Sociology, Kookmin University, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Emily McDonald
- Center for International Health Research, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, United States; Department of Pediatrics, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Fusun Gundogan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Christopher V Barry
- Center for International Health Research, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, United States; Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Veronica Tallo
- Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Manila, Philippines
| | - Susannah Colt
- Center for International Health Research, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, United States; Department of Pediatrics, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Jennifer F Friedman
- Center for International Health Research, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, United States; Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States; Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States; Department of Pediatrics, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
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9
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Ku S, Werchan DM, Feng X, Blair C. Trajectories of maternal depressive symptoms from infancy through early childhood: The roles of perceived financial strain, social support, and intimate partner violence. Dev Psychopathol 2024:1-14. [PMID: 38561991 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579424000117] [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: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Although new mothers are at risk of heightened vulnerability for depressive symptoms, there is limited understanding regarding changes in maternal depressive symptoms over the course of the postpartum and early childhood of their child's life among rural, low-income mothers from diverse racial backgrounds. This study examined distinct trajectories of depressive symptoms among rural low-income mothers during the first five years of their child's life, at 6, 15, 24, and 58 months, using data from the Family Life Project (N = 1,292). Latent class growth analysis identified four distinct trajectories of maternal depressive symptoms, including Low-decreasing (50%; n = 622), Low-increasing (26%; n = 324), Moderate-decreasing (13%; n = 156), and Moderate-increasing (11%; n = 131) trajectories. Multinomial logistic regression demonstrated that higher perceived financial strain and intimate partner violence, and lower social support predicted higher-risk trajectories (Low-increasing, Moderate-decreasing, and Moderate-increasing) relative to the Low-decreasing trajectory. Compared to the Low-decreasing trajectory, lower neighborhood safety/quietness predicted to the Low-increasing trajectory. Moreover, lower social support predicted the Moderate-increasing trajectory, the highest-risk trajectory, compared to those in Moderate-decreasing. The current analyses underscore the heterogeneity on patterns of depressive symptoms among rural, low-income mothers, and that the role of both proximal and broader contexts contributing to distinct trajectories of maternal depressive symptoms over early childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Xin Feng
- The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Clancy Blair
- New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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10
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Hoferichter F, Lohilahti J, Hufenbach M, Grabe HJ, Hageman G, Raufelder D. Support from parents, teachers, and peers and the moderation of subjective and objective stress of secondary school student. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1161. [PMID: 38216714 PMCID: PMC10786930 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51802-4] [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: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
During adolescence, students increasingly report suffering from stress and school burnout, which poses a risk to students' healthy development. However, social support may counteract perceived stress according to the Buffering Hypothesis and the Conservation of Resources Theory. In search of factors that would support healthy student development, studies have primarily focused on self-report data and neglected biophysiological processes. Addressing this research desideratum, this study examined whether perceived social support buffers the interplay of self-reported stress considering biophysiological markers (i.e., cortisol, alpha-amylase, oxidative stress, and telomere length). 83 secondary school students (Mage = 13.72, SD = 0.67; 48% girls) from Germany participated in a questionnaire study and biophysiological testing. Moderation analyses in R revealed that support from parents moderated the relationships between psychological stress as well as cynicism and inadequacy at school linked to alpha-amylase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances Hoferichter
- Institute of Educational Science, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Jonne Lohilahti
- Institute of Educational Science, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Miriam Hufenbach
- Institute of Psychology Greifswald, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Hans Jörgen Grabe
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Geja Hageman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Research Institute of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Diana Raufelder
- Institute of Educational Science, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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11
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Mackenzie E, McMaugh A, Van Bergen P, Parada RH. Adolescent girls’ academic support-seeking, depression, and anxiety: the mediating role of digital support-seeking. AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/00049530.2023.2170279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Erin Mackenzie
- Macquarie School of Education, Macquarie University
- Centre for Educational Research, Western Sydney University
| | - Anne McMaugh
- Macquarie School of Education, Macquarie University
| | - Penny Van Bergen
- Macquarie School of Education, Macquarie University
- School of Education, University of Wollongong
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12
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Delgado MR, Fareri DS, Chang LJ. Characterizing the mechanisms of social connection. Neuron 2023; 111:3911-3925. [PMID: 37804834 PMCID: PMC10842352 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.09.012] [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: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how individuals form and maintain strong social networks has emerged as a significant public health priority as a result of the increased focus on the epidemic of loneliness and the myriad protective benefits conferred by social connection. In this review, we highlight the psychological and neural mechanisms that enable us to connect with others, which in turn help buffer against the consequences of stress and isolation. Central to this process is the experience of rewards derived from positive social interactions, which encourage the sharing of perspectives and preferences that unite individuals. Sharing affective states with others helps us to align our understanding of the world with another's, thereby continuing to reinforce bonds and strengthen relationships. These psychological processes depend on neural systems supporting reward and social cognitive function. Lastly, we also consider limitations associated with pursuing healthy social connections and outline potential avenues of future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio R Delgado
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University-Newark, Newark, NJ 07102, USA.
| | - Dominic S Fareri
- Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY 11530, USA
| | - Luke J Chang
- Consortium for Interacting Minds, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
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Barclay ME, Rinne GR, Somers JA, Lee SS, Coussons-Read M, Dunkel Schetter C. Maternal Early Life Adversity and Infant Stress Regulation: Intergenerational Associations and Mediation by Maternal Prenatal Mental Health. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2023; 51:1839-1855. [PMID: 36508054 PMCID: PMC10258218 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-022-01006-z] [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] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Early life adversity is a potent risk factor for poor mental health outcomes across the lifespan, including offspring vulnerability to psychopathology. Developmentally, the prenatal period is a sensitive window in which maternal early life experiences may influence offspring outcomes and demarcates a time when expectant mothers and offspring are more susceptible to stressful and salutary influences. This prenatal plasticity constituted the focus of the current study where we tested the association of maternal early life adversity with infant stress regulation through maternal prenatal internalizing symptoms and moderation by prenatal social support. Mother-infant dyads (n = 162) were followed prospectively and mothers completed assessments of social support and depressive and anxiety symptoms across pregnancy. Infants completed standardized stress paradigms at one month and six months. There were several key findings. First, maternal prenatal depressive symptoms significantly mediated predictions of infant cortisol reactivity to the heel stick at one month from maternal early life adversity: specifically, maternal early life adversity positively predicted depressive symptoms in pregnancy, which in turn predicted dampened infant cortisol reactivity. Second, prenatal social support did not significantly moderate predictions of depressive or anxiety symptoms in pregnancy from maternal early life adversity nor did it alter the associations of maternal depressive or anxiety symptoms with infant stress regulation. These results suggest that maternal prenatal mental health is a key mechanism by which maternal early life adverse experiences affect offspring risk for psychopathology. We discuss potential clinical and health implications of dysregulated infant cortisol reactivity with respect to lifespan development.
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Harms MB, Garrett-Ruffin SD. Disrupting links between poverty, chronic stress, and educational inequality. NPJ SCIENCE OF LEARNING 2023; 8:50. [PMID: 37985671 PMCID: PMC10662171 DOI: 10.1038/s41539-023-00199-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The income-achievement gap is a significant and stubborn problem in the United States, which has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. In this article, we link two emerging literatures that have historically been disparate: the neurobiology of poverty as a form of early life stress, and research on educational policies with the potential to reduce SES-based disparities in academic achievement. In doing so, we (1) integrate the literature on poverty-related mechanisms that contribute to early life stress, alter neurobiology, and lead to educational inequities, and (2) based on this research, highlight policies and practices at the school/classroom level and broader structural level that have the potential to address the problem of inequity in our educational systems. We emphasize that educational inequity is a systemic issue, and its resolution will require coordination of local, state, and national policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline B Harms
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, USA.
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15
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Mepham J, Nelles-McGee T, Andrews K, Gonzalez A. Exploring the effect of prenatal maternal stress on the microbiomes of mothers and infants: A systematic review. Dev Psychobiol 2023; 65:e22424. [PMID: 37860905 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal maternal stress (PNMS)-characterized by exposure to stress, anxiety, depression, or intimate partner violence-has been linked to biological alterations in infants, including disruptions to their intestinal microbiota, which have long-term implications for children's developmental outcomes. Significant research has been done examining the effects of PNMS on the microbiome in animals, but less is known about these effects in human research. The current systematic review aimed to synthesize current findings on the association between PNMS and mother and infant microbiomes. Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, Web of Science, and Eric databases were searched through to February 2022. A total of eight studies (n = 2219 infants, 2202 mothers) were included in the qualitative synthesis. Findings provided promising evidence of the role that PNMS plays in altering the microbial composition, diversity, and gut immunity in mothers and infants. Notably, majority of included studies found that higher PNMS was linked to increases in genera from the phylum Proteobacteria. The factors influencing these effects are explored including nutrition, birth mode, and parenting behaviors. Potential interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of PNMS are discussed, along with recommendations for future studies with longitudinal designs to better understand the appropriate type and timing of interventions needed to promote "healthy" maternal and infant microbial functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Mepham
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Taylor Nelles-McGee
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Krysta Andrews
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrea Gonzalez
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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16
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Hartzell G, Shaw RJ, Givrad S. Preterm infant mental health in the neonatal intensive care unit: A review of research on NICU parent-infant interactions and maternal sensitivity. Infant Ment Health J 2023; 44:837-856. [PMID: 37815538 DOI: 10.1002/imhj.22086] [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: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Caregiving relationships in the postnatal period are critical to an infant's development. Preterm infants and their parents face unique challenges in this regard, with infants experiencing separation from parents, uncomfortable procedures, and increased biologic vulnerability, and parents facing difficulties assuming caregiver roles and increased risk for psychological distress. To better understand the NICU parent-infant relationship, we conducted a review of the literature and identified 52 studies comparing observed maternal, infant, and dyadic interaction behavior in preterm dyads with full-term dyads. Eighteen of 40 studies on maternal behavior found less favorable behavior, including decreased sensitivity and more intrusiveness in mothers of preterm infants, seven studies found the opposite, four studies found mixed results, and 11 studies found no differences. Seventeen of 25 studies on infant behavior found less responsiveness in preterm infants, two studies found the opposite, and the remainder found no difference. Eighteen out of 14 studies on dyad-specific behavior reported less synchrony in preterm dyads and the remainder found no differences. We identify confounding factors that may explain variations in results, present an approach to interpret existing data by framing differences in maternal behavior as potentially adaptive in the context of prematurity, and suggest future areas for exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgina Hartzell
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Richard J Shaw
- Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Soudabeh Givrad
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
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17
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Parenteau AM, Boyer CJ, Campos LJ, Carranza AF, Deer LK, Hartman DT, Bidwell JT, Hostinar CE. A review of mental health disparities during COVID-19: Evidence, mechanisms, and policy recommendations for promoting societal resilience. Dev Psychopathol 2023; 35:1821-1842. [PMID: 36097815 PMCID: PMC10008755 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579422000499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Social and economic inequality are chronic stressors that continually erode the mental and physical health of marginalized groups, undermining overall societal resilience. In this comprehensive review, we synthesize evidence of greater increases in mental health symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic among socially or economically marginalized groups in the United States, including (a) people who are low income or experiencing homelessness, (b) racial and ethnic minorities, (c) women and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ+) communities, (d) immigrants and migrants, (e) children and people with a history of childhood adversity, and (f) the socially isolated and lonely. Based on this evidence, we propose that reducing social and economic inequality would promote population mental health and societal resilience to future crises. Specifically, we propose concrete, actionable recommendations for policy, intervention, and practice that would bolster five "pillars" of societal resilience: (1) economic safety and equity, (2) accessible healthcare, including mental health services, (3) combating racial injustice and promoting respect for diversity, equity, and inclusion, (4) child and family protection services, and (5) social cohesion. Although the recent pandemic exposed and accentuated steep inequalities within our society, efforts to rebuild offer the opportunity to re-envision societal resilience and policy to reduce multiple forms of inequality for our collective benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M. Parenteau
- Psychology Department, University of California-Davis
- Center for Poverty and Inequality Research, University of California-Davis
| | - Chase J. Boyer
- Department of Human Ecology, University of California-Davis
| | | | | | - LillyBelle K. Deer
- Psychology Department, University of California-Davis
- Center for Poverty and Inequality Research, University of California-Davis
| | | | - Julie T. Bidwell
- Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, University of California-Davis
| | - Camelia E. Hostinar
- Psychology Department, University of California-Davis
- Center for Poverty and Inequality Research, University of California-Davis
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18
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Jones-Mason K, Coccia M, Alkon A, Melanie Thomas KCP, Laraia B, Adler N, Epel ES, Bush NR. Parental sensitivity modifies the associations between maternal prenatal stress exposure, autonomic nervous system functioning and infant temperament in a diverse, low-income sample. Attach Hum Dev 2023; 25:487-523. [PMID: 37749913 DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2023.2257669] [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: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Evidence suggests that adversity experienced during fetal development may shape infant physiologic functioning and temperament. Parental sensitivity is associated with child stress regulation and may act as a buffer against risk for intergenerational health effects of pre- or postnatal adversity. Building upon prior evidence in a racially and ethnically diverse sample of infants (M infant age = 6.5 months) and women of low socioeconomic status, this study examined whether coded parenting sensitivity moderated the association between an objective measure of prenatal stress exposures (Stressful Life Events (SLE)) and infant parasympathetic (respiratory sinus arrhythmia; RSA) or sympathetic (pre-ejection period; PEP) nervous system functioning assessed during administration of the Still-Face-Paradigm (SFP) (n = 66), as well as maternal report of temperament (n = 154). Results showed that parental sensitivity moderated the associations between prenatal stress exposures and infant RSA reactivity, RSA recovery, PEP recovery, and temperamental negativity. Findings indicate that greater parental sensitivity is associated with lower infant autonomic nervous system reactivity and greater recovery from challenge. Results support the hypothesis that parental sensitivity buffers infants from the risk of prenatal stress exposure associations with offspring cross-system physiologic reactivity and regulation, potentially shaping trajectories of health and development and promoting resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Jones-Mason
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Michael Coccia
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Abbey Alkon
- School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | | | - Barbara Laraia
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, USA
| | - Nancy Adler
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Elissa S Epel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Nicole R Bush
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, USA
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19
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Shin J, Kober K, Yates P, Wong ML, Cooper BA, Paul SM, Hammer M, Conley Y, Levine JD, Wright F, Miaskowski C. Higher Lifetime Stress and Symptom Burden Contribute to the Occurrence of Shortness of Breath. Semin Oncol Nurs 2023; 39:151471. [PMID: 37500312 PMCID: PMC11446157 DOI: 10.1016/j.soncn.2023.151471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Among four classes of patients with distinct shortness of breath profiles, evaluate for differences in levels of global, cancer-specific, and cumulative life stress, as well as resilience; evaluate for differences in the occurrence rates for various stressful life events, and evaluate for differences in the severity of common co-occurring symptoms. DATA SOURCES Outpatients (N = 1338) completed questionnaires six times over two cycles of chemotherapy. The occurrence of shortness of breath was assessed using the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale. Latent class analysis was used to identify subgroups of patients with distinct shortness of breath profiles. Differences among the classes were evaluated using parametric and nonparametric tests. CONCLUSION Shortness of breath classes were labeled based on their distinct occurrence trajectories: None (70.5%), Decreasing (8.2%), Increasing (7.8%), and High (13.5%). Compared to None class, Decreasing and High classes had higher global and cancer-specific stress scores. The High class reported higher occurrence rates for several adverse childhood experiences. Compared to None class, Decreasing and High classes had higher depression, anxiety, and morning fatigue scores and lower morning energy and cognitive function scores. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE Given the additive or synergistic relationships between stress, co-occurring symptoms, and shortness of breath, multimodal interventions that include stress management, exercise training, and/or symptom management may decrease shortness of breath in oncology patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joosun Shin
- Department of Physiological Nursing, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Kord Kober
- Department of Physiological Nursing, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Patsy Yates
- Cancer & Palliative Outcomes Centre, Centre for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Melisa L Wong
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Bruce A Cooper
- Department of Physiological Nursing, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Steven M Paul
- Department of Physiological Nursing, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Marilyn Hammer
- The Phyllis F. Cantor Center for Research in Nursing and Patient Care Services, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Yvette Conley
- Department of Health Promotion and Development, School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Jon D Levine
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Fay Wright
- Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, New York, New York
| | - Christine Miaskowski
- Departments of Physiological Nursing and Anesthesia, School of Nursing and School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California.
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20
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Sun J, Lunkenheimer E, Lin D. Dimensions of child maltreatment and longitudinal diurnal cortisol patterns: The roles of resilience and child sex. Dev Psychopathol 2023:1-15. [PMID: 37746719 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579423001086] [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: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Informed by the dimensional approach to adversity, this study disaggregated child maltreatment effects to examine how abuse versus neglect influenced cortisol at the baseline assessment and longitudinal changes in diurnal cortisol among a sample of Chinese children and adolescents (N = 312; aged 9-13 years; M age = 10.80, SD = 0.84; 67% boys). The moderating roles of resilience and sex differences in these associations were also explored. Results revealed distinct effects of abuse versus neglect on diurnal cortisol in girls, but not boys, which varied by the time scale of assessment and type of cortisol measure. Specifically, abuse was associated with girls' longitudinal changes in awakening cortisol, cortisol awakening response, and diurnal cortisol slope over one year, whereas neglect was associated with girls' awakening cortisol and cortisol awakening response at the baseline assessment. Further, resilience moderated the effects of abuse on girls' baseline awakening cortisol and longitudinal changes in diurnal cortisol slope, suggesting both the potential benefits and costs of resilience. Findings support the application of the dimensional approach to research on stress physiology and deepen our understanding of individual differences in the associations between child maltreatment and diurnal cortisol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianing Sun
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Erika Lunkenheimer
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Danhua Lin
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
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21
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Orendain N, Ayaz A, Chung PJ, Bookheimer S, Galván A. Perceptions of neighborhood threat and caregiver support in early adolescence: Sex differences in neural and behavioral correlates in the ABCD study. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2023:106446. [PMID: 37704547 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescents, particularly racial and ethnic minorities, are at increased risk for neighborhood threat and violence exposure, which impacts behavioral and neural outcomes. Caregiver support is associated with healthy socioemotional adjustment and self-regulatory and coping behaviors; however, it remains unclear whether caregiver support, specifically, consolation, can moderate the behavioral and neural impacts of neighborhood threat. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine the role of youth-perceived neighborhood threat on neural and behavioral correlates and to test the moderating potential of caregiver support. Sex differences in associations were examined. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING 11,559 nine- and ten-year old youth enrolled in the multi-site Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study at baseline. METHODS Associations were examined via linear regression models employing youth-perceived neighborhood threat and caregiver support. Regression and interaction models controlled for youth age, sex, race and ethnicity, primary caregiver's education, family income, family structure, youth-perceived school threat, and intracranial volume when examining neural outcomes. An ANOVA employing a Chi-square test and simple slopes analysis were used to identify significant interactions in moderation models. RESULTS Neighborhood threat is associated with structural alterations in the left amygdala (p = .004). Meanwhile, caregiver support interacts in a dose-response fashion with neighborhood threat to attenuate its relationship with left amygdala volume (p = .008). Among youth reporting neighborhood threat, problematic behaviors were more common (p < .0001). While not significant, males reported higher rates of neighborhood threat than females (p = .267). Females reported greater levels of caregiver support (p = .017). Lastly, racial and ethnic differences in neighborhood threat and caregiver support were evident (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS While youth may not have been exposed to direct or immediate sources of threat and violence, these findings shed light on the impact of neighborhood threat perception on problematic behaviors and amygdala volume among nine- and ten-year olds. Future research should identify other culturally inclusive sources and measures of support and resiliency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Orendain
- Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Aliza Ayaz
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Paul J Chung
- Departments of Pediatrics and Health Policy & Management, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Health Systems Science, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Susan Bookheimer
- Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Adriana Galván
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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22
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Delaney SW, Hidalgo APC, White T, Haneuse S, Ressler KJ, Tiemeier H, Kubzansky LD. Behavioral and neurostructural correlates of childhood physical violence victimization: Interaction with family functioning. Dev Psychobiol 2023; 65:e22398. [PMID: 37338254 PMCID: PMC11012107 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22398] [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: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Violence victimization may cause child behavior problems and neurostructural differences associated with them. Healthy family environments may buffer these effects, but neural pathways explaining these associations remain inadequately understood. We used data from 3154 children (x̅age = 10.1) to test whether healthy family functioning moderated possible associations between violence victimization, behavior problems, and amygdala volume (a threat-responsive brain region). Researchers collected data on childhood violence victimization, family functioning (McMaster Family Assessment Device, range 0-3, higher scores indicate healthier functioning), and behavior problems (Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist [CBCL] total problem score, range 0-117), and they scanned children with magnetic resonance imaging. We standardized amygdala volumes and fit confounder-adjusted models with "victimization × family functioning" interaction terms. Family functioning moderated associations between victimization, behavior problems, and amygdala volume. Among lower functioning families (functioning score = 1.0), victimization was associated with a 26.1 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.9, 42.4) unit higher CBCL behavior problem score, yet victimized children from higher functioning families (score = 3.0) exhibited no such association. Unexpectedly, victimization was associated with higher standardized amygdala volume among lower functioning families (ŷ = 0.5; 95% CI: 0.1, 1.0) but lower volume among higher functioning families (ŷ = -0.4; 95% CI: -0.7, -0.2). Thus, healthy family environments may mitigate some neurobehavioral effects of childhood victimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott W. Delaney
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andrea P. Cortes Hidalgo
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tonya White
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sebastien Haneuse
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kerry J. Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Henning Tiemeier
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Laura D. Kubzansky
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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23
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Meyer HC, Fields A, Vannucci A, Gerhard DM, Bloom PA, Heleniak C, Opendak M, Sullivan R, Tottenham N, Callaghan BL, Lee FS. The Added Value of Crosstalk Between Developmental Circuit Neuroscience and Clinical Practice to Inform the Treatment of Adolescent Anxiety. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 3:169-178. [PMID: 37124361 PMCID: PMC10140450 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2022.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Significant advances have been made in recent years regarding the developmental trajectories of brain circuits and networks, revealing links between brain structure and function. Emerging evidence highlights the importance of developmental trajectories in determining early psychiatric outcomes. However, efforts to encourage crosstalk between basic developmental neuroscience and clinical practice are limited. Here, we focus on the potential advantage of considering features of neural circuit development when optimizing treatments for adolescent patient populations. Drawing on characteristics of adolescent neurodevelopment, we highlight two examples, safety cues and incentives, that leverage insights from neural circuit development and may have great promise for augmenting existing behavioral treatments for anxiety disorders during adolescence. This commentary seeks to serve as a framework to maximize the translational potential of basic research in developmental populations for strengthening psychiatric treatments. In turn, input from clinical practice including the identification of age-specific clinically relevant phenotypes will continue to guide future basic research in the same neural circuits to better reflect clinical practices. Encouraging reciprocal communication to bridge the gap between basic developmental neuroscience research and clinical implementation is an important step toward advancing both research and practice in this domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi C. Meyer
- Department of Psychiatry, Joan & Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Andrea Fields
- Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Anna Vannucci
- Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Danielle M. Gerhard
- Department of Psychiatry, Joan & Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York
| | - Paul A. Bloom
- Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | | | - Maya Opendak
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
- Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York
- Department of Neuroscience, Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Regina Sullivan
- Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York
| | - Nim Tottenham
- Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Bridget L. Callaghan
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Francis S. Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Joan & Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York
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24
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Hoffmann L, Hilger N, Banse R. The mindset of birth predicts birth outcomes: Evidence from a prospective longitudinal study. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/ejsp.2940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
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25
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Silvers JA, Peris TS. Research Review: The neuroscience of emerging adulthood - reward, ambiguity, and social support as building blocks of mental health. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2023. [PMID: 36878602 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The interval between adolescence and adulthood, 'emerging adulthood' (EA), lays the foundation for lifelong health and well-being. To date, there exist little empirical data - particularly in the neurobiological domain - to establish markers of risk and resilience during the transition to adulthood. This gap in the literature is concerning given the numerous forms of psychiatric illness that emerge or worsen during this period. METHODS In this review, we focus on two strands of research with distinct importance for EA: reward sensitivity, and tolerance of ambiguity. We begin by placing these domains in a framework that considers the unique developmental goals of EA and then synthesize emerging neurobiological research on how these domains develop during EA. We then consider their role in common mental health problems that occur during this interval as well as how social support may moderate outcomes. Finally, we offer recommendations for advancing research to understand developmental process and outcomes in EA. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS Few longitudinal studies specifically address emerging adult development and the milestones that characterize this interval. Data on neurobiological development are similarly sparse. Understanding neurobiological development during this window and its links to key adjustment outcomes is crucial for optimizing outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Silvers
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Tara S Peris
- Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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26
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Houbrechts M, Bijttebier P, Calders F, Goossens L, Van Leeuwen K, Van Den Noortgate W, Bosmans G. Cumulative family stress and externalizing problems: Secure base script knowledge as a protective factor. Child Dev 2023. [PMID: 36806174 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.13911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
The current study examined whether secure base script knowledge can buffer against higher concurrent externalizing problems and against relative increases in externalizing problems associated with cumulative family stress. We conducted a one-year longitudinal study with two waves between 2017 and 2019 in which 272 Dutch-speaking Western European children from Flanders (47.8% boys, M age = 10.20 , SD age = 0.60 $$ {M}_{\mathrm{age}}=10.20,{SD}_{\mathrm{age}}=0.60 $$ ) participated. Secure base script knowledge was associated with lower concurrent externalizing problems (f2 = 0.03). High levels of secure base script knowledge also buffered against relative increases in externalizing problems associated with cumulative family risk (f2 = 0.02). These findings suggest that secure base script knowledge can mitigate the negative effects of a stressful family environment on externalizing problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melisse Houbrechts
- Clinical Psychology Research Group, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Patricia Bijttebier
- School Psychology and Development in Context Research Unit, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Filip Calders
- Parenting and Special Education Research Unit, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luc Goossens
- School Psychology and Development in Context Research Unit, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karla Van Leeuwen
- Parenting and Special Education Research Unit, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wim Van Den Noortgate
- Methodology of Educational Sciences Research Group, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Kortrijk, Belgium.,imec-ITEC, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Guy Bosmans
- Clinical Psychology Research Group, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
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27
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Ren Y, Savadlou A, Park S, Siska P, Epp JR, Sargin D. The impact of loneliness and social isolation on the development of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's Disease. Front Neuroendocrinol 2023; 69:101061. [PMID: 36758770 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia, observed at a higher incidence in women compared with men. Treatments aimed at improving pathology in AD remain ineffective to stop disease progression. This makes the detection of the early intervention strategies to reduce future disease risk extremely important. Isolation and loneliness have been identified among the major risk factors for AD. The increasing prevalence of both loneliness and AD emphasizes the urgent need to understand this association to inform treatment. Here we present a comprehensive review of both clinical and preclinical studies that investigated loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for AD. We discuss that understanding the mechanisms of how loneliness exacerbates cognitive impairment and AD with a focus on sex differences will shed the light for the underlying mechanisms regarding loneliness as a risk factor for AD and to develop effective prevention or treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Ren
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Calgary, Canada; Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Aisouda Savadlou
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Soobin Park
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Paul Siska
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Jonathan R Epp
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Calgary, Canada; Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Derya Sargin
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Canada; Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Canada.
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28
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Houbrechts M, Cuyvers B, Goossens L, Bijttebier P, Bröhl AS, Calders F, Chubar V, Claes S, Geukens F, Van Leeuwen K, Noortgate WVD, Weyn S, Bosmans G. Parental support and insecure attachment development: the cortisol stress response as a moderator. Attach Hum Dev 2023; 25:104-116. [PMID: 33871320 DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2021.1907968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The current study investigated whether variations at the level of the cortisol stress response moderate the association between parental support and attachment development. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a one-year longitudinal study with two waves in which 101 children (56% girls, Mage = 11.15, SDage = 0.70) participated. Attachment anxiety and avoidance were measured at baseline (Wave 1) and one year later (Wave 2). Parental support and children's cortisol stress response during the Trier Social Stress Test were measured at Wave 2. Children's cortisol stress response was found to moderate the association between parental support and relative change in anxious attachment. A strong cortisol stress response weakened the associated between parental support and relative change in anxious attachment. No moderation effects were found for relative change in avoidant attachment.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Houbrechts
- Clinical Psychology Research Group, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - B Cuyvers
- Clinical Psychology Research Group, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - L Goossens
- School Psychology and Development in Context Research Unit, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - P Bijttebier
- School Psychology and Development in Context Research Unit, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - A S Bröhl
- School Psychology and Development in Context Research Unit, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - F Calders
- Parenting and Special Education Research Unit, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - V Chubar
- KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - S Claes
- KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - F Geukens
- School Psychology and Development in Context Research Unit, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - K Van Leeuwen
- Parenting and Special Education Research Unit, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - W Van Den Noortgate
- Methodology of Educational Sciences Research Group, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium.,imec-ITEC, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - S Weyn
- School Psychology and Development in Context Research Unit, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - G Bosmans
- Clinical Psychology Research Group, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
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29
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Marciano L, Viswanath K. Social media use and adolescents' well-being: A note on flourishing. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1092109. [PMID: 37089739 PMCID: PMC10116992 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1092109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Several large-scale studies and reviews have reported both negative and positive associations of social media use with well-being, suggesting that the findings are more complex and need more nuanced study. Moreover, there is little or no exploration of how social media use in adolescence influences flourishing, a more all-encompassing construct beyond well-being, including six sub-domains (i.e., happiness, meaning and purpose, physical and mental health, character, close social relationships, and financial stability). This paper aims to fill this gap by understanding how adolescents might flourish through social media activities by fulfilling the basic needs pointed out by the Self-Determination Theory, i.e., relatedness, autonomy, and competence. Methods The study is drawn on cross-sectional data collected from 1,429 Swiss adolescents (58.8% females, Mage = 15.84, SDage = 0.83) as part of the HappyB project in Spring 2022. Self-reported measures included the Harvard Adolescent Flourishing scale, positive and negative online social experiences, self-disclosure on social media, and social media inspiration. Control variables included, among others, self-esteem, ill-being, and personality. Results After applying Bonferroni's correction, results of the hierarchical regression analyses showed that positive social media experiences (β = 0.112, p < 0.001) and social media inspirations from others (β = 0.072, p < 0.001) and for others (β = 0.060, p = 0.003) were positively associated with flourishing. Flourishing was inversely associated with negative social media experiences (β = -0.076, p < 0.001). Among covariates, self-esteem (β = 0.350, p < 0.001), ill-being (β = -0.252, p < 0.001), perceived school environment (β = 0.138, p < 0.001), self-reported level of physical activity (β =0.109, p < 0.001), and perceived socio-economic status (β = -0.059, p = 0.001) were all related to flourishing. In contrast, gender, high school year, age, perceived stress, and personality (extraversion and neuroticism) were not. Conclusion Using a well-being framework to investigate social media use in adolescents is needed to go beyond the ill-being perspective. Our results align with the needs pointed out by the Self-Determination Theory. Carrying out social media activities in a way that promotes-rather than diminishes-flourishing should be included as an additional good habit influencing adolescents' development. We suggest that interventions aiming to foster adolescents' flourishing should include curricula aiming to promote a good use of social media through positive online social relationships and inspirational contents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Marciano
- Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
- Institute of Public Health, USI Università della Svizzera italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Laura Marciano,
| | - Kasisomayajula Viswanath
- Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
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30
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Brendgen M, Ouellet-Morin I, Cantave CY, Vitaro F, Dionne G, Boivin M. Link Between Peer Victimization in College and Cortisol Secretion: Roles of Genetic Vulnerabilities and Social Support. J Youth Adolesc 2023; 52:76-90. [PMID: 36242698 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-022-01687-1] [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: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
It is unclear whether peer victimization in college interacts with genetic vulnerabilities or social support in predicting cortisol secretion. This issue was addressed using a sample of 162 Monozygotic and 237 Dizygotic twin pairs (54% females; 86% Whites, 6% Blacks, 6% Asians, 0.3% Native North Americans). At age 19, participants provided hair for cortisol extraction and reported about victimization in college and support by the mother, father, and best friend. Biometric modeling revealed that environmental influences on cortisol secretion were reduced and genetic influences exacerbated when victimization was high. Moderate to high maternal support mitigated the association between victimization and high cortisol secretion. The findings suggest that victimization in college contributes to physical "wear-and-tear", which may be counteracted by social support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara Brendgen
- Department of Psychology, University of Quebec at Montreal, Montréal, QC, Canada. .,Ste-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Isabelle Ouellet-Morin
- School of Criminology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Centre for Studies on Human Stress, Montreal Mental Health University Institute, Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Christina Y Cantave
- School of Criminology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Centre for Studies on Human Stress, Montreal Mental Health University Institute, Research Center, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Frank Vitaro
- Ste-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada.,School of Psycho-Education, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Ginette Dionne
- School of Psychology, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Michel Boivin
- School of Psychology, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
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31
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Nolvi S, Merz EC, Kataja EL, Parsons CE. Prenatal Stress and the Developing Brain: Postnatal Environments Promoting Resilience. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 93:942-952. [PMID: 36870895 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Heightened maternal stress during pregnancy is associated with atypical brain development and an elevated risk for psychopathology in offspring. Supportive environments during early postnatal life may promote brain development and reverse atypical developmental trajectories induced by prenatal stress. We reviewed studies focused on the role of key early environmental factors in moderating associations between prenatal stress exposure and infant brain and neurocognitive outcomes. Specifically, we focused on the associations between parental caregiving quality, environmental enrichment, social support, and socioeconomic status with infant brain and neurocognitive outcomes. We examined the evidence that these factors may moderate the effects of prenatal stress on the developing brain. Complementing findings from translational models, human research suggests that high-quality early postnatal environments are associated with indices of infant neurodevelopment that have also been associated with prenatal stress, such as hippocampal volume and frontolimbic connectivity. Human studies also suggest that maternal sensitivity and higher socioeconomic status may attenuate the effects of prenatal stress on established neurocognitive and neuroendocrine mediators of risk for psychopathology, such as hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis functioning. Biological pathways that may underlie the effects of positive early environments on the infant brain, including the epigenome, oxytocin, and inflammation, are also discussed. Future research in humans should examine resilience-promoting processes in relation to infant brain development using large sample sizes and longitudinal designs. The findings from this review could be incorporated into clinical models of risk and resilience during the perinatal period and used to design more effective early programs that reduce risk for psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saara Nolvi
- Department of Psychology and Speech-Language Pathology, Turku Institute for Advanced Studies, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Department of Clinical Medicine, FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Center for Population Health Research, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
| | - Emily C Merz
- Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - Eeva-Leena Kataja
- Department of Clinical Medicine, FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Center for Population Health Research, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Christine E Parsons
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Interacting Minds Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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32
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Marciano L, Schulz PJ, Camerini AL. How do depression, duration of internet use and social connection in adolescence influence each other over time? An extension of the RI-CLPM including contextual factors. COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2022.107390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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33
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Khan I, Cañamero L. The Long-Term Efficacy of "Social Buffering" in Artificial Social Agents: Contextual Affective Perception Matters. Front Robot AI 2022; 9:699573. [PMID: 36185976 PMCID: PMC9520257 DOI: 10.3389/frobt.2022.699573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In dynamic (social) environments, an affective state of "stress" can be adaptive and promote agent wellbeing, but maladaptive if not appropriately regulated. The presence of (and interactions with) affect-based social support has been hypothesised to provide mechanisms to regulate stress (the "social buffering" hypothesis), though the precise, underlying mechanisms are still unclear. However, the hormone oxytocin has been implicated in mediating these effects in at least two ways: by improving social appraisals and reducing the short-term release of stress hormones (i.e., cortisol), and adapting an agent's long-term stress tolerance. These effects likely facilitate an agent's long-term adaptive ability by grounding their physiological and behavioural adaptation in the (affective) social environment, though these effects also appear to be context-dependent. In this paper, we investigate whether two of the hypothesised hormonal mechanisms that underpin the "social buffering" phenomenon affect the long-term wellbeing of (artificial) social agents who share affective social bonds, across numerous social and physical environmental contexts. Building on previous findings, we hypothesise that "social buffering" effects can improve the long-term wellbeing of agents who share affective social bonds in dynamic environments, through regular prosocial interactions with social bond partners. We model some of the effects associated with oxytocin and cortisol that underpin these hypothesised mechanisms in our biologically-inspired, socially-adaptive agent model, and conduct our investigation in a small society of artificial agents whose goal is to survive in challenging environments. Our results find that, while stress can be adaptive and regulated through affective social support, long-term behavioural and physiological adaptation is determined by the contextual perception of affective social bonds, which is influenced by early-stage interactions between affective social bond partners as well as the degree of the physical and social challenges. We also show how these low-level effects associated with oxytocin and cortisol can be used as "biomarkers" of social support and environmental stress. For socially-situated artificial agents, we suggest that these "social buffering" mechanisms can adapt the (adaptive) stress mechanisms, but that the long-term efficacy of this adaptation is related to the temporal dynamics of social interactions and the contextual perception of the affective social and physical environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran Khan
- Embodied Emotion, Cognition, and (Inter-)Action Lab, School of Physics, Engineering, and Computer Science, University of Hertfordshire, College Lane, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Lola Cañamero
- Embodied Emotion, Cognition, and (Inter-)Action Lab, School of Physics, Engineering, and Computer Science, University of Hertfordshire, College Lane, Hatfield, United Kingdom
- ETIS Lab, CY Cergy Paris University—ENSEA—CNRS UMR8051, Cergy, France
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Lemonnier C, Bize P, Boonstra R, Dobson FS, Criscuolo F, Viblanc VA. Effects of the social environment on vertebrate fitness and health in nature: Moving beyond the stress axis. Horm Behav 2022; 145:105232. [PMID: 35853411 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2022.105232] [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] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Social interactions are a ubiquitous feature of the lives of vertebrate species. These may be cooperative or competitive, and shape the dynamics of social systems, with profound effects on individual behavior, physiology, fitness, and health. On one hand, a wealth of studies on humans, laboratory animal models, and captive species have focused on understanding the relationships between social interactions and individual health within the context of disease and pathology. On the other, ecological studies are attempting an understanding of how social interactions shape individual phenotypes in the wild, and the consequences this entails in terms of adaptation. Whereas numerous studies in wild vertebrates have focused on the relationships between social environments and the stress axis, much remains to be done in understanding how socially-related activation of the stress axis coordinates other key physiological functions related to health. Here, we review the state of our current knowledge on the effects that social interactions may have on other markers of vertebrate fitness and health. Building upon complementary findings from the biomedical and ecological fields, we identify 6 key physiological functions (cellular metabolism, oxidative stress, cellular senescence, immunity, brain function, and the regulation of biological rhythms) which are intimately related to the stress axis, and likely directly affected by social interactions. Our goal is a holistic understanding of how social environments affect vertebrate fitness and health in the wild. Whereas both social interactions and social environments are recognized as important sources of phenotypic variation, their consequences on vertebrate fitness, and the adaptive nature of social-stress-induced phenotypes, remain unclear. Social flexibility, or the ability of an animal to change its social behavior with resulting changes in social systems in response to fluctuating environments, has emerged as a critical underlying factor that may buffer the beneficial and detrimental effects of social environments on vertebrate fitness and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Lemonnier
- Ecole Normale Supérieur de Lyon, 69342 Lyon, France; Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
| | - Pierre Bize
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK; Swiss Institute of Ornithology, Sempach, Switzerland
| | - Rudy Boonstra
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Canada
| | - F Stephen Dobson
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, 67000 Strasbourg, France; Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | | | - Vincent A Viblanc
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, 67000 Strasbourg, France
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35
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Edwards MJ, Stanley CR, Hosie CA, Richdon S, Price E, Wormell D, Smith TE. Social roles influence cortisol levels in captive Livingstone's fruit bats (Pteropus livingstonii). Horm Behav 2022; 144:105228. [PMID: 35772196 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2022.105228] [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] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A critical component of conserving and housing species ex situ is an explicit scientific understanding of the physiological underpinnings of their welfare. Cortisol has been repeatedly linked to stress, and therefore used as an indicator of welfare for many species. In order to measure cortisol in the Livingstone's fruit bat (Pteropus livingstonii; a critically endangered keystone species) without disturbing the captive population, we have developed and validated a non-invasive, novel hormone extraction procedure and faecal glucocorticoid assay. A total of 92 faecal samples, 73 from the P. livingstonii breeding colony at Jersey Zoo, Channel Islands and 19 samples from P. livingstonii housed at Bristol Zoological Gardens, UK, have been collected and analyzed. Mixed-effect modelling of the influence of physiological state variables on cortisol concentration revealed that lactating females had higher cortisol levels than non-lactating females, indicating that our assay is measuring biologically relevant hormone concentrations. Males and older bats also had higher cortisol than non-lactating females and younger individuals. Further analysis applied social network methodology to compare the cortisol levels of bats with different social roles. We found that individuals that linked social groups possessed higher than average cortisol levels and conversely, individuals with high-quality, positive relationships had lower cortisol levels. These results demonstrate, for the first time in a bat species, social mediation of stress hormones. Lastly, the frequency of vocalisation was found to positively correlate with cortisol concentration in males, suggesting that this behaviour may be used by animal management as a visual indicator of a bat's hormonal status. Hence, this research has provided unique insights and empirical scientific knowledge regarding the relationship between the physiology and social behaviour of P. livingstonii, therefore allowing for recommendations to be made to optimise bat welfare at the individual level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan J Edwards
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Chester, Chester CH1 4BJ, UK.
| | - Christina R Stanley
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Chester, Chester CH1 4BJ, UK.
| | - Charlotte A Hosie
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Chester, Chester CH1 4BJ, UK.
| | - Sarah Richdon
- Institute of Conservation Science & Learning, Bristol Zoological Society, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3HA, UK.
| | - Eluned Price
- Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Trinity, Jersey JE3 6AP, UK.
| | - Dominic Wormell
- Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Trinity, Jersey JE3 6AP, UK.
| | - Tessa E Smith
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Chester, Chester CH1 4BJ, UK.
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36
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Liu J, Liu X, Wang H, Gao Y. Friend support buffers the relationship between maltreatment and nonsuicidal self-injury in adolescence. Suicide Life Threat Behav 2022; 52:802-811. [PMID: 35352850 DOI: 10.1111/sltb.12864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prior studies have mostly focused on the risk factors for nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), but only a few studies have emphasized the related protective factors. The present study examined whether maltreatment and behavioral problems were risk factors for NSSI. Moreover, we also sought to understand whether and how friend support provides a buffer against NSSI. METHOD A total of 436 adolescents completed self-report surveys that addressed maltreatment, behavioral problems, friend support, and NSSI at three different time points. RESULTS There were significant positive correlations between maltreatment and NSSI. In the mediation analyses, we found that maltreatment was indirectly associated with NSSI via behavioral problems. Friend support demonstrated a long-term buffering effect on NSSI. Specifically, friend support had a protective effect on NSSI not only under high maltreatment levels, but also under high behavioral problem levels. CONCLUSION These findings contribute to the understanding of the influences of both maltreatment, behavioral problems (risk factors), and friend support (protective factors) on NSSI. In the context of intervention and education, it is important to consider the value of friend support when discussing NSSI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinmeng Liu
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Xia Liu
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yemiao Gao
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
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37
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Nazzari S, Fearon P, Rice F, Molteni M, Frigerio A. Maternal caregiving moderates the impact of antenatal maternal cortisol on infant stress regulation. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2022; 63:871-880. [PMID: 34787327 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emerging evidence suggests that antenatal exposure to maternal stress signals affects the development of the infant stress response systems. Animal studies indicate that maternal sensitive caregiving can reverse some of these effects. However, the generalizability of these findings to humans is unknown. This study investigated the role of maternal caregiving in the association between multiple markers of maternal antenatal stress and infant stress regulation. METHODS The sample consisted of 94 mother-infant (N = 47 males, mean postnatal weeks = 12; SD = 1.84) dyads. Maternal levels of Interleukin-6, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), diurnal cortisol and alpha amylase, depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed in late pregnancy (mean gestational age = 34.76; SD = 1.12), whereas postnatal symptomatology, caregiving, and infant cortisol response to the inoculation were evaluated at 3 months. RESULTS Hierarchical linear models (HLMs) showed a significant interaction between maternal antenatal cortisol, caregiving, and time on infant cortisol reactivity, while controlling for gender, maternal age, and postnatal depression. Specifically, higher levels of maternal antenatal cortisol were associated with greater cortisol response only among infants of less emotionally available mothers. All other markers of antenatal stress were not significantly associated with infant cortisol reactivity either independently or in interaction with maternal caregiving. CONCLUSIONS Albeit preliminary, results provide the first evidence in humans that maternal sensitive caregiving may eliminate the association between antenatal maternal cortisol and infant cortisol regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Nazzari
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Lecco, Italy
| | - Pasco Fearon
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Frances Rice
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Wolfson Centre for Young People's Mental Health, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Section of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Massimo Molteni
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Lecco, Italy
| | - Alessandra Frigerio
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Lecco, Italy
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Showstark M, Bahadursingh R, Zhang S, Fry A, Kozminski B, Lundstam P, Putrino D. Comparison of Hemodynamic Brain Responses Between Big Wave Surfers and Non-big Wave Surfers During Affective Image Presentation. Front Psychol 2022; 13:800275. [PMID: 35783705 PMCID: PMC9245544 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.800275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Big wave surfers are extreme sports athletes who expose themselves to life-threatening risk when training and competing. Little is known about how and why extreme sports athletes choose to participate in their chosen sports. This exploratory study investigated potential neurophysiological and psychometric differences between big and non-big wave surfers. Methods Thirteen big wave surfers (BWS) and 10 non-big wave surfers (CON) viewed a series of images from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS) while undergoing brain functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The Fear Schedule Survey-III, Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking, Discrete Emotions Questionnaire, and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule were also completed. Results The BWS group demonstrated higher blood-oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal change in the insula, visual cortex, and periaqueductal gray, whereas the CON group displayed increased hypothalamus activation in response to high amplitude negative-valence (HAN) image presentation. Psychophysiological interaction (PPI) analyses found CON showed significant interactions between frontal and temporal cortical regions as well as between the hypothalamus and the insula, frontal, and temporal cortices during HAN image presentation that were not seen in BWS. No differences between groups were found in their responses to the questionnaires. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate significant differences in brain activation between BWS and CON in response to the presentation of HAN IAPS images, despite no significant differences in scores on psychometric questionnaires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Showstark
- Yale School of Medicine Physician Assistant Online Program, New Haven, CT, United States
| | | | - Sheng Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Adam Fry
- Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Barbara Kozminski
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Per Lundstam
- Red Bull North America, Santa Monica, CA, United States
| | - David Putrino
- Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: David Putrino,
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Chun EK, Donovan M, Liu Y, Wang Z. Behavioral, neurochemical, and neuroimmune changes associated with social buffering and stress contagion. Neurobiol Stress 2022; 16:100427. [PMID: 35036478 PMCID: PMC8749234 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2022.100427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Social buffering can provide protective effects on stress responses and their subsequent negative health outcomes. Although social buffering is beneficial for the recipient, it can also have anxiogenic effects on the provider of the social buffering - a phenomena referred to as stress contagion. Social buffering and stress contagion usually occur together, but they have traditionally been studied independently, thus limiting our understanding of this dyadic social interaction. In the present study, we examined the effects of preventative social buffering and stress contagion in socially monogamous prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). We tested the hypothesis that this dynamic social interaction is associated with coordinated alterations in behaviors, neurochemical activation, and neuroimmune responses. To do so, adult male prairie voles were stressed via an acute immobilization restraint tube (IMO) either alone (Alone) or with their previously pair-bonded female partner (Partner) in the cage for 1 h. In contrast, females were placed in a cage containing either an empty IMO tube (Empty) or one that contained their pair-bonded male (Partner). Anxiety-like behavior was tested on the elevated plus maze (EPM) following the 60-mins test and brain sections were processed for neurochemical/neuroimmune marker labeling for all subjects. Our data indicate that females in the Partner group were in contact with and sniffed the IMO tube more, showed fewer anxiety-like behaviors, and had a higher level of oxytocin expression in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) compared to the Empty group females. Males in the Partner group had lower levels of anxiety-like behavior during the EPM test, greater activation of corticotropin-releasing hormone expressing neurons in the PVN, lower activation of serotonin neurons in the dorsal raphe, and lower levels of microgliosis in the nucleus accumbens. Taken together, these data suggest brain region- and neurochemical-specific alterations as well as neuroinflammatory changes that may be involved in the regulation of social buffering and stress contagion behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen K. Chun
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Meghan Donovan
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, 1700 N Wheeling St, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Zuoxin Wang
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
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Chiang JJ, Lam PH, Chen E, Miller GE. Psychological Stress During Childhood and Adolescence and Its Association With Inflammation Across the Lifespan: A Critical Review and Meta-Analysis. Psychol Bull 2022; 148:27-66. [PMID: 39247904 PMCID: PMC11378952 DOI: 10.1037/bul0000351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
Psychological stress during childhood and adolescence increases risk of health problems across the lifecourse, and inflammation is implicated as an underlying mechanism. To evaluate the viability of this hypothesis, we used meta-analysis to quantify the association between childhood/adolescent stress and inflammation over the lifecourse. Furthermore, we addressed three unresolved conceptual questions: (a) Does the strength of this association change over the lifecourse? (b) Are different types of childhood/adolescent stressors differentially associated with inflammation? (c) And which components of the inflammatory response are involved? A systematic search identified 187 articles reporting 922 associations. Meta-analyses were conducted using a three-level multilevel approach and controlled for study quality, conversion confidence, and whether effect sizes were unadjusted or adjusted (n = 662, 72%). Results indicated a small but reliable overall adjusted association ( r ^ = .04 ) . The magnitude of the association strengthened across the lifecourse-effect sizes were smallest in studies that measured inflammation in childhoodr ^ = .02 and became progressively larger in studies of adolescencer ^ = .04 and adulthoodr ^ = .05 , suggesting the impact of early stress strengthens with time. By contrast, effect sizes did not vary by adversity type (socioeconomic disadvantage, maltreatment, other interpersonal stressors, and cumulative exposure across stressors), or component of inflammation (circulating biomarkers of low-grade inflammation vs. cytokine responses to microbial stimuli). Implications and future directions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Phoebe H Lam
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University
| | - Edith Chen
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University
- Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University
| | - Gregory E Miller
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University
- Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University
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Dziura SL, Merchant JS, Alkire D, Rashid A, Shariq D, Moraczewski D, Redcay E. Effects of social and emotional context on neural activation and synchrony during movie viewing. Hum Brain Mapp 2021; 42:6053-6069. [PMID: 34558148 PMCID: PMC8596971 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sharing emotional experiences impacts how we perceive and interact with the world, but the neural mechanisms that support this sharing are not well characterized. In this study, participants (N = 52) watched videos in an MRI scanner in the presence of an unfamiliar peer. Videos varied in valence and social context (i.e., participants believed their partner was viewing the same (joint condition) or a different (solo condition) video). Reported togetherness increased during positive videos regardless of social condition, indicating that positive contexts may lessen the experience of being alone. Two analysis approaches were used to examine both sustained neural activity averaged over time and dynamic synchrony throughout the videos. Both approaches revealed clusters in the medial prefrontal cortex that were more responsive to the joint condition. We observed a time‐averaged social‐emotion interaction in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, although this region did not demonstrate synchrony effects. Alternatively, social‐emotion interactions in the amygdala and superior temporal sulcus showed greater neural synchrony in the joint compared to solo conditions during positive videos, but the opposite pattern for negative videos. These findings suggest that positive stimuli may be more salient when experienced together, suggesting a mechanism for forming social bonds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Diana Alkire
- The University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Adnan Rashid
- Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Deena Shariq
- The University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
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Mullins JL, Zhou E, Glenn DE, Moroney E, Lee SS, Michalska KJ. Paternal expressed emotion influences psychobiological indicators of threat and safety learning in daughters: A preliminary study. Dev Psychobiol 2021; 63:e22205. [PMID: 34674231 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
This preliminary study examined the association of children's anxiety, paternal expressed emotion (EE), and their interaction with psychophysiological indices of children's threat and safety learning. Participants included 24 father-daughter dyads. Daughters (ages 8-13 years, 100% Latina) self-reported their anxiety levels and completed a differential threat conditioning and extinction paradigm, during which psychophysiological responding was collected. Fathers completed a Five-Minute Speech Sample, from which paternal EE (i.e., criticism, emotional overinvolvement) was assessed. Anxiety-dependent associations emerged between paternal EE and individual differences in daughters' psychophysiological responding to safety signals during threat conditioning. Paternal EE was positively associated with psychophysiological responding to safety in daughters with high and mean, but not low, levels of anxiety. Although previous work suggests that chronic harsh maternal parenting is a potential risk factor for children's general threat and safety learning, these preliminary findings implicate milder forms of negative parenting behavior in fathers, particularly for highly anxious children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan L Mullins
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
| | - Elayne Zhou
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
| | - Dana E Glenn
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
| | - Elizabeth Moroney
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Steve S Lee
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Kalina J Michalska
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
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Chu KA, Schwartz C, Towner E, Kasparian NA, Callaghan B. Parenting under pressure: A mixed-methods investigation of the impact of COVID-19 on family life. JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS REPORTS 2021; 5:100161. [PMID: 34642680 PMCID: PMC8497173 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadr.2021.100161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background development and implementation of effective family-based psychosocial intervention and treatment strategies during COVID-19 will require a detailed understanding of how the virus has impacted the lives of families. Methods written reports on the life impacts of COVID-19 for parents (n = 56) and their children (n = 43), and a questionnaire assessing parent positive and negative affect, were collected between April and May 2020. An inductive approach was used to identify themes in written reports, followed by statistical analysis to explore associations between themes and changes in parent positive and negative affect pre- and post-writing. Results parents and children reported both positive and negative psychosocial impacts of the virus, though parents expressed a greater diversity of positive themes than children. Common themes reported by parents included concerns about the impact of COVID-19 on their children, health concerns for others, and the stressful balancing act of parenting, assisting with children's school work, and working from home. Many parents reported gratitude, and reflected on the upsides of the pandemic for family relationships and parent-child bonding. Parents who expressed gratitude reported a decrease in negative affect pre- to post-writing. Common child-reported themes included yearning to return to school, pandemic-related fears, and longing for social connection. Limitations the sample included a cross-section of mostly White (non-Hispanic), dual income, well-educated mothers, primarily from the United States. Conclusions both parents and children reported reduced wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research should focus on identifying how to fulfill children's social needs and lessen caregivers’ burdens during this time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen A Chu
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Chloe Schwartz
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Nadine A Kasparian
- Cincinnati Children's Center for Heart Disease and Mental Health, Heart Institute and Division of Behavioral Medicine & Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Bridget Callaghan
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Graff TC, Fitzgerald JR, Luke SG, Birmingham WC. Spousal emotional support and relationship quality buffers pupillary response to horror movies. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256823. [PMID: 34525117 PMCID: PMC8443030 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Being satisfied in marriage provides protective stress buffering benefits to various health complications but the causal mechanisms and speed at which this is accomplished is less well understood. Much of the research on health and marriage has conceptualized marital quality in a unidimensional way, with high levels of either positivity or negativity. This conceptualization may not fully capture the nuanced benefits of marital relationships. Pupillometry is an innovative method which captures the effects of marital stress buffering on the body’s autonomic nervous system in real time; pupil dilation occurs within 200ms to stress exposure. Additionally, this method records hundreds of readings per second, providing precision and sensitivity. This preregistered experiment aimed to conceptually replicate previous pupillometry stress buffering results and extend the previous findings by including a generalizable, real-life stressor—viewing a horror movie—and multidimensional relationship quality effects. Eighty-three couples (166 participants) were quasi-grouped, based on a self-reported multidimensional relationship quality scale, to either supportive or ambivalent marital relationship conditions. They were then randomly assigned to either a spousal support (i.e., handholding) or non-support (spousal absence) condition and watched clips from both horror and nature movies while pupil dilation was measured. Tonic pupillary response results revealed that the horror video clips elicited a stress response and there were significant differences between the support and non-support conditions, as well as marital relationship quality conditions. These results frame the precision, speed, and sensitivity of pupillometry as a potentially fruitful method to investigate the causal mechanisms linking stress buffering and supportive marital relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler C. Graff
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, United States of America
- Department of Social Sciences, Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Joseph R. Fitzgerald
- School of Public Affairs, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Steven G. Luke
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, United States of America
| | - Wendy C. Birmingham
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, United States of America
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Vila J. Social Support and Longevity: Meta-Analysis-Based Evidence and Psychobiological Mechanisms. Front Psychol 2021; 12:717164. [PMID: 34589025 PMCID: PMC8473615 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.717164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past 60 years, evidence has accumulated on the fundamental role of supportive social relationships in individual health and longevity. This paper first summarizes the results of 23 meta-analyses published between 1994 and 2021, which include 1,187 longitudinal and cross-sectional studies with more than 1,458 million participants. The effect sizes reported in these meta-analyses are highly consistent with regard to the predicted link between social support and reduced disease and mortality; the meta-analyses also highlight various theoretical and methodological issues concerning the multi-dimensionality of the social support concept and its measurements, and the need to control potential confounding and moderator variables. This is followed by an analysis of the experimental evidence from laboratory studies on psychobiological mechanisms that may explain the effect of social support on health and longevity. The stress-buffering hypothesis is examined and extended to incorporate recent findings on the inhibitory effect of social support figures (e.g., the face of loved ones) on fear learning and defensive reactions alongside evidence on the effect of social support on brain networks that down-regulate the autonomic nervous system, HPA axis, and immune system. Finally, the paper discusses the findings in the context of three emerging research areas that are helping to advance and consolidate the relevance of social factors for human health and longevity: (a) convergent evidence on the effects of social support and adversity in other social mammals, (b) longitudinal studies on the impact of social support and adversity across each stage of the human lifespan, and (c) studies that extend the social support framework from individual to community and societal levels, drawing implications for large-scale intervention policies to promote the culture of social support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Vila
- Human Psychophysiology and Health Laboratory, Mind, Brain, and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
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46
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Korom M, Callaghan BL, VanTieghem M, Silvers JA, Choy T, Kalter J, Blumenthal E, Tottenham N. Shifting children's attentional focus to emotions during art museum experiences. BRITISH JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 2021; 40:73-91. [PMID: 34231247 DOI: 10.1111/bjdp.12390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Art exposure can influence children's emotional growth, but little is known about tools that aid emotional development in art museums. We implemented attentional and social manipulations to test whether (1) modifications to unscripted instructions and (2) caregiver prompts shape children's attentional focus towards either the emotional or elemental content (e.g., colour and medium) of paintings. These manipulations occurred within an on-going art museum education programme. Afterwards, children's (N = 60; ages 3-13 years) attentional focus towards emotions or elements was assessed by asking them to select words that best described the art. Children focused on emotion more, but the instructional manipulation successfully influenced word choices towards the targeted focus. Caregiver prompts also influenced focus towards the elements and away from emotions. These findings highlight that children's attention to art's emotional content can be altered by social context, which here was demonstrated within a museum programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Korom
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Bridget L Callaghan
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Jennifer A Silvers
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Tricia Choy
- Graduate School of Education, University of California, Riverside, California, USA
| | | | - Emily Blumenthal
- Teen and Family Programs, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York, USA
| | - Nim Tottenham
- Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
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Abraham E, Letkiewicz AM, Wickramaratne PJ, Bunyan M, van Dijk MT, Gameroff MJ, Posner J, Talati A, Weissman MM. Major depression, temperament, and social support as psychosocial mechanisms of the intergenerational transmission of parenting styles. Dev Psychopathol 2021; 34:1-15. [PMID: 34099080 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579421000420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
In this three-generation longitudinal study of familial depression, we investigated the continuity of parenting styles, and major depressive disorder (MDD), temperament, and social support during childrearing as potential mechanisms. Each generation independently completed the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), measuring individuals' experiences of care and overprotection received from parents during childhood. MDD was assessed prospectively, up to 38 years, using the semi-structured Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (SADS). Social support and temperament were assessed using the Social Adjustment Scale - Self-Report (SAS-SR) and Dimensions of Temperament Scales - Revised, respectively. We first assessed transmission of parenting styles in the generation 1 to generation 2 cycle (G1→G2), including 133 G1 and their 229 G2 children (367 pairs), and found continuity of both care and overprotection. G1 MDD accounted for the association between G1→G2 experiences of care, and G1 social support and temperament moderated the transmission of overprotection. The findings were largely similar when examining these psychosocial mechanisms in 111 G2 and their spouses (G2+S) and their 136 children (G3) (a total of 223 pairs). Finally, in a subsample of families with three successive generations (G1→G2→G3), G2 experiences of overprotection accounted for the association between G1→G3 experiences of overprotection. The results of this study highlight the roles of MDD, temperament, and social support in the intergenerational continuity of parenting, which should be considered in interventions to "break the cycle" of poor parenting practices across generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eyal Abraham
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Translational Epidemiology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Allison M Letkiewicz
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Priya J Wickramaratne
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Translational Epidemiology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
- Departments of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maya Bunyan
- Departments of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Milenna T van Dijk
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Translational Epidemiology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marc J Gameroff
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Translational Epidemiology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jonathan Posner
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Child Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ardesheer Talati
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Translational Epidemiology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Myrna M Weissman
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Translational Epidemiology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
- Departments of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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Riquelme I, Escobio-Prieto I, Oliva-Pascual-Vaca Á, Heredia-Rizo AM, Montoya P. Effect of Social Support in Pain Sensitivity in Children with Cerebral Palsy and Typically Developing Children. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18094661. [PMID: 33925690 PMCID: PMC8125433 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Pain and abnormal somatosensory processing are important associated conditions in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP). Perceived social support is highly relevant for pain perception and coping. Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of social support on pain sensitivity in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy and healthy peers. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Pressure pain thresholds were assessed in 42 children and adolescents with CP and 190 healthy peers during three different conditions: alone, with their mother and with a stranger. Results: Children with CP reported lower pain sensitivity when they were with their mother than being alone or with a stranger, whereas healthy peers did not experience different pain sensitivity related to the social condition. Sex or clinical characteristics did not affect the relationship between pain perception and social support. Conclusion: The present study shows how children with CP are highly affected by social and contextual influences for regulating pain sensitivity. Solicitous parental support may enhance pain perception in children with CP. Further research on the topic is warranted in order to attain well-founded conclusions for clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada Riquelme
- Institute of Health Sciences Research (IUNICS-IdISBa), University of Balearic Islands, Carretera de Valldemossa km 7.5, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain;
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-971-171-310; Fax: +34-971-172-309
| | - Isabel Escobio-Prieto
- Departamento de Fisioterapia, Facultad de Enfermería, Fisioterapia y Podología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41009 Sevilla, Spain; (I.E.-P.); (Á.O.-P.-V.); (A.M.H.-R.)
| | - Ángel Oliva-Pascual-Vaca
- Departamento de Fisioterapia, Facultad de Enfermería, Fisioterapia y Podología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41009 Sevilla, Spain; (I.E.-P.); (Á.O.-P.-V.); (A.M.H.-R.)
| | - Alberto Marcos Heredia-Rizo
- Departamento de Fisioterapia, Facultad de Enfermería, Fisioterapia y Podología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41009 Sevilla, Spain; (I.E.-P.); (Á.O.-P.-V.); (A.M.H.-R.)
| | - Pedro Montoya
- Institute of Health Sciences Research (IUNICS-IdISBa), University of Balearic Islands, Carretera de Valldemossa km 7.5, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain;
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Abstract
Empathy is a complex phenomenon critical for group survival and societal bonds. In addition, there is mounting evidence demonstrating empathic behaviors are dysregulated in a multitude of psychiatric disorders ranging from autism spectrum disorder, substance use disorders, and personality disorders. Therefore, understanding the underlying drive and neurobiology of empathy is paramount for improving the treatment outcomes and quality of life for individuals suffering from these psychiatric disorders. While there is a growing list of human studies, there is still much about empathy to understand, likely due to both its complexity and the inherent limitations of imaging modalities. It is therefore imperative to develop, validate, and utilize rodent models of empathic behaviors as translational tools to explore this complex topic in ways human research cannot. This review outlines some of the more prevailing theories of empathy, lists some of the psychiatric disorders with disrupted empathic processes, describes rat and mouse models of empathic behaviors currently used, and discusses ways in which these models have elucidated social, environmental, and neurobiological factors that may modulate empathy. The research tools afforded to rodent models will provide an increasingly clear translational understanding of empathic processes and consequently result in improvements in care for those diagnosed with any one of the many psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stewart S. Cox
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston SC, USA
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Berretta E, Guida E, Forni D, Provenzi L. Glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1) methylation during the first thousand days: Environmental exposures and developmental outcomes. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 125:493-502. [PMID: 33689802 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The first 1000 days from conception are a sensitive period for human development programming. During this period, environmental exposures may result in long-lasting epigenetic imprints that contribute to future developmental trajectories. The present review reports on the effects of adverse and protective environmental conditions occurring during the first 1000 days on glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1) regulation in humans. Thirty-four studies were included. Wide variations emerged for biological tissues, number and position of analyzed CpG sites, and age at methylation and outcomes assessment. Increased NR3C1 methylation associated with first 1000 days stress exposures. Maternal caregiving behaviors significantly buffered precocious stress exposures. A less robust pattern of findings emerged for the association of NR3C1 methylation with physical health, neurobehavioral and neuroendocrine outcomes. Although drawing comprehensive conclusions is partially hindered by methodological limitations, the present review underlines the relevance of the first 1000 days from conception as a time window for developmental plasticity. Prospective cohort studies and epigenome-wide approaches may increase our understanding of dynamics epigenetic changes and their consequences for child development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Berretta
- Experimental and Behavioral Neurophysiology Lab, Scientific Institute IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Roma, Italy
| | - Elena Guida
- 0-3 Center for the At-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Diego Forni
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Livio Provenzi
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy.
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