Changes In Mental Health Problems Research Articles

T62 - Longitudinal Changes In Glucocorticoid Receptor 1f Methylation And Psychopathology After Military Deployment

Background The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) 1F region is involved in transcription and expression of the GR protein and influences hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis activity. Several studies have investigated GR-1F DNA methylation in the context of traumatic stress and psychiatric disorders, such as major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, longitudinal studies examining GR-1F DNA methylation before and after exposure to traumatic stress are lacking. We therefore aimed to investigate prospective DNA methylation changes in the GR-1F region after military deployment and its relation to the emergence of psychopathology. Methods Whole blood DNA methylation in the entire GR-1F region (52 CpGs) before and six months after deployment was quantified using pyrosequencing (N=92). Methylation levels were linked to post-deployment mental health problems (Revised Symptom Checklist, SCL-90), PTSD symptoms (Self-Rating Inventory for PTSD) and trauma exposure during deployment. Moreover, methylation was related to GR-1F expression, GR binding and genetic variation in the GR. Mean methylation, the number of methylated sites (methylation burden), mean methylation at transcription factor binding sites and at CpGs significantly associated with GR-1F expression (functional methylation) were examined. Results Trauma exposure during deployment and the emergence of mental health problems were significantly related to an increased methylation burden (t=2.23, p=2.8x10-2, =0.45 and t=2.24, p=2.7x10-2 and =0.085, respectively), which was associated with both decreased GR-1F expression (t=-2.92, p=4.7x10-3, =-1.93) and GR binding (t=-2.13, p=3.9x10-2, =-2.9x10-3). Moreover, development of psychopathology symptoms was significantly associated with increased methylation at functionally relevant CpGs (mental health problems: t=3.73, p=3.5x10-4, =1.2x10-2; PTSD symptoms: t=2.10, p=3.8x10-2, =0.59). Change in mean methylation was associated with a change in mental health problems (t=1.99, p=5.0x10-2, =4.1x10-3) and in GR-1F expression (t=-2.35, p=2.2x10-2, =-0.074). Discussion This longitudinal study in a military cohort shows that GR-1F DNA methylation levels are related to trauma exposure during deployment and the development of post-deployment psychopathology symptoms, particularly at functionally relevant sites. Together, our results provide further insight in transcriptional regulation of the glucocorticoid receptor gene, by demonstrating that GR-1F DNA methylation levels can vary over time and are related to stress vulnerability and the emergence of post-deployment psychopathology symptoms.

Mental health problems are rising more in Swedish adolescents than in other Nordic countries and the Netherlands.

Mental health problems increased in adolescents and young adults in Europe between 1950 and 1990, and the cause is largely unknown. Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden form a relatively homogenous group of countries with favourable conditions for children. Our review examined the time trends for mental health problems in these countries between 1990 and 2010. In general, there were only small changes in mental health problems in the countries studied. However, we did note a marked rising trend in mental health problems among adolescents in Sweden, which also has more issues with school achievement and unemployment rates.

The Role of Basal Cortisol in Predicting Change in Mental Health Problems Across the Transition to Middle School

PurposeThe period in which the transition to middle school occurs is marked by major changes in social context, social rules, and scholastic responsibilities. Some adolescents thrive during this period whereas others are overwhelmed and fail to cope adequately with their changing environment. We investigated basal cortisol upon waking as a predictor of change in mental health problems across the transition to middle school. By taking into account the transition experience, we extend prior findings that high basal cortisol predicts deteriorated mental health after the transition. In individuals with high awakening cortisol, we expected mental health problems to increase after negative transition experiences and to decrease after positive transition experiences, reflecting differential susceptibility. Evidence for the former but not the latter would suggest diathesis–stress. MethodsData from 1,664 subjects were obtained from two measurement waves (mean ages, 11 and 13.5 years) of the TRacking Adolescents' Individual Lives Survey. Using linear regression, we investigated effects of awakening cortisol level, school transition experience, and their hypothesized interaction on change in mental health problems. ResultsWe found that a negative but not a positive experience was predictive of change in mental health. Importantly, our results showed that a negative experience predicts deteriorated mental health only in adolescents with high awakening cortisol but not in adolescents with low awakening cortisol. This finding was robust across informants. The converse, high awakening cortisol predicting decreasing mental health problems after a positive transition was not found. ConclusionsThese results support the diathesis–stress model but not the differential susceptibility hypothesis.

Mental health problems and educational attainment in adolescence: 9-year follow-up of the TRAILS study.

BackgroundThis study examines if mental health problems at age 11 and changes in mental health problems between age 11 and 16 predict educational attainment of adolescents at age 19, overall and stratified by gender.MethodsData from 1711 adolescents (76.8% from initial cohort) of the Tracking Adolescents' Individual Lives Survey (TRAILS), a Dutch prospective cohort study with 9year follow-up, were used. Mental health problems (externalizing, internalizing and attention problems) were measured by the Youth Self Report and the Child Behavior Checklist at ages 11 and 16. Difference scores for mental health problems between age 11 and 16 were calculated. Educational attainment was assessed at age 19.ResultsExternalizing, internalizing and attention problems at age 11 were significantly associated with low educational attainment at age 19 (crude model). When adjusted for demographic variables and the other mental health problems, only the association for attention problems remained significant (odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval: 3.19, 2.11–4.83). Increasing externalizing problems between age 11 and 16 also predicted low educational attainment at age 19 (OR 3.12, 1.83–5.32). Among girls, increasing internalizing problems between age 11 and 16 predicted low educational attainment (OR 2.21, 1.25–3.94). For boys, no significant association was found for increasing internalizing problems and low educational attainment. For increasing attention problems between age 11 and 16 no significant association with low educational attainment was found.ConclusionsExternalizing, internalizing and attention problems at age 11 and an increase of these problems during adolescence predicted low educational attainment at age 19. Early treatment of these mental health problems may improve educational attainment, and reduce socioeconomic health differences in adulthood.

Parental strain, mental health problems, and parenting practices: A longitudinal study

Although poor parenting practices place youth living in under resourced communities at heightened risk for adjustment difficulties, less is known about what influences parenting practices in those communities. The present study examines prospective linkages between three latent constructs: parental strain, mental health problems and parenting practices. Parental victimization by community violence and life stressors were indicative of parental strain; depressive, anxious, and hostile symptoms were indicators of parental mental health; and parental knowledge of their child’s activities and child disclosure were indicators of parenting practices. Interviews were conducted annually for 3 waves with 316 female caregivers (92% African American) parenting youth in low-income inner-city communities. Structural equation modeling revealed that parental strain, assessed at Wave 1, predicted changes in mental health problems 1year later, which in turn predicted parenting practices at Wave 3. These results suggest that parental strain can compromise a caregiver’s ability to parent effectively by impacting their mental health. Opportunities for intervention include helping caregivers process trauma and mental health problems associated with parental strain.

Trait Impulsivity and Change in Mental Health Problems After Violent Crime Victimization

Violent crime victimization can have serious mental health consequences, but what it is that makes victims at risk of mental health problems or delayed recovery from such problems is largely unknown. Previous research has focused on, amongst other things, the disabling impact of personality factors involved in the regulation of emotions. Using data from the Dutch Longitudinal Internet Studies for the Social Sciences (LISS) panel (n = 2628), this study explored whether the association between violent crime victimization and change in mental health problems over a 1-year time span also varies by trait impulsivity (TI)--a personality factor involved in regulating behavior. TI may serve as a risk factor for mental health problems, but research into this topic is scarce and inconsistent. Results suggested that low TI subjects are prone to experience an increase in mental health problems following victimization. As a possible explanation for this finding, it was speculated that subjects with low TI do not perceive themselves at risk of victimization and thus see this positive assumption shattered when victimization does occur. Results were further discussed in terms of study limitations and strengths and implications for future research.

Stability and change - a 7- to 8-year follow-up study of mental health problems in Norwegian children in long-term out-of-home care

The aim of the study was to explore stability and change in mental health problems in Norwegian children aged 6–12 years old (n = 70) in long-term out-of-home care. The children's mental health problems were assessed shortly after the placement and 7–8 years later by the caregivers and the teachers on the Revised Rutter Scales. Information on pre-placement and placement factors were collected from the child welfare workers. At a group level the children's mental health problems had improved significantly over time according to the teachers' reports. According to the caregivers' reports, however, the children's problems were high and stable across time. Analyses aimed at detecting individual changes revealed a great variability in development according to both informants, indicating that treating the placed children as a homogenous group could be misleading. Several pre-placement and placement variables were associated with the change in the children's mental health problems from the time of placement to the follow-up time according to both informants' reports. However, all the predictors were accounted for by the strong effect of the children's problem scores when entering care.

S.18.01 The adolescent depression antidepressant and psychotherapy trial (ADAPT)

Although poor parenting practices place youth living in under resourced communities at heightened risk for adjustment difficulties, less is known about what influences parenting practices in those communities. The present study examines prospective linkages between three latent constructs: parental strain, mental health problems and parenting practices. Parental victimization by community violence and life stressors were indicative of parental strain; depressive, anxious, and hostile symptoms were indicators of parental mental health; and parental knowledge of their child’s activities and child disclosure were indicators of parenting practices. Interviews were conducted annually for 3 waves with 316 female caregivers (92% African American) parenting youth in low-income inner-city communities. Structural equation modeling revealed that parental strain, assessed at Wave 1, predicted changes in mental health problems 1 year later, which in turn predicted parenting practices at Wave 3. These results suggest that parental strain can compromise a caregiver’s ability to parent effectively by impacting their mental health. Opportunities for intervention include helping caregivers process trauma and mental health problems associated with parental strain.

The Effects of Cross-System Collaboration on Mental Health and Substance Abuse Problems of Detained Youth

Objective: This study examined the effects of a collaborative intervention targeting 107 juvenile detainees with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse problems. Method: Changes in mental health problems, substance use, and delinquency between pretest and 3-and 6-month follow-up were assessed. Three distinct clusters of detained youth characterized by varying levels of self-reported symptoms and behaviors across these three problem domains were included in a series of repeated measures analyses. Results: Significant time effects were found for anxiety and depression and for the frequency of substance use and delinquency between pretest and 3- and 6-month follow-up. Significant time by cluster interactions were found for mental health problems of obsessive-compulsive behavior and interpersonal sensitivity and for property and drug-related offending. Conclusions: Cross-system collaboration among mental health, substance abuse, and juvenile justice systems is a promising approach for treating delinquent youth with co-occurring problem behaviors.