Stress In Children Research Articles

The Development, Preliminary Validation, and Clinical Application of the Quick Parenting Assessment.

To prevent diseases, efforts are needed to determine how to address Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), including parenting behaviors. The objective of this study, conducted in Nashville TN in 2017, was to initiate testing the psychometric properties of two new Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) screening tools, the Quick Parenting Assessment (QPA) and Other Childhood Stressors (OCS). In a clinic serving low-income families, caregivers of children ages 2-10 completed assessments of parenting (QPA), other stressors (OCS), child behavior problems ((Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)), and Attitudes Toward Spanking (ATS). The QPA takes 1 min to complete and assesses for healthy and unhealthy parenting behaviors. Seventy-five percent of eligible participants completed the survey (N=558). A reduced 10-item QPA yielded a Cronbach's alpha of 0.79 and, in 4-10-year-olds, was associated with high SDQ conduct, hyperactivity, and total difficulties scores (r=0.44, 0.48, and 0.47; all p< 0.001). Children with QPAs of >4 were nine times more likely than those children with scores of ≤2 to have behavior problems (OR=8.93, 95% CI = 3.74-21.32). Elevated QPAs were associated with the ATS (r=0.47, p < .001). The OCS was also associated with high SDQ total difficulties scores (r=0.28, p< 0.001). Two pediatric ACEs screening tools, the QPA and the OCS, have promising psychometric properties. The findings suggest that parenting behaviors may play an outsized role in the pathogenesis of outcomes associated with ACEs. We discuss the clinical application of QPA at our institution and the theoretical potential for this instrument to reduce the rates of short- and long-term health problems.

Chinese mother’s scaffolding of young children’s responses to stress and children’s depressive symptoms during the first year of primary school

The transition to primary school in Hong Kong is stressful for young children primarily due to increases in pressure for academic performance from teachers and parents. Researchers suggest that these pressures might account for the higher level of depressive symptoms seen in children from China and other Eastern countries than in Western settings. The current study examined whether maternal strategies for helping children cope with the stresses of this transition predicted depressive symptoms over the first year of primary school. One hundred and three first year primary school children in Hong Kong were interviewed about their depressive symptoms at the end of the second month and during the last month of their first year in primary school. One hundred mothers completed questionnaires about how they scaffolded their children’s responses to stress at the same time points. Principal components analysis identified three types of maternal strategies: positive scaffolding (helping children understand the situation, process their emotions, and problem-solve solutions, along with creating positive expectations for the future); dismiss/blame (downplaying the serious of problems or blaming the situation on the child or others); and encouraging avoidance (distraction and encouraging avoidance). At the lower SES school, there was a significant negative bidirectional relationship between positive scaffolding and depressive symptoms; at the higher SES school, dismiss/blame at Time 1 positively predicted depressive symptoms at Time 2 and depressive symptoms at Time 1 positively predicted positive scaffolding at Time 2. Results inform parents about childhood stress during the transition to primary school and teach parents effective ways to help their children cope with these stresses including helping them process their feelings, analyze the situation, problem-solve solutions, and develop positive expectancies about the future. These results can inform parenting education programs targeting children’s depressive symptoms and parents’ scaffolding skills.

Dyadic Reports Using the Parental Support after Child Sexual Abuse Measure: Psychometrics and Associations with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms.

This study assessed the psychometric properties of a new measure, the Parental Support after Child Sexual Abuse (PSCSA) survey, and tested the association between parents' and children's parental support reports and children's post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. A total of 99 Icelandic children (86.5% girls, 6-18 years old, M = 13.9 years) starting therapy for child sexual abuse (CSA) and 98 non-offending parents (90.6% mothers, 23-58 years old, M = 41.2 years) participated in the study. Participants completed questionnaires on parental support (PSCSA) and children's PTSD symptom severity (University of California at Los Angeles Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition). A total of 18 items were considered for the PSCSA parent version and nine for the PSCSA child version. Five reliable factors emerged for the parent version (Emotional support, Instrumental support, Self-blame, Child blame and Disbelief) using 16 items and one factor (combined Emotional and instrumental support) emerged for the child's version using eight items. On average, ratings for both Emotional and Instrumental support were higher for parents than their children. Emotional support reported by both parents and children was negatively associated with PTSD symptom severity. The PSCSA survey is a promising dyadic measure for future research and clinical use in children's advocacy centres.

A biological approach to adult sex differences in skeletal indicators of childhood stress.

In previous work examining the etiology of cribra orbitalia (CO) and porotic hyperostosis (PH) in a contemporary juvenile mortality sample, we noted that males had higher odds of having CO lesions than females. Here, we examine potential reasons for this pattern in greater detail. Four non-mutually exclusive mechanisms could explain the observed sex differences: (1) sex-biased mortality; (2) sexual dimorphism in immune responses; (3) sexual dimorphism in bone turnover; or (4) sexual dimorphism in marrow conversion. The sample consists of postmortem computed tomography scans and autopsy reports, field reports, and limited medical records of 488 individuals from New Mexico (203 females; 285 males) aged between 0.5 and 15 years. We used Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, predicted probabilities, and odds ratios to test each mechanism. Males do not have lower survival probabilities than females, and we find no indications of sex differences in immune response. Overall, males have a higher probability of having CO or PH lesions than females. All results indicate that lesion formation in juveniles is influenced by some combination of sex differences in the pace of red-yellow conversion of the bone marrow and bone turnover. The preponderance of males with CO and PH likely speaks to the potential for heightened osteoblastic activity in males. We find no support for the hypotheses that sex biases in mortality or immune responses impacted lesion frequency in this sample. Sex differences in biological processes experienced by children may affect lesion formation and lesion expression in later life.

Young Children's Stress Due to COVID-19 and Supporting Methods for Childcare Teachers

Young Children's Stress Due to COVID-19 and Supporting Methods for Childcare Teachers

Children of the abyss: Investigating the association between isotopic physiological stress and skeletal pathology in London during the Industrial Revolution

ObjectiveThis project sought to investigate whether an association may be observed between isotopic stress indicators and skeletal evidence of pathological conditions. MaterialsDeciduous and permanent teeth of 15 non-adults from two contemporaneous mid-19th century London burial grounds (City Bunhill, Lukin Street). Methodsδ13C and δ15N was measured in the incrementally sectioned dentine collagen. Isotopic profiles for each individual included death during tooth development. ResultsIndividuals with skeletal evidence of chronic pathological conditions (e.g., rickets, tuberculosis) exhibited raised δ15N values of 0.5–1.7‰ in the months prior to death. Isotopic change consistent with chronic physiological stress prior to death was also recorded in two individuals with no skeletal evidence of disease. An offset was observed between co-forming bone and dentine δ15N values in both populations, indicating that bone and dentine are not recording the same isotopic changes. ConclusionsIsotopic change consistent with chronic physiological stress was observed in both those with and without skeletal evidence of disease, suggesting that adaptation to chronic stress in childhood was not uncommon within these 19th century London populations. SignificanceChronic physiological stress prior to death may be seen in the incrementally sampled dentine of non-adults who die during tooth formation. LimitationsThe temporal resolution of current dentine micro-sampling methods may mask or minimise visibility of shorter-term periods of stress or dietary change. Suggestions for further researchFuture research should further explore the relationship between specific skeletal pathologies and isotopic evidence for stress.

A complexity science perspective on the impact of adverse socioeconomic conditions on chronic stress

Abstract Chronic stress increases chronic disease risk and may underlie the association between adverse socioeconomic conditions and adverse health outcomes. The relationship between such conditions and chronic stress is complex due to feedback loops between stressor exposure and psychological processes, encompassing different temporal (acute stress response to repeated exposure over the life course) and spatial (biological/psychological/social) scales. We examined this relationship from a complexity science perspective. We developed a causal loop diagram to interpret available evidence. Literature evidence was used to confirm/contest the variables and causal links included in the conceptual framework and refine their conceptualisation. Our findings were evaluated by 8 independent researchers. Adverse socioeconomic conditions imply an accumulation of stressors and increase the likelihood of exposure to uncontrollable childhood and life course stressors. Repetition of such stressors may activate mechanisms that can affect coping resources and coping strategies and stimulate appraisal of subsequent stressors as uncontrollable. We identified 5 feedback loops describing these mechanisms: progressive deterioration of access to coping resources because of repeated insolvability of stressors; perception of stressors as uncontrollable due to learned helplessness; tax on cognitive bandwidth caused by stress; stimulation of problem avoidance to provide relief from the stress response and free up cognitive bandwidth; susceptibility to appraising stimuli as stressors against a background of stress. The complexity science perspective revealed that adverse socioeconomic conditions imply recurrent stressor exposure which impacts chronic stress via amplifying feedback loops that together could be conceptualised as one vicious cycle. Therefore, in order for individual-level psychological interventions to be effective, the context of adverse socioeconomic conditions also needs to be addressed. Key messages We examined the mechanisms underlying the relationship between adverse socioeconomic conditions and chronic stress from a complexity science perspective, focusing on amplifying feedback loops. The complexity science perspective illustrates that interventions are unlikely to be successful if they focus only on individual-level psychological factors.

From early to late modern societies (late 16th - early 20th century): Shifts in dental health status in two populations from southeastern France

In France, bioarcheological research has long overlooked the early and late modern periods, which witnessed major transformations impacting population structure and leading to the dawn of modern industrialized societies. Two recently excavated large cemeteries in Provence present a unique opportunity to investigate on a large scale the impact on health and living conditions brought about by the Industrial Revolution and consequently track health status changes from the 16th to the early 20th century.The sample includes 642 individuals from the early modern cemetery of Saint-Jacques, La Ciotat (1581–1831) and the late modern cemetery of Les Crottes, Marseille (1784–1905). This study aims to document dental health markers and compare the results between both assemblages, considering ante-mortem tooth loss, wear, caries, abscesses, calculus, periodontitis and linear enamel hypoplasia. The available archaeological and historical sources for these recent periods provide a full documentation in which to interpret and discuss the biological analysis, thus enabling an inclusive bioarcheological approach. Resultsrevealed similarities between both samples. Differences are more subtle than expected and are seen through the increase in carious lesions and in linear enamel hypoplasia. The former seem to indicate changes in diet with the introduction of new foodstuffs and manufacturing processes during the Industrial Revolution. The latter could reflect the increase in early childhood stress, perhaps due to new feeding practices around weaning and breastfeeding or a poorly diversified diet. Finally, the increasing number of stress events could suggest a noxious sanitary and infectious environment. During the 19th century, Marseille experienced strong demographic and urban growth, resulting in overcrowded areas where sanitation facilities were insufficient or absent. Moreover, the activity of this important trading seaport might have promoted the transmission and appearance of epidemic diseases despite scientific and medical advances, which would have a real impact only from the 20th century onwards.

Understanding the impact of exposure to adverse socioeconomic conditions on chronic stress from a complexity science perspective

BackgroundChronic stress increases chronic disease risk and may underlie the association between exposure to adverse socioeconomic conditions and adverse health outcomes. The relationship between exposure to such conditions and chronic stress is complex due to feedback loops between stressor exposure and psychological processes, encompassing different temporal (acute stress response to repeated exposure over the life course) and spatial (biological/psychological/social) scales. We examined the mechanisms underlying the relationship between exposure to adverse socioeconomic conditions and chronic stress from a complexity science perspective, focusing on amplifying feedback loops across different scales.MethodsWe developed a causal loop diagram (CLD) to interpret available evidence from this perspective. The CLD was drafted by an interdisciplinary group of researchers. Evidence from literature was used to confirm/contest the variables and causal links included in the conceptual framework and refine their conceptualisation. Our findings were evaluated by eight independent researchers.ResultsAdverse socioeconomic conditions imply an accumulation of stressors and increase the likelihood of exposure to uncontrollable childhood and life course stressors. Repetition of such stressors may activate mechanisms that can affect coping resources and coping strategies and stimulate appraisal of subsequent stressors as uncontrollable. We identified five feedback loops describing these mechanisms: (1) progressive deterioration of access to coping resources because of repeated insolvability of stressors; (2) perception of stressors as uncontrollable due to learned helplessness; (3) tax on cognitive bandwidth caused by stress; (4) stimulation of problem avoidance to provide relief from the stress response and free up cognitive bandwidth; and (5) susceptibility to appraising stimuli as stressors against a background of stress.ConclusionsTaking a complexity science perspective reveals that exposure to adverse socioeconomic conditions implies recurrent stressor exposure which impacts chronic stress via amplifying feedback loops that together could be conceptualised as one vicious cycle. This means that in order for individual-level psychological interventions to be effective, the context of exposure to adverse socioeconomic conditions also needs to be addressed.

The Effects of Early Childhood Stress on Mortality under Neolithization in the Levant

Abstract. This study investigates the causal relationships among early-life health conditions, mortality across the lifespan, and population growth during neolithization in the Levant. We analyze a comprehensive sample of 558 human skeletons, associated with mortuary features from 24 Levantine sites spanning the transition to agriculture, from the Early Natufian period to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic C (Southern Levant) and Pottery Neolithic periods (Northern Levant), mainly covering 13,000-6,000 BC. We find that early-life stress—as preserved in linear enamel hypoplasias (LEH) that we recorded in the study sample—not only increased dramatically in prevalence with the adoption of agriculture and village life. Early-life stress was also strongly associated with mortality in the juvenile, adolescent, and younger-adult life stages (ca. 5-29 years). This statistical link is independent of analysis of raw life-stage-at-death distributions, which may be heavily biased by ancient age or sex-skewed funerary recruitment practices. According to our results, biological well-being deteriorated with the adoption of agriculture and village life between ca. 9,000-6,000 BC. We find that the transition to agriculture raised risks for premature mortality across the Levant. We suggest that in the regional transition to agriculture, mortality and fertility rose together in a fragile dynamic, the balance of which may have shifted in the 7th millennium BC, as a rapid rise in early-life stress exposures reduced average well-being.

What did COVID-19 Change? The Impact of COVID-19 on Korean Parents' and Children's Daily Lives and Stress.

The COVID-19 outbreak has not only posed a threat to physical health but has also changed our daily lives. This study explored how the COVID-19 pandemic affected Korean parents’ and children’s daily lives and stress levels. Parents’ childcare time, children’s screen time, the time spent for social interactions and learning, and parents’ and children’s stress levels before and after the pandemic were compared. The main caregivers’ childcare time increased significantly during the pandemic (4.00 h/day). For children, the time spent for screen time (1.76 h) and online interactions (0.95 h) increased significantly, whereas face-to-face interaction time (4.17 h) and time spent learning (2.16 h) decreased significantly. In addition, parents’ and children’s stress levels increased significantly during the pandemic. Other descriptive information is provided and discussed. Our results indicate that Korean parents and children experienced significant disruption to their daily lives and increased stress during the pandemic.

Victimization in Childhood Mediates the Association Between Parenting Quality, Stressful Life Events, and Depression in Adulthood.

BackgroundVarious stressors during childhood and adulthood, such as experiencing poor parenting, abuse, and harassment, have long-lasting effects on depression. The long-term effects of childhood stressors, such as childhood abuse and inappropriate parenting experiences, on adult depression are mediated by personality traits. In the present study, we hypothesized that parental bonding in childhood influences adulthood depression, and that this association is mediated by childhood victimization experiences and negative life event evaluations in adulthood. To test this hypothesis, multiple regression analysis and structural equation modeling were performed.MethodsA questionnaire survey, including Patient Health Questionnaire-9, victimization scale in childhood, Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), and Life Experiences Survey was administered to 449 general adult volunteers (age: 41.1 ± 11.7 years; 196 men and 253 women). Multiple variables were analyzed by multiple regression analysis and structural equation modeling.ResultsMultiple regression analysis demonstrated that victimization experiences in childhood affect adulthood depression independently of several other factors. Structural equation modeling showed that the “parental care” subscale of the PBI decreased adulthood depression directly, as well as indirectly through its effects on victimization experiences in childhood and negative life events. On the other hand, the “parental overprotection” subscale of the PBI increased adulthood depression directly, as well as indirectly through its effects on the experience of victimization in childhood and negative life events.ConclusionThe present study indicates that the experience of victimization in childhood is a risk factor of adulthood depression. Furthermore, we found that parenting quality experienced in childhood influences adulthood depression, and that these effects are mediated by the experiences of victimization in childhood and negative life events in adulthood.

The Association of Childhood Maltreatment, Sex, and Hair Cortisol Concentrations With Trajectories of Depressive and Anxious Symptoms Among Adult Psychiatric Inpatients.

Depression and anxiety symptoms are commonly observed among clinical populations, especially among women and maltreated individuals. Few investigations have, however, assessed the existence of distinct symptoms trajectories among clinical populations and how these relate to childhood maltreatment, sex differences, and stress physiology indexed by hair cortisol concentrations (HCCs). The current study a) identified distinct depression and anxious trajectories in a sample of psychiatric inpatients followed up prospectively from their admission to a psychiatric emergency service, and b) examined whether HCC, childhood maltreatment, and sex independently and jointly predict these trajectories. Adult inpatients (n = 402; 55% women) were recruited upon admission to psychiatric emergency service (T1) during which HCC (reflecting cortisol secretion for the last 3 months), childhood maltreatment, and depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed. Symptoms were reevaluated when patients were discharged from the hospital (T2), admitted to outpatient clinics (T3), and 12 months later or at the end of outpatient treatment (T4). Three trajectories were identified for depression and anxiety symptoms. Among men, higher HCC predicted higher odds of evincing chronic depressive symptoms compared with a low stable trajectory (odds ratio [OR] = 3.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.43-8.40). Greater childhood maltreatment among men predicted higher chances of exhibiting chronic anxious symptoms than the low stable (OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.07-2.02) and the high decreasing trajectories (OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.51-0.95). Opposite findings were noted for women. Childhood maltreatment and HCC should be further investigated as predictors of anxious and depressive trajectories, during which sex-specific associations ought to be considered.

Inflammation, Anxiety, and Stress in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent and serious neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity. Chronic and childhood stress is involved in ADHD development, and ADHD is highly comorbid with anxiety. Similarly, inflammatory diseases and a pro-inflammatory state have been associated with ADHD. However, while several works have studied the relationship between peripheral inflammation and stress in affective disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder, fewer have explored this association in ADHD. In this narrative review we synthetize evidence showing an interplay between stress, anxiety, and immune dysregulation in ADHD, and we discuss the implications of a potential disrupted neuroendocrine stress response in ADHD. Moreover, we highlight confounding factors and limitations of existing studies on this topic and critically debate multidirectional hypotheses that either suggest inflammation, stress, or anxiety as a cause in ADHD pathophysiology or inflammation as a consequence of this disease. Untangling these relationships will have diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic implications for ADHD patients.

PENGARUH TERAPI BERMAIN (MEWARNAI) TERHADAP TINGKAT STRES PADA ANAK USIA SEKOLAH YANG MENJALANI PHYSICAL DISTANCING DI RW 03 KELURAHAN KEDUNGDORO KECAMATAN TEGALSARI SURABAYA

Abstract : Physical distancing is an action that used to stop the spread of covid-19 desease. Nowadays, the Physical distancing which is done have the impact of the children psychology problems such as stress. The purpose of this research is to examine the influence of coloring play therapy toward children's stress levels in a school age who is through the physical distancing at RW 03, kedungdoro village, Tegal sari districts, Surabaya city. The type of research was using quasy-eksperimental method with pre test-post control group design approach. The number of samples on this research were 52 children of school age and divided into 26 respondents into the intervention group and 26 respondents into the control group, by using simple random sampling techniques and questionnaire as a measuring instrument. The data analysis was using Mann Whitney and Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. The result of this research showed that p value 0,001 (p &lt; 0,05) had an influenced of coloring play theraphy toward children's stress level in a school age who was through physical distancing at RW 03, kedungdoro village, Tegal sari districts, Surabaya city. The implications of this research was to reduced stress in a school age who was through physical distancing by doing the coloring play therapy everyday during 20-30 minutes in a free time.

Explaining Variation in Parents' and Their Children's Stress During COVID-19 Lockdowns.

The coronavirus pandemic poses a substantial threat to people across the globe. In the first half of 2020, governments limited the spread of virus by imposing diverse regulations. These regulations had a particular impact on families as parents had to manage their occupational situation and childcare in parallel. Here, we examine a variation in parents' and children's stress during the lockdowns in the first half of 2020 and detect the correlates of families' stress. Between April and June 2020, we conducted an explorative online survey among n = 422 parents of 3- to 10-year-old children residing in 17 countries. Most participants came from Germany (n = 274), Iran (n = 70), UK (n = 23), and USA (n = 23). Parents estimated their own stress, the stress of their own children, and various information on potential correlates (e.g., accommodation, family constellation, education, community size, playtime for children, contact with peers, media consumption, and physical activity). Parents also stated personal values regarding openness to change, self-transcendence, self-enhancement, and conservation. The results indicate a substantial variation in the stress levels of families and their diverse reactions to regulations. Media consumption by children commonly increased in comparison to the time before the pandemic. Parents raising both pre-school- and school-aged children were at a particular risk of experiencing stress in response to regulations. Estimated stress and reactions varied with the age of children and the personal values of parents, suggesting that such variables need to be considered when implementing and evaluating regulations and supporting young families in the current and future pandemic.

Association of pulsatile stress in childhood with subclinical renal damage in adults: A 30-year prospective cohort study.

The pulsatile stress in the microcirculation may contribute to development or progression of chronic kidney disease. However, there is no prospective data confirming whether pulsatile stress in early life affect renal function in middle age. The authors performed a longitudinal analysis of 1738 participants aged 6–15 years at baseline, an ongoing Adolescent Prospective Cohort with a follow‐up of 30 years. The authors evaluated the association between pulsatile stress in childhood and adult subclinical renal damage (SRD), adjusting for related covariates. Pulsatile stress was calculated as resting heart rate × pulse pressure. Renal function was assessed with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio (uACR). The results showed that pulsatile stress in childhood was associated with adult SRD (Relative Risk, 1.43; p = .032), and the predictive value of combined pulse pressure and heart rate for SRD was higher than either of them alone. The high pulsatile stress in childhood increased the risk of adult SRD in males (RR, 1.92; p = .003), but this association was not found in females (RR, 0.91; p = .729). Further, the participants were categorized into four groups on the basis of pulsatile stress status in childhood and adulthood. Male patients with high pulsatile stress during childhood but normal pulsatile stress as adults still had an increased risk of SRD (RR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.18–3.54), while female patients did not (RR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.46–1.99). The study demonstrated that high pulsatile stress in childhood significantly increased the risk of adult SRD, especially in males. Adequate control of pulse pressure and heart rate from childhood, in the long‐term, is very important for preventing kidney damage.

Methods of Overcoming Parental Psychological Stress in Children's Education During the Period of Movement Control Order (MCO)

Methods of overcoming the psychological stress of parents in the process of educating children during the MCO period according to the Islamic perspective are among the issues that need to be addressed to overcome the crisis experienced by parents when managing children at home, especially in the learning process. Studies conducted on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on society revealed social barriers when the pandemic affected emotional and psychological well-being with symptoms of stress, stress, anxiety, worry, depression, and depression as well as persistent economic stress. Parents are no exception affected by the spread of COVID-19 and MCO with concern about the mental and emotional health of children during the MCO as well as stress and burdened with home-based learning and teaching (PdPR). Therefore, the crisis and stress that was found to exist among parents during the pandemic, especially in the aspect of children's education at home, should be taken remedial measures as a practice towards continued well-being and happiness in the family. Thus, this study was conducted to analyze the methods of overcoming the psychological stress of parents in the educational process of children during the MCO period. The design of this study was a survey study. The method of quantitative data collection was done using the distribution of questionnaires to 516 parents and analyzed descriptively using SPSS. The results showed that the majority of respondents always pray and rely on God (mean = 3.61) as the main step to overcome psychological stress. This study can be utilized by parents and all Muslim families next to the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), The National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), and Department of Social Welfare (JKM) to provide continuous education and guidance to shape family well-being in Malaysia.

Cortisol Levels in Childhood Associated with Emergence of Attenuated Psychotic Symptoms in Early Adulthood

In youth at clinical high-risk for psychosis, cortisol elevations predict transition to psychosis, but it is unclear whether cortisol alterations are evident at an earlier clinical stage. We investigated whether cortisol levels and stressors in childhood were associated with later attenuated psychotic (AP) symptoms. A sample of children (N=109) enriched for psychosis risk factors were recruited at age 9-12 years and assessed at age 11-14 years (T1) and 17-21 years (T2). Measures of psychopathology, psychosocial stressors, and salivary cortisol were obtained at T1. AP symptoms were assessed at T2. Diurnal cortisol (β = 0.915, 95% CI: 0.062, 1.769) and daily stressors (β = 0.379, 95% CI: 0.034, 0.723) at T1 were independently associated with AP symptoms at T2 after accounting for demographic factors and T1 psychopathology. Exploratory analyses indicated a significant interaction between diurnal cortisol and daily stressors (β = 0.743, 95% CI: 0.081, 1.405), with the highest predicted T2 AP symptoms occurring when both were increased. Daily stressors and diurnal cortisol elevations during late childhood (a neurodevelopmentally vulnerable time-period) confer risk for developing AP symptoms.

Economic strain, parental education and psychotic experiences among college students in the United States: Findings from the Healthy Minds Study 2020.

Socioeconomic status (SES) is linked to psychosis, and much can be learned by examining how various indicators of SES-specifically economic strain and intergenerational transfer of resources-are related to sub-threshold psychotic experiences among college students. Using data from the Healthy Minds Survey (September 2020-December 2020), we used multivariable logistic regression models to examine the associations between five SES indicators and 12-month psychotic experiences, adjusting for age, gender and race/ethnicity. We also examined the count of predictors and psychotic experiences. Each indicator of economic strain was associated with greater odds of psychotic experiences. In particular, increasing levels of financial stress (current, childhood and pandemic-related) were associated with greater odds of psychotic experiences in a dose-response fashion. Food insecurity was associated with double the odds of psychotic experiences. In terms of intergenerational transfer of resources, having either one or no parents who attended college was associated with significantly greater odds of having psychotic experiences, when compared with having both parents who attended college. Examining all predictors in the same model, only childhood and current financial stress and food insecurity were significantly associated with psychotic experiences. The count of predictors was significantly associated with greater odds of having psychotic experiences in a dose-dependent fashion. Among college students, economic strain and intergenerational transfer of resources were associated with recent psychotic experiences, highlighting the importance of economic interventions targeting young adults to influence risk for psychosis.