Distress In Young Adults Research Articles

A web-based psycho-educational intervention (Fex-Can) targeting sexual dysfunction and fertility-related distress in young adults with cancer: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThis study protocol describes the clinical trial of the Fex-Can intervention, a web-based self-help program targeting sexual dysfunction and fertility-related distress. The psycho-educational intervention has been developed in collaboration with young patients with cancer and shown to be feasible. The primary objective is to determine whether the Fex-Can intervention, provided in addition to standard care, is superior to standard care in terms of reduction of sexual dysfunction and fertility-related distress directly after end of the 12-week program. The trial also aims to determine whether the intervention has an effect on the secondary outcomes including health-related quality of life, anxiety, depression, body image, fertility knowledge, and self-efficacy related to sexuality and fertility.MethodsThe trial has an randomized clinical trial (RCT) design with two parallel arms. The active groups receive either the version of the Fex-Can intervention targeting sexual problems or the version targeting fertility-related distress. Control groups receive standard care. Primary outcomes will be sexual function assessed with the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System® Sexual Function and Satisfaction measure version 2.0 (SexFS) and fertility-related distress assessed with the Reproductive Concerns After Cancer scale (RCAC). The effect of the intervention will be evaluated directly after end of the program. Primary and secondary outcomes will also be assessed at the short- (12 weeks after end of program) and long-term (20 and 44 months after end of program) follow-up. At least 64 completers will be needed in each arm (total n = 256) to achieve adequate statistical power in the analyses. In order to increase the understanding of how the intervention brings about a possible change, semi-structured interviews will additionally be conducted with a purposeful sample shortly after completion of the intervention.DiscussionIf the Fex-Can intervention proves to be efficacious the necessary steps will be taken to implement it in routine care for young adults diagnosed with cancer. Healthcare could thereby be provided with an easily accessible, cost-effective intervention to offer to young adults suffering from fertility-related distress or sexual problems.Trial registrationISRCTN36621459. Registered 25 January 2016.

Diabetes distress in young adults with early-onset Type 1 diabetes and its prospective relationship with HbA1c and health status.

This study aimed to determine cross-sectional relationships between diabetes distress and health-related variables, and prospective associations between diabetes distress and future glycaemic control (HbA1c ) and health status among young adults with early-onset Type 1 diabetes. Data were collected from a nationwide cohort study of adults whose Type 1 diabetes onset occurred from 0 to 4years of age during 1993-2002. Questionnaire surveys were conducted in 2012-2013 and 2015-2016 (N=584). Diabetes distress was assessed via the Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) scale (0-100 points), depressive symptoms via the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and health status via the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) questionnaire. Multivariable linear regression analyses were applied to cross-sectional and longitudinal data. In the cross-sectional analyses, higher PAID scale total scores (representing higher distress levels) were observed in women than in men and in participants with more severe depressive symptoms. PAID scores were lower in individuals with better physical and mental health. A 1mmol/mol increase in HbA1c was associated with a 0.28-point increase [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.20, 0.36] in diabetes distress. In longitudinal analyses adjusting for age, sex, socio-economic index and HbA1c at baseline, a 10-point higher PAID score at baseline was associated with a 1.82mmol/mol higher HbA1c level (95% CI 0.43, 3.20) and a 2.48-point lower SF-12 mental health score (95% CI -3.55, -1.42) three years later. The cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses results suggest that diabetes distress impairs health-related outcomes in young adults with early-onset diabetes.

Early Maternal Employment and Children’s Later Depression: A Reverse Goldilocks Phenomenon

Concerns about how maternal employment affects the development of children continue to attract research attention. Most of the literature focuses on how maternal employment affects children’s behavioral development. However, some studies have examined the longer term impact of maternal employment on adolescent and young adult affective functioning, including risk of depression. The current study explored the relationship between maternal employment during four developmental stages and subsequent risk of depressive symptoms in young adulthood. The BDI-II, DIRI Personal Distress Scale, and measures assessing maternal employment history were administered to 452 undergraduates. Four 2 x 3 MANOVA (sex x maternal employment status [full-time, part-time, nonemployment] during the participants’ infancy, preschool years, elementary school years, and adolescence) were conducted to investigate the effect of maternal employment during each of the four stages of development on subsequent development of depressive symptoms and personal distress. A significant interaction effect showed that sons whose mothers were employed part-time during their infancy reported higher rates of subsequent depression on the BDI-II than those whose mothers were nonemployed or employed full-time. For both men and women, a history of part-time maternal employment during the child’s infancy was associated with reports of greater personal distress in young adulthood. Maternal employment during the other three developmental stages was not associated with significant differences in subsequent depression or personal distress.

Mediated effects of eating disturbances in the association of perceived weight stigma and emotional distress

This study aimed to examine the relationships between perceived weight stigma, eating disturbances, and emotional distress across individuals with different self-perceived weight status. University students from Hong Kong (n = 400) and Taiwan (n = 307) participated in this study and completed several questionnaires: Perceived Weight Stigma questionnaire; Three-factor Eating Questionnaire; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Each participant self-reported their height, weight, and self-perceived weight status. After controlling for demographics, perceived weight stigma was associated with eating disturbances (β = 0.223, p < 0.001), depression (β = 0.143, p < 0.001), and anxiety (β = 0.193, p < 0.001); and eating disturbances was associated with depression (β = 0.147, p < 0.001) and anxiety (β = 0.300, p < 0.001) in the whole sample. Additionally, eating disturbances mediated the association between perceived weight stigma and emotional distress. Similar findings were shown in the subsamples who perceived themselves as higher weight or normal weight and in the male and female subsamples. However, in the subsamples who perceived themselves as lower weight, only the links between eating disturbances and emotional distress were significant. Perceived weight stigma was associated with eating disturbances and emotional distress in young adults with both higher and normal weight. Eating disturbances were associated with emotional distress regardless of participants' weight status. Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.

Psychosocial Distress and Blood Pressure among Young Adults: Role of Cortisol as Mediator

Introduction: Hypertension is the most prevalent risk factor of cardiovascular diseases in Malaysia. 17.3% of hypertension cases in Malaysia is attributed to adults aged 18 to 39 years. Psychosocial distress is a possible risk factor for elevated blood pressure in young adults, and cortisol could be the mediating factor. The aim of this study is to evaluate the mediating role of cortisol in hypertension and psychosocial distress in young adults. Materials and Methods: A comparative crosssectional study was conducted in 240 young adults aged 45 years or less. The body mass index, waist circumference and blood pressure parameters were recorded. Serum cortisol, creatinine, fasting blood glucose and lipid profile were measured following acute mental stress test. Psychosocial distress was assessed using the DASS-21 questionnaire. Results: Mean (standard deviation) values for SBP, DBP and MAP were 126.0 (16.3), 84.1 (12.2) and 98.1 (13.1) mmHg respectively. Anxiety was significantly associated with systolic blood pressure (β = 0.644), diastolic blood pressure (β = 0.454) and mean arterial pressure (β = 0.516) after adjusting to sex, age and cortisol. However, it was not mediated by cortisol. Depression and stress were not found to have any effect on blood pressure of the young adults studied. Conclusion: The data suggest that there is no elevated risk for psychosocial distress and hypertension that cortisol poses in young adults.

Does Gottman's Marital Communication Conceptualization Inform Teen Dating Violence? Communication Skill Deficits Analyzed Across Three Samples of Diverse Adolescents.

Communication skill deficits are thought to contribute to teen dating violence (TDV), parallel to the inclusion of these throughout prevention curricula. Communication research among adolescents is highly underdeveloped, although a preliminary study utilizing Gottman's marital communication conceptualization found that a majority of negative communication behaviors predictive of marital distress were also associated with relationship aggression among primarily White college students. Our aim was to replicate this study with diverse samples of adolescents (50.3% Latino, 23.5% Black; Mage = 16.06). Urban high school youth, pregnant and parenting youth in residential foster care, and youth in urban after-school programs self-reported on their use of maladaptive and adaptive communication behaviors, relationship quality (i.e., satisfaction, commitment), and emotional, physical, sexual, relational, and threatening dating violence. Across samples, maladaptive communication and particularly flooding (i.e., the tendency to become overwhelmed, leave the argument) and the four horsemen (i.e., a cascading and negative communication sequence) were associated with higher likelihood of multiple types of TDV. Relationship quality was associated with decreased likelihood for TDV among high school and after-school youth samples, but with increased likelihood among youth in foster care. Results indicate that youth utilize a wide range of both adaptive and maladaptive communication behaviors, and that similar maladaptive patterns predictive of relationship distress in young adulthood and in marriage are also associated with distress in adolescents' dating relationships. Equipping youth with adaptive communication skills as part of a comprehensive approach to reducing TDV and enhancing healthy relationships is meaningful for diverse adolescents. Further research is warranted concerning youth's perceptions of relationship quality and risk of TDV.

Motor coordination problems and psychological distress in young adults: A test of the Environmental Stress Hypothesis

Background and aimsThe Environmental Stress Hypothesis (ESH) has been used to examine how the relationship between poor motor coordination and psychological distress is affected by physical health and psychosocial factors. However, work applying the ESH is still limited, and no studies have used this framework with adults. The current investigation aims to examine the association between motor coordination and psychological distress among emerging adults, and examine potential mediators to this relationship based on the ESH. Methods225 young adults aged 17–23 years completed a survey of motor coordination, physical activity, secondary stressors (i.e., general stress and global relationships), perceived social support, self-concept, and psychological distress. Structural equation modeling was conducted to examine mediating pathways and overall model fit. ResultsThe final model of the ESH showed good model fit (x2 = 83.24, p < .01; RMSEA=0.056; NNFI = 0.927; CFI = 0.954; GFI = 0.947), and indicated that the relationship between poor motor coordination and psychological distress was mediated by secondary stressors, perceived social support, and self-concept. ConclusionsThis study highlights the effect of poor motor coordination on psychological distress in young adults, and suggests that interventions should target psychosocial well-being, in addition to motor coordination, to prevent psychological distress.

What was once essential, may become detrimental: The mediating role of depersonalization in the relationship between childhood emotional maltreatment and psychological distress in adults

ABSTRACTDepersonalization (DP) is a dissociative phenomenon, characterized by feeling “unreal” or detached from one’s own emotions, thoughts, and behavior (APA, 2013). It is considered to be a defense mechanism, employed in response to overwhelming events, whereby thoughts and emotions are suppressed in order to enhance the individual’s capacity to function in traumatic environments. DP has been found to co-occur with anxiety and depressive disorders, and childhood emotional maltreatment (EM) has been identified as an important predisposing factor. The study’s primary aim was to investigate the mediating role of DP in the relationship between childhood EM and psychological distress in young adults. Additionally, it aimed to confirm that a history of childhood EM (emotional abuse and emotional neglect) predicted current levels of DP and to explore how both a person’s attitude towards experiencing and expressing emotions (with an emphasis on the affect phobia model) and their current attachment security are related to current DP. A cross-sectional design was employed, which included young adults (N = 761) aged between 18 and 25 years. Participants completed an online survey that comprised of several self-report measures. Regression and mediation analyses were conducted. The results indicated that: (1) DP significantly mediated the relationship between childhood EM and current psychological distress; (2) that a history of EM, but no other forms of childhood abuse, significantly predicted current DP experiences; and (3) EM, attachment-related anxiety, and negative attitudes toward emotions predicted clinical cutoff levels of DP. The results are discussed in detail, including clinical implications and direction for future research.

Assessment of dietary factors, dietary practices and exercise on mental distress in young adults versus matured adults: A cross-sectional study

The importance of the diet in modulating mental health is uncovering as many dietary factors have been described to alter brain chemistry. Brain maturation may not complete until the age of 30 which may explain the differential emotional control, mindset, and resilience between young adults and matured adults. As a result, dietary factors may influence mental health differently in these two populations.Objectives: To study dietary intake, dietary practices and exercise in young adults (YA) (18–29 years) versus matured adults (MA) (30 years and older) in relation to mental distress. Another aim was to assess whether mental well-being potentially stimulates healthy eating, healthy practices, and exercising.Methods: An anonymous internet-based survey was sent through social media platforms to different professional and social group networks. Best-fit models were constructed using the backward regression analysis to assess the relationship between dietary variables, exercise, and mental distress in YA versus MA.Results: YA mood seems to be dependent on food that increases availability of neurotransmitter precursors and concentrations in the brain (such as frequent meat consumption and exercise, respectively). However, MA mood may be more reliant on food that increases availability of antioxidants (fruits) and abstinence of food that inappropriately activates the sympathetic nervous system (coffee, high glycemic index, and skipping breakfast).Discussion and conclusion: Level of brain maturation and age-related changes in brain morphology and functions may necessitate dietary adjustments for improving mental well-being.

Neurocognitive functions and psychological distress in young adults with cancer (YAC): A prospective, longitudinal study.

10064 Background: Non-CNS cancer and treatments are associated with neurocognitive sequelae in older adults; whether YAC (age 18-39 yrs) are protected from these effects is unknown. In YAC, cancer interferes with education and occupational attainment and is associated with psychological distress. This prospective, inception-cohort study characterizes neurocognitive functions and psychological distress in YAC. Methods: YAC completed a 2-hr battery of standardized neurocognitive tests and questionnaires 1.7 ± 1 months after diagnosis prior to chemotherapy (mean ± SD, T1) and 8.2 ± 1.2 (T2) and 14.2 ± 1.6 (T3) months later. Healthy YA with no cancer history (HYA) were tested at similar time points. Tests were scored using published norms, transformed to T-scores, and grouped into neurocognitive domains. Results: YAC (n = 108; lymphoma, breast, gyne, GI, GU, sarcoma) were grouped according to whether they required chemotherapy (n = 70) or not (n = 38), and compared to 63 HYA. At baseline, there were no group differences in neurocognitive performance, number of impaired tests, or neurocognitive complaints (Kruskal Wallis, all p-values &gt; .4). About 70% of each group completed assessments at T2 and T3. Mean performance improved over time (random effects models, all p-values &lt; .01), but there were no group differences or interactions between group and time. There were also no differences in proportions of participants in each group whose test scores improved ( &gt; 10 points) or declined ( &lt; 10 points) from T1 to T2 or T3. Adjusting for psychological distress, fatigue, or neurocognitive complaints did not change these results, despite higher symptoms of somatic distress, anxiety and fatigue in YAC compared to healthy YA over time (all p-values &lt; .03). Conclusions: Before chemotherapy and up to about 14 months later, YAC have elevated distress and fatigue, but do not demonstrate the cognitive decline reported in older cancer patients. Our findings are consistent with research suggesting that aging brains are more vulnerable to neurotoxic insult. Whether the effects of cancer treatment emerge later in YAC, placing them at risk for accelerated aging as reported in older patients, remains to be examined.

Prevalence and correlates of binge eating disorder related features in the community

Binge eating disorder (BED) is associated with high levels of obesity and psychological suffering, but little is known about 1) the distribution of features of BED in the general population and 2) their consequences for weight development and psychological distress in young adulthood. We investigated the prevalence of features of BED and their association with body mass index (BMI) and psychological distress among men (n = 2423) and women (n = 2825) from the longitudinal community-based FinnTwin16 cohort (born 1975–1979). Seven eating-related cognitions and behaviors similar to the defining features of BED were extracted from the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 and were assessed at a mean age of 24. BMI and psychological distress, measured with the General Health Questionnaire, were assessed at ages 24 and 34. We assessed prevalence of the features and their association with BMI and psychological distress cross-sectionally and prospectively. More than half of our participants reported at least one feature of BED; clustering of several features in one individual was less common, particularly among men. The most frequently reported feature was ‘stuffing oneself with food’, whereas the least common was ‘eating or drinking in secrecy’. All individual features of BED and their clustering particularly were associated with higher BMI and more psychological distress cross-sectionally. Prospectively, the clustering of features of BED predicted increase in psychological distress but not additional weight gain when baseline BMI was accounted for. In summary, although some features of BED were common, the clustering of several features in one individual was not. The features were cumulatively associated with BMI and psychological distress and predicted further increase in psychological distress over ten years of follow-up.

Witnessing Violence Versus Experiencing Violence: Effects on Psychological Distress

Based on secondary analysis of data from a sample of 649 individuals attending one of three New England colleges in the United States, this study examines the links between childhood exposure to violence and young adult depression. Assessment of the relative impact on depression of adversity experienced through direct personal victimization and adversity experienced through witnessing the violent victimization of others was made in an attempt to identify mechanisms by which each affects psychological distress. It was hypothesized that childhood adversity exhibits effects on psychological distress in young adulthood, at least in part, through its damaging impact on the development of social and personal resources—specifically, by affecting a reduction in family support, peer support, self-esteem, and mastery. Further, it was hypothesized that the importance of these mediators in explaining the link to depression of adversity differs between personally experiencing victimization and witnessing the victimization of others. Findings indicate that witnessing the violent victimization of intimates has effects on depression equal to personally experiencing the same type of victimization. Further, the most important mediators of the relationship to depression of violence personally experienced were family support, peer support, and self-esteem; but the most important mediator of the relationship to depression of violence witnessed was mastery. Also, the combined mediating effect of the resource variables is greater for violence experienced than it is for violence witnessed. These findings suggest that the mechanisms involved in the translation of adversity to depression do vary somewhat by the type of adversity experienced. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n3s1p11

The Effects of Adversity on Depression among University Students

Based on secondary analysis of data from a sample of 649 individuals attending one of three New England colleges in the United States, this study examines the links between childhood adversity and young adult depression. Assessment of the relative impact on depression of adversity experienced directly and adversity experienced indirectly through family problems was made in an attempt to identify mechanisms by which each affects psychological distress. It was hypothesized that childhood adversity exhibits effects on psychological distress in young adulthood, at least in part, through its damaging impact on the development of social and personal resources—specifically, by affecting a reduction in family support, peer support, self-esteem, and mastery. Further, it was hypothesized that the importance of these mediators in explaining the link to depression of adversity differs between personal problems and family problems. Findings indicate that family adversity has a more severe impact on young adult depression than personal adversity. Further, the two most important mediators of the relationship to depression of family adversity are self-esteem and mastery, but the two most important mediators of the relationship to depression of personal adversity are self-esteem and family support. Also, the combined mediating effect of the resource variables is greater for family adversity than it is for personal adversity. These findings suggest that the mechanisms involved in the translation of stress to depression do vary somewhat between adversity that is experienced directly and adversity that is experienced indirectly through the family. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2016.v6n2p53

Masculine norms about emotionality and social constraints in young and older adult men with cancer.

Beliefs that men should restrict their display of emotions, or restrictive emotionality, might contribute to adjustment to cancer and this might be sensitive to social receptivity to disclosure. The present research examined relationships of restrictive emotionality, social constraints, and psychological distress in young adults with testicular cancer (N=171; Study 1) and older men with prostate cancer (N=66; Study 2). Study 1: positive associations were observed for social constraints and restrictive emotionality with depressive symptoms. Social constraints moderated the relationship, such that high restrictive emotionality was associated with higher depressive symptoms in those with high constraints. Study 2: only social constraints (and not restrictive emotionality) was positively associated with depressive symptoms and cancer-related intrusive thoughts. The social constraints×restrictive emotionality interaction approached significance with depressive symptoms, such with high social constraints low restrictive emotionality was associated with higher depressive symptoms compared to those with less constraints. No significant associations were found for intrusive thoughts in either study. Findings demonstrate unique relationships with psychological distress across the lifespan of men with cancer given perception of constraints and adherence to masculine norms about emotionality.

Neurocognitive function and psychological distress in young adults (YA) with cancer.

199 Background: Cancer treatment is associated with neurocognitive sequelae and changes in structural and functional brain imaging in older adults, even if they do not receive central nervous system directed therapy. Because the brain continues to develop into the 3rd decade of life, YA (age 18-39 yrs) may also be vulnerable to neurocognitive dysfunction. In YA, cancer disrupts acquisition of developmental milestones and is associated with psychological distress. This study aims to characterize neurocognitive functions and its relation to psychological distress in YA. Here we present baseline results of our longitudinal study. Methods: In this prospective, inception-cohort study, we recruited 3 groups of YA from ambulatory oncology clinics: YA with cancers (YAC; lymphoma, breast, gynecology, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, sarcoma) who required chemotherapy (YAC+, n = 55), YAC who do not require it (YAC-, n = 31), and healthy YA (HYA, n = 54). Participants completed a 2-hr battery of standardized neurocognitive tests and validated self-report questionnaires. YAC were assessed within 3 months of diagnosis, and YAC+prior to chemotherapy. Test scores were converted to age-corrected scaled scores and transformed to z-scores (mean 0, SD 1). A global neurocognitive function score and 6 domain scores were evaluated. Results: There were no group differences in neurocognitive domains (ANOVA, all p-values &gt; .1), or in the number of impaired test scores (defined as z &lt; -1). YAC+ reported greater symptoms of somatic distress (p = .001) and anxiety (p = .004) than both HYA and YAC-. Symptoms were unrelated to neurocognitive performance (ρ &lt; .16 for all). However, each group had poorer memory compared to population norms (1-sample t-tests: YAC+ p = .007; YAC- p = .047; HYA p = .023). Conclusions: Prior to treatment, neurocognitive functions of YAC were not different from HYA, suggesting that cancer itself is not a neurocognitive risk factor in YA. It is important to use appropriate control groups, rather than relying on normative data for comparison. We continue to follow this cohort to document neurocognitive function and distress over time, and to identify risk factors that contribute to outcomes in YA.

Psychological Distress of Young Adults in Relation to Certain Demographic Variables

Early adulthood is a period of adjustment to new expectations and roles that make it a distinctive and a difficult period in the life span. The Objective of the study was to find out the extent of psychological distress among young adults and to know how it is related to the demographic variables. Participants for the present study consisted of 224 young adults (age=20-45 years) from various institutions as well as residence in the Malappuram and Calicut district of Kerala, India. Psychological Distress Scale and Personal information sheet was used to measure Psychological distress and demographics variables like age, sex, marital status, employment status and birth order. Results revealed that there exists significant sex difference in stress, depression, and overall psychological distress, marital status as well as birth order has no role in psychological distress and unemployed subjects experience more depression than employed participants.

Examining the role of psychological distress in linking childhood maltreatment and alcohol use in young adulthood.

Childhood maltreatment is related to alcohol use as well as psychological distress in young adulthood. Few studies have examined whether psychological distress mediates the relationship between child maltreatment and alcohol use. We examined the role of psychological distress in linking child maltreatment subtypes (ie, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect) to four patterns of alcohol use, including frequency of alcohol use, binge drinking, alcohol-related problems, and alcohol dependence. We used a community sample of young adults (N = 337), who completed an interview assessing exposure to childhood maltreatment, current psychological distress, and drinking behaviors. Emotional abuse was associated with psychological distress, whereas psychological distress was related to more pathological drinking behaviors such as alcohol-related problems and alcohol dependence. Subsequent analyses indicated significant mediated effects between emotional abuse and alcohol-related problems and alcohol dependence via psychological distress, even after controlling for demographic factors, other maltreatment subtypes, parental alcoholism, and peer alcohol use. Findings suggest that among four types of childhood maltreatment, emotional abuse might be the major driver of pathological drinking among child maltreatment victims. Interventions aimed at negative emotionality may be useful in preventing and treating problematic drinking among the victims of childhood emotional abuse.

Psychological Distress in Young Adult Males with Atopic Dermatitis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The relationship between atopic dermatitis (AD) and psychological distress has been well established for children and adolescents. However, it is unclear whether this relationship exists in young adults. This study aimed to assess the relationship between AD and psychological distress in young male adults in South Korea.A cross-sectional study was conducted using regional conscription data from 2008 to 2012. A dermatologist diagnosed AD based on historical and clinical features, and determined severity using the eczema area and severity index. A psychiatrist used medical records, an interview, and a psychological test to examine psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and somatization). The relationship between psychological distress and AD was assessed by multivariate logistic regression analyses.Among the 120,508 conscripts, 1517 (1.2%) presented with AD. The odds of having each type of psychological distress were significantly greater for individuals with AD compared with those without AD. The adjusted odds ratios for depression, anxiety, and somatization were 1.79 (95% CI 1.40–2.29), 1.38 (95% CI 1.08–1.76), and 1.75 (95% CI 1.40–2.20), respectively. Moderate-to-severe AD was significantly related to depression and somatization to a greater extent compared with mild AD.Depression, anxiety, and somatization are strongly and independently associated with AD in young adult males. Early treatment of skin inflammation might modify the risk of psychiatric problems. Prospective cohort studies are needed to verify causal relationships.

Risk Behaviors and Negative Health Outcomes for Adolescents with Late Bedtimes

Late bedtimes in adolescence may be a serious risk factor for later poor health and functional outcomes. The current study sought to extend existing cross sectional data by examining whether late bedtimes in adolescence predicts poor outcomes in young adulthood. Data from wave 2 (1996) and wave 3 (2001-2002) of the nationally representative sample of US youth (National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health) was used to examine the longitudinal relationship between late bedtime, and several risk behaviors and negative health outcomes following 3,843 adolescents into young adulthood. At wave 2 the mean age was 16 with 52.1% female. At wave 3 the mean age was 21.8. In cross sectional analyses, late bedtime was associated with 1.5 to over 3 times greater odds of involvement in risk behaviors and negative health outcomes, including emotional distress, suicidality, criminal and violent activity, and use of cigarettes, alcohol and illicit drugs. In longitudinal analyses, late bedtime assessed at wave 2 predicted a number of serious health outcomes at wave 3, with late bedtime in adolescence associated with around 1.5 greater odds of involvement in health jeopardizing behaviors such as criminal activity, alcohol abuse, cigarette use, illicit drug use and emotional distress in young adulthood. There was also a dose effect, such that the later the bedtime in adolescence, the greater the risk of involvement in risk behaviors in young adulthood. This research suggests that late bedtime in adolescence predicts multiple serious risk behaviors and health outcomes in young adulthood.

Mediating and moderating role of attributional style in the association between victimisation and wellbeing

This study examined whether attributional style for negative events plays a mediating or moderating role in the association between victimisation by bullying and psychological distress in young adults. A total of 127 undergraduate students completed the Attributional Style Questionnaire, a newly developed Victimisation and Bullying Inventory and the Psychological Distress subscale from the Mental Health Inventory. As expected, the tendency to attribute negative events to internal, stable and global causes predicted higher psychological distress. There was also a positive association between extent of victimisation and psychological distress. Although attributional style did not mediate in this relationship, there was evidence of moderation. Individuals with more negative attributional styles showed a clear association between victimisation and psychological distress, while those with less negative styles showed no association. These results suggest that a tendency towards a negative attributional style may increase the risk of psychological distress in victims of bullying.