Life Event Research Research Articles

Improved decision-making through life event prediction: A case study in the financial services industry

Life event prediction is an important tool for customer relationship management (CRM), because life events shift customers’ preferences towards different products and services. Existing life event research mainly uses cross-sectional data, whereas in the CRM field, incorporating longitudinal data is increasingly common. Because longitudinal data can capture the dynamics of customer behavior, opportunities arise to benchmark the power of longitudinal customer data for predictions of cross-sectional versus longitudinal life events. Therefore, this study compares statistical and machine learning (SaML) classifiers, such as logistic regression, random forest, and XGBoost, with long- and short-term memory networks (LSTM), using data represented in both cross-sectional and longitudinal setups for life event prediction. Through a real-life longitudinal customer data set from a European bank, the authors represent the longitudinal data in a cross-sectional data format, using featurization in the form of aggregation. The available data cover 42 end-of-month snapshots for 760,438 unique customers. For marketing decision-making literature, this article (1) introduces three novel life events (i.e., primary, secondary, and rental residence purchases) to life event predictions; (2) offers guidance for how to leverage longitudinal customer data, according to the comparison of various featurization approaches and benchmarking SaML classifiers against LSTM; and (3) clarifies the importance of features and timing for improving marketing decision-making dynamically. The results show that aggregating features over time is preferable as a featurization approach for cross-sectional modeling using SaML classifiers. Furthermore, LSTM can capture behavioral changes over time, unlike SaML classifiers. It also performs significantly better than SaML classifiers on the area under curve and F1 metrics. Insights into the uses of integrated gradients reveal that feature importance changes over time. An integrated gradients method can assist decision-makers in their efforts to plan effective communication with customers in advance, such as by allocating more resources to customers who exhibit high probabilities of a particular life event occurrence.

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Background:Life event research is the cornerstone for assessment of psychosocial factors causing stress and illness. Somatoform disorder is a chronic debilitating illness and stress increases disability in it. Yet, studies in this area is sparse.Aim of the study:The aim of this study was to assess if there is an association of stress with depression in patients of somatoform disorder.Materials and methods:A hospital based cross sectional study was conducted in a tertiary healthcare setup of Assam. The sociodemographic and clinical variables of patients of somatoform disorder diagnosed as per ICD-10 were collected. Stress was assessed using the presumptive stressful life events scale and severity of depression was evaluated in patients with co-morbid depression using HAM-D scale.Results:Majority were between 50-60 years of age (32%), home-maker (28%), from rural area (58%) and had presented with a duration of illness between 0-5yrs (43%) and 30% belonged to the somatization disorder group. Depression was present in 55% and mild depression was most common. Financial stress was most commonly reported stressful life event; stress was found to have a strong positive correlation to presence and severity of depression (p-value<0.01). ‘Presence of unmarried adult son/daughter’ as a self-reported life stressor was a novel finding in this study.Conclusion:Presence of stress amplifies the chances and severity of depression in patients of somatoform disorder. Thus, management of stress is an integral part in management of these patients.

IPT: From Humble Origins as ‘High Contact Therapy’ to International Adoption

IPT: From Humble Origins as ‘High Contact Therapy’ to International Adoption

Elderly population and the presumptive stressful life events scale: An empirical appraisal

Introduction: Presumptive stressful life events scale (PSLES) is used widely in Indian life-event research. The use of PSLES in the elderly has been rather mechanistic, without giving due emphasis on the unique experiences of the elderly, particularly within the context of contemporary social change of family values in India. This research aimed to critically appraise the relevance of PSLES in the elderly. Methodology: The research was part of a larger project on stress, coping, and religiosity in (faith bases) ashram-dwelling elderly. A single consenting ashram for the elderly (for aged > 60 years) consented to the study. Participants were included if they had stayed for more than 6 months and had no impairment that compromised understanding of the research. We used the PSLES (a checklist method) for evaluating life events. We supplemented our exploration with open-ended interviews to evaluate the relevance and salience attributed to these life-events. Results: Ninety-four elderly participated (response rate was 70.15') with a mean (standard deviation) age of 74.56 (7.39) years, equally represented by either gender, with a mean duration of ashram stay of 10.85 years. Most frequent events reported were death in the family, going on a trip/pilgrimage, personal illness, and changes in biological functions. Discussion: PSLES was developed for adult Indians, and its use in the elderly may need modification due to qualitatively and quantitatively varying life events, such as the importance of nonegocentric stress (loss of job of one's child) versus egocentric stress (own hospitalization) or change of salience of events (e.g., lack of son versus daughter). Conclusion: To improve the relevance of PSLES for life-event research and capture the unique experiences of the elderly, suggested modifications are necessary.

Characteristics of severe life events, attachment style, and depression - Using a new online approach.

Severe life events are established as provoking agents for depression in combination with vulnerability factors. Identifying features of severe events improves the prediction of disorder but are rarely utilized, mainly because life event research is increasingly dominated by self-report checklists with no capacity for inferring such characteristics. This paper investigates the association of severe life events' features with depression and insecure attachment styles using a new online measure of life events in a clinical and control sample. A total of 202 participants (75 clinical and 127 matched control participants), taken from an earlier national Depression Case Control genetic study and followed up after 12years, completed the Computerised Life Events Assessment Record to assess characteristics of life events, the Vulnerable Attachment Style Questionnaire to measure attachment insecurity, and the General Health Questionnaire to measure depression. The clinical group had higher self-reported depression, severe life events, and insecure attachment style. They also reported more loss, danger, humiliation, and trauma severe events. Intra-respondent analysis showed individuals experiencing these types of events were more likely to report depression. Insecure attachment style and severe life events were both significantly related to recent depression and history of depressive disorder. Anxious attachment style was significantly related to relationship events and bereavements, as well as severe loss or humiliation events, whereas avoidant style wasnot. Identifying salient features of severe life events improves associations with depression and insecure attachment style. Utilizing a new online approach can aid research and clinical approaches for depression at low cost. Salient features of severe life events (e.g., loss, humiliation) give insight into the potential impact on attachment vulnerability and depression. Clinicians and researchers can use online methods to economically gain detailed life event information needed for clinical formulation and valid data on stressors. The self-reported scale for recent depression is only a proxy measure of clinical disorder, but the clinical group selection is a more robust criterion for depression history.

Does growth require suffering? A systematic review and meta-analysis on genuine posttraumatic and postecstatic growth.

Previous literature on growth after major life events has primarily focused on negative experiences and operationalized growth with measures which rely on the post hoc self-perception of change. Because this method is prone to many biases, two questions have become increasingly controversial: Is there genuine growth after major life events and does growth require suffering? The present meta-analysis is the first synthesis of longitudinal research on the effects of life events on at least one subdomain of psychological well-being, posttraumatic, or postecstatic growth. Studies needed to have a longitudinal design, assess changes through independent measures over time, and provide sufficient data to estimate change scores. The present meta-analysis comprises 364 effect sizes from 154 independent samples (total N = 98,436) in 122 longitudinal studies. A positive trend has been found for self-esteem, positive relationships, and mastery in prospective studies after both positive and negative events. We found no general evidence for the widespread conviction that negative life events have a stronger effect than positive ones. No genuine growth was found for meaning and spirituality. In the majority of studies with control groups, results did not significantly differ between event and control group, indicating that changes in the outcome variables cannot simply be attributed to the occurrence of the investigated life events. More controlled prospective studies are necessary to validate the genuine nature of postevent growth. Overall, the meta-analysis provides a systematic overview of the state of life event research and delineates important guidelines for future research on genuine growth. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Web-Based Measure of Life Events Using Computerized Life Events and Assessment Record (CLEAR): Preliminary Cross-Sectional Study of Reliability, Validity, and Association With Depression.

BackgroundGiven the criticisms of life event checklists and the costs associated with interviews, life event research requires a sophisticated but easy-to-use measure for research and clinical practice. Therefore, the Computerized Life Events and Assessment Record (CLEAR), based on the Life Events and Difficulties Schedule (LEDS), was developed.ObjectiveThe objective of our study was to test CLEAR’s reliability, validity, and association with depression.MethodsCLEAR, the General Health Questionnaire, and the List of Threatening Experiences Questionnaire (LTE-Q) were completed by 328 participants (126 students; 202 matched midlife sample: 127 unaffected controls, 75 recurrent depression cases). Test-retest reliability over 3-4 weeks was examined and validity determined by comparing CLEAR with LEDS and LTE-Q. Both CLEAR and LTE-Q were examined in relation to depression.ResultsCLEAR demonstrated good test-retest reliability for the overall number of life events (0.89) and severe life events (.60). Long-term problems showed similar findings. In terms of validity, CLEAR severe life events had moderate sensitivity (59.1%) and specificity (65.4%) when compared with LEDS. CLEAR demonstrated moderate sensitivity (43.1%) and specificity (78.6%) when compared with LTE-Q. CLEAR severe life events and long-term problems were significantly associated with depression (odds ratio, OR 3.50, 95% CI 2.10 to 5.85, P<.001; OR 3.38, 95% CI 2.02 to 5.67, P<.001, respectively), whereas LTE-Q events were not (OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.43 to 2.60, P=.90).ConclusionsCLEAR has acceptable reliability and validity and predicts depression. It, therefore, has great potential for effective use in research and clinical practice identifying stress-related factors for the onset and maintenance of depression and related disorders.

The association between hippocampal volume and life events in healthy twins.

Hippocampal volume deficits have been linked to life stress. However, the degree to which genes and environment influence the association between hippocampal volume and life events is largely unknown. In total, 123 healthy twins from monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and 57 healthy twins were interviewed with the Life Events and Difficulties Schedule (LEDS), with an overlap of 54 twins undergoing both MRI and the life events interview. Hippocampal volumes were segmented with Freesurfer software. Data were analyzed with OpenMx software. Smaller hippocampal volume was associated with higher severe life event load (rph = -0.39), where shared environmental factors influencing both measures fully explained the association. Hippocampal volume was not associated with total or mild life event load. Hippocampal volume showed high heritability (range, h(2) : 57%-81%) whereas life event measures were influenced by shared (c(2) ) and unique (e(2) ) environmental factors only (range, c(2) :40%-64%, e(2) : 36%-60%). The results suggested that shared environmental factors influenced the relationship between smaller hippocampal volume and severe (but not mild) stress. This indicated that particularly severe life events that were shared between twins were associated with smaller hippocampal volume. Furthermore, it is suggested to distinguish between mild and severe life events in life event research. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Chronic negative circumstances and compulsive buying: consumer vulnerability after a natural disaster

This research is composed of two cross-sectional studies that examine the lingering emotional distress associated with a natural disaster and extend the understanding of its impact on consumption attitudes and behaviors when victims are confronted with additional challenges. The first study examines victims' (n = 426) depression-induced impulsive and compulsive buying after Hurricane Katrina; the second investigates how the recession has exacerbated victims' (n = 191) lingering stress and depressive states, and the effects of these on consumption. These historical events provide a unique opportunity to extend the life event and disaster research and to examine the relationship between negative events and specific consumer behaviors. Results indicate that, years later, compulsive buying has not subsided, and the adversity brought on by the recession appears to have contributed to extended depressive states. Implications for marketers and public policy makers are discussed, as they relate to how vulnerable consumers cope with negative life events.

The use of symptom dimensions to investigate the longitudinal effects of life events on depressive and anxiety symptomatology

BackgroundFindings on the association between life events and depression have been quite inconsistent. This could be due to the heterogeneity of traditionally used depression outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate whether specific symptom dimensions can be used as an alternative to detect more specific life event effects. MethodsParticipants with/without psychiatric diagnoses were included (n=2252). Dimensions of the tripartite model (General Distress [GD], Anhedonic Depression [AD] and Anxious Arousal [AA]) were assessed at baseline, 1-year and 2-year follow-up. Life events occurring between measurements were assessed retrospectively. Longitudinal associations between life events and dimensional scores were analysed with Linear Mixed Models. ResultsOccurrence of negative life events was associated with increasing GD and AA, and less with AD. Positive life events were associated with decreasing GD and AD, but not with AA. The association between negative life events and AD was larger in the absence of previous psychiatric problems, lending support to a dimension-specific ‘kindling’ effect. Also, the negative association between negative life events and GD was stronger in those with high neuroticism. Multivariable analyses with individual life events showed that a few strong independent effects remained for each dimension. LimitationsLife event reports were retrospective; only three outcome dimensions were used. ConclusionsThese results show that the effects of life events and modifying factors depend, to an extent, on the symptom domain that is considered as outcome, illustrating the need to account for symptom heterogeneity in etiological life event research.

Life Events and Depression

A sample of 200 depressed patients (100, males, 100 females was matched on socio demographic variable with an equal number of control subjects. The frequency of occurrence of life events in the 12 months immediately prior to onset of depression was compared with a compared with a comparable twelve-month period in control population. Results of this controlled comparison indicated a general excess of life events prior to the onset of depression. Analysis of different categories of events showed that event involving finances affects patients more which is 61%in case of males, 73% in females, next event hit more our patients is job problems which is 37% in males and 4% in females. Third life event is relationship difficulties, which are more in females 54%, and 26% is males. Illness life event affected 14% males and 21% females. The legal issues affected 13% males and 5% in females. The last life event separations/ deaths affected more females which is 23% and 6% males; these findings supports the importance of life events in genesis of depression. The methodological limitations of life events research like measurement difficulties, reliability of the measures, selective recalls while reporting and selection of events in questionnaire or interviews also need consideration. Field needs to more towards exploration of underlying mechanism and interaction with other factors.

Life events and juvenile bipolar disorder: Conceptual issues and early findings

There is increasing interest in the psychosocial variables that might predict the course of child and adolescent bipolar disorder. In the literature on adult bipolar disorder, life events have been shown to be a major predictor of symptoms. In this review, we focus on studies of how life events influence the course of child and adolescent bipolar disorder. To begin, we review methodological considerations in life events research, and briefly summarize the findings regarding life events in adult bipolar disorder. Then, we discuss available studies on life events as a predictor of the course of juvenile bipolar disorder. We conclude with suggested directions for future research.

Motherhood and schizophrenic illnesses: a review of the literature.

To provide an overview of the current knowledge on the impact of motherhood on women with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. The published literature was selectively reviewed and assessed, based on a complete MEDLINE and PsychLIT (1971 to current) search, including English and non-English journals and books. Research to date into motherhood and schizophrenic illnesses has been limited by a number of methodological constraints, limiting the ability to draw conclusions and the prevention of relapses and mother-infant difficulties. These constraints have included: a paucity of prospective studies with initial, antenatal recruitment; variable definitions of the length of the puerperium; significant changes in psychiatric classification; the heterogeneity of postpartum psychotic disorders, with the majority being mood or schizoaffective disorder rather than schizophrenia; selection biases inherent in studying mother-baby unit inpatients; difficulties in life events research in general, such as its retrospective nature and confounding, illness factors; and the specificity versus non-specificity of childbirth as a unique or discrete life event. Further study is required to explore: the impact of child care, parenting and having a partner on the course of women with schizophrenic and schizoaffective disorders during the first postpartum year; whether women with postpartum relapses of these mental illnesses are likely to have slower recoveries than those women with the same diagnoses but without young children; and protective factors against postpartum relapse.

Winning the jackpot and depression: Money cannot buy happiness

Life event research examines the effect of life events on the course of psychiatric diseases, but the published literature considers almost only negative events. We describe the cases of two female patients who had to be hospitalized for depression after lottery winnings of over 1M DM. The 4-year follow-up shows a good outcome in both patients. Case analyses suggest that in both patients, winning was a life event relevant to the development of the depressive episode. Desirable life events might influence the course of a psychiatric illness just as negative events do. (Int J Psych Clin Pract 2002; 6: 183-186)

Turning points in the lives of midlife and older women

The study explored the turning points in their lives reported by 60 married or previously married lower-income midlife and older women (born 1931-1936, 1941-1946 and 1951-1956), and considered the importance of age and cohort effects. Following a life-review interview, respondents were asked to nominate the turning points in their lives. The turning points that were identified were classified as involving predominantly a role transition, an adversity, or an experience of personal growth.There were significant cohort differences in that the youngest cohort nominated significantly more adversities and the oldest cohort correspondingly fewer. In the total sample, role transitions and adversity turning points were most commonly experienced between the ages of 21 and 40 years, while personal development experiences increased after midlife.It is noted that the turning point approach allows respondents to select and prioritise their own significant life events, and these are not always those that are emphasised in the literature on ageing. In the present study, the most frequently reported turning points were not marriage or motherhood, as might be expected, but personal growth experiences involving psychological “self-work”, such as deciding to become more independent or to change one's lifestyle. The next most common was the death of a relative or friend, which acted as a turning point in diverse emotional and philosophical ways. In contrast, issues that are a frequent topic of life event research, such as the “empty nest” or menopause, were rarely mentioned. Most importantly, the study findings highlight the importance of experiences — and in particular personal growth experiences — that occur in the second half of life.

Adaptation of the Social Readjustment Rating Scale for a Prison Population

ABSTRACT Prisons are stressful environments in which individuals experience various life events. Life events research has demonstrated the relationship between stressful life events and physical and psychological health and well-being. This paper provides a schedule of recent events (SRE) specific to prison life, as well as a modified social readjustment rating scale (SRRS) measuring the magnitude of stressful life events for inmates. Life events are divided into three categories (1) non-prison general events from Holmes and Rahe's original SRE (1967); (2) events specific to prison life; and (3) negative events including both general and prison-specific events. This paper presents correlations between these three clusters of life events and indicators of psychological well-being for inmates at a maximum security state institution. The findings are mixed, showing significant positive relationships between these clusters of life events and indicators of psychological well-being for inmates at a maximum security state institution. The findings are mixed, showing significant positive relationships between these clusters of life events and depression while not showing significant inverse relationships with self-esteem.

Additive effects, but no synergistic interaction of stressful life-events and genetic loading in affective disorders.

Life-event research as well as neurobiological findings point to the relevance of adverse stress for the pathogenesis of affective disorders. The well established genetic root might be related to the sensitivity to stress. In concordance, recent studies showed a synergistic interaction between genetic loading and life-events concerning the precipitation of depression, i.e. there might exist a genetic sensitization to the adverse effects of stressors. The present investigation, using information extracted from 877 case records, did not reveal a synergistic interaction concerning the age at onset and the mean frequency and duration of episodes.

Methodological aspects of life events research in people with learning disabilities: a review and initial findings

A review of the life events studies relevant to people with learning disabilities is discussed. Issues surrounding the collection of information by using a structured interview method as set out in the Life Events and Difficulties Schedule Manual and the adjustment of threat rating to accommodate the perspective of people with learning disabilities are presented as a result of conducting a pilot study. The importance of using a probing interview style in contrast to a checklist method and eliciting the parents/carers' perception of events is emphasized.

Stress and psychiatric disorders

Acute and/or chronic life stressors have long been postulated to play a role in the pathogenesis of numerous psychiatric diseases and in the exacerbation of symptoms. Some of the evidence from life events research supporting a link between stress and psychiatric disease is reviewed. The evidence that in general dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and specifically of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), the central mediator of the mammalian stress response, plays a pre-eminent role in the pathophysiology of mood and anxiety disorders is described.

Life events in the elderly

The psychological mechanisms for the actions of life events are discussed with respect to how stressful life events may have different impacts depending on the age of the individual. The methodology of life event research in the elderly is reviewed, highlighting the problems of using checklists to elicit events. Lastly, the potential for life events to precipitate or exacerbate psychiatric and physical disorders in the elderly is emphasized.