Prevalence Of Stressful Life Events Research Articles

Exposure to stress-full life events and help-seeking behaviors among reproductive-age women in Northwest Ethiopia: Community-based cross-sectional study

BackgroundStressful life events are a significant public health issue worldwide. Despite its mental, psychological, and social problems, important questions about the prevalence and risk factors remained unanswered. Therefore, this study aimed to show major life events and help-seeking behaviors among women in the reproductive-age group. MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted using a multistage cluster sampling technique to get a total of 845 study participants from March 20 to April 29, 2021. Exposure to stressful life events and help-seeking behavior was collected using Women's Exposure to the Stressful Life Events Test, and General Help-Seeking Questionnaire (GHQ) respectively. Data were cleaned, coded, and entered into EPI-Info version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 20. ResultsThe prevalence of stressful life events and help-seeking behaviors was 47.9 % and 38.7 % respectively. Reproductive-age women with poor social support (AOR = 2.392, 95 % CI: 1.422, 4.026), moderate social support (AOR = 1.861, 95 % CI: 1.341, 2.583), husband alcohol users (AOR = 1.496, 95 % CI: 1.027, 2.178), husband chat users (AOR = 2.962, 95 % CI: 1.140, 7.696), and having ever suicidal attempt (AOR = 8.702, CI: 1.719, 44.049), were positively associated with stressful life events. ConclusionNearly half of reproductive-age women had stressful life events. Thus, it is important to give serious attention to addressing those identified factors to increase public awareness, especially among husbands, their families, and elected authorities.

The effect of stressful life events on the risk for psychosis: differences between Mexican at clinical and familial high risk.

Stressful life events (SLEs) in the development of early psychosis have been little studied in low-income countries. This study examines differences in the prevalence of SLEs in Mexican at clinical high risk (CHR) and those with familial high risk for psychosis who do not meet CHR criteria (non-CHR FHR). We also analyze the association between SLEs and CHR. Participants included 43 persons with CHR and 35 with non-CHR FHR. CHR criteria were assessed with the Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental State. SLEs were assessed using the Questionnaire of Stressful Life Events. Participants with CHR reported more SLEs associated with negative academic experiences than those in the non-CHR FHR group. Bullying (OR = 7.77, 95% CI [1.81, 33.32]) and low educational level (OR = 21.25, 95% CI [5.19, 46.90]) were the strongest predictors of CHR, while starting to live with a partner (OR = 0.26, 95% CI [0.10, 0.84]) was associated with a lower risk of CHR. Negative school experiences increase the risk of psychosis, particularly bullying, suggesting that schools may be ideal settings for implementing individual preventive strategies to reduce risk factors and increase protective factors to improve the prognosis of those at risk of developing psychosis. In Latin America, there are multiple barriers to early intervention in psychosis. It is thus crucial to identify risk and protective factors at the onset and in the course of psychosis in order to design effective preventive interventions.

Role of stressful life events in homelessness in Nicaragua: an intragroup analysis in a low-income country

ABSTRACT The purpose of the study is to analyse the stressful life events (SLEs) suffered by 62 people living homeless (32 men; 30 women) in Nicaragua, and how the different SLEs are related to patterns and trajectories in homelessness. The sample was classified based on SLEs, and the relationship between the resulting subgroups and sociodemographic characteristics, homelessness trajectories, health, substances consumption, social support, and outlook for the future was examined. Results suggest that a three-cluster solution was theoretically and structurally meaningful: (a) Cluster A was mainly characterized by a higher prevalence of SLEs and problems in the family from an early age, consisting of young people consuming substances, primarily drinking alcohol and sniffing glue; (b) Cluster B was characterized by low levels of SLEs, but with alcohol problems; and (c) Cluster C was characterized by a high number of violent SLEs from an early age, made up of people an older age group, who have been living homeless for longer and in suffering from poor health. Increased knowledge about the different subgroups and trajectories of people living homeless in Nicaragua can help with the design of public policy, intervention programs and social care tools that are sensitive to these differences.

Stressful life events and social support among pregnant Marshallese women

IntroductionWomen from racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States are disproportionately likely to experience adverse perinatal outcomes such as preterm birth, low birthweight infants, and infant mortality. Previous research has demonstrated that exposure to stressful life events and social support may influence perinatal outcomes. Although studies have documented stressful life events and social support for the general United States population and minority groups, less is known about the experiences of Pacific Islander women in the United States, and no prior studies have documented these experiences in Marshallese Pacific Islander women.MethodsThe present study examined data collected from pregnant Marshallese women (n = 67) in northwest Arkansas participating in a women’s health program using descriptive analyses (means, standard deviations, proportions).ResultsResults indicated a high prevalence of three stressful life events: experiencing a family member going into the hospital (35.8%), someone close to them dying (29.9%), and being unable to pay bills (53.7%). Food insecurity was higher than previously reported for pregnant women or Pacific Islanders (83.7%). Social support was high among the sample. A majority of women reported receiving help with daily chores (86.6%), help when sick (88.1%), and support on how to deal with personal problems (85.1%).DiscussionThis study is the first to document the prevalence of stressful life events and social support in a sample of pregnant Marshallese women living in the United States. The findings provide important information to guide efforts to reduce adverse perinatal outcomes in a Pacific Islander population.

Prevalence of stressful life events and associations with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder among people entering care for HIV in Cameroon

BackgroundExposure to stressors increases the risk of mental health disorders. People living with HIV (PLWH) are particularly affected by poor mental health which can contribute to adverse HIV treatment outcomes. MethodsWe estimated the prevalence of recent stressful life events (modified Life Events Survey) among a cohort of PLWH entering HIV care at three public health care facilities in Cameroon and quantified the association of seven types of stressful life events with symptoms of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores>9), anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder-7 scores>9), and PTSD (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 scores>30) using separate log-binomial regression models. ResultsOf 426 PLWH enrolling in care, a majority were women (59%), in relationships (58%), and aged 21 to 39 years (58%). Recent death of a family member (39%) and severe illness of a family member (34%) were the most commonly reported stressful life events. In multivariable analyses, more stressful life event types, a negative relationship change, death or illness of a friend/family member, experience of violence, work-related difficulties, and feeling unsafe in one's neighborhood were independently associated with at least one of the mental health outcomes assessed. The greatest magnitude of association was observed between work-related difficulties and PTSD (adjusted prevalence ratio: 3.1; 95% confidence interval: 2.0–4.8). LimitationsGiven the design of our study, findings are subject to recall and social desirability bias. ConclusionsStressful life events were common among this population of PLWH entering care in Cameroon. Evidence-based interventions that improve coping, stress management, and mental health are needed.

Inequities in maternal stressful life events between Indigenous and non-Indigenous women – evidence from a prospective cohort study in New Zealand

ABSTRACT Experiences of major, stressful life events (SLE) prior to and during pregnancy, and in early childhood, are associated with a range of adverse outcomes that disproportionately impact Indigenous women and their families. However, little is known about Indigenous women's experiences of SLE . The aim of this study was to investigate: (1) inequities in the prevalence and patterning of SLE between Indigenous and non-Indigenous mothers over time, and; (2) associations between maternal SLE and ethnicity, age, socioeconomic deprivation and time. Data were from the Moe Kura prospective cohort study of 418 Indigenous Māori and 768 non-Māori women in New Zealand. Questionnaires were completed at 35–37 weeks gestation, 12-weeks postpartum, and when their child was 3–4 years of age. The prevalence of five SLE domains was estimated by ethnicity. Generalised linear mixed effects models examined associations between SLE domains and ethnicity, age, socioeconomic deprivation, and time. The prevalence of SLE was greater for Māori than non-Māori at each time point. The probability of reporting SLE increased as neighbourhood deprivation worsened. The probability of reporting SLE reduced with older age, although changes in the estimates were greater for non-Māori than Māori women. Findings show that Indigenous women experience persistent and significant inequities in SLE. Younger maternal age and greater socioeconomic deprivation explain some but not all of the inequities observed. Policies and interventions to address how colonialism and racism structure experiences of SLE for Indigenous women, including via socioeconomic deprivation, are required.

Association Between Stressful Life Events and Female Primary Sjogren's Syndrome and Their Role in Disease Activity: A Retrospective Case-Control Study in China.

PurposePrevious evidence has shown that psychological stress can trigger the onset of autoimmune disease. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of stressful life events preceding the onset of symptoms in female primary Sjogren’s syndrome (pSS) in China compared to controls and the possible associations of stressful life events with disease activity.Patients and MethodsThis was a hospital-based retrospective case–control study. Sixty-seven consecutive female pSS patients and an equal number of age-matched (± 3 years) healthy controls were recruited for assessment using the related Stressful Life Events Scale. The pSS disease activity was measured by the EULAR Sjogren’s syndrome disease activity index. Data were analyzed by SPSS, version 23, using chi-square, univariate logistic regression, multiple logistic regression, and partial correlation.ResultsA higher number of negative stressful life events before disease onset in pSS patients compared with healthy controls suggest that these play a role in increasing the risk of disease occurrence (OR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.87–3.58, p < 0.05). The number of positive life events did not differ between the two groups. Both the number and severity of the negative stressful life events were also significantly correlated with disease activity.ConclusionPatients with pSS experienced more negative stressful life events in the year preceding the onset of symptoms than controls. Negative stressful life events before symptom onset may be risk factors for pSS and may affect pSS disease activity.

Relationship Between Stressful Life Events And Depression

Introduction: Stressful life events are associated with mental health breakdown. Many researches had shown that depression was preceded by stressful life events. The objective of this study was to measure the prevalence of significant score of stress scale in patients diagnosed as depressive episode. The next objective was to find out the association between the different sociodemographic variables and stress score and whether age is the predictor of stress score or not.&#x0D; Material And Method: The patients diagnosed as depressive episodes were selected from the out-patient unit of Department of Psychiatry of Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal. The proforma was used to collect the sociodemographic profile of the patient and Holmes and Rahe’s stress scale was applied. The diagnosis of depressive episode was made according to the International Classification of Disease-10 Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders: Diagnostic Criteria for Research. The stress score more than 150 was considered as significant stress score in this study.&#x0D; Results: The prevalence of significant stressful life events was 42%. The sociodemographic variables found that prevalence of stressful life events was found higher in female gender, illiterate individual, married and business/employed individual. The age of the patient was not the predictors of stress score in this study.&#x0D; Conclusion: These findings help us to understand that stressful life events were associated with depression. Effective coping skills and psychological interventions will improve quality of life in stressed individual.

The Effect of Social Health Issues on Postpartum Depression: Analysis from a Community Sample in Ghana

Background: Postpartum depression is a mild mental or behavioural disorder that usually commences few weeks after delivery. Even though some studies have identified the association between postpartum depression and socio-demographic factors, no study has explored the association between stressors in women’s life after birth and postpartum depression. Aims/objectives: This study aimed to assess the population prevalence of postpartum depression among women in the Hohoe Municipality, the prevalence of stressful life events and social health issues they experienced, and its association with postpartum depression. The coping strategies they adopted to enable them move on were also examined. Method: Analytical cross-sectional study design using quantitative techniques was employed in achieving the objectives of this study. A total of 172 participants who were between five and twelve weeks postpartum were recruited to respond to a structured questionnaire. The Edinburgh postnatal depression scale was used to measure depression. The 28 item Brief Cope Scale was used to examine the coping strategies postpartum depressed women adopted. Data were analysed using Stata version 14. Logistic regression model was used to test for association and statistical significance was tested at p<0.05. Results: The prevalence of postpartum depression among the women in the study was 32.6%. More than half of the respondents (64.5%) reported experiencing stressful life events or social health issues after birth with 30.2% of them reporting one or two and 34.3% of them reporting to have experienced three or more stressful life events. Odds were raised in women who reported one or two (AOR=6.01, 95%CI=1.57-22.99) and three or more (AOR=32, 95%CI=8.33-124.06) stressful life events or social health issues than those who did not experience any social health issue; and the difference was statistically significant (p <0.05). Conclusion: The findings of the study indicated that the prevalence of postpartum depression was 32.6%. Moreover, 64.5% of the women reported to have experienced some stressful life events. Experience of social health issues was found to be significantly associated with postpartum depression. There is the need for policy makers and healthcare practitioners to develop interventions that would comprehensively cater for the psychological health and wellbeing of postpartum mothers; and education on the right coping strategies.

Prevalence of stressful life events and their association with post-traumatic stress disorder among youth attending secondary school in Haiti

The association between earthquakes and youth post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been well described, but little is known about the relationship between other stressful life events (SLEs) and PTSD among earthquake-affected youth. This study examines a variety of SLEs, including earthquake, and their association with PTSD among school-going Haitian youth following a major earthquake in 2010. In 2013, we assessed 120 students ages 18–22 for PTSD and other SLEs using a modified Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID)-based interview and the Stressful Life Events Checklist (SLE Checklist). Only 51.7% of participants on the SLE Checklist and 31.7% in the interview endorsed being affected by the earthquake or another disaster. Sexual assault showed the strongest association with PTSD in multivariable logistic regression. Contrary to our hypothesis, exposure to earthquake or another disaster was not significantly associated with current PTSD. In this population, exposure to interpersonal violence may have had a greater impact on PTSD risk than exposure to natural disaster. These data underscore the need to examine and reduce both acute and chronic stressors among disaster-affected youth.

The impact of childhood stressful life events on health and behavior in at-risk youth

Stressful life events experienced in childhood affect heath throughout the lifespan. Given the high prevalence of stressful life events, especially for children at-risk for child welfare involvement, the impacts of these events across different developmental stages need to be better understood. The current study examines the relation between previously experienced stressful life events and psychosocial health and risk behaviors in adolescence. Several links between maltreatment and psychosocial health were found. Namely, youth who had experienced sexual abuse were more likely to report anxious arousal symptoms, youth who had experienced physical maltreatment and emotional maltreatment were more likely to drop out of school, and youth who had experienced neglect were more likely to dropout, have unprotected sex and use cigarettes. Latent class analysis of life events revealed three groups of children with certain patterns of life events: Chronic, Moderate/Declining, and Low Life Events. After accounting for gender, race, and exposure to maltreatment, members of the Chronic Life Events group uniquely and significantly predicted higher likelihood of Anger/Irritability, Depression, Intrusive Experiences, and Dissociation on the Trauma Symptom Inventory at age 18. Additionally, members of the Chronic Life Events group were significantly more likely to drop out of school, have more sexual partners, be arrested more often and use marijuana or other illicit drugs more often. Membership in the Moderate/Declining Life Events group was significantly associated with likelihood of dropping out of school. The amount of stressful life events appears to be strong predictors of psychosocial outcomes and risk behaviors in adolescence. Efforts to intervene and prevent childhood exposure to stressful life events—particularly in children at-risk and/or maltreated—should begin early in life and continue throughout childhood and adolescence.

Evaluation of coping as a mediator of the relationship between stressful life events and cancer-related distress.

Lifetime stressful life events (SLEs) may predispose oncology patients to cancer-related distress (i.e., intrusive thoughts, hyperarousal, avoidance). Coping may influence cancer-related distress by mediating this relationship. This study sought to (a) determine the prevalence and impact of lifetime SLEs among oncology outpatients receiving chemotherapy and (b) examine the relationship between SLEs and cancer-related distress and the mediating role of coping on this relationship. Patients (n = 957), with breast, gastrointestinal, gynecologic or lung cancer, who were undergoing chemotherapy, completed the Life Stressor Checklist-Revised (LSC-R), a measure of lifetime SLEs. Cancer-related distress was assessed with the Impact of Event Scale-Revised. Coping strategies since beginning chemotherapy were assessed with the Brief COPE; 2 latent variables (engagement and disengagement coping) were identified based on these scores. LSC-R scores (number of SLEs and perceived impact during the prior year) were evaluated in relation to demographic and clinical characteristics. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the relationship between LSC-R and Impact of Event Scale-Revised scores and the mediating role of engagement and disengagement coping on this relationship. On average, patients reported 6.1 (SD = 4.0; range = 0-23 out of 30) SLEs. Patients who were not married/partnered, had incomes <$30,000/year, or who had lower functional status or greater comorbidity had higher LSC-R scores. The relationship between more SLEs and more severe cancer-related distress was completely mediated by disengagement coping. Engagement coping did not mediate this relationship. Disengagement coping, including behavioral disengagement, avoidance, and denial, should be targeted to mitigate cancer-related distress. (PsycINFO Database Record

Prevalence of stressful life events during pregnancy and its association with postpartum depressive symptoms.

Experiencing stressful life events (SLEs) has negative consequences for both mother and infant. This study examined the predictive contributions of (1) experiences of each SLE separately and its association with postpartum depressive symptoms (PDS), (2) experiences of cumulative number of SLEs and PDS, and (3) the cumulative experiences of SLEs across three domains (relational, financial, physical health). Georgia's Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data were obtained from 2004 to 2011. Chi-square tests and a combination of weighted logistic regression models were conducted to predict self-reported PDS. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported. A total of 10,231 women were included in the analysis; 15% of the mothers reported PDS. Arguments with partner, trouble paying bills, and separation/divorce significantly predicted increased odds of PDS. Increased odds of PDS were observed with increasing numbers of cumulative SLEs. Experiencing high stress in any domain significantly predicted PDS with the highest predictor being high stress across all domains, followed by experiencing a combination of high relational and financial stress. SLEs were associated with reporting PDS among new mothers in Georgia. It is important to assess for SLEs during prenatal care and provide resources aimed at reducing the impact of SLEs.

Internet-based modular program BADI for adjustment disorder: protocol of a randomized controlled trial.

BackgroundAdjustment disorder is one of the most common mental health diagnoses. Still it receives relatively little attention from researchers trying to establish best interventions to treat it. With high prevalence of stressful life events, which might be leading to adjustment disorder, and limited resources of mental health service providers, online interventions could be a very practical way of helping people who have these disorders or are in the risk to develop them. The proposed study protocol is aimed to describe a randomized controlled trial of an internet-based modular intervention for adjustment disorder as it is defined in a proposal for the ICD-11.Methods/designThis study is a two-armed Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) to examine the effectiveness of a web-based intervention BADI (Brief Adjustment Disorder Intervention) for adjustment disorder symptoms. BADI has four modules: Relaxation, Time management, Mindfulness and Strengthening relationships. It is based on stress and coping research and integrates evidence-based treatment approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness and body-mind practices, as well as exercises for enhancing social support. Primary outcome of the study are symptoms of adjustment disorder and well-being. Engagement into the program and motivation for change is a secondary outcome. All participants after completing the baseline assessment are randomly assigned to one of the two groups: either to the one in which participant will instantly gain access to the BADI intervention or a group in which participants will be given access to the BADI program after waiting one month. Participants of BADI can choose exercises of the program flexibly. There is no particular order in which the exercises should be completed.DiscussionStudy will provide new insights of modular internet-based interventions efficacy for adjustment disorders. The study will also provide information about the role of motivation and expectancies on engagement in modular internet-based interventions. In case this RCT supports effectiveness of fully automated version of BADI, it could be used very broadly. It could become a cost-effective and accessible intervention for adjustment disorder.Trial registrationThe study was retrospectively registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry with the registration number ACTRN12616000883415. Registered 5 July, 2016.

Stressful Life Events in Children With Functional Defecation Disorders.

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of stressful life events including (sexual) abuse in children with functional defecation disorders by performing a systematic review. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO for cohort, case-control and cross-sectional studies investigating the prevalence of stressful life events, including (sexual) abuse in children with functional defecation disorders. The search yielded 946 articles, of which 8 were included with data from 654 children with functional constipation and 1931 children with (constipation-associated) fecal incontinence (FI). Overall, children with functional defecation disorders had been significantly more exposed to stressful life events than healthy children, with prevalence rates ranging from 1.6% to 90.9%. Being bullied, being a relational victim, interruption of toilet training, punishment by parents during toilet training, and hospitalization were significantly related to FI, whereas separation from the best friend, failure in an examination, severe illness in a close family member, loss of job by a parent, frequent punishment, and living in a war-affected area were significantly related to constipation. Only 1 study measured the prevalence of child abuse, which reported a significantly higher prevalence of child (sexual) abuse in children with FI compared with controls. The prevalence of stressful life events, including (sexual) abuse is significantly higher in children with functional defecation disorders compared with healthy children. To gain more insight into the true prevalence of child (sexual) abuse in children with functional defecation disorders, more studies are clearly needed.

Mo1993 The Prevalence of Stressful Life Events Including Sexual Child Abuse in Children With Functional Defecation Disorders: A Systematic Review

Background: Early life exposure to antibiotics might alter the development of the host microbiome and influence Crohn's disease (CD) risk. Although this association has been suggested by a few recent studies, larger studies with longer duration of follow-up and more rigorous control of confounding are needed. We sought to further evaluate the association between antibiotic use during the first year of life and subsequent CD by performing a nationwide birth cohort study in Denmark.Methods: All children born in Denmark between 1995 and 2007 were identified in the Danish Medical Birth Registry, and followed until death, emigration, or end of study (January 1, 2011). Outpatient antibiotic use was identified using the National Prescription Registry. Cases of CD were identified using the Danish National Patient Registry; a subset was confirmed by linkage to the National Pathology Registry. As a negative control, we analyzed exposure to systemic adrenergic agents, the second most commonly prescribed class of medications in the first year of life. Relative risk was determined by Cox proportional hazards models, after adjusting for route of delivery, birth order, gender, birth year, and family history of CD.Results: The birth cohort consisted of 850,962 children followed for a mean of 8.5 years (7,206,533 person-years of follow up). Of these, 51.3% were male, 17.5% were born by c-section, 1.0% had a family history of CD and 41.1% had ≥ 1 filled antibiotic prescription in the first year of life. 291 cases of CD were observed during follow-up. A positive association between antibiotic use and CD did not reach statistical significance (adjusted HR 1.2, 95% CI 0.9-1.5). Results of a subanalysis of confirmed cases were similar (adjusted HR 1.4, 95% CI 0.9-2.2). As expected, there was a positive association with family history of CD (adjusted HR 16.4, 95% CI 8.631.1). There was no association between use of systemic adrenergic drugs and CD (adjusted HR 1.0, 95% CI 0.5-1.8).Discussion: We found a non-significant trend for the association between early-life antibiotic exposure and risk of CD. No association was observed in our negative control group. Our findings are consistent with previously observed associations between antibiotic use and CD.

Event-related distress in kidney disease patients

Non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (CKD) and dialysis-dependent Stage 5 CKD (CKD5) are associated with a significant physical and psychosocial burden. Little is known, however, about the impact of stressful life events on CKD and CKD5 patients. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of stressful life events in CKD and CKD5 patients and identify the factors correlated with high levels of event-related distress. This cross-sectional study's sample consisted of 181 patients (91 with non-dialysis-dependent CKD Stages 4 and 5, 90 with CKD5) who filled out the Impact of Event Scale (IES), which measures subjective distress related to stressful life events. Other measures included scores from the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Dialysis Symptom Index (DSI). One hundred and three subjects reported stressors on the IES. Almost half the stressors (49.5%) related to personal health; the rest fell into other categories. There were significant differences between the no stressor, low event-related distress and high event-related distress groups in age (P < 0.001), PHQ-9 score (P < 0.001) and DSI score (P = 0.002). After adjustment, PHQ-9 score was associated with high event-related distress [odds ratio (OR) 1.20, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10-1.32], as was DSI score (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.07) in a separate model. Event-related distress is common in CKD and CKD5 patients. High event-related distress is associated with worse depressive symptoms and greater somatic and emotional symptom burden, even with adjustments for age and gender. The renal practitioner may need to address patients' event-related distress in order to provide optimal care.

Stressful life events and physical abuse among pregnant women in North Carolina.

This study estimates the prevalence of stressful life events and physical abuse among North Carolina women prior to infant delivery, and examines potential associations between abuse and the other stressors. Data were from the North Carolina Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, a statewide representative survey of over 2,600 postpartum women. The survey assessed women's sociodemographic characteristics and their experiences of physical abuse and 13 other stressful life events before delivery. The prevalences of each life event and abuse were estimated. Logistic regression modeled the probability of women having high levels of stressful life events in relation to physical abuse and sociodemographics. Most women were married, white, high school graduates, aged 20 or older. The most common stressful life events were residential moves, increased arguing with husbands/partners, family member hospitalizations, financial hardship, and deaths of loved ones. Fourteen percent of women had high levels of stressful events (5 or more), and almost 9% were physically abused. Abuse was positively associated with increased arguing with husbands/partners, physical fighting, having someone close with an alcohol/drug problem, becoming separated/divorced, and financial hardship. Logistic regression analysis showed that a high level of stressful life events was significantly more likely among women abused both before and during pregnancy (OR = 11.94) and among women abused before but not during pregnancy (OR = 14.19). The high frequency of multiple stressful events and abuse in women's lives suggests that women's care providers should ask their patients about these issues, and offer appropriate referral/interventions to those in need.

Stressful life events and changes in substance use among a multiracial/ethnic sample of adolescent boys

This paper presents a comparative analysis of the prevalence of stressful life events and of the relationships between stressful life events and alcohol, illicit drug, and cigarette use among a multi-ethnic community sample (N = 2,446) of early adolescent boys. The data were derived from a longitudinal study of substance use behaviors and their psychosocial correlates among Hispanic, African-American, and White non-Hispanic adolescent boys residing in Dade County, Florida. Similar levels of event exposure were found among the subgroups, with one exception. African Americans were significantly more likely to experience a death-related event in the past year. Stressful life events were not significantly related with substance use among African-American students. Among Hispanics and White non-Hispanics, however, a number of significant positive relationships were found. A number of bidirectional events (i.e., those events that could be either an antecedent to and/or the result of substance use) were significantly related with stressful events, highlighting the importance of longitudinal research in delineating the temporal ordering of events and outcomes. The authors conclude that future stress research with adolescents should pay particular attention to the important moderating influences of culture and ethnicity as well as to the bidirectional nature of life events and substance use.