Role Of Stressful Life Events Research Articles

The role of stressful life events and the Big Five personality traits in adolescent trajectories of problematic Internet use.

Cross-sectional studies have shown that both stressors and personality vulnerability are risk factors for adolescent problematic Internet use (PIU). However, little is known about how both categories of factors in combination may contribute to the longitudinal development of PIU among adolescents. The aims of this study were to document the developmental pattern of PIU among adolescents and to examine how stressful life events and the Big Five personality traits jointly affect the development of PIU. We tested three competing models: the additive, diathesis-stress, and social push models. A total of 1,365 adolescents participated in a 3-year longitudinal study. Hierarchical linear modeling indicated that PIU among adolescents increased over the 3-year period. After controlling for demographics and the Big Five personality traits, stressful life events (a time-varying predictor) were positively correlated with the initial level of, and the rate of change in, PIU. After controlling for demographics and stressful life events, four of the time-invariant Big Five personality dimensions had a significant effect on the initial level of PIU. Low Agreeableness, low Conscientiousness, high Openness, and high Neuroticism were positively associated with high initial PIU. In addition, Extraversion was negatively associated with and Conscientiousness was positively associated with the rate of change in PIU. The interaction effect between the personality and stressors was not significant. Therefore, the data provided support for the additive model, indicating that stressful life events and personality dimensions each make a unique contribution to PIU and that both should be considered in the prevention of adolescent PIU. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

The relationship between impulsivity and self-injury in Chinese undergraduates: The chain mediating role of stressful life events and negative affect

BackgroundSelf-injury is one of the strongest predictors of suicide. Undergraduates have been recognized as one of the populations with the highest incidence of self-injury. A substantial body of literature has documented the important influence of impulsivity on self-injury. However, few studies have focused on the mediating mechanisms underlying this relationship. Based on the stress generation hypothesis and the affect-regulation model of self-injury, this study constructed a chain mediating model to examine whether stressful life events and negative affect mediated the relationship between impulsivity and self-injury among Chinese undergraduates. MethodsA total of 2270 undergraduates (69.8% female, mean age = 19 years) were recruited to participate in this study and completed self-report measures of impulsivity, self-injury, stressful life events and negative affect. Results(1) There were significant positive correlations among impulsivity, stressful life events, negative affect and self-injury. (2) After controlling for the effect of gender, impulsivity still had a significant positive effect on self-injury. (3) Undergraduates’ self-injury was affected by impulsivity partly through 3 different pathways: the mediating role of stressful life events, the mediating role of negative affect, and the chain mediating role of both stressful life events and negative affect. ConclusionsThese findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the risk factors for self-injury. Impulsivity, stressful life events, and negative affect might increase the occurrence of self-injury. In addition, the chain mediating effect of stressful life events and negative affect plays an important role in the occurrence of self-injury.

Do polygenic risk and stressful life events predict pharmacological treatment response in obsessive compulsive disorder? A gene\u2013environment interaction approach

The rate of response to pharmacological treatment in Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) oscillates between 40 and 70%. Genetic and environmental factors have been associated with treatment response in OCD. This study analyzes the predictive ability of a polygenic risk score (PRS) built from OCD-risk variants, for treatment response in OCD, and the modulation role of stressful life events (SLEs) at the onset of the disorder. PRSs were calculated for a sample of 103 patients. Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) scores were obtained before and after a 12-week treatment. Regression analyses were performed to analyze the influence of the PRS and SLEs at onset on treatment response. PRS did not predict treatment response. The best predictive model for post-treatment YBOCS (post YBOCS) included basal YBOCS and age. PRS appeared as a predictor for basal and post YBOCS. SLEs at onset were not a predictor for treatment response when included in the regression model. No evidence for PRS predictive ability for treatment response was found. The best predictor for treatment response was age, agreeing with previous literature specific for SRI treatment. Suggestions are made on the possible role of neuroplasticity as a mediator on this association. PRS significantly predicted OCD severity independent on pharmacological treatment. SLE at onset modulation role was not evidenced. Further research is needed to elucidate the genetic and environmental bases of treatment response in OCD.

Stressful life events and psychiatric comorbidity in acne–a case control study

Possibility of a causal influence of emotional stress, on the course of various skin diseases, has been postulated. However, it is still inconclusive about the role of stressful life events in acne. In this background, the present study was carried out to know its role in acne. Consecutive one hundred patients who were diagnosed with acne vulgaris in the age group of 12 to 45 years were included. Age and sex matched controls were taken. A semistructured proforma was used to collect sociodemographic details. Stressful life events were assessed using presumptive stressful life event scale. Anxiety was evaluated using Hamilton Anxiety Rating scale and Depression by Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. There was no difference in total stressful life events in past one year between patients and controls. The undesirable life event was present in 65 patients and 50 controls, this difference was statistically significant. Getting married or appearing for exams were the most common stressful life event in patients. Forty patients had comorbid psychiatric illness whereas in controls comorbidity was in 24 and this difference was statistically significant. The undesirable stressful life events and psychiatric comorbidity were more in acne patients than in controls.

The Association between Stressful Events and Food Insecurity: Cross-Sectional Evidence from Australia.

A considerable body of empirical evidence exists on the demographic and socio-economic correlates of food insecurity in Australia. An important omission from recent studies, however, is an understanding of the role of stressful life events, or stressors in explaining exposure to food insecurity. Using nationally representative data from the 2014 General Social Survey and multivariable logistic regression, this paper reports on the association between 18 discrete stressors and the likelihood of reporting food insecurity in Australia. The results, adjusted for known correlates of food insecurity and complex survey design, show that exposure to stressors significantly increased the likelihood of experiencing food insecurity. Importantly, stressors related to employment and health approximately doubled the odds of experiencing food insecurity. The results underscore the complex correlates of food insecurity and indicates that conceptually it interacts with many important social and economic problems in contemporary Australia. There is no simple fix to food insecurity and solutions require co-ordination across a range of social and economic policies.

Gender, stressful life events and interactions with sleep: a systematic review of determinants of adiposity in young people

ObjectivesOverweight and obesity among young people are high and rising. Social stressors and sleep are independently associated with obesity, but are rarely studied together or examined for gender-specific effects. The...

Stressful life events and depressive symptoms in mothers and fathers of young children

BackgroundParents of young children generally report more depressive symptoms than parents of adult children or people without children, mainly because the presence of young children increases exposure to significant stressors (such as stressful life events). However, most studies on the depressogenic role of stressful life events in parents of young children have focussed on mothers. MethodsUsing data from 1138 families with young children in Norway, we investigated gender differences in the effect of stressful life events after a child's birth on the development of parental depressive symptoms in 3 follow-ups at child's ages 3–6 years. We also explored if gender differences in disposition (personality) may explain any gender differences in the depressogenic effect of life events. ResultsNesting parents within families, we found a female gender bias for both neuroticism and depressive symptoms but no gender difference in the number of life events reported. Importantly, the number of stressful life events predicted the level and course of depressive symptoms similarly for mothers and fathers. Personality traits did not change the association between stressful life events and depressive symptoms in either mothers or fathers. LimitationsGiven the study design, causality cannot be inferred. ConclusionsThere was no gender difference in the depressogenic effect of stressful life events in our sample. There was no evidence for a female dispositional sensitivity to the depressogenic effect of stressful life events, either. Stressful life events put both mothers and fathers of young children at risk of depression.

The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire -Dysregulation Profile, Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Behaviors and the Mediating Role of Stressful Life Events.

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) behaviors are self-injurious behaviors inflicted without intending death. Literature has shown the relationship between stressful life events (SLE) and NSSI behaviors. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire-Dysregulation Profile (SDQ-DP) is defined as an index of self-regulatory problems, related to higher risk for suicidal ideation and attempts in adolescents. In this study the relationship between SDQ-DP and NSSI behaviors, mediated by SLE in a clinical sample of children and adolescents is analyzed. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 239 subjects (aged from 11 to 17) to test the mediation model. SDQ-DP significantly correlates with NSSI behaviors (Wald = 6.5477, p = .0105); SDQ-DP significantly correlates with SLE (T = 5.7229, p < .001); SLE significantly correlates NSSI behaviors, and the relation remains significant whilst controlling for SDQ-DP (Wald = 4.1715, p = .041); the relation between SDQ-DP and NSSI behaviors stops being significant whilst controlling for the potential mediator (SLE) (Wald = 2.9951, p = .0835). Study of indirect effect supports the mediation model (.0585 CI [.0016, .1266]). Findings are compatible with the complete mediation scenario. These results point out the importance of self-regulatory problems in coping strategies with regards to SLE and the development of NSSI behaviors.

The Role of Stressful Life Events and Cultural Factors on Criminal Thinking among African American Women Involved in the Criminal Justice System.

African American women are positioned at the intersection of multiple disadvantaged statuses and disproportionately impacted by criminal justice policies, as evinced by their increased likelihood of incarceration. Yet, they continue to be overlooked in mainstream criminological research. Using data from 418 African American women in the B-WISE (Black Women in a Study of Epidemics) project, the current study investigates the relationship between several prominent stressors occurring in five social contexts and criminal thinking as a coping strategy. Findings indicate that criminal thinking may be one maladaptive coping mechanism to manage stressors, such as gendered racism, financial stress, and network loss, that occur across these multiple social contexts for African American women in prison and on probation. Spirituality, on the other hand, seems to operate as a buffer. Implications for practice include promoting programs that strengthen a sense of collective identity in the community, as well as hiring more African American women who could provide additional culturally-competent behavioral health services in criminal justice professions.

Role of stressful life events and kindling in bipolar disorder: Converging evidence from a mania-predominant illness course

Stressful life events can precipitate relapses and recurrences in bipolar disorder. Kindling in bipolar disorder has been linked to maladaptive psychological reactivity to minor stressful life events. Systematic studies on life events and kindling are rare in bipolar disorder with a manic predominant polarity. One hundred and forty-nine remitted patients with bipolar I disorder were recruited. The National Institute of Mental Health-Life Chart Methodology was used to depict the illness course retrospectively, and the Presumptive Stressful Life Events Scale-Lifetime version was used to record the stressful life events. The role of stressful life events and the probability of kindling were assessed using appropriate statistics. There was a mania-predominant course of bipolar disorder in the sample with 55.7% (n = 83) having only recurrent mania. Family conflict and altered sleep patterns were the commonly reported stressful life events. When controlled for the severity of the stressor, the stressful life events were often associated with the initial episodes rather than the latter ones. Kindling may occur in bipolar disorder with mania as the predominant polarity. However, retrospective recall bias and hospital-based sampling limit generalizability of such observations.

The role of stressful life events on the cortisol reactivity patterns of breast cancer survivors

Objective: Atypical patterns of cortisol secretion following an acute stressor have been commonly reported in breast cancer survivors. Stressful life events have been associated with blunted acute cortisol levels in other populations. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of stressful life events on cortisol secretion patterns of breast cancer survivors following an acute stressor.Design: The Trier Social Stress (TSST) was used to elicit a moderate stress response in breast cancer survivors (n = 19) and a control group (n = 17). Saliva samples were collected before, during and after the TSST to provide cortisol concentrations. During recovery, we recorded the frequency and subjective impact of stressful life events in the past year using the Life Experience Survey.Results: Simple regressions analyses were performed; results suggest no group differences between the total number of stressful life events and their subjective impact. However, the total number of stressful life events as well as their subjective impact correlated negatively with the peak cortisol concentration in breast cancer survivors.Conclusions: The cumulative effect of stressful life events, positive and negative, may impact the endocrine stress system of breast cancer survivors more so than that of women with no history of cancer.

Role of Stress in Newly Detected Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension are chronic diseases whose prevalence is increasing globally. Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in diabetes and hypertension, and lifestyle and clinical risk factor do not fully account for the link between the conditions. Objective: This study provides an overview of the evidences concerning the role of stressful life events as contributors of increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension in the population. Material and Methods: Prospective cross-sectional study comprising of 80 random cases of newly detected type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Strength of association with the outcome endurance of diabetes mellitus and hypertension with stress levels grouped as slight risk, moderate risk and at risk was evaluated and reported as RR (relative risk) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) x^2 used for trend, p-value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Strong association found between exposure to stress and development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (RR=1.51, 95% CI=1.09-2.10) (p=0.02). A positive linear trend was observed between hypertension and stress. For SBP (x^2 for trend=18.5, df=2, p=0.0001 highly significant). DBP 7 times more risk of developing hypertension (RR=7.36, 95% CI=1.27-4.94), p=0.0006 (highly significant). Conclusion: Strong association was found between stress and development of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. In hypertensive's a positive linear trend was seen between the two variables. In the diabetics, the relative risk with stress was 1.5 times. Stressful life events increase the risk of developing Type2 diabetes and hypertension.

Role of Stress in Newly Detected Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background:&lt;/strong&gt; Type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension are chronic diseases whose prevalence is increasing globally. Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in diabetes and hypertension, and lifestyle and clinical risk factor do not fully account for the link between the conditions.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Objective:&lt;/strong&gt; This study provides an overview of the evidences concerning the role of stressful life events as contributors of increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension in the population.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Material and Methods:&lt;/strong&gt; Prospective cross-sectional study comprising of 80 random cases of newly detected type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Strength of association with the outcome endurance of diabetes mellitus and hypertension with stress levels grouped as slight risk, moderate risk and at risk was evaluated and reported as RR (relative risk) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) x^2 used for trend, p-value of &amp;lt;0.05 was considered as statistically significant.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; Strong association found between exposure to stress and development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (RR=1.51, 95% CI=1.09-2.10) (p=0.02). A positive linear trend was observed between hypertension and stress. For SBP (x^2 for trend=18.5, df=2, p=0.0001 highly significant). DBP 7 times more risk of developing hypertension (RR=7.36, 95% CI=1.27-4.94), p=0.0006 (highly significant).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/strong&gt; Strong association was found between stress and development of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. In hypertensive's a positive linear trend was seen between the two variables. In the diabetics, the relative risk with stress was 1.5 times. Stressful life events increase the risk of developing Type2 diabetes and hypertension.&lt;/p&gt;

The role of stressful life events preceding death by suicide: Evidence from two samples of suicide decedents

Stressful life events (SLEs) are associated with increased risk for suicidal behavior. Less is known regarding the intensity of SLEs and how this may vary as a function of suicide attempt history. As a large percentage of suicide decedents do not have a history of suicidal behavior, SLEs precipitating suicide may help characterize suicidality in this understudied population. This paper examines the intensity, number, and accumulation of SLEs preceding death by suicide among decedents with varying suicide attempt histories. Suicide attempts, SLEs, and suicide methods were examined in two samples: 62 prison-based and 117 community-based suicide decedents. Regression was used to compare the level of stressor precipitating death by suicide in decedents who died on a first attempt versus multiple previous attempts. A non-significant trend was observed in the prison population which was supported by significant findings in the community-based sample. Decedents who died on a first attempt experienced a stressor of a lower magnitude when compared to decedents with multiple previous suicide attempts. We discuss the implications of these findings in relation to the stress-diathesis model for suicide.

Cumulative Impact of Stressful Life Events on the Development of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy.

The role of stressful life events in the onset of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is unclear. This study sought to examine associations between type, timing, and number of stressful life events and onset of TC. A case-control study conducted among consecutive incident female TC cases and myocardial infarction (MI) controls admitted to two emergency departments in New England. Healthy female controls (HC) were recruited from a volunteers' registry. Information about the timing, type, and number of triggers during the 6months preceding hospitalization was systematically collected using the PERI Life Events Scale about 1month post-discharge. Group differences were evaluated using ANOVA, chi-square, and Kruskal-Wallis statistics. Generalized linear models were used to adjust for confounding variables. Between March 2013 and October 2015, 107 women were enrolled (45 TC, 32 MI, and 30 HC). Specific stressful events (death of a relative or close friend (p=0.006); illness or injury to a relative or close friend (p=0.001) were more prevalent in TC cases than MI and HC controls. The onset of TC was associated with exposure to multiple stressful life events during the 6months preceding the index hospitalization (p<0.001) but not with exposure to an acute, recent event (p=0.96). TC onset was associated with specific life events (death or illness to close relative or friend) and with the number of stressful life events occurring in the 6months preceding hospitalization. These findings suggest that grief and cumulative stress could play a major role in the onset of TC.

Associations of stressful life events with coping strategies of 12-15-year-old Norwegian adolescents.

Successful adaptation to the environment requires strategies to cope with stressful situations. The aim of this study was to examine the role of stressful life events in coping strategies during early adolescence. A representative sample of 2464 adolescents in Norway were assessed at two time-points, one year apart (i.e., at T1, mean age 13.7years, and at T2, mean age 14.9years), with identical questionnaires. The participation rate was 88.3% at T1. Stressful life events and daily hassles were measured by questionnaires constructed for this study. Coping with stress was measured by a modified version of the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS), which measures three coping dimensions: emotional, task and avoidance coping. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ). Standard multiple linear regression methods were applied. Different domains of stressful life events were associated with the coping strategies, and these relationships differed at various time-points by gender. In sum, school stress and stressful life events in one's network (network stress) was associated with coping strategies more strongly among girls, while family and miscellaneous stress showed a stronger association among boys. These relationships were partly mediated by depressive symptom levels, more strongly in cross-sectional than in longitudinal analyses. However, daily hassles seemed to represent smaller events of no importance in coping strategies. In preventive work, reducing stressful events, treating depression and teaching healthier coping strategies are important.

The Relationship Between Stressful Life Events and Axis I Diagnoses Among Adolescent Offspring of Probands With Bipolar and Non-Bipolar Psychiatric Disorders and Healthy Controls: The Pittsburgh Bipolar Offspring Study (BIOS).

Previous studies have explored the role of stressful life events in the development of mood disorders. We examined the frequency and nature of stressful life events as measured by the Stressful Life Events Schedule (SLES) among 3 groups of adolescent offspring of probands with bipolar (BD), with non-BD psychiatric disorders, and healthy controls. Furthermore, we examined the relationship between stressful life events and the presence of DSM-IV Axis I disorders in these offspring. Stressful life events were characterized as dependent, independent, or uncertain (neither dependent nor independent) and positive, negative, or neutral (neither positive nor negative). Offspring of probands with BD aged 13-18 years (n = 269), demographically matched offspring of probands with non-BD Axis I disorders (n = 88), and offspring of healthy controls (n = 81) from the Pittsburgh Bipolar Offspring Study were assessed from 2002 to 2007 with standardized instruments at intake. Probands completed the SLES for their offspring for life events within the prior year. Life events were evaluated with regard to current Axis I diagnoses in offspring after adjusting for confounds. After adjusting for demographic and clinical between-group differences (in probands and offspring), offspring of probands with BD had greater independent (χ² = 11.96, P < .04) and neutral (χ² = 17.99, P < .003) life events compared with offspring of healthy controls and greater number of more severe stressful life events than offspring of healthy controls, but not offspring of probands with non-BD. Offspring of BD probands with comorbid substance use disorder reported more independent stressful life events compared to those without comorbid substance use disorder (P = .024). Greater frequency and severity of stressful life events were associated with current Axis I disorder in offspring of both probands with BD and probands with other Axis I disorders regardless of dependency or valence. Greater frequency and severity of stressful life events were associated with greater current Axis I disorder in all offspring. Offspring of probands with BD have greater exposure to independent and neutral life events than offspring of healthy controls. Greater frequency and severity of stressful life events were associated with Axis I disorder in offspring of both BD and non-BD affected probands.

High School Dropout in Proximal Context: The Triggering Role of Stressful Life Events.

Adolescents who drop out of high school experience enduring negative consequences across many domains. Yet, the circumstances triggering their departure are poorly understood. This study examined the precipitating role of recent psychosocial stressors by comparing three groups of Canadian high school students (52% boys; Mage =16.3years; N=545): recent dropouts, matched at-risk students who remain in school, and average students. Results indicate that in comparison with the two other groups, dropouts were over three times more likely to have experienced recent acute stressors rated as severe by independent coders. These stressors occurred across a variety of domains. Considering the circumstances in which youth decide to drop out has implications for future research and for policy and practice.

Role of Stressful Life Events, Avoidant Coping Styles, and Neuroticism in Online Game Addiction among College Students: A Moderated Mediation Model.

Online game addiction (OGA) is becoming a significant problem worldwide. The aim of this study was to explore the incidence of OGA and the roles of stressful life events, avoidant coping styles (ACSs), and neuroticism in OGA. A total of 651 Chinese college students were selected by random cluster sampling. Subjects completed the Chinese version of Young’s eight-item Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS), Online Game Cognition Addiction Scale (OGCAS), Revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Short Scale in Chinese (EPQ-RSC), Chinese College-student Stress Questionnaire, and Coping Style Questionnaire. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to explore the interactive effects of stressful life events, ACSs, and neuroticism on OGA. Of the 651 participants in the sample, 31 (4.8%) were identified as addicts. The incidence of OGA was two times higher for males than females. The addicts had markedly higher scores on the neuroticism subscale of the EPQ-RSC than non-addicts. Compared to non-addicts, addicts were more apt to use ACSs. Having an avoidant coping strategy mediated the effect of stressful life events on OGA. Furthermore, neuroticism moderated the indirect effect of stressful life events on OGA via ACSs. Applications of these findings to etiological research and clinical treatment programs are discussed.

Stressful Life Events in Onset of First Episode of Acute and Transient Psychotic Disorder

Background: Acute and transient psychotic disorder (ATPD) characterized by acute onset of polymorphic psychotic symptomatology and rapid resolution. The aim of this study was to identify the role of stressful life events among patients with ATPD. Methods: The study included 50 patients attending psychiatric OPD and admitted patients in psychiatric wards, at a tertiary care center of Rajasthan, India who were clinically screened for acute and transient psychotic disorder. The patients, suggestive of suffering from ATPD, were thoroughly evaluated for the diagnosis by using ICD-10 criteria for the ATPD and the diagnosis confirmed by a consultant psychiatrist. All the participants were subjected to presumptive stressful life event scale (PSLE) for assessing the role of stressful life events among patients with ATPD. Results: Out of fifty patients, 58% were female and 42% were male. 82% patients were experienced stressful life events before the onset of first episode of acute and transient psychotic disorder. Female experience more stress in areas like death or illness of a family member, marriage or engagement, violence. Whereas male were experienced more stress in areas like marital and family conflicts, financial or occupational problem.Conclusion: Present study highlights that the stressful life events have substantial relationship with the onset of acute and transient psychotic disorder.