Adversity and resilience science最新文献

Abstract

Although prior work indicates that exposure to multiple family risk factors negatively impacts adjustment in childhood and adolescence, few studies have examined whether children in high-risk families transition in and out of adversity during early childhood and whether patterns of change matter for adjustment in adolescence. Using data from a sample of 216 caregiver-child dyads participating in a study of prenatal cocaine exposure (116 exposed and 100 non-exposed; 50.9% girls), we used latent transition analysis to identify distinct profiles of early exposure to caregiver substance use (SU) and SU-related familial risk (caregiver psychological distress, exposure to violence, harshness, and low sensitivity) and the association between these profiles and adolescent well-being (i.e., hope, happiness, and life satisfaction). Assessments occurred when children were 13, 24, 36, and 48 months and during kindergarten (M_months = 66.16, SD = 4.47) and early adolescence (M_years = 13.26, SD = 0.88). Caregivers self-identified as 72.09% Black, 15.81% White, 10.23% Hispanic/Latinx, 1.40% other, and 0.47% American Indian. Four profiles of varying levels of exposure to caregiver SU and SU-related risks were identified from infancy to kindergarten: SU/family risks, no SU/low family risks, SU/negative parenting, and SU/low family risks. Most children stayed in the same profile (64.2%), while the rest transitioned between profiles. Children exposed to caregiver SU and family adversity had lower positive outcomes in adolescence. Stable membership in the SU/family risks profile had significant maladaptive consequences on adolescent well-being. Implications for research and the design of tailored interventions to promote well-being among at-risk youth are discussed.

More than 25% of all children grow up with a chronic disease. They are at higher risk for developmental and psychosocial problems. However, children who function resiliently manage to adapt positively to these challenges. We aim to systematically review how resilience is defined and measured in children with a chronic disease. A search of PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and PsycINFO was performed on December 9, 2022, using resilience, disease, and child/adolescent as search terms. Two reviewers independently screened articles for inclusion according to predefined criteria. Extraction domains included study characteristics, definition, and instruments assessing resilience outcomes, and resilience factors. Fifty-five out of 8766 articles were identified as relevant. In general, resilience was characterized as positive adaptation to adversity. The included studies assessed resilience by the outcomes of positive adaptation, or by resilience factors, or both. We categorized the assessed resilience outcomes into three groups: personal traits, psychosocial functioning, and disease-related outcomes. Moreover, myriad of resilience factors were measured, which were grouped into internal resilience factors (cognitive, social, and emotional competence factors), disease-related factors, and external factors (caregiver factors, social factors, and contextual factors). Our scoping review provides insight into the definitions and instruments used to measure resilience in children with a chronic disease. More knowledge is needed on which resilience factors are related to positive adaptation in specific illness-related challenges, which underlying mechanisms are responsible for this positive adaptation, and how these underlying mechanisms interact with one another.

This cross-sectional study sought to examine adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs), and emotion dysregulation as they relate to psychopathology symptoms (posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD], anxiety, depression) in university students in emerging adulthood. Students at a United States university (N = 1,498) completed an online survey during the fall 2021 and spring 2022 semesters. Measures include the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire, Benevolent Childhood Experiences Scale, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale—Short Form, PTSD Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5^th edition, Patient Health Questionnaire 8, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 Scale. ACEs significantly related to greater symptoms and positive screens for PTSD, depression, and anxiety. BCEs significantly related to fewer symptoms and positive screens for PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Emotion dysregulation was a significant mediator of relationships between ACEs and all symptom types (direct and indirect effects were both significant, supporting partial mediation). Emotion dysregulation was a significant partial mediator of relationships between BCEs and all symptom types (direct and indirect effects were both significant, supporting partial mediation). Results showed significant small moderation effects of BCEs on the relationships of ACEs-emotion dysregulation, ACEs-depression symptoms, ACEs-anxiety symptoms, and emotion dysregulation-PTSD symptoms. Implications for colleges and universities are discussed.

This study introduced the novel concept of Centeredness, a measure of the emotional atmosphere of the family of origin and a target adult individual’s perception of feeling safe, accepted, and supported from childhood primary caregivers and other family members. This study developed a Centeredness scale for adult respondents and tested hypotheses that higher levels of overall Centeredness would predict lower levels of depression and anxiety symptoms; suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs); and aggressive behavior; and higher levels of life satisfaction. Predictive effects of Centeredness were compared against attachment-related anxiety and avoidance, and adverse and benevolent childhood experiences (ACEs and BCEs). Participants were recruited via the Prolific-Academic (Pro-A) survey panel into two large independent samples of US young adults aged 19–35 years [Sample 1 (test sample), N = 548, 53.5% female, 2.2% gender non-conforming, 68.3% White, recruited before the pandemic; Sample 2 (replication sample), N = 1,198, 56.2% female, 2.3% gender non-conforming, 66.4% White; recruited during the pandemic]. Participants completed the novel Centeredness scale, which showed strong psychometric properties, and standardized, publicly available assessments of childhood experiences and mental health outcomes. Centeredness was the only variable that significantly predicted each mental health outcome across both samples. BCEs predicted all outcomes except aggressive behavior in the test sample. Centeredness and BCEs were also the only two variables that significantly predicted a dimensional mental health composite in both samples. Neither attachment-related anxiety and avoidance nor ACEs were as broadly predictive. The Centeredness scale assesses emotional aspects of childhood family relationships with individuals of diverse backgrounds and family compositions. Clinical and cultural implications are discussed.

Abstract

Historical trauma and loss are central to the mental health of Southeast Asian refugees who have endured collective grief due to multiple losses stemming from genocide, civil war, and political violence. This study examines the relevance of historical loss for the mental health of Southeast Asian refugee populations by examining the reliability and validity of the modified Historical Loss Scale, originally developed for Native Americans. To validate the modified Historical Loss Scale, data from 212 Southeast Asian adults was examined. Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to determine the factor structure and construct validity was examined via bivariate correlations and multivariate regression analyses with measures of depression and anxiety. Results indicated that the modified scale appropriately assesses experiences of historical loss and related distress, following the structure identified in the original scale for Native Americans, and indicated good internal consistency reliability and satisfactory construct validity. The measure will be an important tool for examining historical loss and trauma among refugee populations, and their effects continue in the subsequent generations through intergenerational trauma.

Research has found that individuals who were separated from parental care and experienced alternative care settings during childhood are more likely to have poor outcomes as adults. This highlights the importance of understanding factors that are related to resilience and well-being for care leavers. A growing body of research has supported the importance of spirituality in our understanding of resilience and well-being. However, little work to date has examined the relationship of spirituality to outcomes in care leavers. The current study investigated the relationships between spirituality, resilience, well-being, and health in a sample of 529 care leavers from 11 nations. It also examined how different themes of spirituality were related to specific outcome variables. Data revealed that spirituality was significantly associated with higher life satisfaction, better mental and physical health, and more resilience even when accounting for current age, gender, age at separation, Human Development Index scores, and childhood adversity. Furthermore, findings indicate that different themes of spirituality are related to specific outcome variables, even when accounting for demographic information. Findings indicate that spirituality may play an important role in resilience and well-being for care leavers. Implications and limitations are discussed.