Several studies examining alcohol use and depression in youth have focused on documenting prevalence of overlap, or temporal ordering in longitudinal samples. Fewer studies have examined pathways connecting alcohol use and depression over time. This study examined gender differences between depression and alcohol use across adolescence while examining peer and family pathways as possible mediators of effects. Data was collected longitudinally from 593 families from three urban public middle schools in the United States. Participants were recruited in 6th grade and followed through 9th grade. We examined gender differences using a nested model comparison approach. Results indicated the association between depression and alcohol use differs by gender. For males, depression and alcohol use were independent across adolescence, and no significant indirect pathways were observed. For females, bidirectional effects were found between alcohol use and depression, as well as an indirect effect from depression to alcohol use via peer deviance.
AbstractThis study investigates suicide risk in late childhood and early adolescence in relation to a family-centered intervention, the Family Check-Up, for problem behavior delivered in early childhood. At age 2, 731 low-income families receiving nutritional services from Women, Infants, and Children programs were randomized to the Family Check-Up intervention or to a control group. Trend-level main effects were observed on endorsement of suicide risk by parents or teachers from ages 7.5 to 14, with higher rates of suicide risk endorsement in youth in the control versus intervention condition. A significant indirect effect of intervention was also observed, with treatment-related improvements in inhibitory control across childhood predicting reductions in suicide-related risk both at age 10.5, assessed via diagnostic interviews with parents and youth, and at age 14, assessed via parent and teacher reports. Results add to the emerging body of work demonstrating long-term reductions in suicide risk related to family-focused preventive interventions, and highlight improvements in youth self-regulatory skills as an important mechanism of such reductions in risk.
Parenting is a complex activity driven, in part, by parental emotional and physiological responses. However, work examining the physiological underpinnings of parenting behavior is still in its infancy, and very few studies have examined such processes beyond early childhood. The current study examines associations between Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) indices of parents' physiological reactivity to positive and negative mood states and observed parental affect during a series of discussion tasks with their adolescent child. Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia (RSA) was measured as an index of parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) activation while viewing film clips designed to induce neutral, sad, and amused mood states. Parental positive affect, anger, and distress were observed during a series of parent-child discussion tasks, which included an ambiguous discussion regarding adolescent growth, a conflict discussion, and a fun-activity planning discussion. Results supported the association between aspects of parental physiological reactivity and observed affect during dyadic interactions. Further, RSA interacted with maternal depression to predict observed positive affect, anger, and distress, although differences across tasks and specific emotions were found regarding the nature of the interaction effects. Overall, results suggest that such neurobiological processes may be particularly important predictors of parental behavior, particularly in at-risk populations. (PsycINFO Database Record
Many university training clinics are facing numerous challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic including a need to transition from a traditional in-person modality of psychotherapy services to telepsychology. As student leaders of an American university training clinic, we briefly address the pandemic and rise of telepsychology, and then present five practical suggestions and five core curricula recommendations to aid clinics in adapting to meet the educational needs of trainees using telepsychology during this unprecedented time. We conclude by offering structure and content suggestions for a foursession intensive workshop to provide trainees and supervisors alike with a telepsychology "primer" prior to providing services. In particular, we suggest training clinics adopt telepsychology best practice guidelines rather than adopt the mindset of implementing a temporary solution for providing services during the pandemic. Through this mindset, student psychotherapists are given an enriching training opportunity and clinics will be better postured to iteratively improve and tailor telepsychology services to meet the needs of the populations they serve.
Public Significance StatementIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, university training clinics have been faced with the task of rapidly transitioning from an in-person model to telepsychology. This manuscript offers studentperspective guidance and practical suggestions to help training clinics adapt to meet the evolving training needs of doctoral students and increase trainee and supervisory competence in the provision of telepsychology during this unprecedented time.
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