An exploratory analysis of the joint contribution of HPA axis activation and motivation to early adolescent depressive symptoms

Abstract

This study examines the interactive contribution of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and approach-avoidance motivation systems to longitudinal changes in depressive symptoms across the adolescent transition. In the summer prior to, or fall of, 4th grade, 132 youth (68 girls; 64 boys; M age = 9.46 years) participated in a social challenge task and reported on their depressive symptoms. In the winter of 6th grade, youth completed a semi-structured interview of depression and a self-report measure of approach-avoidance motivations. Analyses revealed two profiles of risk for adolescent depressive symptoms, with some gender differences: (1) excessive disengagement, reflected in HPA underactivation along with low approach motivation or high avoidance motivation; and (2) excessive engagement, reflected in HPA overactivation along with high approach motivation. This research highlights the importance of a multi-system perspective on development, suggesting that the implications of HPA dysregulation for depressive symptoms are contingent on adolescents' tendencies toward approach versus avoidance.

Attachment Security Moderates Effects of Uncontrollable Stress on Preadolescent Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis Responses: Evidence of Regulatory Fit

“…The previous is consonant with literature on the value of regulatory fit across decision making, behavior change, and task performance domains (Higgins, 2005). Future research incorporating more direct measures of approach-avoidance motivation (e.g., Rudolph, Troop-Gordon, Modi, & Granger, 2018) are needed to test these propositions at the physiologic level of analysis.…”

The interconnected development of depressive symptoms and school functioning from mid-adolescence to early adulthood: A piecewise growth mixture analysis.

“…As a result, performanceoriented students seem to be more prone to develop depressive symptoms relative to their mastery-oriented peers (Bendezú et al, 2021;Tuominen et al, 2020). However, performance-avoidance goals seem to be even more damaging to youth's mental health DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AND SCHOOL FUNCTIONING than performance-approach goals (Ellis et al, 2019;Masselink et al, 2018;Miller & Markman, 2007;Rudolph et al, 2018;Sherratt & MacLeod, 2013;Sideridis, 2005;Winch et al, 2015). Likewise, students pursuing mastery goals in general tend to display a better adjustment and fewer depressive symptoms than their peers pursuing performance (approach or avoidance) goals (Madjar et al, 2021).…”

Geschlechtsunterschiede in Glucocorticoidkonzentrationen und Entzündungsparametern im Zusammenhang mit Depression

“…Ein prädik tiver Zusammenhang zwischen basaler Cortisolkonzentration und Depressivität konnte in den Studien unabhängig des Geschlechts nicht bestätigt werden [26,36]. Demgegenüber sprechen die Stu dienergebnisse zur Langzeitassoziation zwischen der Cortisolreak tivitätundDepressiondafür,dassnurbeiFraueneinsignifikanter positiver Zusammenhang besteht, vor allem dann, wenn sie stark belohnungs und annäherungsorientiert sind [50,51].…”

“…Als weitere potenzielle zentra leEinflussfaktorenfürdenZusammenhangvonDepressionund HHNA bzw. Entzündungsparametern konnten unter anderem das Alter der Probanden, die Art und Schwere der Depressionssympto meunddieKörperkonstitution(z.B.BMI)identifiziertwerden [29,47,51,60,61,71]. Dies macht deutlich, dass eine große Anzahl an konfundierenden Variablen die Zusammenhänge zusätzlich trü ben und in zukünftigen Studien sollten diese zentralen Variablen immer mitberücksichtigt und entsprechende Assoziationen dafür kontrolliert werden.…”