Negative life events and stress sensitivity in youth’s daily life: an ecological momentary assessment study

Abstract

Purpose Negative life events (LEs) are associated with mental health problems in youth. However, little is known about underlying mechanisms. The aim of the study was to investigate whether exposure to LEs modifies stress sensitivity in youth’s daily life. Methods Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) was used to assess stress sensitivity (i.e., association of momentary stress with (i) negative affect and (ii) psychotic experiences) in 99 adolescents and young adults (42 service users, 17 siblings, and 40 controls; Mage 15 years). Before EMA, exposure to LEs (e.g., intrusive threats, experience of loss, serious illness) was assessed. Results Lifetime as well as previous-year exposure to LEs modified stress sensitivity in service users: they experienced more intense negative affect and psychotic experiences in response to stress when high vs. low exposure levels were compared. In contrast, controls showed no differences in stress sensitivity by exposure levels. Looking at specific types of LEs, controls showed less intense negative affect in response to stress when high vs. low exposure levels to threatening events during the last year, but not lifetime exposure, were compared. In siblings, no evidence was found that LEs modified stress sensitivity. Conclusion Stress sensitivity may constitute a putative risk mechanism linking LEs and mental health in help-seeking youth, while unfavourable effects of LEs on stress sensitivity may attenuate over time or do not occur in controls and siblings. Targeting individuals’ sensitivity to stress in daily life using novel digital interventions may be a promising approach towards improving youth mental health.

Stress, Environment and Early Psychosis

“…It has been argued that psychotic patients have an increased stress sensitivity and lower stress threshold compared to the normal population [ 230 ] and compared to patients with other psychiatric disorders [ 231 ]. A recent study has emphasized the role of stress sensitivity as a putative risk mechanism linking negative life events and unfavorable mental health outcomes [ 232 ]. Moreover, exposure to recent stressful life events has been associated with poorer mental and physical health in individuals with more severe environmental, but not genetic, liability for schizophrenia [ 233 ].…”

“…Social competence, problem-solving, autonomy, and sense of purpose are among major determinants of personal resilience [ 265 ], and meaning in life has been suggested as a fundamental protective factor in the context of psychosis-related psychopathology [ 266 ]. Moreover, improving daily stress sensitivity and coping with life events by focusing on emotion regulation has been suggested as a resilience-enhancing strategy, especially prior to psychosis onset [ 232 ]. This struggle between socioenvironmental risk and protective factors, burdensome stressors, and adaptive coping can be depicted as a tug of war across developmental stages prior to psychosis onset (Fig.…”

Association between Negative Life Events and Somatic Symptoms: A Mediation Model through Self-Esteem and Depression

“…Negative life events can be significant stressors that contribute to the development of depressive symptoms in adolescents [ 18 ]. Prolonged exposure to such events can lead to feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, which may, in turn, result in the development of depressive symptoms.…”

Working your way through self-esteem

“…Furthermore, during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, measures to control SARS-CoV-2 transmission rates have been shown to have negative effects on mental health, especially in youth (17)(18)(19). All this highlights the value of transdiagnostic preventive interventions to improve well-being and resilience in youth and prevent morbidity later in life in order to reduce burden for individuals, families and the wider society (2,11,(20)(21)(22).…”