The relationship between social vulnerability and the occurrence of severely threatening life events

Abstract

SYNOPSISResearch on the role of life events in the onset of depression has suggested that certain vulnerability factors can increase the risk of disorder in the face of a threatening event. The role of vulnerability factors to increase the likelihood of severs events occurring in the first place has remained largelu unexplored. The vulnerability factor which has received the most attention is a lack of social support, particularly lack of a confiding relationship with a husband for women. A reanalysis of a number of published studies is undertaken; this shows that there is a positive relationship between lack of intimacy and the occurrence of adversity. The implications of this finding are briefly discussed, with emphasis on the need for a life-span developmental perspective in future life events research.

Prospective relations between growth in drinking and familial stressors across adolescence.

“…For example, parental psychopathology, such as parental alcoholism and antisociality, can produce disruption in the family environment (Zhou, King, & Chassin, 2006) that increases exposure to negative life events (Chassin et al, 1996; Sher, Gershuny, Peterson & Raskin, 1997; Langrock, Compas, Keller, Merchant, & Copeland, 2002; Phillips, Erkanli, Keeler, Costello, & Angold, 2006), and has also been repeatedly linked to adolescent alcohol use (Sher, 1991; Chassin, Ritter, Trim & King, 2003). Moreover, parenting factors including poor emotional support have been linked to both the experience of negative life events (Bergeman et al 1990; Champion, 1990) and adolescent alcohol use (Hawkins et al, 1992; Baumrind, 1991). Adolescent impulsivity has been implicated as an important factor in the development of alcohol use and alcohol use disorders (see Tarter et al, 2003; Wills & Dishion, 2004; see reviews by Chassin et al, 2003 and Hawkins et al, 1992).…”

Comorbidity in Child Psychopathology: Concepts, Issues and Research Strategies

“…However, less attention has been paid to the origins of these stressors (Champion, 1990;Rutter, 1986). There is increasing evidence that people shape and select their own environments and that various psychiatric disorders play a part in generating stress and adversity.…”

Social and cognitive approaches to depression: Towards a new synthesis

“…In contrast, a vulnerability factor such as the absence of a confiding relationship with a partner is likely to apply more widely across life-stages, which may be one reason why this factor has been widely replicated in a number of different communities (e.g. Champion, 1990;Costello, 1982), though even this factor may eventually lessen in impact in old age (Lam & Power, 1991b).Two additional ways in which the transition from one life-stage to another may increase the individual's risk are, first, that there may be continuities in development between what may be seen as relatively minor problems at one stage but which become exacerbated at later stages ; second, that even apparently adaptive guiding rules or beliefs for one stage may become maladaptive at a later stage (Champion, 1994;Champion, Goodall & Rutter, 1995;Maughan & Champion, 1991). However, there are also individuals who, despite early adversity, have the capacity to gain from subsequent transitions; thus, in a 17-year follow-up study of a group of children who were assessed as having behaviour problems at age 10, Champion & Rutter (in preparation) found that, although disorder at age 10 predicted an increased occurrence of negative life-events even 17 years later, they were able to identify a small group of so-called 'planners' who had the capacity to plan actively in the domains of personal relationships and work, who for example were able to form and maintain healthy intimate relationships, and whose levels of adversity were significantly lower than the others in the original group.…”