Research master thesis | Developmental Psychopathology in Education and Child Studies (research) (MSc)
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Both youth with a substance use disorder (SUD) and youth who have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) show heightened vulnerability to psychopathology. We aimed to quantify the risk of...Show moreBoth youth with a substance use disorder (SUD) and youth who have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) show heightened vulnerability to psychopathology. We aimed to quantify the risk of comorbid disorders in SUD youth with ACE-history. Additionally, we aimed to examine relations between ACEs, overall household experience, and general distress. We used cross-sectional YIT-study data from interviews with Dutch youth (aged 16-22) upon SUD treatment entry for cannabis, alcohol, or stimulant use. We measured ACE-types experienced up until 15 years of age, past-year DSM-5 disorders, general distress (DASS-21), and overall household experience rating. Logistic regressions quantified relations between ACE sum score and anxiety, depressive, behavior, and any disorder. Higher ACE sum scores related to increased risks for a(n) anxiety (OR = 1.12, highest odds = 2.84; χ2(1) = 6.71, p < .010; Nagelkerke R2 = 0.2), depressive (OR = 1.21, highest odds = 5.43; χ2(1) = 18.11, p < .001; Nagelkerke R2 = 0.6), behavior (OR = 1.20, highest odds = 5.24; χ2(1) = 17.41, p < .001; Nagelkerke R2 = 0.6), and any (OR = 1.25, highest odds = 7.58; χ2(1) = 17.26, p < .001; Nagelkerke R2 = 0.7) disorder. Exploratory analyses revealed that frequency of parental fighting, being hit/abused, getting belittled, emotional neglect, physical neglect, insufficient household income, long parental sickness, and overall household experience positively related to DASS-21. In a hierarchical regression analysis with all ACEs and overall household experience, only emotional neglect related to DASS-21 (B = 3.68, t(373) = 2.41, p = .017). Overall household experience did not improve the model (F(12) = 3.51, p < .001; R2change < .001). In hierarchical regression analyses containing ACE sum score and overall household experience, overall household experience was not uniquely related to DASS-21 (t = -0.22, p = .824; R2change < .01). In conclusion, ACEs relate to comorbid disorders in SUD youth. Our exploratory research suggests that ACE frequency might influence this relation, while overall household experience does not further explain this relation. Further research should investigate which ACE measures (a.o., type, frequency) strongly relate to SUDs and psychopathology and examine improved treatment options.Show less
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is characterised by fear of negative evaluation from others, causing avoidance behaviour and various functional impairments. Subclinical social anxiety (SSA) involves...Show moreSocial Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is characterised by fear of negative evaluation from others, causing avoidance behaviour and various functional impairments. Subclinical social anxiety (SSA) involves fear of negative evaluation without the avoidance behaviour or accompanying functional impairments. Findings of grey matter characteristic (GMC) abnormalities in SAD have been inconsistent, with both increased and decreased grey matter volume and cortical thickness found in various areas, as well as no differences between individuals with SAD and those with no social anxiety diagnosis (ND). Emerging studies in SSA have found increased grey matter volume in multiple brain areas. Correlations between social anxiety symptom severity and GMCs have suggested a linear relationship between symptom severity and the extent of abnormalities. This study assessed whether GMCs differ between participants with ND and SAD or SSA, and whether GMCs correlate with symptom severity. Participants (N = 61, aged between 9.15 and 59.58 years) were divided into three groups – SAD, SSA, and ND – based on diagnostic interviews using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview-Plus or -Kid. Symptom severity was determined using the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale or Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents. GMC data was collected using magnetic resonance imaging. Seven regions of interest (ROIs) were analysed: the amygdala, hippocampus, putamen, temporal pole, inferior temporal gyrus, and insula. Exploratory analyses were conducted on a further 35 brain areas. No differences between SAD or SSA and ND groups, nor any correlations between symptom severity and GMCs, were found in any ROI. Exploratory analyses revealed a smaller left pars opercularis in individuals with SAD than with SSA or ND, and a correlation between symptom severity and cortical surface area in the right bank superior temporal sulcus. The present study did not provide evidence for differences in GMC between participants with SAD or SSA and ND in any ROI. This is consistent with previous work reporting null-findings. There were, however, differences in the left pars opercularis and correlations in the right bank superior temporal sulcus. Larger studies using voxel-based morphometry, or studies assessing how comorbidities impact differences between individuals with SAD or SSA and ND would expand upon the results of this study.Show less
