Social Psychiatry And Psychiatric Epidemiology[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Adolescent social media use and psychiatric outcomes: a longitudinal mediation analysis via interpersonal distrust, sleep, and self-image.
Tsomokos DI
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2025 Sep · PMID 41023207 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: The present study investigated the longitudinal associations between social media use (SMU) in early adolescence (age 11) and psychiatric outcomes (age 17) via interpersonal distrust, later bedtime, and negative...
PURPOSE: The present study investigated the longitudinal associations between social media use (SMU) in early adolescence (age 11) and psychiatric outcomes (age 17) via interpersonal distrust, later bedtime, and negative self-image (age 14) after controlling for prior mental health (age 7) and a range of confounders. METHODS: A structural equation model linked SMU to psychological distress (Kessler-6) via distrust, time-to-sleep, and negative self-perception, using data from a birth cohort in the United Kingdom. From 12,732 eligible adolescents at age 11 (interviewed January 2012 to February 2013), 8,913 participants (52% female, 18% non-White) had complete data on exposure and outcome, thus included in the analytic sample. Sex-stratified analyses were performed, as well as secondary outcome analyses for internalizing/externalizing problems, and a latent variable of 'psychiatric problems' (depression/anxiety diagnosis, self-harm, suicidality). RESULTS: There were significant indirect paths through distrust (standardized [Formula: see text]), later time-to-sleep ([Formula: see text]), and negative self-perception ([Formula: see text]) after adjustments. The path through distrust was significant for females but not for males, whereas the two other indirect paths were significant for both males and females (this also held true for internalizing, externalizing, and psychiatric problems). Use of self-report measures and a lack of detailed information on the nature of SMU limit these findings. CONCLUSION: Social media use is prospectively associated with psychiatric symptoms in adolescence to the extent that it fosters interpersonal distrust, delays bedtime, and degrades self-image, especially for females. Interventions aimed at promoting trust and belonging, good sleep hygiene, and positive self-image, should be considered from a public health perspective.
Socioeconomic status modifies the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and cognitive outcomes: results from the Collaborative PROMED-COG Pooled Cohorts Study.
Prinelli F, Noale M, Conti S … +9 more , Ravelli A, Sergi G, Maggi S, Ceolin C, Brennan L, de Groot LC, McEvoy CT, Trevisan C, PROMED-COG Consortium
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 Apr · PMID 41023206 · Full text
BACKGROUND: This study examines whether adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), alone and combined with physical activity (MedEx), is associated with cognitive decline and dementia incidence, with socioeconomic status...
BACKGROUND: This study examines whether adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), alone and combined with physical activity (MedEx), is associated with cognitive decline and dementia incidence, with socioeconomic status (SES) as a potential modifier. METHODS: We included 8,568 subjects (mean age 72.3 ± 9.6 years, 52.4% female) from three pooled Italian population-based studies. MD adherence was assessed using the Panagiotakos algorithm. We analyzed the association of MD and MedEx adherence, both continuously and categorized in tertiles, with cognitive decline and incident dementia using Cox regression. SES modification was examined through interaction analysis and SES-stratified models. RESULTS: Cognitive decline occurred in 38.1% of participants but was not associated with MD adherence. In SES-stratified analysis, among high SES individuals, each 2-point increase in MD adherence reduced cognitive decline risk by 14%, and high MD adherence was associated with a 48% reduction (HR 0.52, 95%CI 0.31-0.90). In this group, medium MedEx adherence reduced cognitive decline risk by 77% (HR 0.23, 95%CI 0.07-0.83). No significant association was found between MD/MedEx adherence and incident dementia (4.2%), regardless of SES. DISCUSSION: SES may modify the relationship between MD and cognitive decline, with greater benefits observed in higher SES groups. Further studies, particularly in vulnerable populations, are needed to inform tailored preventive strategies for cognitive decline.
Four major psychiatric disorders in childhood and early adulthood and siblings' subsequent socioeconomic status: a nationwide register study.
Yang W, Komulainen K, Niemi R … +4 more , Gutvilig M, Böckerman P, Elovainio M, Hakulinen C
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 Apr · PMID 41015582 · Full text
PURPOSE: Previous studies document the clustering of major psychiatric disorders (MPDs) - schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety - among siblings. Few studies have, however, examined whether MPDs during...
PURPOSE: Previous studies document the clustering of major psychiatric disorders (MPDs) - schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety - among siblings. Few studies have, however, examined whether MPDs during childhood and early adulthood are associated with siblings' future socioeconomic status (SES). METHODS: This cohort study included 57,537 full siblings, 4653 paternal, and 5053 maternal half-siblings of individuals with MPDs (affected probands) born in Finland between 1970 and 1990. We defined the reference groups as identical types of siblings of individuals without an MPD diagnosis (unaffected probands) and followed both siblings of the affected and unaffected probands until December 31, 2020. MPDs diagnosed among the affected probands at ages 5-25 was obtained from the Finnish Care Register. Their siblings' SES was measured based on employment status, annual disposable income, and educational achievement. Logistic regression, median regression, and generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to estimate the associations. RESULTS: Compared to the siblings of the unaffected probands, the odds of unemployment at the end of follow-up were 35% higher (95% CI: 1.31-1.39) in full siblings of affected probands with an MPD. Full siblings of affected probands were also more likely not to achieve a higher education level (aOR: 1.28, 95% CI 1.24-1.31). The median annual disposable income was 1255.9 EUR lower (95% CI: -1385.6, -1126.3) in full siblings of affected probands. Similar but weaker associations were observed in maternal and paternal half-siblings. Results from GEE models using repeated measurements of income and unemployment were similar. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the socioeconomic consequences associated with MPDs extend to siblings.
Social relationships and risk of cardio-cerebrovascular diseases: a meta-analysis of longitudinal cohort studies.
Liu Z, Li Y, Mei Z … +3 more , Li J, Yan X, Cao C
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 May · PMID 41015581 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Increasing evidence supports the existence of an association between social relationships and cardio-cerebrovascular diseases (CCVDs). However, the magnitude of the association between various social relationshi...
PURPOSE: Increasing evidence supports the existence of an association between social relationships and cardio-cerebrovascular diseases (CCVDs). However, the magnitude of the association between various social relationship factors and CCVDs remains uncertain. METHODS: Four databases were systematically searched to investigate the associations between social relationship factors and CCVDs in the general population. The retrieved longitudinal cohort studies were independently subjected to eligibility screening, data extraction, and quality assessment using the modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale by two reviewers. Relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were pooled using random effects models. We conducted a synthesis across social relationship factors to estimate overall effects for the structural and functional aspects. RESULTS: Thirty cohort studies were included. The meta-analysis revealed that social support (RR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.11-1.47), social isolation (RR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.07-1.22), loneliness (RR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.07-1.37), social integration (RR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.05-1.27) and social network (RR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.02-2.18) were significantly associated with CCVDs. Compared with structural aspects of social relationships, functional aspects were associated with a slightly greater CCVD risk (RR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.13-1.35 vs. RR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.09-1.20). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm that adequate social support, high social integration, and large social networks are associated with a lower CCVD risk, whereas high social isolation and loneliness are associated with a higher risk. Furthermore, functional aspects of social relationships are associated with a slightly greater CCVD risk than structural aspects. This analysis provides evidence that enhancing social relationships may help prevent CCVD.
Drinking patterns and antidepressant medication - a prospective register-linked study among 40 to 60-year-old employees.
Salonsalmi A, Lahti J, Lahelma E … +2 more , Rahkonen O, Lallukka T
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2025 Sep · PMID 41015580 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: To examine the association between drinking patterns and subsequent antidepressant medication using register-linked data. METHODS: The Helsinki Health Study survey (2000-02) of 40- to 60-year-old employees was l...
PURPOSE: To examine the association between drinking patterns and subsequent antidepressant medication using register-linked data. METHODS: The Helsinki Health Study survey (2000-02) of 40- to 60-year-old employees was linked with antidepressant medication data from registers of the Social Insurance Institution of Finland. Drinking patterns included weekly amount of drinking, binge drinking and problem drinking. Cox regression analysis was used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) for the first antidepressant medication purchase during five-year follow-up. Gender, age, occupational position, marital status, relative weight, smoking and leisure-time physical activity were included as covariates. The study included 5727 employees with no antidepressant purchase during 3 years preceding the baseline. RESULTS: Heavy drinking was associated with an increased risk of antidepressant medication compared to moderate drinking (HR 1.53, 95% CI 1.18-1.99). Non-drinkers (1.43, 1.03-1.97), occasional binge drinkers (1.27, 1.06-1.52) and frequent binge drinkers (1.35 (1.02-1.77) showed an association with antidepressant medication compared to non-bingeing drinkers. Problem drinking was associated with antidepressant medication (1.84, 1.54-2.19). The associations remained after adjusting for occupational position and for marital status. The associations concerning heavy drinking and problem drinking remained also after adjusting for relative weight and health behaviours. An additional analysis among participants with prior antidepressant medication before baseline, showed no associations between drinking patterns and subsequent antidepressant medication during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: Alcohol drinking is associated with antidepressant medication among employees. The association is not limited to problem drinking. Paying attention to heavy, binge and problem drinking might help prevent depression.
Unmet need for depression treatment before and after the affordable care act.
Hagen D, Goldmann E, Schwartz RM … +1 more , Moline J
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 Mar · PMID 40993289 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: The 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded access to depression screening and care. However, changes in unmet need for depression treatment and public mental health equity following ACA implementation remain un...
PURPOSE: The 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded access to depression screening and care. However, changes in unmet need for depression treatment and public mental health equity following ACA implementation remain understudied. METHODS: Data from 3,522 respondents to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005 to 2020 were used to examine changes in clinically significant depression symptoms that received neither with pharmacologic nor behavioral health treatment. Modified Poisson regression models were used to estimate the association between time period (post-ACA, 2013-2020 vs. pre-ACA, 2005-2010) and unmet need for depression treatment, both overall and stratified by socio-demographic and health care-related variables. RESULTS: Unmet need for depression treatment decreased from 56% in 2005-10 to 47% in 2013-20, with no significant differences by socio-demographic characteristics. After adjusting for covariates, this corresponded to a 14% reduction in unmet need post- vs. pre-ACA (prevalence ratio (PR) 0.86; CI 0.79,0.95). Only those reporting Medicare vs. another type of insurance coverage experienced a significant decrease in unmet need for depression treatment (PR 0.77; CI 0.60,0.99). A similar decrease in unmet need was observed regardless of having a regular point of care or not, but only detected among those who had used health care services in the prior year (PR 0.80; CI 0.70,0.92) vs. those who had not (PR 1.13; CI 0.92,1.37). CONCLUSION: Unmet need for depression treatment decreased after ACA implementation but remains common. Reductions in barriers to primary care visits and universal screening policies may further decrease unmet need for depression treatment.
Experiences relating to intimacy, romance, and sexuality in early psychosis.
Woolridge SM, Hau I, Wilkinson E … +5 more , Stewart CA, Edirisinghe S, Aidelbaum R, Best MW, Bowie CR
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 Feb · PMID 40983664 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Many individuals experiencing early psychosis identify intimacy, romance, and sexuality as components of their subjective recovery, yet can face illness-related barriers in forming and maintaining close relation...
PURPOSE: Many individuals experiencing early psychosis identify intimacy, romance, and sexuality as components of their subjective recovery, yet can face illness-related barriers in forming and maintaining close relationships. As limited research has examined these barriers in depth, the present study explored specific differences across aspects of intimacy, romance, and sexuality between individuals with and without psychotic disorders. METHODS: Participants with early psychosis (N = 35) and community controls (N = 38) completed questionnaires relating to clinical symptoms, social integration (e.g., loneliness, belongingness), and sexual and romantic functioning, dissatisfaction, and related difficulties. RESULTS: Individuals with early psychosis reported significantly more loneliness, attachment anxiety and avoidance, sexual dissatisfaction, sexual anxiety, and hypersexuality than control participants, as well as significantly lower belongingness, romantic relationship functioning, sexual self-esteem, and sexual optimism. Among individuals currently in a romantic relationship, groups did not differ in relationship satisfaction or investment. Groups also did not differ in sexual distress among individuals who had had sex within the past month. Finally, there were no group differences in sexual self-efficacy, preoccupation, self-blame, motivation, or self-schemata. CONCLUSION: These findings contribute to a sparse literature base regarding intimate, romantic, and sexual aspects of social functioning in psychosis. Future research should continue to explore the relationships between aspects of intimate, romantic, and sexual functioning and other facets of illness and recovery in early psychosis.
How does family face relate to intention to seek therapist-guided and digital self-guided psychological interventions? mediating effects of interdependent stigma and help-seeking attitudes.
Yu BCL, Chio FHN, Cheung RYM … +2 more , Kakani K, Mak WWS
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 May · PMID 40983663 · Full text
PURPOSE: The present study aimed to investigate the association between family face concern and help-seeking intention for therapist-guided and digital self-guided psychological interventions in four cultures, with possi...
PURPOSE: The present study aimed to investigate the association between family face concern and help-seeking intention for therapist-guided and digital self-guided psychological interventions in four cultures, with possible mediation of interdependent stigma of help-seeking and attitudes towards seeking help. METHODS: Using online questionnaires, six-hundred and forty-five responses (Mean age = 21.25, SD = 4.65; 70% women) were collected from college students in four regions, including Canada (n = 172), United Kingdom (n = 158), India (n = 160), and Hong Kong (n = 155). Levels of family face concern (adapted from the Face Concern Scale), interdependent stigma of help-seeking (Interdependent Stigma of Seeking Help Scale), attitudes towards therapist-guided and digital self-guided psychological intervention (adapted Face-to-Face Counselling Attitude Scale), intention to seek these interventions (items adapted to measure intention to seek help), and depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) were assessed. RESULTS: Using R (version 4.4.1) to conduct the path analysis, results showed that after controlling for depressive symptoms, family face concern was negatively associated with the intention to seek therapist-guided psychological intervention through the perception of higher social stigma on family members and negative attitudes towards the intervention. However, such a mediating effect was not significant for the intention to seek digital self-guided psychological intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The present study highlighted the potential negative influence of family face concern on one's intention to seek psychological help. It also highlighted that digital self-guided psychological intervention may be less subject to the influence of family face concern and stigma.
Psychiatric outcomes and long-term school and work-related disability in offspring of parents with depression and treatment-resistant depression.
Brenner P, Taipale H, Josefsson P … +4 more , DiBernardo A, Tanskanen A, Mittendorfer-Rutz E, Reutfors J
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 Mar · PMID 40983662 · Full text
PURPOSE: To investigate the risk for adverse outcomes among offspring of parents with depression and with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), compared with matched offspring in the general population. METHODS: Parents...
PURPOSE: To investigate the risk for adverse outcomes among offspring of parents with depression and with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), compared with matched offspring in the general population. METHODS: Parents diagnosed with depression in specialized psychiatric care in 2006-2018 were identified in nation-wide Swedish registers. Those starting a third sequential antidepressant trial were defined as treatment-resistant. Parents and their 2,359 first-born offspring, aged 6-15 years when parents were defined with TRD, were closely matched 1:1 with parent-offspring pairs with other parental depression as well as with parent-offspring pairs from the general population. Offspring cohorts were followed prospectively for psychiatric outcomes and school- and work-related disability. RESULTS: Offspring of parents with both TRD and other depression had substantially elevated risks for all outcomes compared to general population offspring. Adjusted hazard ratios for offspring of parents with TRD were: depression 4.6 (95%CI 3.2-6.5); contact with psychiatry 3.3 (2.8-4.0); psychiatric medication 3.6 (3.0-4.2); suicide attempt 3.2 (1.9-5.5); sick leave for mental health reasons 2.3 (1.1-4.6); and disability pension 4.2 (2.2-8.1). The adjusted odds ratio for non-completion of secondary school when expected was 2.1 (1.5-2.9). In direct comparisons between offspring of parents with TRD vs. other depression, relative risks for all outcomes were similar, with no statistically significant differences. CONCLUSION: Offspring of parents with TRD and other depression are at similarly elevated risks of adverse clinical, educational, and work-related outcomes. Parental TRD, as defined in administrative health care data, may not serve as a risk indicator for long-term offspring burden in parental depression.
What works for whom: a systematic review of inequalities in inclusion and effectiveness of social interventions for mental ill- health.
Greenburgh A, Baldwin H, Weir H … +10 more , Asif Z, Laporte D, Bertram M, Crawford A, Duberry G, Lauter S, Lloyd-Evans B, Lovelock C, Das-Munshi J, Morgan C
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2025 Sep · PMID 40983661 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: People living with mental ill-health experience social and economic disadvantages, which contribute to poor outcomes and limit effectiveness of treatments. Interventions to improve social and economic circumstan...
PURPOSE: People living with mental ill-health experience social and economic disadvantages, which contribute to poor outcomes and limit effectiveness of treatments. Interventions to improve social and economic circumstances have been developed, however, little is known about whether these interventions are effective for the most marginalised and disadvantaged groups, and those most in need of support. METHOD: We conducted a systematic review in line with a pre-defined protocol to identify interventions to improve the social and economic circumstances of people experiencing mental ill-health. We included relevant records from two previous systematic reviews and updated their searches across four databases. We synthesised the intervention domains and locations of research, participant characteristics, and if effectiveness varied by participant gender, socioeconomic position, and race or ethnicity, and related indicators. We worked in partnership with an advisory board including those with relevant lived experience to conduct this work. RESULTS: We identified 266 relevant studies across 34 countries. Certain intervention domains were better researched than others (e.g. housing and employment vs. debt and social security advice). Participant characteristics were poorly reported resulting in a limited understanding of inclusiveness and generalisability of research. Only 8% of papers reported any stratified results and statistical reporting standards were poor, limiting our ability to determine what works for whom. Results from 4 RCTs indicated that interventions are less effective for those in lower socioeconomic groups. CONCLUSION: Improved reporting and representation of marginalised groups, stratified analyses of intervention data, and replication of results is needed to confidently draw conclusions about what works for whom in this field.
Typologies of hurricane trauma exposure: a person centered approach.
Duque M, Garcia MF, Antonaccio C … +7 more , Sandberg S, Sehun O, Bates MM, Rodriguez J, Maldonado-Molina MM, Schwartz SJ, Salas-Wright CP
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 May · PMID 40962951 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Hurricane María (2017) and the subsequent large-scale migration of Puerto Ricans serve as a stark example of how extreme weather events, population displacement, and equity concerns impact the health of vulnerab...
PURPOSE: Hurricane María (2017) and the subsequent large-scale migration of Puerto Ricans serve as a stark example of how extreme weather events, population displacement, and equity concerns impact the health of vulnerable populations. The aim of the present study is to examine the classes of hurricane-related experiences among Puerto Rican "María migrants" and to assess the relationship between different types of hurricane exposure and posttraumatic stress. METHODS: The present study was conducted with 319 Puerto Rican Hurricane María migrants on the U.S. mainland. Using a person-centered approach, we aimed to identify (1) typologies of hurricane trauma exposure and (2) mapped these latent classes onto positive PTSD screens, sociodemographic characteristics, and geographic location in Puerto Rico at the time of the storm using descriptive spatial analysis tools. RESULTS: Notwithstanding the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane María across Puerto Rico, the disaster did not affect María migrants equally. We extracted four latent classes of hurricane trauma exposure: (a) Universal Loss (59.2%), (b) Job Loss + No Food/Water (28.7%), (c) Multidimensional Exposure (5.6%), and (d) Universal loss + Injury (6.5%). By far, the highest rates of positive PTSD screens were reported among members of the Multidimensional Exposure (5.6%) class, as 59% of individuals in this class screened positive for PTSD. CONCLUSIONS: Positive PTSD screens are better explained by hurricane trauma typology than by geographic proximity to the hurricane's landfall or remoteness from urban centers. Implications for practice and policy are discussed.
Hispanic sexual minority individuals, linguistic acculturation, and behavioral health: Evidence of a healthy migrant effect.
Hodges JC, Oh S, Salas-Wright CP
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 Feb · PMID 40962950 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Stress-based theories suggest that sexual minority Hispanic migrants are at increased risk of adverse behavioral health outcomes. However, a body of descriptive evidence shows migrants exhibit improved health ou...
PURPOSE: Stress-based theories suggest that sexual minority Hispanic migrants are at increased risk of adverse behavioral health outcomes. However, a body of descriptive evidence shows migrants exhibit improved health outcomes. Responding to calls for intersectional investigations of the 'healthy migrant effect,' we quantitatively examine whether sexual minority status moderates the relationship between English proficiency (a proxy for acculturation) and behavioral health. METHODS: We used pooled cross-sectional data from the Hispanic respondents to the 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. We used logistic regression models to examine the association of the level of English proficiency with past-year major depressive episode (MDE) and past-year substance use disorder (SUD) and used interactions to examine the moderating effect of sexual minority status. RESULTS: For both MDE and SUD, sexual minority Hispanic individuals with lower levels of English proficiency had lower odds of reporting adverse outcomes than sexual minority individuals with higher levels of English proficiency and did not have significantly different outcomes than their heterosexual counterparts. The direction of these relationships did not change when stratified by gender. CONCLUSIONS: There appears to be a healthy migrant effect with regard to sexual minority Hispanic individuals and behavioral health outcomes. This also suggests that acculturation may be a uniquely important risk factor for this population. Preventative efforts should be targeted at this group to avoid the development of behavioral health concerns.
From loneliness to depression: A longitudinal diagnostic study among Norwegian university students.
Hysing M, Petrie KJ, Harvey AG … +1 more , Sivertsen B
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 Mar · PMID 40962949 · Full text
PURPOSE: Loneliness is an increasing public health concern among young adults. There is insufficient prior research on the association between loneliness and depressive disorder among students in higher education. METHOD...
PURPOSE: Loneliness is an increasing public health concern among young adults. There is insufficient prior research on the association between loneliness and depressive disorder among students in higher education. METHODS: This prospective population-based cohort study from Norway invited all full-time students aged 18-35 to participate in the 2022 Students' Health and Wellbeing Study (SHoT). Of the 53,362 respondents, a subgroup of 16,418 students was randomly selected for diagnostic follow-up, with valid data from 10,460 participants. Loneliness was assessed in 2022 using the Three-Item Loneliness Scale (T-ILS) and Major Depressive Episodes (MDE) were assessed in 2023 using a self-administered electronic version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, version 5.0 (CIDI 5.0). RESULTS: A clear dose-response relationship was observed: students in the highest loneliness quintile had a substantially increased risk of MDE one year later. After adjusting for age and baseline anxiety and depression symptoms, the relative risk (RR) for MDE in the highest versus lowest T-ILS quintile was 2.02 (95% CI: 1.58-2.63) for females and 2.64 (95% CI: 1.63-4.49) for males-representing a ~ 70-75% reduction from unadjusted estimates. The overall prevalence of MDE was 21.1% in females and 11.2% in males. Formal interaction analyses indicated a statistically significant multiplicative interaction by sex, but no evidence of additive interaction. CONCLUSIONS: Loneliness is a strong and independent predictor of MDE in young adults, even after accounting for baseline mental health. Targeting loneliness may be important for preventing depression in university populations.
A latent profile analysis of positive psychotic symptoms and dissociative symptoms in the general population: their associations with childhood trauma and outcomes.
Yu BH, Chau AKC, Chiu C … +1 more , So SH
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 Feb · PMID 40954345 · Full text
PURPOSE: Psychosis and dissociation are inter-correlated syndromes. As they are both multifaceted constructs, individuals experiencing positive psychotic and dissociative symptoms may have heterogeneous presentations of...
PURPOSE: Psychosis and dissociation are inter-correlated syndromes. As they are both multifaceted constructs, individuals experiencing positive psychotic and dissociative symptoms may have heterogeneous presentations of co-occurring symptomatology. This study aimed to identify phenotypes of individuals with varying degrees of these co-occurring symptoms in the general population, while also examining the impact of childhood trauma and prospective emotional and functional outcomes associated with these phenotypes. METHOD: Participants were recruited from the general population through diverse means. At baseline and six months after, adults (age 18-65) were assessed for positive psychotic symptoms, dissociative symptoms, depression, anxiety, and functioning using an online survey. Childhood trauma was assessed at baseline only. Distinct subgroups were estimated by latent profile analysis, with childhood trauma examined as predictor of the profiles. The identified profiles were compared on emotional and functional outcomes at both timepoints. RESULTS: The community sample consisted of 2,958 individuals (mean age = 34.69; 72.5% female). Four distinct profiles were identified - 'low overall', 'moderate (hallucinatory)', 'moderate (dissociative)', and 'high overall'. Emotional/sexual abuse and physical neglect notably differentiated the 'low overall' profile from the other three profiles, with sexual abuse specifically linked to the 'high overall' and 'moderate (hallucinatory)' profiles. The 'high overall' and 'moderate (dissociative)' profiles exhibited persistent elevated depression across timepoints than the other profiles. CONCLUSIONS: Distinct profiles of varying levels of co-occurring positive psychotic and dissociative symptoms were identified in the general population. The implications for early identification and intervention of these commonly co-occurring symptoms are discussed.
Association of social determinants of health and psychological distress among adults in the united states: a cross-sectional study.
Wei J, He L, Fan L … +3 more , Xia F, Chen L, Wang T
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 Apr · PMID 40954344 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Psychological distress (PD) affects health and healthcare utilization. This study uses a novel, comprehensive social determinants of health (SDOH) risk score to examine the association between cumulative social...
PURPOSE: Psychological distress (PD) affects health and healthcare utilization. This study uses a novel, comprehensive social determinants of health (SDOH) risk score to examine the association between cumulative social disadvantage and PD in a large, nationally representative sample from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). METHODS: Data from the 2013 to 2017 NHIS was employed, including 124,361 adults aged ≥ 18 years. The Kessler 6 scale was used to assess PD. We measured SDOH across five domains: economic stability, education, healthcare system, neighborhood, and food security. An SDOH aggregate score was calculated, representing the cumulative number of individual unfavorable SDOH. Multivariable models were utilized to examine the association between SDOH score quartiles and PD. RESULTS: A total of 124,361 adults (mean [SD] age 50.2 [18.1] years; 67,035 women [53.9%]) were included in the analysis. In models fully adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, region, cardiovascular risk factors, atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, and comorbidities, participants in the highest quartile of adverse SDOH burden (Q4) were associated with higher odds of moderate PD (OR, 3.67; 95% CI, 3.42-3.93) and severe PD (OR, 15.23; 95% CI, 11.97-19.36), respectively, than those in Q1. At nearly each quartile, a higher prevalence rate of PD was observed among females, middle-aged, and non-Hispanic White adults compared to their counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: In a large, nationally representative sample of US adults, adverse SDOH was associated with increased PD. Assessing and mitigating the multifaceted adverse SDOH could serve as a strategy to help identify individuals with PD and improve existing PD prevention frameworks.
Food insecurity and postnatal depression: the mediating effect of perceived social support among women in Khayelitsha, South Africa.
Mathew S, Lund C, Seward N
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 Feb · PMID 40913204 · Full text
PURPOSE: Understanding the mechanisms through which poverty influences perinatal depression can provide insight into how to develop interventions to improve maternal mental health. To address this question, we aim to est...
PURPOSE: Understanding the mechanisms through which poverty influences perinatal depression can provide insight into how to develop interventions to improve maternal mental health. To address this question, we aim to estimate indirect effects of important mediators on the causal relationship between food insecurity and symptoms of postnatal depression. METHODS: We used data from the control arm of the Africa Focus on Intervention Research for Mental health - South Africa (AFFIRM-SA) trial that included pregnant women with perinatal depression. Interventional effects (used for models that may have multiple correlated mediators) were used to decompose the total effect of food insecurity captured at baseline on symptoms of perinatal depression reducing by at least 40% (using the 17-item HDRS instrument - yes/no) at three months after delivery of the baby, into the following indirect effects: number of antenatal visits attended; suicidality at eight months gestation; and levels of social support captured at eight months gestation using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. RESULTS: Food insecurity was associated with a 15% reduced probability of symptoms of depression improving at three months post-delivery (-0·151, bias-corrected 95% CI: - 0.267, -0·032), of which 48% was mediated through reduced levels of social support in women exposed to food insecurity (-0.073: bias-corrected 95% CI: -0.146, -0.029). There was no conclusive evidence to support the mediating effects of attending antenatal visits and suicidality. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that providing social support can help to reduce symptoms of postnatal depression. Future research should explore developing and evaluating a package of care for pregnant women with perinatal depression that improves food security and levels of social support. This research suggests that policy makers and practitioners have a renewed focus on increasing social support systems for women during the perinatal period, especially in cases of food insecurity.
Differences in emotion regulation components underlie the sexual orientation disparity in depressive symptoms: a prospective, Population-based study of young adults.
Seager van Dyk I, Rutherford CG, Pachankis JE … +2 more , Bränström R, Hatzenbuehler ML
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 Feb · PMID 40913203 · Full text
PURPOSE: Hatzenbuehler's psychological mediation framework proposes that difficulties in emotion regulation (ER), which are driven in part by excess exposure to stigma-related experiences, contribute to sexual orientatio...
PURPOSE: Hatzenbuehler's psychological mediation framework proposes that difficulties in emotion regulation (ER), which are driven in part by excess exposure to stigma-related experiences, contribute to sexual orientation-related mental health disparities. However, existing research on the framework has largely focused on a small number of ER variables in non-probability samples. METHODS: To address these limitations, we examined whether a large complement of ER components mediates the prospective association between sexual minority status and depressive symptoms, using longitudinal data from a population-based sample of 1,208 Swedish young adults (aged 18-35). Data were collected in 2020 (ER, depressive symptoms) and 2021 (depressive symptoms). Participants completed 12 measures of ER, spanning a diverse array of ER constructs (e.g., emotional awareness, cognitive reappraisal, access to ER strategies). RESULTS: Sexual minorities exhibited significantly more ER difficulties on nine out of the 12 ER components, and higher depressive symptoms, compared to heterosexuals. Eight of the 12 ER components independently mediated the association between sexual minority status and increases in depressive symptoms one year later, and two components (brooding rumination, difficulty identifying positive emotions) mediated this relationship when all 12 ER components were entered into the model simultaneously. CONCLUSION: These findings provide evidence from a population-based, longitudinal study that a wide range of ER factors underlie sexual orientation-related disparities in depressive symptoms during a developmental period of heightened risk.
The interplay of alcohol use symptoms and sociodemographic factors in the HELIUS study: A network perspective.
Huth KBS, Zavlis O, Luigjes J … +7 more , Galenkamp H, Lok A, Stronks K, Bockting CLH, Goudriaan A, Marsman M, van Holst RJ
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2025 Nov · PMID 40888934 · Full text
PURPOSE: Research on alcohol use disorder has exclusively focused on either its symptom-level mechanisms-the network perspective or sociodemographic determinants-epidemiological research. Moreover, such research failed t...
PURPOSE: Research on alcohol use disorder has exclusively focused on either its symptom-level mechanisms-the network perspective or sociodemographic determinants-epidemiological research. Moreover, such research failed to stratify analyses for important person-level factors (e.g., sex or ethnicity). Here, we combine network and epidemiological research and stratify analyses by person-level factors. METHOD: Using Bayesian inference, we estimated (1) a logistic regression model predicting past-year alcohol consumption from various sociodemographic factors within a large, multiethnic, urban sample in the Netherlands (complete sample: N = 22,164), (2) a cross-sectional network model of alcohol use symptoms and sociodemographic factors among alcohol drinkers of the same sample (drinkers: N = 10,877), and (3) stratified networks at the sex- and ethnic- levels in the same drinkers subsample. RESULTS: All of our examined sociodemographic factors predicted past-year alcohol consumption (in order of magnitude: religion, sex, education, employment, perceived ethnic discrimination, and age). Our Bayesian analysis of networks revealed three notable patterns. First, religion was uniquely and negatively related to adverse alcohol use problems (such as having an injury due to drinking). Second, socioeconomic proxies (education and employment) were positively related to binge drinking, but negatively related to its adverse effects (such as 'needing a drink in the morning'). Finally, employment and education were particularly negatively related to alcohol use symptoms within male and female networks, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that alcohol use symptoms are differentially related to sociodemographic factors and that these effects are moderated by sex and ethnicity. Our highlighted network links and Bayesian methodologies could prove useful for future research and prevention and intervention efforts on alcohol use disorders.Word count: 4198 words.
Genetic susceptibility to depressive symptoms in middle-aged to older Americans: time-varying effects and effect modification by early psychosocial factors.
Wilding HE, Dyer WG, Sutara B … +4 more , Lee SH, Linden-Carmichael AN, Lanza ST, Lee HH
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2026 Jun · PMID 40885866 · Full text
PURPOSE: We examined age-varying genetic influences on depression across young adulthood to older adulthood and the moderating role of early psychosocial factors. METHODS: Data are from the Health and Retirement Study (H...
PURPOSE: We examined age-varying genetic influences on depression across young adulthood to older adulthood and the moderating role of early psychosocial factors. METHODS: Data are from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) with 6,977 European Americans (57% women) from 2006 to 2016 (M age 62.4 ± 14.3, range 26-101 years in 2006). The polygenic score (PGS) for major depression was operationalized as a binary variable at the 75th percentile. Early psychosocial factors examined included maternal warmth, parental education, perceived financial status, and childhood stressful events. Depressive symptoms were measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D; range: 0-8). We utilized time-varying effect modeling to determine the survey wave when genetic risk most affected depressive symptoms. Within this wave, we analyzed the age-varying effect of genetic risk on depressive symptoms and conducted interaction analyses between PGS with each early psychosocial factor. RESULTS: The wave-varying effect model revealed that the genetic effect was strongest in 2006. During that year, genetic effects remained significant and stable across age groups, from middle-aged to older adults. In 2006, without negative experiences, those at high genetic risk for depression had 51-60% higher odds of depressive symptoms (CES-D ≥ 3). Conversely, without genetic risk, adverse early psychosocial factors raised depression risk by 37-54%. No multiplicative or additive interaction was observed between genetic risk and psychosocial factors. CONCLUSION: Identifying individuals with higher genetic susceptibility and adverse early experiences may inform targeted preventive approaches.
Long-term labour market outcomes of anorexia nervosa - the Northern Finland birth cohort 1986.
Majuri T, Wilén E, Huikari S … +1 more , Korhonen M
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol · 2025 Aug · PMID 40858910 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is one of the most severe mental disorders in adolescence, yet it generally has a favourable long-term prognosis. However, evidence on the long-term labour market outcomes of AN is scarce a...
PURPOSE: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is one of the most severe mental disorders in adolescence, yet it generally has a favourable long-term prognosis. However, evidence on the long-term labour market outcomes of AN is scarce and has several key limitations. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive assessment of the current long-term labour market outcomes of AN, examining unemployment, sickness absences, and income up to age 33. METHODS: Utilizing data from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986, linked to national registers, we compared unemployment days, sickness absences, and income between individuals with AN (n = 165) and the rest of the cohort (control group, CG; n = 4884) using the Welch's t-test and two-part regression models. The analyses were stratified by sex. RESULTS: Compared to the CG, both males and females with AN had lower cumulative income in 2011-2016. AN was associated with a greater number of unemployment days among both males and females who had any unemployment days. No significant differences in sick days in 2011-2019 were found between individuals with AN and the CG in either sex. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the association between AN and poor labour market outcomes, particularly regarding income accumulation. More effective strategies are needed to identify and support individuals with AN, especially males, who tend to experience worse outcomes. Increasing awareness of AN among students and in workplaces, enhancing collaboration between services, and implementing early, cost-effective interventions are essential for improving labour market prospects.
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