Longitudinal links between identity and substance use in adolescence

Identity development has been linked to substance use, but the directionality of this relationship remains unclear. We examined the longitudinal associations of educational and relational identity with substance use across three annual waves in 360 Dutch adolescents (M age = 13.7 years). We found three latent profiles using the identity dimensions of commitment, exploration, and reconsideration as indicators. Using classification probabilities to determine participants’ clusters at each time point, we distinguished stable, progressive, and regressive identity transition groups. No longitudinal associations were found between identity status transitions and substance use in either direction, but we did find significant cross-sectional correlations. Therefore, our findings do not support a directional process, but hint at a spectrum/continuity or common cause model

Quantitative spectrally resolved imaging through a spectrograph

A grating spectrograph can be used for spectrally selective two-dimensional imaging if it is operated with a broad entrance slit. The resulting intensity distribution in its exit plane is a one-dimensional convolution of the spatial and spectral distributions of incident light. We present a dedicated deconvolution filter to reconstruct the spatial image from the spectrograph output. The algorithm is illustrated on Raman imaging of an underexpanded dry air jet. Recorded Raman images correspond to density maps convolved with the Raman spectrum of air; the latter essentially acts as a blurring function for the density map. The deconvolution filter combines the individual images recorded in the O-2 and N-2 Raman bands into a single image of relative air density. (C) 2003 Optical Society of America

Quantitative spectrally resolved imaging through a spectrograph

A grating spectrograph can be used for spectrally selective two-dimensional imaging if it is operated with a broad entrance slit. The resulting intensity distribution in its exit plane is a one-dimensional convolution of the spatial and spectral distributions of incident light. We present a dedicated deconvolution filter to reconstruct the spatial image from the spectrograph output. The algorithm is illustrated on Raman imaging of an underexpanded dry air jet. Recorded Raman images correspond to density maps convolved with the Raman spectrum of air; the latter essentially acts as a blurring function for the density map. The deconvolution filter combines the individual images recorded in the O-2 and N-2 Raman bands into a single image of relative air density. (C) 2003 Optical Society of America

Effects of structural and dynamic family characteristics on the development of depressive and aggressive problems during adolescence. The TRAILS study

Both structural (i.e., SES, familial psychopathology, family composition) and dynamic (i.e., parental warmth and rejection) family characteristics have been associated with aggressive and depressive problem development. However, it is unclear to what extent (changes in) dynamic family characteristics have an independent effect on problem development while accounting for stable family characteristics and comorbid problem development. This issue was addressed by studying problem development in a large community sample (N = 2,230; age 10-20) of adolescents using Linear Mixed models. Paternal and maternal warmth and rejection were assessed via the Egna Minnen Betraffande Uppfostran for Children (EMBU-C). Aggressive and depressive problems were assessed via subscales of the Youth/Adult Self-Report. Results showed that dynamic family characteristics independently affected the development of aggressive problems. Moreover, maternal rejection in preadolescence and increases in paternal rejection were associated with aggressive problems, whereas decreases in maternal rejection were associated with decreases in depressive problems over time. Paternal and maternal warmth in preadolescence was associated with fewer depressive problems during adolescence. Moreover, increases in paternal warmth were associated with fewer depressive problems over time. Aggressive problems were a stable predictor of depressive problems over time. Finally, those who increased in depressive problems became more aggressive during adolescence, whereas those who decreased in depressive problems became also less aggressive. Besides the effect of comorbid problems, problem development is to a large extent due to dynamic family characteristics, and in particular to changes in parental rejection, which leaves much room for parenting-based interventions

Mediation of Sensation Seeking and Behavioral Inhibition on the Relationship Between Heart Rate and Antisocial Behavior: The TRAILS Study

Objective: Why is low resting heart rate (HR) associated with antisocial behavior (ASB), i.e., aggression and rule breaking, in adolescence? Theory suggests that personality traits mediate this relationship but differently with age. In the present study this age-effect hypothesis is tested; we expected that the relationship between HR and aggression would be mediated in preadolescence by the personality trait behavioral inhibition, but not by sensation seeking. However, the relationship between HR and rule breaking in adolescence was predicted to be mediated by sensation seeking, but not by behavioral inhibition. Hypotheses were tested separately for boys and girls. Method: HR in supine position was assessed in repondents to the TRacking Adolescents' Individual Lives Survey (TRAILS) (N = 1,752; 48.5% boys) at age 11 years. Rule breaking and aggression at age 16 were assessed with two subscales from the Youth Self Report (YSR) questionnaire. Personality (i.e., sensation seeking and behavioral inhibition) was measured at ages 11, 13.5, and 16 with the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire Revised (EATQ-R), Behavioral inhibition System/ Behavioral Activation System (BIS/BAS) scales, or NEO Personality-Index Revised (NEO-PI-R). Results: in boys, lower HR was associated with aggression and rule breaking in adolescence. The association between HR and rule breaking was mediated by sensation seeking in adolescence but not in preadolescence. Girls' HR was not associated with ASB, and no mediating effects were found. Conclusions: Our findings support the age-effect hypothesis in boys' rule breaking behavior. This shows that the association between HR and ASB depends on age, gender, and subtype of ASB. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 2010;49(5):493-502