The Australian temperament project: the first 30 years

The Australian Temperament Project (ATP) is a longitudinal study of the psychosocial development of a large and representative sample of Australian children born in the state of Victoria, Australia between September 1982 and January 1983.The study aims to trace the pathways to psychosocial adjustment and maladjustment across the lifespan, and to investigate the contribution of personal, family and environmental factors to development and wellbeing.<br /

Collaborative meta-analysis finds no evidence of a strong interaction between stress and 5-HTTLPR genotype contributing to the development of depression

The hypothesis that the S allele of the 5-HTTLPR serotonin transporter promoter region is associated with increased risk of depression, but only in individuals exposed to stressful situations, has generated much interest, research, and controversy since first proposed in 2003. Multiple meta-analyses combining results from heterogeneous analyses have not settled the issue. To determine the magnitude of the interaction and the conditions under which it might be observed, we performed new analyses on 31 datasets containing 38 802 European-ancestry subjects genotyped for 5-HTTLPR and assessed for depression and childhood maltreatment or other stressful life events, and meta-analyzed the results. Analyses targeted two stressors (narrow, broad) and two depression outcomes (current, lifetime). All groups that published on this topic prior to the initiation of our study and met the assessment and sample size criteria were invited to participate. Additional groups, identified by consortium members or self-identified in response to our protocol (published prior to the start of analysis1) with qualifying unpublished data were also invited to participate. A uniform data analysis script implementing the protocol was executed by each of the consortium members. Our findings do not support the interaction hypothesis. We found no subgroups or variable definitions for which an interaction between stress and 5-HTTLPR genotype was statistically significant. In contrast, our findings for the main effects of life stressors (strong risk factor) and 5-HTTLPR genotype (no impact on risk) are strikingly consistent across our contributing studies, the original study reporting the interaction, and subsequent meta-analyses. Our conclusion is that if an interaction exists in which the S allele of 5-HTTLPR increases risk of depression only in stressed individuals, then it is not broadly generalizable, but must be of modest effect size and only observable in limited situations

The role of the serotonin transporter gene, brain structure and family environment in the emergence of depression during adolescence

© 2017 Dr. Keriann LittleRecent findings suggest that complex interrelations between genetics, brain structure and environmental contexts, including stressors and family processes, may have a role in the development of depressive disorders. The role of a functional variant in the 5-HT transporter promoter region polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) and its potential interaction with adverse, stressful life events in predicting depression has been the focus of considerable research attention. The validity of this gene-environment interaction, however, has been queried due to inconsistent findings. The current thesis aims to enhance current understanding of this interaction by considering how two different dimensions of environmental experience (threat versus deprivation) might interact with the serotonin transporter gene during adolescence, while also investigating potential underlying neurobiological mechanisms. Three interconnected studies were conducted that examined the interplay between the serotonin transporter gene, family environment, brain regions of interest and depression. Study 1 examined whether 5-HTTLPR moderated associations between (1) high levels of negative, harsh, critical parenting behaviours (as an index of more threatening environments) and subsequent depression and (2) low levels of positive, supportive parenting behaviours (as an index of more deprived environments) and subsequent depression during adolescence. These GxE interactions were tested in adolescents from two independent longitudinal studies, the Australian Temperament Study (ATP, n=681) a population based sample that relied on questionnaire measures of environment and depression, and the Orygen Adolescent Development Study (ADS, n=174) a sample enhanced for temperamental risk and resilience factors for internalising conditions, that drew on observational measures of the environment and semi-standardised clinical interview measures of depression. In both studies, adolescents carrying at least one copy of the S-allele appeared to be buffered against risk for depression in the context of low positive parenting, whilst adolescents in the L-homozygous group were at greater risk for depression with decreasing levels of positive parenting. Negative parenting did not interact with serotonin transporter genotype in either study. Study 2 was based on the ADS and examined the extent to which variation in hippocampus, amygdala, orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) volumes in early adolescence mediated a putative association between 5-HTTLPR genotype and first onset of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) over a six year period. Increasing copies of S-alleles predicted smaller left hippocampal volume, which in turn was associated with increased risk of experiencing a first onset of MDD. Increasing copies of S-alleles also predicted both smaller left and right medial OFC volumes, although neither left nor right medial OFC volumes was prospectively associated with a first episode of MDD during adolescence. Study 3 was also based on the ADS and employed an imaging-gene x environment (IGxE) framework to investigate whether the strength of the imaging genetics pathway involving the hippocampus that was identified in Study 2 differed as a function of parenting behaviour. Results were consistent with the presence of an indirect effect of the serotonin transporter S-allele on depression onset via smaller left and right hippocampal volumes that was significant only in family environments involving either higher levels of negative parenting or lower levels of positive parenting. The previously reported finding of S-allele carriers’ increased risk of depression in adverse environments may therefore be partly due to the effects of these environments on a neurobiological pathway from the serotonin transporter gene to depression onset that proceeds through variation in hippocampal volume. It is hoped that approaches that aim to integrate genetic, environmental and neurobiological factors such as those utilised in this thesis will improve the likelihood of developing more targeted prevention and intervention opportunities for individuals at risk of or already experiencing clinical depression

Psychosocial profiles of adolescents from dissolved families: differences in depressive symptoms in emerging adulthood

BACKGROUND: When parents separate, on average, children are at greater risk for concurrent and subsequent depression; however, mean outcomes mask substantial variation in depressive risk. This study aimed to (1) identify multivariate risk profiles (classes) in adolescents from separated families and (2) prospectively estimate class risk for depressive symptoms in emerging adulthood. METHODS: The sample comprised 449 participants with separated parents from an Australian population based longitudinal cohort study established in 1983. Classes were explored using 17, theoretically germane, self- and parent-reported indicators of adolescent risk assessed at three points in adolescence (13-14, 15-16 and 17-18 years), spanning three domains of assessment: individual, relational, contextual. Distinct profiles of adolescents were identified using Latent Class Analysis. Class differences on depressive symptoms in emerging adult (19-20 years) were then examined. RESULTS: Three multivariate profiles, differentiated by patterns of risk severity, were observed: Adjusted (n = 253), Moderate Risk (n = 156), and High Risk (n = 40). Compared to the Adjusted class, participants in the Moderate Risk, but not High Risk class had notably elevated depressive symptomatology in emerging adulthood (d = 0.35). In contrast, High Risk class membership in adolescence predicted antisocial behavior in emerging adulthood. LIMITATIONS: Risk for depressive symptoms in emerging adulthood may be under-estimated due to a disproportionate loss of participants from low socio-economic backgrounds. CONCLUSIONS: We found most adolescents from dissolved families to be well-adjusted. Differences between Moderate Risk and High Risk adolescents signal differentiated pathways to subsequent mental health problems. Our findings are relevant for targeted therapeutic strategies for adolescents from dissolved families

Family partnerships to support children and young people\u27s mental health: an Evidence Check rapid review brokered by the Sax Institute (www.saxinstitute.org.au) for Be You

Be You sees partnering with families as a key factor in supporting positive mental health outcomes. This review summarises what is known about partnerships between families and educators, and how they work to support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. It provides an overview of existing research evidence that can be used by school and early learning settings to support educators to build partnerships with families. Specifically, this review addresses the following question:What strategies to build and maintain partnerships between families and educators have been effective in supporting mental health and wellbeing in children and young people

Efficacy of a Smartphone App Intervention for Reducing Caregiver Stress: Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundCaregivers play a pivotal role in maintaining an economically viable health care system, yet they are characterized by low levels of psychological well-being and consistently report unmet needs for psychological support. Mobile app&ndash;based (mobile health [mHealth]) interventions present a novel approach to both reducing stress and improving well-being.ObjectiveThis study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a self-guided mobile app&ndash;based psychological intervention for people providing care to family or friends with a physical or mental disability.MethodsIn a randomized, single-blind, controlled trial, 183 caregivers recruited through the web were randomly allocated to either an intervention (n=73) or active control (n=110) condition. The intervention app contained treatment modules combining daily self-monitoring with third-wave (mindfulness-based) cognitive-behavioral therapies, whereas the active control app contained only self-monitoring features. Both programs were completed over a 5-week period. It was hypothesized that intervention app exposure would be associated with decreases in depression, anxiety, and stress, and increases in well-being, self-esteem, optimism, primary and secondary control, and social support. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, postintervention, and 3-4 months postintervention. App quality was also assessed.ResultsIn total, 25% (18/73) of the intervention participants were lost to follow-up at 3 months, and 30.9% (34/110) of the participants from the wait-list control group dropped out before the postintervention survey. The intervention group experienced reductions in stress (b=&minus;2.07; P=.04) and depressive symptoms (b=&minus;1.36; P=.05) from baseline to postintervention. These changes were further enhanced from postintervention to follow-up, with the intervention group continuing to report lower levels of depression (b=&minus;1.82; P=.03) and higher levels of emotional well-being (b=6.13; P&lt;.001), optimism (b=0.78; P=.007), self-esteem (b=&minus;0.84; P=.005), support from family (b=2.15; P=.001), support from significant others (b=2.66; P&lt;.001), and subjective well-being (b=4.82; P&lt;.001). On average, participants completed 2.5 (SD 1.05) out of 5 treatment modules. The overall quality of the app was also rated highly, with a mean score of 3.94 out of a maximum score of 5 (SD 0.58).ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that mHealth psychological interventions are an effective treatment option for caregivers experiencing high levels of stress. Recommendations for improving mHealth interventions for caregivers include offering flexibility and customization in the treatment design.Trial RegistrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN12616000996460; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=37117

Sometimes it\u27s good to be short: the serotonin transporter gene, positive parenting, and adolescent depression

In threatening environments, the short (S) allele of 5-HTTLPR is proposed to augment risk for depression. However, it is unknown whether 5-HTTLPR variation increases risk for depression in environments of deprivation, lacking positive or nurturant features. Two independent longitudinal studies (n = 681 and 176, respectively) examined whether 5-HTTLPR moderated associations between low levels of positive parenting at 11-13 years and subsequent depression at 17-19 years. In both studies only LL homozygous adolescents were at greater risk for depression with decreasing levels of positive parenting. Thus, while the S allele has previously been identified as a susceptible genotype, these findings suggest that the L allele may also confer sensitivity to depression in the face of specific environmental challenges