Developmental Differences in the Association of Peer Relationships with Traumatic Stress Symptoms

Editorial: Chronicity of Maltreatment and the Importance of Attachment and Peer Relationships on Youth Mental Health Trajectory

Childhood maltreatment impacts human development across the life span in most areas of functioning, particularly the onset of mental health symptoms. As our understanding of the biological underpinnings of the effects of maltreatment on childhood development continues to grow, it becomes even more salient to delineate and understand potential variance associated with timing and chronicity of maltreatment. Moreover, as family and peer relationships are known to mediate effects of stress on childhood mental health outcomes,1,2 it is important to acknowledge and specifically explore the potential effects of the relational context of a child when stress and trauma are being investigated. By gaining understanding of these complexities of the interplay between maltreatment, attachment/relational patterns, and mental health symptoms, we can most effectively focus efforts on formulation, prevention, and treatment. Duprey et al.3 begin to directly address this need by performing a longitudinal follow-up study on participants who participated in a 1-week research summer camp (at the time of participation: N = 697; mean [SD] age = 11.29 [0.97] years; 71.3% Black or African American; 50.5% male; at the time of contact for second wave of assessment: n = 427; mean [SD] age = 19.67 [1.16] years; 78.0% Black or African American; 48.9% male) examining the indirect effects of child maltreatment timing and chronicity to young adult internalizing and externalizing symptomatology via childhood attachment security and peer problems.

Sometimes Less is More: Switching Influence of Social Support on Posttraumatic Growth over Time after a Natural Disaster

Few studies have investigated the causal link between social support and posttraumatic growth. Using a four-wave longitudinal design, the present study examined the reciprocal relationship between posttraumatic growth and social support in family and school contexts. A total of 285 adolescents (61.3% female) were recruited to complete self-report questionnaires 12, 18, 24, and 30 months after the Wenchuan earthquake. The data were analyzed using a random intercept cross-lagged panel model. Results revealed a trend for total social support initially promoting posttraumatic growth, followed by no influence, and finally a hindering of growth. This pattern varied between different sources of support. Specifically, the influence of support from parents and peers was consistent with the pattern for total support, whereas that from teachers and others prevented posttraumatic growth during later stages. These results suggest that timing is an important issue in posttraumatic growth and that providing more support for a prolonged period following a traumatic event constrains adolescents' autonomy and thus inhibits posttraumatic growth.

The Role of Comorbid Symptoms in Perceived Stress and Sleep Problems in Adolescent ADHD

We examined perceived stress and sleep problems in adolescent ADHD and whether this varies as a function of ADHD presentation and sex. Further, we mapped structural associations between ADHD symptoms, comorbid symptoms, perceived stress, and sleep problems. Participants were 306 adolescents aged 13-19 years (66.8% females, 193 had an ADHD diagnosis, 113 were controls). Parents rated ADHD symptoms, all other constructs were self-rated. Adolescents with ADHD had elevated levels of perceived stress and sleep problems. Girls with ADHD reported the highest levels of perceived stress. Emotional symptoms mediated the effect of inattention whereas conduct problems mediated the effect of hyperactivity/impulsivity on stress and sleep. Perceived stress and sleep problems should be considered when mapping ADHD-related problems. Comorbid symptoms are potential intervention targets that may increase treatment response.