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The present article focuses on a discussion of the theoretical foundations of life event research. since critical life events are usually regarded as stressful events, the main question is which concepts of stress are employed in different life event approaches and what is their rationale. The discussion centres on two topics that have to be treated independently: the question of specificity vs nonspecificity and the question of individualized vs normative weightings. It is shown that different life event approaches rely on different concepts of stress. Numerous objections lead to a rejection of the nonspecificity concept and a normative proceeding. However, even when a specificity view of stress is advocated and individual weights are used, life stress measures do not account for a substantial proportion of the variance in the stress-related dependent variables. Therefore, a reorientation of life event research is required. It is proposed that future life event research should concentrate on the individual meaning of events and adequately consider the time dimension as well as processes of coping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study tests a path model which indicates the occurrence of appraisal following the accident at Three Mile Island (TMI). The model posits a causal relationship between trust in TMI-related authorities, perceived danger, perceived harm to health, and psychological distress. The implications of the findings for life event research are discussed in terms of the etiological significance of meaning, event consequences, and control. Key words--life events, appraisal, trust, distress, Three Mile Island

The idea that stressful life events can on occasions contribute to the development of addictive disorders is fairly well-accepted within both clinical and research communities. However, little support is available: research is sparse and investigators have generally neglected methodological refinements and innovations in the broader field of life-event research. Some of these developments are discussed, especially as they relate to the measurement of the meaning of life events. Findings from research based on such techniques are summarized, and their relevance for the study of addictions discussed under three headings: specification of life events, vulnerability, and diagnostic specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To better understand the effects of life events, research interest recently turned to the question of how life events are perceived (e.g., as positive, predictable, or controllable). However, research on this topic primarily focused on young adulthood, leaving it unclear whether and how the perception of life events varies across the life course. In this study, we examined the relationship between age and different perceived event characteristics using nationally representative data from the German Socioeconomic Panel Innovation Sample (N = 1,044). We found that people reported different event types across among age groups. Furthermore, the perception of life events varied across age and depending on whether an event was experienced at a normative age or not. These findings underline the necessity to take on a life-course perspective when examining life events and support theoretical claims on the relevance of age norms in life-event research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In evaluating the validity of causal propositions, there are four considerations: statistical, internal, construct and external. The reliability of published instruments, in the sense of internal reliability, can be maximized by the principal component analysis of obtained responses. Once it has been demonstrated that two variables covary to a significant degree, the next step is to assess the internal validity of the relationship. Next, the investigator must attempt to determine which higher order constructs are involved in these relationships. Finally, the level generality of the relationship should be determined. In the last two decades, a shift has occurred in that the hypothesis that life events causes illness is based less on faith and more on scientific evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an editorial tribute to Eugene S. Paykel, a prominent psychiatrist who passed away in 2023. Paykel made significant contributions to the field of psychiatry, particularly in the study of depression and life events. He developed the Interview for Recent Life Events (IRLE), which revolutionized life event research by providing a comprehensive assessment of various life changes. Paykel also created the Clinical Interview for Depression (CID), a clinimetric tool that improved the understanding and assessment of mood and anxiety disorders. His work emphasized the importance of considering a person's life setting and psychosocial factors in understanding illness vulnerability and treatment outcomes. Paykel's legacy continues to be relevant in addressing the current intellectual crisis in psychiatry. [Extracted from the article]

Objectives: Severe life events are established as provoking agents for depression in combination with vulnerability factors. Identifying features of severe events improves the prediction of disorder but are rarely utilized, mainly because life event research is increasingly dominated by self‐report checklists with no capacity for inferring such characteristics. This paper investigates the association of severe life events' features with depression and insecure attachment styles using a new online measure of life events in a clinical and control sample. Methods: A total of 202 participants (75 clinical and 127 matched control participants), taken from an earlier national Depression Case Control genetic study and followed up after 12 years, completed the Computerised Life Events Assessment Record to assess characteristics of life events, the Vulnerable Attachment Style Questionnaire to measure attachment insecurity, and the General Health Questionnaire to measure depression. Results: The clinical group had higher self‐reported depression, severe life events, and insecure attachment style. They also reported more loss, danger, humiliation, and trauma severe events. Intra‐respondent analysis showed individuals experiencing these types of events were more likely to report depression. Insecure attachment style and severe life events were both significantly related to recent depression and history of depressive disorder. Anxious attachment style was significantly related to relationship events and bereavements, as well as severe loss or humiliation events, whereas avoidant style was not. Conclusions: Identifying salient features of severe life events improves associations with depression and insecure attachment style. Utilizing a new online approach can aid research and clinical approaches for depression at low cost. Practitioner points: Salient features of severe life events (e.g., loss, humiliation) give insight into the potential impact on attachment vulnerability and depression.Clinicians and researchers can use online methods to economically gain detailed life event information needed for clinical formulation and valid data on stressors.The self‐reported scale for recent depression is only a proxy measure of clinical disorder, but the clinical group selection is a more robust criterion for depression history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper reviews some of the major fields of interest in current life event research. Some theoretical issues are examined: for example, generality versus specificity of life event effects, the time span encompassed by life event research, development of life change scales, and perceptual concensus concerning the severity of life changes. Methodological problems concerned with causal or correlational conclusions and illness behaviour are also discussed. Models of the life event stress process are mentioned with reference to 'resistance resources'. Finally the field of life event research has been integrated into McGrath's conceptualization of stress research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Presumptive stressful life events scale (PSLES) is used widely in Indian life-event research. The use of PSLES in the elderly has been rather mechanistic, without giving due emphasis on the unique experiences of the elderly, particularly within the context of contemporary social change of family values in India. This research aimed to critically appraise the relevance of PSLES in the elderly. Methodology: The research was part of a larger project on stress, coping, and religiosity in (faith bases) ashram-dwelling elderly. A single consenting ashram for the elderly (for aged > 60 years) consented to the study. Participants were included if they had stayed for more than 6 months and had no impairment that compromised understanding of the research. We used the PSLES (a checklist method) for evaluating life events. We supplemented our exploration with open-ended interviews to evaluate the relevance and salience attributed to these life-events. Results: Ninety-four elderly participated (response rate was 70.15') with a mean (standard deviation) age of 74.56 (7.39) years, equally represented by either gender, with a mean duration of ashram stay of 10.85 years. Most frequent events reported were death in the family, going on a trip/pilgrimage, personal illness, and changes in biological functions. Discussion: PSLES was developed for adult Indians, and its use in the elderly may need modification due to qualitatively and quantitatively varying life events, such as the importance of nonegocentric stress (loss of job of one's child) versus egocentric stress (own hospitalization) or change of salience of events (e.g., lack of son versus daughter). Conclusion: To improve the relevance of PSLES for life-event research and capture the unique experiences of the elderly, suggested modifications are necessary.

The article is a response to a meta-analysis on the effects of life events on personality change. The authors highlight the importance of considering the time lag between assessments and suggest three avenues for future research. They emphasize the need for more diverse and inclusive research and propose using ambulatory assessment to capture changes at the level of personality states. The article provides insights into the limitations of current research and suggests directions for future studies. The meta-analysis reveals small and inconsistent effects of life events on personality change and highlights the need for more rigorous methodologies. The authors suggest using multiple measures and comparisons between individuals to better understand the effects of life events. They emphasize the importance of controlling for confounders and using quasi-experimental designs. The study suggests that further research on this topic may not be fruitful but also highlights the need for more rigorous and diverse methodologies. The research conducted by Bühler et al. suggests that life events have weak and inconsistent effects on personality development. They argue that personality traits remain relatively stable over time and that selection effects play a larger role than socialization effects. The authors suggest future research should focus on capturing the individual experience of life events and exploring the nuanced mechanisms underlying trait development. The meta-analysis explores the relationship between life events and personality trait change. The findings suggest that while individual life events may have small effects on personality, these effects can accumulate over time. The study highlights the importance of considering the social context and timing of personality measurements. The authors recommend using more fine-grained research designs to better [Extracted from the article]

ABSTRACT Hippocampal volume deficits have been linked to life stress. However, the degree to which genes and environment influence the association between hippocampal volume and life events is largely unknown. In total, 123 healthy twins from monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and 57 healthy twins were interviewed with the Life Events and Difficulties Schedule (LEDS), with an overlap of 54 twins undergoing both MRI and the life events interview. Hippocampal volumes were segmented with Freesurfer software. Data were analyzed with OpenMx software. Smaller hippocampal volume was associated with higher severe life event load ( rph= −0.39), where shared environmental factors influencing both measures fully explained the association. Hippocampal volume was not associated with total or mild life event load. Hippocampal volume showed high heritability (range, h2: 57%-81%) whereas life event measures were influenced by shared ( c2) and unique ( e2) environmental factors only (range, c2:40%-64%, e2: 36%-60%). The results suggested that shared environmental factors influenced the relationship between smaller hippocampal volume and severe (but not mild) stress. This indicated that particularly severe life events that were shared between twins were associated with smaller hippocampal volume. Furthermore, it is suggested to distinguish between mild and severe life events in life event research. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Maternal health remains a major public health problem in Ethiopia. Despite the government's measures to ensure institutional delivery assisted by skilled attendants, home delivery remains high, estimated at over 80% of all pregnant women. Objective: The study aims to identify determinants that sustain home delivery in Ethiopia. Methods: A total of 48 women who delivered their most recent child at home, 56 women who delivered their most recent child in a health facility, 55 husbands of women who delivered within 1 year preceding the study, and 23 opinion leaders in selected districts of Amhara, Oromia, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region, and Tigray regions were involved in the study. Key informant interview, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions were conducted to collect data using checklists developed for this purpose. Data reduction and analysis were facilitated by Maxqda qualitative data analysis software version 11. Results: Findings show that pregnancy and delivery is a normal and natural life event. Research participants unanimously argue that such a life event should not be linked with health problems. Home is considered a natural space for delivery and most women aspire to deliver at home where rituals during labor and after delivery are considered enjoyable. Even those who delivered in health facilities appreciate events in connection to home delivery. Efforts are underway to create home-like environments in health facilities, but health facilities are not yet recognized as a natural place of delivery. The positive tendency to deliver at home is further facilitated by poor service delivery at the facility level. Perceived poor competence of providers and limited availability of supplies and equipment were found to maintain the preference to deliver at home. Conclusion: The government's endeavor to improve maternal health has generated positive results with more women now attending antenatal care. Yet over 80% of women deliver at home and this was found to be the preferred option. Thus, the current form of intervention needs to focus on factors that determine decisions to deliver at home and also focus on investing in improving service delivery at health facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous literature on growth after major life events has primarily focused on negative experiences and operationalized growth with measures which rely on the post hoc self-perception of change. Because this method is prone to many biases, two questions have become increasingly controversial: Is there genuine growth after major life events and does growth require suffering? The present meta-analysis is the first synthesis of longitudinal research on the effects of life events on at least one subdomain of psychological well-being, posttraumatic, or postecstatic growth. Studies needed to have a longitudinal design, assess changes through independent measures over time, and provide sufficient data to estimate change scores. The present meta-analysis comprises 364 effect sizes from 154 independent samples (total N = 98,436) in 122 longitudinal studies. A positive trend has been found for self-esteem, positive relationships, and mastery in prospective studies after both positive and negative events. We found no general evidence for the widespread conviction that negative life events have a stronger effect than positive ones. No genuine growth was found for meaning and spirituality. In the majority of studies with control groups, results did not significantly differ between event and control group, indicating that changes in the outcome variables cannot simply be attributed to the occurrence of the investigated life events. More controlled prospective studies are necessary to validate the genuine nature of postevent growth. Overall, the meta-analysis provides a systematic overview of the state of life event research and delineates important guidelines for future research on genuine growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Christensen EM, Gjerris A, Larsen JK, Bendtsen BB, Larsen BH, Rolff H, Ring G, Schaumburg E. Life events and onset of a new phase in bipolar affective disorder. Bipolar Disord 2003: 5: 356–361. © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2003 There is an increasing focus on the impact of psychosocial factors and stressors on the course of bipolar affective disorder. The life event research has revealed many biases and the results are conflicting. In a prospective study we examined the relationship between life events and affective phases in a group of bipolar patients with a long duration of the disease. A group of patients with at least three admissions to hospital for bipolar disorder was followed every 3 months for up to 3 years. At each examination an evaluation of affective phase was made according to the Hamilton Depression Scale, the Newcastle Depression Rating Scale and the Bech-Rafaelsen Mania Rating Scale. Moreover, the patients were rated according to the Paykel Life Events Scale. Their current medical treatment was noted. Fifty-six patients (19 men and 37 women) were included in the study. Women experienced a significantly higher number of life events than men. In 21% of the 353 examinations of women, a new phase was preceded by life events whereas this was the case only in 8% of the 152 examinations of men. In 13% of the male examinations the patients were in a manic phase and in 5% in a depressive phase. In 5% of the female examinations the patients were in a manic phase and in 15% in a depressive phase. Half of the women's depressive phases were preceded by life events, but none of the depressive phases of men. The categories of life events preceding the depressive phases presented a significant overweight of somatic ill health and conflicts in the family. We found a gender difference in the course of bipolar affective disorder, as women had a significantly higher number of depressive episodes than men and men had a higher number of manic episodes than women. In bipolar patients with long duration of disease a significant number of depressive episodes in women were preceded by negative life events. Somatic health problems and conflicts in the family were significant factors preceding new depressive phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Life event research examines the effect of life events on the course of psychiatric diseases, but the published literature considers almost only negative events. We describe the cases of two female patients who had to be hospitalized for depression after lottery winnings of over 1M DM. The 4-year follow-up shows a good outcome in both patients. Case analyses suggest that in both patients, winning was a life event relevant to the development of the depressive episode. Desirable life events might influence the course of a psychiatric illness just as negative events do. (Int J Psych Clin Pract 2002; 6: 183–186). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attachment theory has become a dominant framework for understanding people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors with respect to close relationships. People often want to and are motivated to improve their personalities and their relationships. Can attachment orientations change across the lifespan? And if so, what facilitates change? Will insecure people stay insecurely attached across their life or is there hope for change? The current review provides a bird's eye view of the research on how and why attachment orientations change in adulthood. We provide some descriptive information for how attachment changes across the lifespan and how much of this variation is attributable to early life experiences. Then, we focus on the processes that are thought to engender attachment-related changes over time. Finally, we provide some directions for future research to help fill some holes in the field's understanding about attachment orientations and how they change over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the wide range of literature about life-events, there has been very little on life-event research. This paper attempts a critical analysis of theoretical assumptions which go into life-event research. The focus is sociological, i.e. the question is asked in what way coping can be conceptualized as social action. Three types of coping are discerned in the life-event literature, namely, psycho-physiological, psychological, and social. It is argued that the analysis of psychological coping calls for an ethnomethodological paradigm while the study of social coping necessitates a Marxist approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Life-event research as well as neurobiological findings point to the relevance of adverse stress for the pathogenesis of affective disorders. The well established genetic root might be related to the sensitivity to stress. In concordance, recent studies showed a synergistic interaction between genetic loading and life-events concerning the precipitation of depression, i.e. there might exist a genetic sensitization to the adverse effects of stressors. The present investigation, using information extracted from 877 case records, did not reveal a synergistic interaction concerning the age at onset and the mean frequency and duration of episodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the psychological mechanisms for the actions of life events with respect to how stressful life events may impact differently depending on the age of the individual. How the methodology of life event research in the elderly is reviewed; Emphasis on the potential for life event to precipitate or exacerbate psychiatric and physical disorders in the elderly.

Copyright of Social Psychiatry (00377813) is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Although life event research has burgeoned in recent years, little attention has been paid to the prevalence of events among the elderly or their relationship to psychological well-being. This paper presents data from a three-wave longitudinal study of community elderly in Aberdeen. Negative life events were highly prevalent among both survivors [N=349) and non-survivors [N=108], but the relatively small differences between the groups indicate that attrition does not seriously affect longitudinal findings. Longitudinal analysis of survivors' data was performed using LISREL and yielded a model with a goodness of fit index of 0.918, demonstrating a close fit between the data and the model. The model parameters indicate that those in poor psychological state were more likely to report serious non-health events than health events, although the latter were more likely than the former to result in a decline in psychological well-being, even after prior psychological state was taken into account. While elderly people with low social integration experienced more severe reactions to life events in the short term than those with high social integration, there were no significant long term effects, even for those reporting highly stressful events. There was no evidence of a sub-group of elderly people lacked into a cycle of serious life events. However life events were not random occurrences; serious health events were more often reported by those with low education while women and those in lower social classes were more likely to report serious non-health events. Overall, long term disruption, directly attributable to life events, was minimal when viewed within the context of the community elderly's stable psychological state. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

To better understand the effects of life events, research interest recently turned to the question of how life events are perceived (e.g., as positive, predictable, or controllable). However, research on this topic primarily focused on young adulthood, leaving it unclear whether and how the perception of life events varies across the life course. In this study, we examined the relationship between age and different perceived event characteristics using nationally representative data from the German Socioeconomic Panel Innovation Sample (N = 1,044). We found that people reported different event types across among age groups. Furthermore, the perception of life events varied across age and depending on whether an event was experienced at a normative age or not. These findings underline the necessity to take on a life-course perspective when examining life events and support theoretical claims on the relevance of age norms in life-event research.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its mitigation efforts are associated with increased student mental health problems such as anxiety, stress, isolation, and lack of motivation. When left untreated, these conditions could affect students' well-being, academic achievement, social relations, and quality of life. This study aimed to explore university students' barriers to managing mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic using an explorative qualitative approach. A total of 310 students from various regions in Indonesia were recruited by purposive sampling. Data was collected by distributing qualitative questionnaires through a Google form containing informed consent, demographic data, and open-ended questions. Thematic analysis was applied to identify the patterns of the meaning of students' barriers. The barriers experienced by students in managing mental health during the pandemic are a lack of support from their closest people, restricted mobility, stigmatization, and individual characteristics. The results show support from family and closest friends is essential for managing students' mental health, especially when there is limited access to mobility and social interaction. Additionally, adaptability and disclosure are also seen to be crucial for students in managing their mental health. This study suggests a campaign for mental health literacy and providing accessible mental health services for students in crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While wisdom remains an uncommon trait, it has been sought after by humanity since ancient times. Numerous studies have identified various factors associated with wisdom; however, the collective performance of these correlates and their predictive capabilities remain inadequately explored. This study delved into the predictive potency of frequently recognized correlates of wisdom, encompassing intelligence, personality traits, emotional intelligence, and negative life experiences. The assessment tools employed for measuring wisdom included the self-reported 3D-Wisdom Scale and Wisdom Related Performance (WRP). The study involved the participation of a cohort of 70 older adults aged between 60 and 80 years. Collectively, the assortment of considered factors accounted for a substantial 66% of the variance in WRP. A more in-depth hierarchical analysis revealed that intelligence made the most significant unique and shared contribution, followed by negative life experiences, to the prediction of WRP. Interestingly, when it comes to 3D Wisdom, openness emerged as the sole robust correlate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has shown that life satisfaction depends on a person's resources and that retirement is associated with resource gains and losses. We examine if these resources contribute equally to life satisfaction before and after the retirement transition. Coming from the psychological concept of response shifts, we conceptualize an adjustment process to major life changes in which also the association between different resources and life satisfaction could be subject of change with retirement. Data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (2004–2016, every 2 years) were used to study people who retired over the course of 2 consecutive waves. Using propensity score matching, we identified n = 991 retirees and a matched control group of n = 991 people with similar sociodemographic characteristics but who were continuously working. We then used a seemingly unrelated regression model to examine how the association between life satisfaction and economic (income, assets), personal (morbidity, functional limitations, club membership), and social-relational resources (network size, partner, parenthood, grandparenthood) changed from the pre- to postretirement wave. Retirement was associated with a slight increase in life satisfaction and only moderate to minor declines in income and club memberships. We found retirement-related changes in the predictor strength for financial resources (i.e. decline for income, increase for assets) but not for the other resources. In sum, the study provides some evidence that retirees reprioritize the importance of economic resources only for their overall life satisfaction at retirement. We discuss the findings in light of (economic) social inequality which points to potential for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Family Process is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A major radiological or nuclear emergency may, apart from causing a substantial loss of life and physical damage, also put a substantial strain on affected societies with social, economic and political consequences. Although such emergencies are relatively uncommon, it is now being increasingly recognised that their subsequent psychosocial impact can be widespread and long lasting. Mental health effects, such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, are highly represented in a population affected by a radiation disaster. In order to reach the majority of the people affected by radiation accidents, we need to be aware of how to distribute relevant and accurate information related to both short- and long-term medical effects. Effective risk communication is associated with improved compliance with any given recommendations. It is important to protect the public from physical radiation damage, but it is also essential to take into account the social and mental health effects that radiation disasters may induce. This article provides a brief review of recent reporting on the psychological consequences after a major radiation emergency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Findings on the association between life events and depression have been quite inconsistent. This could be due to the heterogeneity of traditionally used depression outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate whether specific symptom dimensions can be used as an alternative to detect more specific life event effects. Methods: Participants with/without psychiatric diagnoses were included (n=2252). Dimensions of the tripartite model (General Distress [GD], Anhedonic Depression [AD] and Anxious Arousal [AA]) were assessed at baseline, 1-year and 2-year follow-up. Life events occurring between measurements were assessed retrospectively. Longitudinal associations between life events and dimensional scores were analysed with Linear Mixed Models. Results: Occurrence of negative life events was associated with increasing GD and AA, and less with AD. Positive life events were associated with decreasing GD and AD, but not with AA. The association between negative life events and AD was larger in the absence of previous psychiatric problems, lending support to a dimension-specific ‘kindling’ effect. Also, the negative association between negative life events and GD was stronger in those with high neuroticism. Multivariable analyses with individual life events showed that a few strong independent effects remained for each dimension. Limitations: Life event reports were retrospective; only three outcome dimensions were used. Conclusions: These results show that the effects of life events and modifying factors depend, to an extent, on the symptom domain that is considered as outcome, illustrating the need to account for symptom heterogeneity in etiological life event research. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: The association between life event stress and depressive symptoms has not been analyzed in the general population before. Methods: In the population-based Heinz Nixdorf Recall study, we assessed the association of 1.) the presence of important life events and 2.) life event stress, with the amount of depressive symptoms in univariable linear regressions and in multivariable regressions adjusted for age and sex (model 1) and age, sex and optimism as important determinants of coping with life events (model 2). Presence of life events and life event stress were assessed with the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS), optimism with the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R), and depressive symptoms with the 15-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Results: Of the total cohort of 4,814 participants, 1,120 had experienced important life events during the previous 6 months. Presence of important life events was significantly associated with higher CES-D scores (B = 2.6, 95%CI = 2.2 to 3.0, p <.001; model 2) compared to absence of life events. Associations were stronger for women than for men and for pessimists than for optimists. Among the participants with important life events, median (Q1; Q3) stress-score was 45.0 (39.0; 63.0). Stress-scores >Q3 were significantly associated with higher CES-D scores (2.2, 1.1 to 3.3, <.001) with a stronger association in pessimists than in optimists. Conclusions: Experiencing life-changing events is associated with depression. Women and individuals with pessimistic personality are especially vulnerable which should be considered in prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the impact of bereavement on self-esteem and life satisfaction in both partners of a romantic couple. We investigate the moderating effects of the type of the lost relationship (close family, close friends/others) and romantic relationship characteristics (daily social support, responsiveness-closeness, self-disclosure). We examined 1238 individuals in 619 male–female couples from the ages 18 to 81 (M [SD] = 31.97 years [13.26]). Both partners completed questionnaires at two assessments that were 20 months (SD = 2.02 months) apart, in between which n = 216 individuals were bereaved. Actor–partner interdependence models showed that bereavement did not predict later self-esteem or life satisfaction in either of the partners. The relationship characteristics and the type of lost relationship did not moderate the effects. The subjective meaning and distress of the loss predicted later self-esteem and life satisfaction. The self-esteem increase was larger for bereaved with a positive/neutral than for bereaved with a negative meaning of the bereavement. We found a partner effect on self-esteem for the group of bereaved who reported a negative meaning of the bereavement. The findings demonstrate that bereavement can impact romantic partners' self-esteem and that the subjective experience of bereavement helps understand individual differences in the effect of bereavement on self-esteem and life satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research examining the associations between major life events and personality trait development is mixed. Work that evaluates perceptions of life events and how those perceptions are themselves associated with personality traits may help clarify the existing literature. We used a large student sample (N = 1,509) and a demographically diverse sample from a Qualtrics panel (N = 552) to conduct exploratory analyses examining the associations between the big five personality traits and perceptions of life events. Results suggested that (a) associations between personality and beliefs about event-related personality change differ between students and more representative samples, (b) associations between personality and event perceptions are often nuanced, and (c) event perceptions are not merely proxies for personality traits. These studies highlight the importance of subjective event perceptions in the study of major life events and personality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Considering that breast cancer survivors (BCSs) have been dealing with unwanted job changes after diagnosis, this study aimed to investigate involuntary job changes (unwanted modifications in employment since diagnosis) and explore the association between job changes, involuntariness, and occupational development satisfaction in BCSs 5–6 years after diagnosis. Methods: Data were drawn from the mixed-methods breast cancer patients' return to work (B-CARE) study. We surveyed 184 female BCSs who were working at the time of study enrollment during hospitalization (T1), 10 weeks after discharge (T2), 40 weeks after discharge (T3), and 5–6 years after diagnosis (T4) and used descriptive measures and stepwise linear regression models for data analysis. Results: The mean age of BCSs was 57 years. A total of 105 participants reported 410 job changes, of which 16.1% were reportedly (rather) involuntary. The most commonly reported involuntary changes were increased workload (15.2%) and increased scope of work (15.2%). In the final model, significant predictors of satisfaction with occupational development 5–6 years after diagnosis were age, state of health ΔT2–T3, state of health ΔT3–T4, and involuntariness of job changes. Conclusions: Although the number of job changes alone is not substantially associated with BCSs' satisfaction with occupational development, experiencing involuntary job changes is. Sociodemographic, disease-related, and work(place)-related factors may influence occupational satisfaction among BCSs. Implications for Cancer Survivors: The findings indicate the importance of strengthening one's ability to work as desired to prevent involuntary job changes and enable desired work participation in long-term support. The significance of workplace characteristics highlights the need for employers to encourage satisfying work participation. Trial registration number: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00016982), 12 April 2019 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an experimental setting, illness cognition was manipulated to determine whether there is a causal link between stressful life events and stress-related growth (SRG). Participants were 223 undergraduates (85% Caucasian; mean age = 26.00, SD = 9.63) who had the option to receive two extra-credit points or $10 for participation. As part of a cover story, participants completed general health tests (e.g., heart rate). A (fictitious) health test to evaluate thioamine acetylase (TAA) was also administered, which participants were told is related to pancreatic functioning. The experimental group (stress condition) was told they were TAA deficient; the control group (non-stress condition) was told they were not TAA deficient. Results indicated the experimental group experienced significantly more stress and more perceived SRG than did the control group. In addition, more growth was related to better mental and physical health for both groups. Overall, this study validates the notion that stress causes perceived growth and supports the contention that perceived growth is associated with better quality of life. However, whether perceived SRG is an optimistic/defensive response as a result of a sense of evoked stress remains unclear. Clinical and research implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Stressful life events are associated with poorer physical, cognitive, and mental health. Examining life events trends across midlife illustrates normative experiences of stress in a critical life period for intervention and disease prevention. Further, there is a critical need for research with racially/ethnically diverse samples to identify differences in life event exposure, as they may relate to later health disparities. Method Annual life event reports were analyzed from 3,066 White, Black, Hispanic, Chinese, and Japanese women in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation. Across ages 43–65, longitudinal trajectories were fit to annual number of life events and 9 subcategories of life events (i.e. work problems, economic problems, partner unemployment, illness/accident of loved one, caregiving, bereavement, relationship problems, family legal/police problems, and violent events that happened to the self or family). Racial/ethnic differences were examined, controlling for education. Results Number of annual life events declined with age and plateaued in later midlife. This pattern was largely consistent across types of life events, though family health and bereavement-related life events increased in later midlife. Compared to White women, Black women experienced more life events, while Chinese, Hispanic, and Japanese women experienced fewer life events. Racial/ethnic differences were amplified in specific subtypes of life events. Discussion Racial/ethnic differences in exposure to life events across midlife may contribute to racial/ethnic health disparities in later life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic and the mitigation measures put in place have resulted in universal disruption in the usual ways of life for individuals. The current study sought to investigate how aspects of sexual health (well-being and functioning) and relationship satisfaction changed or remained stable during the pandemic. During two separate time points (Time 1 including Time 1 and a retrospective baseline, Time 2), participants completed online measures of sexual well-being (sexual pleasure, partnered and solitary orgasm frequency, sexual distress), sexual functioning, and relationship satisfaction. Participants reported slight declines in sexual pleasure, frequency of orgasms with a partner, and frequency of solitary orgasms from pre-COVID-19 (retrospective baseline) to Time 1, with no significant differences in sexual distress and relationship satisfaction. For individuals with vulvas, sexual functioning improved from Time 1 to Time 2, whereas no significant differences in sexual functioning were observed for individuals with penises. Aspects of sexual health and relational satisfaction did not sufficiently change across time points to be considered meaningful health outcome changes. Given that minimal disruptions were noted in pre-COVID-19 to COVID-19 sexuality, these results highlight the potential resiliency of individuals' sexuality when facing sudden changes in their daily lives. Implications of COVID-19's effects on sexual well-being and relationship satisfaction research are broadly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study explored the turning points in their lives reported by 60 married or previously married lower-income midlife and older women (born 1931-1936, 1941-1946 and 1951-1956), and considered the importance of age and cohort effects. Following a life-review interview, respondents were asked to nominate the turning points in their lives. The turning points that were identified were classified as involving predominantly a role transition, an adversity, or an experience of personal growth. There were significant cohort differences in that the youngest cohort nominated significantly more adversities and the oldest cohort correspondingly fewer. In the total sample, role transitions and adversity turning points were most commonly experienced between the ages of 21 and 40 years, while personal development experiences increased after midlife. It is noted that the turning point approach allows respondents to select and prioritise their own significant life events, and these are not always those that are emphasised in the literature on ageing. In the present study, the most frequently reported turning points were not marriage or motherhood, as might be expected, but personal growth experiences involving psychological 'self-work', such as deciding to become more independent or to change one's lifestyle. The next most common was the death of a relative or friend, which acted as a turning point in diverse emotional and philosophical ways. In contrast, issues that are a frequent topic of life event research, such as the 'empty nest' or menopause, were rarely mentioned. Most importantly, the study findings highlight the importance of experiences - and in particular personal growth experiences - that occur in the second half of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Distrust in authorities has negative effects on mental health. Aims: In this study, we aimed to explore whether the impact of distrust in government on mental health became stronger in the area heavily affected by the 2011 Fukushima nuclear power plant accident. Methods: We examined the effects of distrust in the national government on depressive symptoms three years after the accident among community residents in Fukushima prefecture using those in the Kanto area (the area surrounding Tokyo) as a control. A questionnaire survey was administered to a random sample of 1000 residents in Fukushima prefecture and 1650 residents in the Kanto area. Distrust in the national government was assessed using a four-point single-item scale. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. The associations of residential area (i.e. living in Fukushima prefecture or in the Kanto area) and distrust in the national government with depressive symptoms were examined, controlling for socio-demographic characteristics and disaster-related experiences using multivariate linear regression analyses. We used the interaction term of residential area and distrust in the government to explore the difference in the association between the respondents in Fukushima prefecture and those in the Kanto area. Results: Valid responses were obtained from 976 (36.8%) residents. Distrust in the government was associated with depressive symptoms and the association was stronger in Fukushima prefecture than in the Kanto area. Conclusion: The deleterious effects of distrust in the government on mental health may become more serious after a nuclear power plant accident and require careful attention during support activities in an affected area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on life events, social support and depressive behaviour has evolved from the descriptive level to the contextual perspective. Precise conceptualization of the terms used, such as ‘life events’ and ‘social support’ is called for, together with a conscientious application of research techniques like the interview method. Careful analysis of different variables such as ‘provoking agent’ and ‘vulnerability factor’ would seem necessary, before the causality question can be approached. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In contemporary health care there exists a dichotomy between increasing consumer interest in achieving higher levels of wellness through stress management, and corresponding clinical application of stress research on the part of health professionals. In this article, research on stressful life events as illness predictors is reviewed along with other variables that are thought to impact on the stress-illness correlation. The focus is on the limitations of existing research data that seems to preclude more extensive clinical application. The author cautions that increasing lay and governmental interest in preventive health programs, motivated by both cost containment and self-actualization goals, may lead to unvalidated therapeutic modalities unless health professionals take more of an initiative in bridging the significant gap between research and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When people experience major life changes, this often impacts their self‐presentation, networks, and online behavior in substantial ways. To effectively study major life transitions and events, we surveyed a large U.S. sample (n = 554) to create the Major Life Events Taxonomy, a list of 121 life events in 12 categories. We then applied this taxonomy to a second large U.S. survey sample (n = 775) to understand on average how much social readjustment each event required, how likely each event was to be shared on social media with different types of audiences, and how much online network separation each involved. We found that social readjustment is positively correlated with sharing on social media, with both broad audiences and close ties as well as in online spaces separate from one's network of known ties. Some life transitions involve high levels of sharing with both separate audiences and broad audiences on social media, providing evidence for what previous research has called social media as social transition machinery. Researchers can use the Major Life Events Taxonomy to examine how people's life transition experiences relate to their behaviors, technology use, and health and well‐being outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The SPECTRA: Indices of Psychopathology is a broadband assessment inventory compatible with contemporary hierarchical models of psychopathology (internalizing, externalizing, reality impairing dimensions and global psychopathology factor). This study explored the SPECTRA's construct validity using a wide range of life event (extra‐test) variables in a clinical sample. The life event variables included the following: education level, school failure, childhood adversity, suicide attempts, psychiatric hospitalizations, depression, psychotic symptoms, self‐injury, substance abuse, arrests, physical violence, marital status, employment status and current medications. Results showed that all SPECTRA clinical scales had significant life event correlations. For the higher‐order Spectra scales, the global index of psychopathology had the greatest number and range of life event correlations. Correlations for the externalizing and reality impairing Spectra scales provided solid validity evidence, while correlations for the internalizing Spectra scale were more diffuse. These findings provide the first non‐test‐based evidence of construct validity for the SPECTRA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Personality changes throughout the life course and change is often caused by environmental influences, such as critical life events. In the present study, we investigate personality trait development in emerging adulthood as a result of experiencing two major life events: graduating from school and moving away from home. Thereby, we examined the occurrence of the two life events per se and the subjective perception of the critical life event in terms of valence. In addition, we postulate a moderation effect of the construct of mindset, which emphasizes that beliefs over the malleability of global attributes can be seen as predictors of resilience to challenges. This suggests that mindset acts as a buffer for these two distinct events. In a large longitudinal sample of 1,243 people entering adulthood, we applied latent structural equation modeling to assess mean-level changes in the Big Five, the influence of life events per se , the subjective perception of life events, and a moderating role of mindset. In line with maturity processes, results showed significant mean-level changes in all Big Five traits. While no changes in the Big Five dimensions were noted when the mere occurrence of an event is assessed, results indicated a greater increase in extraversion and diminished increase in emotional stability when we accounted for the individual's (positive/negative) perception of the critical life event. In case of extraversion, this also holds true for the moderator mindset. Our findings contribute valuable insights into the relevance of subjective appraisals to life events and the importance of underlying processes to these events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stress‐induced mental illnesses have become the focus of increasing international attention, particularly in Japan since the 1990s, where judiciary cases and welfare‐state initiatives established causal links between work stress and mental illness. However, how individuals retrospectively construct this causality remains a marginal topic in the literature. This ethnographic article explores the ways in which male workers seeking compensation for their condition (depression and adjustment disorder) reconstruct aetiology narratives and to what avail. This paper demonstrates two themes: (1) how objectivising stress (related to specific formats of worker compensation), no‐faulting (dispensing with individual blame to view stress as pervasive in the workplace) and negotiating blame (seeking explanation in terms of individual psychology) construct a case, and (2) how narrative reconstruction functions as both a barrier to recovery and way of working towards recovery and collective function. It is argued that the narrative reconstructions of workers, who become unwell and seek recognition, suggest uncertain self‐victimisation despite the broader understanding of mental illness in contemporary Japan. The findings imply the heuristic potential of relativising causality and treating analytical dichotomies, including causality–narrative, victimhood–agency and fact–fiction, not as contradictory alternatives, but as different analysis levels, to better understand ambiguous illness narratives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]