A systematic review and Bayesian meta-analysis of 30 years of stress generation research: Clinical, psychological, and sociodemographic risk and protective factors for prospective negative life events.

Stress generation posits that (a) individuals at-risk for psychopathology may inadvertently experience higher rates of prospective dependent stress (i.e., stressors that are in part influenced by their thoughts and behaviors) but not independent stress (i.e., stressors occurring outside their influence), and (b) this elevated dependent stress, in some measure, is what places these individuals at-risk for future psychopathology. In recognition of 30 years of stress generation research, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis using frequentist and Bayesian approaches (102 articles with 104 eligible studies, N = 31,541). Generally strong support was found for psychopathology predicting dependent stress (e.g., dsOverall psychopathology = 0.36-0.52, BF10 = 946.00 to 4.65 × 10¹8). Moderator analyses for dependent stress revealed larger effects for briefer assessments periods, shorter follow-ups, and self-report measures than for interviews. Among risk factors, depressogenic cognitive styles (ds = .26-.50, BF10 = 47.50 to 1.00 × 105) and general interpersonal vulnerability (ds = .26-.44, BF10 = 2.72 to 2708.00) received the strongest support as stress generation mechanisms, and current evidence is modest for protective factors predicting dependent stress. Overall, larger effects were generally found for prospective prediction of dependent stress than independent stress. Evaluations of mediation in the research literature were relatively few, limiting the current review to qualitative analysis of the mediation component of stress generation. General support was found, however, for dependent stress as a mediator for psychopathology and associated risk factors in relation to subsequent psychopathology. The current review ends with recommendations for future research and integration of stress generation within minority stress frameworks. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Exposure to Racism on Social Media and Acute Suicide Risk in Adolescents of Color: Results From an Intensive Monitoring Study.

Youth of color are often exposed to racism at both systemic and individual levels. Interpersonal racial/ethnic discrimination is the behavioral manifestation of individual racism.1,2 While direct individual experiences of racism (eg, comments directed at the individual) have deleterious effects for the socioemotional well-being of youth of color,3 research also points to the negative effects of broader exposure to racism (eg, viewing racist comments, images, or videos online1,2) that is not experienced directly. Now that social media (SM) has become a prominent and ubiquitous source of social interactions for adolescents, research on the influence of racism on youth must contend with this new medium. This is especially the case for youth of color, particularly Black and Hispanic/Latine youth, who report more SM use than White youth who do not identify as Hispanic/Latine.4 The unique features of SM, including its permanence, publicness, and personalized algorithms, may increase both direct and indirect experiences of online racism for youth of color, particularly due to its constant availability and highly visual nature, which likely expose and re-expose youth of color to a variety of online racist experiences. Approximately 20% of all Black adolescents sampled in a large national survey reported that they were the target of online bullying or harassment because of their racial or ethnic identity.4 Indeed, exposure to direct and indirect online racism is associated with negative mental health outcomes for youth of color,5,6 including posttraumatic symptoms, depression, and anxiety.

Comparing self-harming intentions underlying eating disordered behaviors and nonsuicidal self-injury: Replication and extension in adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: Eating disorder (ED) behaviors are often characterized as indirect forms of self-harm. However, recent research has found less clear demarcations between direct self-harming behaviors (e.g., nonsuicidal self-injury [NSSI], suicidal behaviors) than previously assumed. The aim of this study was to replicate findings of this prior research on adult populations in adolescents with a history of restrictive eating. METHOD: A total of 117 adolescents between ages 12-14 were included in the study. Participants reported the presence and frequency of binge eating, compensatory, restrictive eating, and NSSI. Participants also reported thoughts of and intentions to hurt and kill themselves when engaging in each behavior on average. The t-tests and linear effects models were conducted to compare self-harming thoughts and intentions across behaviors. RESULTS: Participants reported at least some intent to hurt themselves physically in the moment and in the long-term when engaging in all ED behaviors and NSSI, and reported engaging in these behaviors while thinking about suicide. Direct self-harming knowledge and intentions were most frequently reported with NSSI and longer-term knowledge and intentions via NSSI and restrictive eating. Additionally, participants reported some suicidal thoughts and intentions across behaviors. DISCUSSION: This study replicates prior research, suggesting that adolescents engage in ED behaviors and NSSI with non-zero self-harming and suicidal thoughts and intentions. ED behaviors and NSSI may better be explained on a continuum. Implications include the recommendation of safety planning during ED treatment. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study highlights the overlap between eating disorder (ED) behaviors, nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), and suicide. Though clear distinctions typically exist for motives of self-harming behavior between ED behaviors (i.e., indirect, in the long run) and NSSI (i.e., direct, in the moment), this research suggests that intentions for self-harming and suicide may exist on a continuum. Clinical ED treatment should consider safety planning as part of routine interventions.