The effect of age on the relationship between negative life events and current and new depressive episodes: results from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil).

BACKGROUND: There is scarce data concerning the relationship between negative life events (NLEs)* and current and new depressive episodes by age. METHODS: Cross-sectional (baseline) and prospective analyses (4-year/8-year follow-ups) were performed in 15,105 civil servants in 6 cities in Brazil classified according to age strata at baseline: 1st(35-44), 2nd(45-54), 3rd(55-64), and 4th(65-74) years. The independent variable was NLEs in the last year (robbery, hospitalization, death of a relative, financial hardship, and rupture of a love relationship) collected at baseline. The dependent variable was depressive episodes assessed at baseline (current), and 4-year/8-year follow-ups (new). We built logistic (Odds Ratio[OR];95 % Confidence Interval[CI]) in the cross-sectional analysis and Poisson regression models (Relative Risk[RR], [CI]) in the prospective analysis. RESULTS: Robbery, hospitalization, financial hardship, rupture of a relationship were associated with current depressive episodes concentrated in the 35-44 age range, while for new depressive episodes, the association of hospitalization, death of a relative, and financial hardship were concentrated in the 45-54 age stratum. Financial hardship was associated with current depressive episodes in all age-strata: 1st: OR, 2.77(CI, 1.83-4.19); 2nd: OR, 1.71(CI, 1.26-2.34); 3rd: OR, 1.68(CI,1.15-2.46); 4th, OR, 4.07(CI, 1.24-13.34), and new depressive episodes: 1st: RR, 1.45(CI, 1.09-1.93); 2nd RR, 1.46(CI: 1.15-1.84); 3rd: RR, 1.97(CI, 1.38-2.82). Rupture of a relationship was associated only with current depressive episode, while death of a relative only with new depressive episode. LIMITATION: We cannot rule out the possibility of recall bias, since NLEs` information was self-reported. CONCLUSION: The association between NLEs with depressive episodes was concentrated in youngers.

Negative Events, Coping and Biological Markers: An Application of Transactional Model of Stress, / Eventos Negativos, Estratégias de Enfrentamento e Marcadores Biológicos: Uma aplicação do Modelo Transacional do Estresse

Abstract Based on the importance of the stress phenomenon, this research sought to evaluate the relationship between stress, coping strategies, negative life events and biological markers, based on the Transactional Stress Model. A general hypothesis of mediation was formulated: coping strategies would mediate the relationship between negative life events and biological markers. The sample consisted of 96 users of a biomedical school laboratory, in which 77.78% were female. Participants answered the Brief COPE questionnaire, as well as a questionnaire on negative life events. Laboratory tests were collected shortly after the application of the questionnaires. Mediations were found between Venting, Red Blood Cells and Hemoglobin. The research aimed to contribute to the knowledge in the field of stress and coping, as well as to serve as a possible empirical study of the Transactional Stress model.

Resumo Dada a importância do fenômeno do estresse, esta pesquisa procurou avaliar a relação entre estresse, estratégias de enfrentamento, eventos negativos na vida e marcadores biológicos baseados no modelo transacional de estresse. A hipótese geral de mediação é que as estratégias de enfrentamento seriam mediadoras à relação entre eventos negativos na vida e os marcadores biológicos. A amostra consistiu de 96 usuários de um laboratório escola em que 77,78% eram mulheres. Participantes responderam ao questionário Brief-COPE, assim como o questionário de eventos negativos na vida. Os testes laboratoriais foram coletados logo após a aplicação dos questionários. As mediações foram encontradas entre auto-distração células vermelhas e hemoglobina. A pesquisa buscou contribuir com o conhecimento na área de estresse e estratégias de enfrentamento, assim como servir como estudo empírico do Modelo Transacional de Estresse.