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Exposure to socioeconomic adversity in early life and risk of depression at 18 years: The mediating role of locus of control
- Source :
- Journal of Affective Disorders
- Publication Year :
- 2015
-
Abstract
- Background Previous studies have linked exposure to early socioeconomic adversity to depression, but the mechanisms of this association are not well understood. Locus of control (LoC), an individual's control-related beliefs, has been implicated as a possible mechanism, however, longitudinal evidence to support this is lacking. Methods The study sample comprised 8803 participants from a UK cohort, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Indicators of early socioeconomic adversity were collected from the antenatal period to 5 years and modelled as a latent factor. Depression was assessed using the Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised (CIS-R) at 18 years. LoC was assessed with the Nowicki–Strickland Internal–External (CNSIE) scale at 16 years. Results Using structural equation modelling, we found that 34% of the total estimated association between early socioeconomic adversity and depression at 18 years was explained by external LoC at 16 years. There was weak evidence of a direct pathway from early socioeconomic adversity to depression after accounting for the indirect effect via external locus of control. Socioeconomic adversity was associated with more external LoC, which, in turn, was associated with depression. Limitations Attrition may have led to an underestimation of the direct and indirect effect sizes in the complete case analysis. Conclusions Results suggest that external LoC in adolescence is one of the factors mediating the link between early adversity and depression at 18 years. Cognitive interventions that seek to modify maladaptive control beliefs in adolescence may be effective in reducing risk of depression following early life adversity.<br />Highlights • We examine locus of control as a pathway between social adversity and depression. • External locus of control mediates the link between social adversity and depression. • Social adversity is linked to more external locus of control and depression. • More external locus of control is associated with higher risk of depression. • Depression prevention programs should address cognitive beliefs about control.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Male
Research Report
Adolescent
Depression
Psychology, Adolescent
Peer Group
Young Adult
Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC)
Socioeconomic Factors
Adolescent Behavior
Risk Factors
Locus of control
Humans
Female
Early childhood
Socioeconomic adversity
Longitudinal Studies
Parent-Child Relations
Child
Poverty
Internal-External Control
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 15732517
- Volume :
- 183
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of affective disorders
- Accession number :
- edsair.pmid..........9314d4b03a471f1cd23ceda7f10cef48