Combined effects of distal and proximal interpersonal stress and FKBP5 gene on adolescent self-injury behavior: The developmental perspective

Subjects: Other Disciplines >> Synthetic discipline submitted time 2023-10-09 Cooperative journals: 《心理学报》

BAI Rong GAO Yemiao LI Jinwen LIU Xia

Abstract： Self-injury usually emerges in early adolescence and has a high incidence among adolescents worldwide. Self-injury not only damages body tissue but is also associated with depression, anxiety, personality disorders, substance abuse, and a higher-than-average risk of suicide. Given the high incidence of self-injury and the severity of its consequences, it is important to explore its predictors and specific mechanisms. Interpersonal theories of developmental psychopathology maintain that interpersonal stress is a critical risk factor for adolescent self-injury behavior. However, the ways the source and duration of exposure to that stress affect adolescent self-injury behavior are unclear. Adolescents also differ in their sensitivity to interpersonal stress. Stress-related genetic factors may play an important moderating role. The current study selected child abuse and recent peer victimization as distal and proximal interpersonal stress, respectively, and FKBP5 gene rs3800373 polymorphism as the genetic factor. The purpose of this study was to build upon the results of previous studies by exploring the relative and interactive effects of distal and proximal interpersonal stress on adolescent self-injury behavior.The participants were 436 adolescents (12.84 ± 0.89 years, 49.8% males) recruited from four junior high schools in Guizhou Province. All were tracked from grade 7 to grade 9. At Time 1, adolescents reported child abuse via the Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scale, reported peer victimization via the Multidimensional Peer Victimization Scale, and reported self-injury behavior via the Short Version of Self-Injury Behavior Scale. At Time 2, adolescents reported peer victimization and self-injury behavior, and saliva samples were collected. Genotyping with respect to the FKBP5 gene was performed with Agena MassArray software, and the corresponding typing results were analyzed using MassARRAY Typer software version 4.0.Results showed that both distal and proximal interpersonal stress significantly predicted adolescent self-injury behavior, but the relative effect sizes differed in early and middle adolescence. Across the entire sample, distal and proximal interpersonal stress had an interactive effect on adolescent self-injury, and the interaction pattern was consistent with the stress amplification model. However, when the FKBP5 gene was considered, the interaction pattern was found to differ between adolescents in different genotype groups. Specifically, compared with AA homozygous adolescents who experienced less childhood abuse, those who experienced more child abuse were easily to be impacted by recent peer victimization and engage in NSSI. This was consistent with the stress amplification model. However, in adolescents with the AC/CC genotype who experienced more childhood abuse, mild recent peer victimization triggered adolescent self-injury. These participants showed lower self-injury thresholds and higher scores for self-injury than those who experienced less childhood abuse, which was consistent with a stress sensitization model. These relationships were stable in both early and middle adolescence.These findings showed different patterns of interaction between interpersonal and intrapersonal factors on self-injury behavior in adolescents of different genotypes. Using an integrative, dynamic, and developmental framework, this study provides important insights into the relevant interpersonal theories. It is also valuable for the accurate identification of adolescents at high risk of self-injury and for both prevention and intervention.

YES

 Hits 144  Downloads 85  Comment