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Positive and Negative Life Events in Association with Psychopathology: An Examination of Sex Differences in Early Adolescence

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Abstract

Negative life events (NLEs) are associated with psychopathology in older adolescents and adults, particularly for women. However, less is known about the association between positive life events (PLEs) and psychopathology. This study examined associations between NLEs, PLEs, and their interaction, and sex differences in associations between PLEs and NLEs on internalizing and externalizing psychopathology. Youth completed interviews about NLEs and PLEs. Parents and youth reported on youth internalizing and externalizing symptoms. NLEs were positively associated with youth-reported depression and anxiety and parent-reported youth depression. Female youth had stronger positive associations between NLEs and youth-reported anxiety than male youth. Interactions between PLEs and NLEs were non-significant. Findings for NLEs and psychopathology are extended to earlier in development.

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This publication was supported by R01 MH107495 (Olino).

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  1. Department of Psychology, Temple University, 1701 North 13th Street, Weiss Hall, Philadelphia, PA, United States

    Subhashini Madhavan, Lindsey C. Stewart, Samantha L. Birk, Johanna D. Nielsen & Thomas M. Olino

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  1. Subhashini Madhavan
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  2. Lindsey C. Stewart
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SM conducted data analysis and drafted the manuscript under the supervision of TMO. TMO, LCS, SLB, and JDN provided critical revisions to the writing, analysis plan, and drafting of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Thomas M. Olino.

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Madhavan, S., Stewart, L., Birk, S. et al. Positive and Negative Life Events in Association with Psychopathology: An Examination of Sex Differences in Early Adolescence. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-023-01509-w

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