Structural brain correlates of adolescent resilience
Research output: Contribution to journal › Research article › Contributed › peer-review
Contributors
- University of Vermont
- University College Dublin
- King's College London (KCL)
- University of Montreal
- Heidelberg University
- Trinity College Dublin
- University of Hamburg
- Assistance publique – Hôpitaux de Paris
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
- University of Nottingham
- University of Toronto
- McGill University Health Centre
- University of Cambridge
Abstract
Background: Despite calls for integration of neurobiological methods into research on youth resilience (high competence despite high adversity), we know little about structural brain correlates of resilient functioning. The aim of the current study was to test for brain regions uniquely associated with positive functioning in the context of adversity, using detailed phenotypic classification. Methods: 1,870 European adolescents (Mage = 14.56 years, SDage = 0.44 years, 51.5% female) underwent MRI scanning and completed behavioral and psychological measures of stressful life events, academic competence, social competence, rule-abiding conduct, personality, and alcohol use. Results: The interaction of competence and adversity identified two regions centered on the right middle and superior frontal gyri; grey matter volumes in these regions were larger in adolescents experiencing adversity who showed positive adaptation. Differences in these regions among competence/adversity subgroups were maintained after controlling for several covariates and were robust to alternative operationalization decisions for key constructs. Conclusions: We demonstrate structural brain correlates of adolescent resilience, and suggest that right prefrontal structures are implicated in adaptive functioning for youth who have experienced adversity.
Details
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1287-1296 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines |
Volume | 57 |
Issue number | 11 |
Publication status | Published - 1 Nov 2016 |
Peer-reviewed | Yes |
External IDs
PubMed | 27079174 |
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ORCID | /0000-0001-5398-5569/work/161890799 |
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Keywords
- adolescence, adversity, competence, IMAGEN study, Imaging, resilience