Variation in global network properties across risk factors for adolescent internalizing symptoms: evidence of cumulative effects on structure and connectivity.

BACKGROUND Identifying adolescents at risk of internalizing problems is a key priority. However, studies have tended to consider such problems in simple ways using diagnoses, or item summaries. Network theory and methods instead allow for more complex interaction between symptoms. Two key hypotheses predict differences in global network properties for those at risk: altered structure and increased connectivity. METHODS The current study evaluated these hypotheses for nine risk factors (e.g. income deprivation and low parent/carer support) individually and cumulatively in a large sample of 12-15 year-olds (N = 34 564). Recursive partitioning and bootstrapped networks were used to evaluate structural and connectivity differences. RESULTS The pattern of network interactions was shown to be significantly different via recursive partitioning for all comparisons across risk-present/absent groups and levels of cumulative risk, except for income deprivation. However, the magnitude of differences appeared small. Most individual risk factors also showed relatively small effects for connectivity. Exceptions were noted for gender and sexual minority risk groups, as well as low parent/carer support, where larger effects were evident. A strong linear trend was observed between increasing cumulative risk exposure and connectivity. CONCLUSIONS A robust approach to considering the effect of risk exposure on global network properties was demonstrated. Results are consistent with the ideas that pathological states are associated with higher connectivity, and that the number of risks, regardless of their nature, is important. Gender/sexual minority status and low parent/carer support had the biggest individual impacts on connectivity, suggesting these are particularly important for identification and prevention.

背景 识别有内化问题风险的青少年是首要任务。然而，研究往往使用诊断或项目总结等简单方式来考虑此类问题。网络理论和方法则允许症状之间有更复杂的相互作用。两个关键假设预测了高危人群在整体网络特性方面的差异：结构改变和连接性增强。 方法 本研究在一个12 - 15岁的大样本（N = 34564）中，对九个风险因素（如收入贫困和父母/照顾者支持不足）分别以及累积地评估了这些假设。使用递归划分和自助法网络来评估结构和连接性差异。 结果 通过递归划分，除收入贫困外，在有/无风险组以及累积风险水平的所有比较中，网络相互作用的模式都显示出显著差异。然而，差异的幅度似乎较小。大多数个体风险因素在连接性方面也显示出相对较小的影响。性别和性少数群体风险以及父母/照顾者支持不足是例外，在这些方面有更明显的较大影响。在累积风险暴露增加和连接性之间观察到强烈的线性趋势。 结论 展示了一种考虑风险暴露对整体网络特性影响的稳健方法。结果与病理状态与更高连接性相关以及风险数量（无论其性质如何）很重要的观点一致。性别/性少数身份和父母/照顾者支持不足对连接性的个体影响最大，表明这些对于识别和预防尤为重要。