This study has concluded and is no longer open for recruitment.
This NIMH funded longitudinal investigation is a 2-site study with Northwestern University and UCLA. The primary aim is to examine common and specific risk factors for emotional disorders over a 9-year period during the transition from late adolescence to early adulthood. More specifically, we are interested in investigating whether neuroticism is a nonspecific risk factor for most, if not all, anxiety and mood disorders, whether specific risk factors have unique predictive validity above and beyond neuroticism, and whether there are diathesis-stress interactions. In the current renewal phase (years 5-9), we have expanded the study to also examine how early life adversity, genetics, and personality disorders may contribute to the onset and maintenance of psychopathology.
Eligibility Criteria
The participants in the study were originally recruited from local high schools in the Los Angeles and Chicago areas during their junior year. Participants were eligible if they spoke fluent English and received parental consent to participate. We are no longer recruiting new participants for this study.
Screening Procedures
Participants who received parental consent were screened at their local high school to determine whether or not they would be suitable for the study. Participants were told during this screening that the purpose of the study is to identify risk factors for the development of emotional problems and that the project entails interviews and questionnaires which are administered over several years.
Assessments
The participants are given annual diagnostic and life stress interviews (in addition to several questionnaires) in order to help predict the development of emotional disorders. The participants receive financial compensation for each assessment, which increases each year of the study.
For further information about this project, contact Kate Taylor, Ph.D. (ktaylor@psych.ucla.edu) or Wylie Wan (wyliewan@ucla.edu) at (310) 825-9312.
This study is conducted in collaboration with Constance Hammen(UCLA) and Richard Zinbarg, Ph.D.and Sue Mineka, Ph.D.(Northwestern University).
Principal Investigator: Michelle G. Craske, Ph.D. (UCLA site).
NIMH 5 R01 MH065651