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Daily experiences and psychobiological health in adolescents
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Date
2024
Authors
Whelan, Eadaoin
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University College Cork
Published Version
Abstract
Experiences in everyday life can affect our health in both positive and negative ways. Underlying biological processes help us to regulate our response to experiences, and in the short-term, these processes serve an adaptive function and work to protect us. However, over time, biologicals systems can become over-worked due to chronic, repeated, or heightened stress and place ‘wear and tear’ on the body, a process known as allostatic load. Allostatic load refers to the cumulative effects of experiences on health and has been measured in predominantly adult populations when the effects of experiences have manifested over time. However, adolescence is a sensitive and dynamic period of development during which adolescents are more sensitive to the effects of both positive and negative experiences, thus experiences in adolescence have the potential to influence lifelong patterns of health. The allostatic load model is valuable as it allows us to understand how experiences can become biologically embedded to shape health and has been operationalised using a multisystem index of biomarkers representing four physiological systems: the neuroendocrine, cardiovascular, metabolic, and immune systems. The aim of this thesis was to apply the allostatic load model in adolescence and scrutinise the contribution of both positive and negative experiences.
The first step in identifying what relationship, if any, exists between allostatic load and adolescence was to conduct a systematic review of prior research in the area and synthesise findings to inform future research. Study one (chapter 5) describes a systematic review to evaluate biomarkers used in empirical studies measuring allostatic load in adolescent populations. Study one identified a gap in our understanding of how daily experiences may contribute to allostatic load. Additionally, findings from study one highlighted the wide variation in biological markers used to measure allostatic load and made recommendations on what markers may be most effective in measuring effects of experiences on adolescent health.
Study two (chapter 6) consisted of a secondary analysis of data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). This study was the first to longitudinally test if daily activities in early adolescence predicted allostatic load in mid-adolescence. Findings from this study indicated that daily activities predicted allostatic load for girls, but not for boys. Time spent completing homework on weekdays, and time spent socialising on weekends emerged as significant predictors, and more time on homework was positively associated with allostatic load in girls, and social time was negatively associated with allostatic load in girls.
Study three (chapter 7) was the first study to empirically test the relationship between daily experiences and allostatic load in a sample of adolescents. The design of study three was informed by the observation of the need to include a more comprehensive measure of allostatic load, and to collect empirical data on the daily experiences that may relate to psychobiological processes relevant to allostatic load. For example, using ecological momentary assessment methods, study three incorporated diaries of both activities and emotions to provide a granulated measure of adolescents’ daily experiences. Study three also used an optimal index of allostatic load with biomarkers representing each of the four physiological systems. Findings from study three indicate that daily experiences predict allostatic load in adolescence and that both activities and emotions contributed significantly to indicators of psychobiological health. In this study, negative affect was positively associated with allostatic load, and time playing sports was negatively associated with allostatic load.
The findings from this research support the suitability of the allostatic load model in adolescent populations and highlight the importance of experiences in the context of adolescents’ daily lives. Specifically, findings highlight that certain activities and emotions, for example sports and negative emotions, may be more salient for adolescent health and provide meaningful opportunities to promote positive health. Early adolescence, in particular, may represent a key window of opportunity to promote adaptive psychological functioning to support health and development.
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Keywords
Adolescence , Psychobiology , Stress , Allostatic load
Citation
Whelan, É. 2024. Daily experiences and psychobiological health in adolescents. PhD Thesis, University College Cork.