2022

Background. There are numerous observations of reward sensitivity being associated with different psychiatric disorders. Nonetheless, most studies investigating this relationship have been cross-sectional. Additionally, current knowledge is fragmentary as studies often investigate only one disorder at a time. The present study addresses these gaps by investigating whether reward sensitivity at age 13 predicts the course of nine psychopathology domains (attention and hyperactivity, autism spectrum, reactive aggression, proactive aggression, mood, anxiety, smoking, alcohol use, and cannabis use) over a 14-year follow-up period. Methods. We used dimensional outcomes on 2,523 individuals over five measurement waves between ages 13 and 26 of the Dutch Tracking Adolescents' Individual Lives Survey (TRAILS). Reward sensitivity was measured with the Behavioral Activation System (BAS) scale. The longitudinal associations between reward sensitivity and psychopathology were examined using growth curve analysis within a multilevel framework. Results. Reward sensitivity at age 13 was associated with changes in psychopathology over time. Reward sensitivity had a stable main effect on the future course of reactive and proactive aggression problems and anxiety problems. The effect of reward sensitivity increased over time for alcohol and cannabis use. Post-hoc analyses showed that reward sensitivity also had a stable effect on attention problems and hyperactivity and smoking when based on the fun-seeking subscale for both domains and when changing the informant who reported on attention problems and hyperactivity. No evidence was found for a longitudinal association between reward sensitivity and autism spectrum problems and mood problems. Conclusion. The current study provides evidence for the long-lasting effects of reward sensitivity on the course of different domains of psychopathology.

What was already known about this topic?

Several studies have examined work-family trajectories in different populations. However, little is known about work-family trajectories of the current generation of young adults, i.e. people who were born in the 1990s. Additionally, the link between early life mental health experiences and subsequent work-family trajectories has not been well examined.

What does this study add?

Six work-family trajectories at ages 18–28 were identified in people born in 1990s with main difference between trajectories of women and men being the timing of parenthood. Mental health in adolescence was associated with later work-family trajectories: In women, behavioural problems were associated with a parenthood trajectory and in men, emotional problems were associated with a long education trajectory.