Predictors of methamphetamine use in a longitudinal birth cohort.

BACKGROUND: Identifying predictors of methamphetamine use can inform population prevention strategies. METHODS: Participants (n = 1265) born in Christchurch, New Zealand were followed from birth to age 40. Methamphetamine outcomes (any use since the last interview, and regular use, defined as any period of at least weekly use) were ascertained by self-report at six interviews from age 18 to 40. Predictors with plausible associations with methamphetamine use were extracted from the study database. These were grouped into early predictors (age 0-16), comprising childhood, familial and individual characteristics; and later time-dynamic correlates of methamphetamine use in adulthood (ages 16-40). Generalised estimating equation models were fitted to identify predictors of methamphetamine use outcomes. RESULTS: In adjusted models, paternal overprotectiveness and childhood anxious / withdrawn behavior were associated with any use of methamphetamine, but not regular use. Conversely, childhood conduct problems and parental illicit drug were associated with regular use but not any use. Male sex, high novelty seeking and deviant peer affiliations were associated with both any use and regular use in adjusted models. The strongest correlates of methamphetamine use in adulthood were unemployment, life stress and other substance use disorders (cannabis, nicotine, and alcohol). CONCLUSION: Markers of externalizing problems in childhood and adolescence (conduct problems, high novelty seeking, parental illicit substance use, and deviant peer affiliations) are the strongest predictors of regular methamphetamine use in adulthood.

Childhood trauma and cognitive functioning in mood disorders: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment is a core feature of mood disorders and has been identified as an important treatment target. A better understanding of the factors contributing to cognitive impairment in mood disorders would be beneficial in developing interventions to address cognitive impairment. One key factor is childhood trauma. The aim of this review was to systematically synthesise and review research examining associations between reported childhood trauma and cognitive functioning in mood disorders. METHODS: Studies in adult samples examining the relationship between objective cognitive function and reported childhood trauma in major depressive disorder and/or bipolar disorder (in-episode or euthymia) were identified. Searches were conducted on PubMed, Embase and PsycINFO until January 2022. A narrative review technique was used due to the heterogeneity of group comparisons, cognitive tests and data analysis across studies. RESULTS: Seventeen studies met the criteria for inclusion (mood disorders N = 1723, healthy controls N = 797). Evidence for childhood trauma being related to poorer cognitive functioning was consistent across global cognitive functioning and executive function domains for euthymic patients and psychomotor speed for in-episode patients. There was mixed evidence for verbal learning and memory and executive function for in-episode patients. Identification of patterns within other domains was difficult due to limited number of studies. CONCLUSION: Findings from this review suggest childhood trauma is associated with poorer cognitive functioning in people with mood disorders. Targeted interventions to improve cognition may be warranted for this group.

Methamphetamine use and psychotic symptoms: findings from a New Zealand longitudinal birth cohort.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the association between methamphetamine use and psychotic symptoms in a New Zealand general population birth cohort (n = 1265 at birth). METHODS: At age 18, 21, 25, 30, and 35, participants reported on their methamphetamine use and psychotic symptoms in the period since the previous interview. Generalized estimating equations modelled the association between methamphetamine use and psychotic symptoms (percentage reporting any symptom, and number of symptoms per participant). Confounding factors included childhood individual characteristics, family socioeconomic circumstances and family functioning. Long term effects of methamphetamine use on psychotic symptoms were assessed by comparing the incidence of psychotic symptoms at age 30-35 for those with and without a history of methamphetamine use prior to age 30. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounding factors and time-varying covariate factors including concurrent cannabis use, methamphetamine use was associated with a modest increase in psychosis risk over five waves of data (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-1.72 for the percentage measure; and IRR 1.24, 95% CI 1.02-1.50 for the symptom count measure). The increased risk of psychotic symptoms was concentrated among participants who had used at least weekly at any point (adjusted OR 2.85, 95% CI 1.21-6.69). Use of methamphetamine less than weekly was not associated with increased psychosis risk. We found no evidence for a persistent vulnerability to psychosis in the absence of continuing methamphetamine use. CONCLUSION: Methamphetamine use is associated with increased risk of psychotic symptoms in the general population. Increased risk is chiefly confined to people who ever used regularly (at least weekly), and recently.

Adult Externalizing and Suicidal Behavior in Children Who Set Fires: Analysis of a 40 Year Birth Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: Firesetting in children is thought to be an indicator of severe conduct problems in young people. However, no research has examined whether childhood firesetting is also associated with increased risk of externalizing and suicidal behaviors in adulthood. METHOD: Data were obtained from a longitudinal study (n = 1265). Childhood firesetting/conduct problems (7-10 years) were derived from an assessment of antisocial behavior. Externalizing/suicidal behavior was derived from the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and the Self-Report Delinquency Inventory. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models estimated associations between childhood firesetting and adult substance use disorders, criminal offending, and suicidal ideation, adjusting for childhood conduct problems and other confounding factors. Associations between childhood and adult firesetting (age 18-40 years) were examined using cross-tabulation (χ2). RESULTS: Five percent of children reported firesetting (7-10 years). Childhood firesetting appeared to increase the risk of adult firesetting; however, in most cases adult firesetting was not associated with childhood firesetting (χ2 (1) = 4.15, p = .0417). Childhood firesetting was a risk marker for adult externalizing/suicidal behavior; however, the effect was relatively weak (IRR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.11-2.05). Children with conduct problems who also engaged in firesetting were found to be at substantially higher risk of later externalizing/suicidal behavior (IRR = 2.84; 95% CI: 1.24-6.49). CONCLUSION: This study found that childhood firesetting is a risk marker for adult externalizing/suicidal behavior, not an independent risk factor. It may be more useful for clinicians to focus on child conduct problems generally, rather than focussing on firesetting behavior.

Amphetamine-type stimulant use and self-harm: protocol for a systematic review of observational studies.

INTRODUCTION: Amphetamine type stimulant (ATS) use and self-harm are both major public health concerns globally. Use of ATS is associated with a range of health and social problems, and has been increasing internationally in the last decade. Self-harm and ATS use share a number of underlying risk factors and occur at elevated rates in marginalised groups with high rates of exposure to trauma. The relationship between self-harm and ATS use is likely complex, and the causal pathway may run in either direction. A comprehensive review, synthesis and analysis of the evidence are warranted to investigate this relationship and inform policy and practice. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will search the Medline, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO and Scopus databases for relevant observational studies published in peer-reviewed journals. The initial search was conducted on 5 February 2021, with a final search expected on 1 February 2022. All studies will be independently screened by two reviewers, first on title and abstract, and then on full-text to determine inclusion in the review. We place no restriction on the population that studies investigate, our exposure of interest is both prescription and illicit ATS use, comparators will be those not currently using ATS, and our primary outcome of interest is the prevalence of self-harm. Data will be extracted using a predesigned template, and pooled prevalence and pooled measures of effect for the association between ATS use and self-harm. If sufficient data are available, we will perform multiple meta-analyses to produce pooled measures of effect for each measure of ATS exposure, as well as different population sub-groups. The Methodological Standard for Epidemiological Research scale will be used to assess study quality, and Egger's test and I2 values will be used to assess publication bias and heterogeneity, respectively. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: No ethical approval is required for this review. We will only synthesise information from published studies that were conducted with ethical approval, so no individual participant data will be used. We will disseminate our findings via publication in a peer-reviewed journal, national and international conference presentations, and presentations to stakeholders in the community. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: This study has been registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; CRD42021226562).

A rapid review of early guidance to prevent and control COVID-19 in custodial settings.

BACKGROUND: With over 11 million people incarcerated globally, prevention and control of COVID-19 in custodial settings is a critical component of the public health response. Given the risk of rapid transmission in these settings, it is important to know what guidance existed for responding to COVID-19 in the early stages of the pandemic. We sought to identify, collate, and summarise guidance for the prevention and control of COVID-19 in custodial settings in the first six months of 2020. We conducted a systematic search of peer-reviewed and grey literature, and manually searched relevant websites to identify publications up to 30 June 2020 outlining recommendations to prevent and/or control COVID-19 in custodial settings. We inductively developed a coding framework and assessed recommendations using conventional content analysis. RESULTS: We identified 201 eligible publications containing 374 unique recommendations across 19 domains including: preparedness; physical environments; case identification, screening, and management; communication; external access and visitation; psychological and emotional support; recreation, legal, and health service adaptation; decarceration; release and community reintegration; workforce logistics; surveillance and information sharing; independent monitoring; compensatory measures; lifting control measures; evaluation; and key populations/settings. We identified few conflicting recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: The breadth of recommendations identified in this review reflects the complexity of COVID-19 response in custodial settings. Despite the availability of comprehensive guidance early in the pandemic, important gaps remain in the implementation of recommended prevention and control measures globally, and in the availability of evidence assessing their effectiveness on reducing COVID-19 disease, impact on people in custody and staff, and implementation.

Parenting and Home Environment in Childhood and Adolescence and Alcohol Use Disorder in Adulthood.

PURPOSE: Parenting is a modifiable factor affecting the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD); however, the persistence of this effect into adulthood remains poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the longitudinal relationship between positive parenting and AUD in adulthood. METHODS: Data were gathered from the Christchurch Health and Development Study (CHDS), a birth cohort of 1,265 children born in Christchurch (New Zealand) in mid-1977. Positive parenting was quantified to age 16, and included the extent to which cohort members self-reported: high scores on measures of maternal and paternal care; low scores on a measure of maternal and paternal overprotection; high scores on a measure of parental attachment; low scores on a measure of parental intimate partner violence; and occasional or no use of physical punishment. Outcome measures were AUD incidence and symptoms at ages 15-35, with potential confounding factors and time-dynamic covariates included. RESULTS: There was a significant association between positive parenting and AUD outcomes, with higher levels of positive parenting associated with a lower incidence of AUD and AUD symptoms. Controlling for confounding factors reduced the association between positive parenting and AUD outcomes, but they remained statistically significant. Adjustment for mental health, life stress, and employment reduced the magnitude of the association between positive parenting and alcohol outcomes to statistical nonsignificance. CONCLUSIONS: Parenting factors in childhood and adolescence are linked to AUD outcomes in adulthood, as well as mental health, substance use, and life stress. Investment in positive parenting in adolescence may reduce AUD and associated harms in adulthood.

Antidepressant use and interpersonal violence perpetration: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: There are conflicting perspectives as to whether antidepressant medication increases, decreases or has no effect on violence perpetration, impulsivity and aggressive behaviour. This is an important question given the widespread use of antidepressant medication and the significant medical, social, legal and health consequences of violence. We aim to: (1) systematically identify observational studies and randomised controlled trials that quantify the relationship between antidepressant use and interpersonal violence; (2) assess the quality of studies that quantify the relationship between antidepressant use and interpersonal violence and (3) estimate the pooled prevalence and measure of effect for the relationship between antidepressant use and interpersonal violence. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will search MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, PubMed and the Cochrane Library for relevant peer-reviewed literature. Our primary outcome is the perpetration of violent acts directed at others. Our secondary outcome is physical, interpersonal aggression measured through validated surveys. We will include randomised controlled trials, cohort studies and case-control studies that examine the association between the use of antidepressants and violence perpetration and/or physical aggression. No restrictions will be placed on the population. We will use the Methodological Standard for Epidemiological Research scale to assess the quality of included studies. We will provide an overview of the included studies and assess heterogeneity and publication bias. If there are sufficient studies, we will conduct meta-analyses to examine the possible association between antidepressants and violence, and undertake meta-regression to examine the effect of antidepressant class, length of follow-up, age of participants and population subgroups on the association between antidepressants and violence. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: No ethics approval is required. Our findings will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed journal article and conference presentations. PROSPERO REGISTRATION DETAILS: CRD42020175474.

Correction to: A rapid review of early guidance to prevent and control COVID-19 in custodial settings.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s40352-021-00150-w.].

The contribution of methamphetamine use to crime: Evidence from Australian longitudinal data.

BACKGROUND: To quantify the extent to which methamphetamine use is associated with increases in crime net of any premorbid risk of criminality among people who use the drug. METHODS: Four one-month data panels from 469 participants dependent on methamphetamine were drawn from the MATES cohort (N = 501). Odds ratios for within-person effects were extracted from a random intercept logistic regression model for crime during periods of methamphetamine use compared to no use. Effects were adjusted for time-varying measures of age, other substance use, and socio-economic disadvantage (income, unemployment and unstable accommodation). Involvement in crime (property crime, drug dealing, fraud, violent crime) and days of methamphetamine in the past month were assessed using the Opiate Treatment Index. RESULTS: Crime was more likely during months when participants used methamphetamine compared to when they did not (OR 13.2 95% CI 8.5-20.6; AOR 4.7 95% CI 2.8-8.0), this reflecting more property crime (OR 10.6 95% CI 6.3-18.0; AOR 5.5 95% CI 2.8-10.8), violent crime (OR 8.2 95% CI 4.2-15.9; AOR 3.4 95% CI 1.5-8.0), fraud (OR 3.4, 95% CI 2.0-5.8; AOR 1.7 95% CI 0.8-3.3) and dealing drugs (OR 18.2 95% CI 10.2-32.5; AOR 5.9 95% CI 3.0-11.9), although the adjusted relationship for fraud was not significant. Effects were dose related. CONCLUSIONS: The use of methamphetamine was associated with significant increases in crime beyond premorbid risk for criminality. Crime is a likely social consequence of methamphetamine use and efforts are needed to reduce this impact.

Methamphetamine use and violence: Findings from a longitudinal birth cohort.

AIMS: Evidence linking illicit methamphetamine use to violence perpetration and victimisation comes primarily from cross-sectional studies. These associations have not previously been studied in a longitudinal general population sample. DESIGN: Longitudinal birth cohort. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: General population sample (n = 1265) born in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1977. MEASUREMENTS: Participants were asked at age 21, 25, 30 and 35 about their frequency of methamphetamine use, and violence perpetration or victimization since the last interview. Violence was measured both in general, and within intimate partner relationships in particular. Logistic generalised estimating equations modelled the association between methamphetamine exposure and violence outcomes within each age period, adjusting for confounding factors and time-dynamic covariate factors. The dose-response profiles were explored via associations between heaviest methamphetamine use frequency from age 18-35 and violence outcomes in that period. FINDINGS: 28 % of participants reported using methamphetamine at least once between age 18 and 35. Compared to no use, a history of any methamphetamine use in each age period was associated with an increased adjusted risk of violence perpetration (OR 1.60; 1.01-2.54), intimate partner violence perpetration (OR 1.55, 95 % CI 1.04-2.30), and violence victimization (OR 1.57, 1.00-2.47). Evidence for an association with intimate partner violence victimization was inconclusive (OR 1.09, 0.80-1.49). There was a dose response relationship whereby those who had used methamphetamine at least weekly at any time from age 18-35 had substantially elevated adjusted odds of violence involvement compared to people who used but less often, or had never used. CONCLUSIONS: Methamphetamine use is an independent risk factor for violence perpetration and victimisation in the general population.

Life-course trajectories of cannabis use: a latent class analysis of a New Zealand birth cohort.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Little is known about how cannabis use over the life-course relates to harms in adulthood. The present study aimed to identify trajectories of cannabis use from adolescence to adulthood and examine both the predictors of these trajectories and adverse adult outcomes associated with those trajectories. DESIGN: A latent trajectory analysis of a longitudinal birth cohort (from birth to age 35 years). SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: General community sample (n = 1065) from New Zealand. MEASUREMENT: Annual frequency of cannabis use (ages 15-35 years); childhood family and individual characteristics (birth to age 16 years); measures of adult outcomes (substance use disorders, ages 30-35 years; mental health disorders, ages 30-35 years; socio-economic outcomes at age 35 years; social/family outcomes at age 35 years). FINDINGS: A six-class solution was the best fit to the data. Individuals assigned to trajectories with higher levels of cannabis use were more likely to have experienced adverse childhood family and individual circumstances. Membership of trajectories with higher levels of use was associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes at ages 30-35 years. Adjustment of these associations for the childhood family and individual predictors largely did not reduce the magnitude of the associations. CONCLUSIONS: In New Zealand, long-term frequent cannabis use, or transition to such use, appears to be robustly associated with diverse harms in adulthood.

Common CYP2D6, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19 Gene Variants, Health Anxiety, and Neuroticism Are Not Associated With Self-Reported Antidepressant Side Effects.

Many patients prescribed an antidepressant stop taking it because of side effects. Genetic factors and psychological factors including state or trait anxiety, may explain variation in side effect outcomes. Our aim was to examine the relative contribution of genetic and psychological factors in people with self-reported antidepressant side effects. We undertook a case control study (n = 194) of people who took a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or serotonin/noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) in the past 2 years, recruited via social media advertising. Cases had previously not tolerated at least one trial of an SSRI or SNRI, evidenced by stopping the drug or reducing the dose by at least 50% because of a side effect. Control participants had taken an SSRI or SNRI but did not meet case criteria. Variation in the genes CYP2D6, CYP2C19, and CYP2C9 was analyzed by Sanger sequencing on DNA extracted from blood or saliva. Participants completed the Short Health Anxiety Inventory-18, K10, and NEO-FFI-3 personality questionnaire. Participants were 87.1% female. 70.8% had a current K10 score of 22 or more. There was no consistent evidence that cases had higher psychological distress, health anxiety, or neuroticism. There was low correspondence between participants' CYP2D6, CYP2C19, and CYP2C9 phenotypes and their history of antidepressant tolerability. For this cohort of patients a history of not tolerating SSRI or SNRI therapy was not associated with variation in the pharmacogenes we tested, nor was it associated with health anxiety or neuroticism.

Childhood abuse and psychotic experiences in adulthood: findings from a 35-year longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: The extent to which exposure to childhood sexual and physical abuse increases the risk of psychotic experiences in adulthood is currently unclear.AimsTo examine the relationship between childhood sexual and physical abuse and psychotic experiences in adulthood taking into account potential confounding and time-dynamic covariate factors. METHOD: Data were from a cohort of 1265 participants studied from birth to 35 years. At ages 18 and 21, cohort members were questioned about childhood sexual and physical abuse. At ages 30 and 35, they were questioned about psychotic experiences (symptoms of abnormal thought and perception). Generalised estimating equation models investigated covariation of the association between abuse exposure and psychotic experiences including potential confounding factors in childhood (socioeconomic disadvantage, adverse family functioning) and time-dynamic covariate factors (mental health, substance use and life stress). RESULTS: Data were available for 962 participants; 6.3% had been exposed to severe sexual abuse and 6.4% to severe physical abuse in childhood. After adjustment for confounding and time-dynamic covariate factors, those exposed to severe sexual abuse had rates of abnormal thought and abnormal perception symptoms that were 2.25 and 4.08 times higher, respectively than the 'no exposure' group. There were no significant associations between exposure to severe physical abuse and psychotic experiences. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that exposure to severe childhood sexual (but not physical) abuse is independently associated with an increased risk of psychotic experiences in adulthood (particularly symptoms of abnormal perception) and this association could not be fully accounted for by confounding or time-dynamic covariate factors.Declaration of interestNone.

Comparison of age of first drink and age of first intoxication as predictors of substance use and mental health problems in adulthood.

BACKGROUND: International public policy on age of first alcoholic drink (AFD) has emphasised the long-term benefits of delaying AFD. This study aimed to compare AFD to age of first intoxication (AFI) as predictors of substance use disorder and mental disorder outcomes in adulthood. METHODS: Data were obtained from a longitudinal birth cohort in Christchurch, New Zealand. Participants were born in 1977. Analysis samples ranged from n = 1025 (age 18) to n = 962 (age 35). Measures of AFD and AFI were generated using parental- and self-report data collected from age 11. Outcomes at age 18-35 were alcohol quantity consumed, DSM-IV alcohol use disorder (AUD) and AUD symptoms, major depression, anxiety disorder, and nicotine, cannabis, and other illicit drug dependence. Covariate factors measured during childhood included family socioeconomic status, family functioning, parental alcohol-related attitudes/behaviours, and individual factors. RESULTS: There was a significant unadjusted association between AFD and symptoms of AUD (p < .001) and nicotine dependence (p < .05) but not other outcomes. AFI was significantly (p < .05) associated with all outcomes. After adjustment for covariates, the association between AFD and outcomes was not statistically significant. Conversely, in adjusted models, statistically significant (p < .05) associations remained between AFI and all AUD and substance use disorder outcomes but not alcohol consumption or mental disorder outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: AFI was a more robust predictor of adult substance use disorder outcomes than AFD. Public health and policy interventions aimed at prevention of long term harms from alcohol should therefore focus on AFI rather than AFD.