Longitudinal Examination of Sluggish Cognitive Tempo and Internalizing Psychopathology in Adolescence (ALERT study)
Grant: R01MH122415 (NIMH)
PI: Stephen P. Becker, Ph.D.
Collaborators: Jeff Epstein, Ph.D.; Leanne Tamm, Ph.D.
One of the most consistent findings to date is that sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) symptoms are strongly associated with internalizing symptoms. Of particular concern are our preliminary findings documenting associations between SCT and increased suicide risk. The primary goals of this study are to (1) test SCT as a longitudinal predictor of increased internalizing symptoms in adolescence, (2) examine social and cognitive mechanisms linking SCT to internalizing symptoms, and (3) explore physiological and temperamental vulnerabilities that exacerbate the association between SCT and internalizing symptoms. This study will recruit a community-based sample of 330 early adolescents (ages 10-12 years) enriched for elevated sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) symptoms. Participants will be assessed at three time points one year apart. Consistent with the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) initiative and a developmental psychopathology framework, a multi-informant, multi-method battery that cuts across physiological, behavioral, and self-report units of analysis will be used.
- Aim #1: Examine SCT symptoms as a predictor of increasing internalizing symptom change over time across early adolescence.
- Aim #2: Identify mechanisms of the longitudinal relation between SCT and internalizing symptoms.
- Aim #3: Examine vulnerabilities that exacerbate the longitudinal association between SCT and internalizing symptoms in adolescence.
