Early mid-adulthood is a period when an increase is seen in indicators of both health risk (e.g., obesity) and poor health. Although studies of the behavioral etiology of poor health frequently focus on individual habits (e.g., diet) and general environmental risk (e.g., socioeconomic status;SES), there is little information available about the potential role of dyadic processes between romantic partners in explaining physical health outcomes in mid-adulthood. Conflictual and dysfunctional romantic relationships are a major cause of unhappiness and stress in adulthood and are associated with domestic violence, high divorce rates, psychopathology, and poor health and adjustment for the partners. Furthermore, there is evidence that some poor health habits are associated across partners. The proposed study will test a comprehensive model for couples from at-risk backgrounds on the basis of a dynamic developmental systems approach and stress and support processes to examine the risk and protective impacts of romantic relationships on health in adulthood. It is posited that both general and specific developmental and relationship risks have significant implications for health outcomes in mid-adulthood, and that effects of such risk factors are mediated by stress sensitive biological indicators of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) functioning (cortisol and alpha amylase assayed from saliva) and lower cell-mediated immune function (Epstein-Barr Virus antibodies and C-Reactive Protein assayed from blood spots). In addition, the course of intimate partner violence in early mid-adulthood will be examined. To address the aims, we plan to continue following the young men in the Oregon Youth Study (OYS) and their romantic partners. The OYS men comprise an at-risk community sample first recruited in Grade 4 and assessed yearly, with a current N of 191 and a 94% retention rate. The OYS Couples Study began when the men were in late adolescence, and 195 OYS men have participated in the study. Proposed data collection includes two additional waves 2 years apart, when the men will be in their mid 30s (OYS Couples Study Time 8 and Time 9) and will involve assessment of both partners and observation of a series of discussions, including a problem-solving discussion. Innovative analytic multilevel modeling techniques with a strong focus on social processes within the dyad and on both individual and couple level outcomes will be used to address the hypotheses.

Public Health Relevance

Conflictual and dysfunctional romantic relationships are a major cause of unhappiness in adulthood and are associated with areas of national concern such as intimate partner violence, high divorce rates, chronic stress and poor health. Focus areas of Healthy People 2010 (U.S. DHHS) include prevention and control of a number of chronic diseases (e.g., heart disease, diabetes) as well as a focus on several of the causal risk factors for these diseases (e.g., nutrition and obesity, exercise, substance use). The proposed study will shed new light on the development of poor health in these areas by testing etiological models for the effects of developmental risk, stress, and romantic relationship influences (including negative and positive influences) on stress sensitive biological systems, health habits, and ultimately health outcomes for at-risk lower socioeconomic status couples in early midlife.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HD046364-18
Application #
8311691
Study Section
Psychosocial Development, Risk and Prevention Study Section (PDRP)
Program Officer
Esposito, Layla E
Project Start
1994-09-01
Project End
2014-08-31
Budget Start
2012-09-01
Budget End
2013-08-31
Support Year
18
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$573,767
Indirect Cost
$172,454
Name
Oregon Social Learning Center, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
084418656
City
Eugene
State
OR
Country
United States
Zip Code
97401
Wiesner, Margit; Yoerger, Karen; Capaldi, Deborah M (2018) Patterns and Correlates of Offender Versatility and Specialization across a 23-Year Span for At-Risk Young Men. Vict Offender 13:28-47
Kerr, David C R; Gini, Gianluca; Capaldi, Deborah M (2017) Young men's suicidal behavior, depression, crime, and substance use risks linked to childhood teasing. Child Abuse Negl 67:32-43
Feingold, Alan (2017) Meta-analysis with standardized effect sizes from multilevel and latent growth models. J Consult Clin Psychol 85:262-266
Capaldi, Deborah M; Kerr, David C R; Owen, Lee D et al. (2017) Intergenerational Associations in Sexual Onset: Mediating Influences of Parental and Peer Sexual Teasing and Youth Substance Use. J Adolesc Health 61:342-347
Kerr, David C R; Gini, Gianluca (2017) Prospective associations between peer teasing in childhood and young men's obesity. Obes Res Clin Pract 11:640-646
Capaldi, Deborah M; Kerr, David C R; Eddy, J Mark et al. (2016) Understanding Persistence and Desistance in Crime and Risk Behaviors in Adulthood: Implications for Theory and Prevention. Prev Sci 17:785-93
Capaldi, Deborah M; Tiberio, Stacey S; Kerr, David C R et al. (2016) The Relationships of Parental Alcohol Versus Tobacco and Marijuana Use With Early Adolescent Onset of Alcohol Use. J Stud Alcohol Drugs 77:95-103
Tiberio, Stacey S; Capaldi, Deborah M; Kerr, David C R et al. (2016) Parenting and the development of effortful control from early childhood to early adolescence: A transactional developmental model. Dev Psychopathol 28:837-53
Kerr, David C R; Tiberio, Stacey S; Capaldi, Deborah M (2015) Contextual risks linking parents' adolescent marijuana use to offspring onset. Drug Alcohol Depend 154:222-8
Feingold, Alan; Capaldi, Deborah M; Owen, Lee D (2015) Proximal vs. distal predictors of alcohol use disorders and treatment utilization in at-risk men in early middle age. Compr Psychiatry 61:64-71

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