5 - (SYM 19) Neurobiological Processes Underlying Daily Social Approach-avoidance Behavior and Suicidal Thoughts Among Adolescent Females

Negative peer experiences (e.g., rejection, conflict) are type of interpersonal risk factor known to confer risk for suicidal thoughts (ST) among adolescents, particularly adolescent females. Yet we still know little about objective neurobiological and behavioral processes underlying this link during adolescence, a key developmental period where ST emerge and neurobiology is changing due to puberty. We investigated if neural response to negative peer feedback and social approach-avoidance behavior in daily life confer risk for ST among adolescent females. We hypothesized that heightened neural response to negative peer feedback would increase ST via daily social behavior. We also examined if pubertal development impacted these associations.

At baseline, neurobiological and behavioral assessments were completed by 87 females (M_age=12.25, 72% Caucasian) at temperamental risk for internalizing disorder. Neural response to negative peer feedback in several affective-salience regions of interest (amygdala, AI, sgACC) was assessed using the Peer Social Incentive Delay Task using fMRI. Daily social approach-avoidance behaviors were assessed using ecological momentary assessment. Pubertal status was assessed via self-report and salivary hormones. ST were assessed every six months after baseline for three years via the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire-Suicidal Ideation Subscale.

Neural response to negative peer feedback in all ROIs was not significantly directly associated with ST or indirectly associated with ST through daily social approach-avoidance behaviors (ps >.05). Self-reported pubertal status, but not hormones, was significantly positively associated with ST (r=.28, p< .05).

Although neural response to negative peer feedback was not directly or indirectly associated with ST, adolescent girls more advanced in puberty were at an increased risk for ST. Puberty may directly and indirectly confer risk for ST among girls more advanced in puberty via increased reactivity to social stress and greater exposure to negative peer experiences (victimization, early sexual activity), respectively. Future work should examine how the biological and social context of puberty contributes to ST during adolescence.