Cross-lagged analyses between gastrointestinal symptoms, psychological distress, and disability in emerging adults
Corresponding Author
Emily Jayne Ross M.A.
Department of Psychology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
Correspondence
Emily Jayne Ross, Department of Psychology, University of Central Florida, 4111 Pictor Lane, Psychology Building 99, Ste. 320, Orlando, FL 32816, USA.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorJeffrey E. Cassisi Ph.D.
Department of Psychology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
Search for more papers by this authorDana Joseph Ph.D.
Department of Management, Business Administration, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
Search for more papers by this authorMichael E. Dunn Ph.D.
Department of Psychology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
Search for more papers by this authorSteve Jex Ph.D.
Department of Psychology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Emily Jayne Ross M.A.
Department of Psychology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
Correspondence
Emily Jayne Ross, Department of Psychology, University of Central Florida, 4111 Pictor Lane, Psychology Building 99, Ste. 320, Orlando, FL 32816, USA.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorJeffrey E. Cassisi Ph.D.
Department of Psychology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
Search for more papers by this authorDana Joseph Ph.D.
Department of Management, Business Administration, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
Search for more papers by this authorMichael E. Dunn Ph.D.
Department of Psychology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
Search for more papers by this authorSteve Jex Ph.D.
Department of Psychology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
The gut–brain connection refers to communication between the brain and gastrointestinal (GI) system. Disorders of gut–brain interaction (DGBI) are characterized by GI symptoms that accompany distress and disability. Epidemiological research has suggested DGBI rates in emerging adults are increasing. This study investigated the relationship between GI health, distress, and disability in emerging adults across time. Emerging adults were recruited. A repeated-measure design with a 1-month time lag was used to collect data via an online survey (N = 861) across five academic semesters (Spring 2019 to Summer 2020). Measurement equivalence across time was established and a cross-lagged panel model (CLPM) was specified. Distress at Time 1 predicted GI symptoms at Time 2 (β = .206, SE = .084, p < .05). GI symptoms at Time 1 predicted disability at Time 2 (β = .117, SE = .039, p < .01). Higher disability at Time 1 predicted distress at Time 2 (β = .092, SE = .027, p < .01). The cross-lagged design offers stronger causal inferences than cross-sectional studies used to study the effects of GI symptoms. Findings provide initial evidence of a directional pathway between brain and gut rather than a bidirectional network. Findings highlight the importance of psychogastroenterology.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.
Open Research
DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT
Data can be found on the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/c6jz2).
Supporting Information
| Filename | Description |
|---|---|
| aphw12358-sup-0001-Supplemental Tables R_L0R_N2 with no tracked changes.docxWord 2007 document , 43.4 KB |
Table S1: Measurement Model of Gastrointestinal Health Table S2: Measurement Model of Psychological Distress Table S3: Measurement Model of Disability Table S4: Measurement Equivalence Across Time Model for Gastrointestinal Health Table S5: Measurement Equivalence Across Time Model for Psychological Distress Table S6: Measurement Equivalence Across Time Model for Disability Table S7: Overview of the Standardized Stability and Cross-Lagged Coefficients Table S8: Correlation table of variables at Time 1 (N = 861) Table S9: Correlation table of variables at Time 2 (N = 861) |
Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.
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