Abstract:

the current study investigated symptom network patterns in adolescents from a gut-brain axis (GBA) biopsychosocial perspective. Our secondary analysis of data from the Adolescent brain cognitive development study assessed symptom relationships using network analysis to provide information about multivariate structural dependencies among 41 signs and symptoms. Cross-sectional EBICglasso symptom networks were evaluated to assess patterns associated with anhedia and depressed mood. Significant differences were identified between symptom neighbors of anhedonia compared with depressed mood based on stratification by age. The GBA perspective revealed several symptom neighbors that ould expand clinical assessment, diagnosing criteria, education, and interventions for adolescents at risk for, or with, anhedonia or depressed mood. Results speak to the unique impact of symptoms on health that are not interchangeable with other symptoms and od not have equal effects. Mental health nurses should consider a holistic and proactive precision health approach to improving health and wellbeing through evidence-based assessment of symptom associations.