Hippocampal Plasticity of Young Adults With Childhood Adversity

Hippocampal Plasticity of Young Adults With Childhood Adversity

This study investigates the clinical and neural effects of stress management skill building programs for young adults with childhood adversity. The investigators will recruit a total of 60 young adults (21-35 years old) who will be randomized into two different stress management skill building programs, both of which are 8 weeks long. MRI and psychological assessments will be acquired from all subjects before and after the intervention programs in order to investigate changes in clinical symptoms (such as depression, anxiety and stress) and hippocampus structure and function as well as other neural changes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• having childhood adversity
• no history of psychiatric disorders of psychotic features or neurological disorders
• verified age between 21-35 years old;
• no suicidal attempts during the past six months;
• being determined by the clinician to have the capability to comply with the program requirements and not detrimental to other participants in the group;
• passing MRI eligibility criteria.
• provided written informed consent to participate in this study;
• committed to meeting the requirement of refraining from using marijuana or illicit drugs.

Exclusion Criteria:

• psychosis
• active suicidal attempts during the past 6 months
• psychoactive substance abuse
• MRI exclusion criteria