biostudies-literatureSlavich GMNIA NIH HHSNIMH NIH HHSNCI NIH HHS141-9https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC4165779biostudies-literatureUnknown49Although exposure to a recent major life event is one of the strongest known risk factors for depression, many people who experience such stress do not become depressed. Moreover, the biological mechanisms underlying differential emotional reactions to social adversity remain largely unknown. To investigate this issue, we examined whether the endogenous opioid system, which is known to influence sensitivity to physical pain, is also implicated in differential risk for depression following socially painful targeted rejection versus non-targeted rejection life events. Adolescents (n=420) enrolled in a large longitudinal birth cohort study had their recent stress exposure and current mental health status assessed using self-report and interview-based methods. Participants were also genotyped PsychoneuroendocrinologyEndogenous opioid system influences depressive reactions to socially painful targeted rejection life events.PMC4165779T32 MH017140K08 MH103443R01 MH52239R01 MH052239R01 CA140933P30 AG028748Brennan PAHammen CTartter MASlavich GMfalseEndogenous opioid system influences depressive reactions to socially painful targeted rejection life events.Although exposure to a recent major life event is one of the strongest known risk factors for depression, many people who experience such stress do not become depressed. Moreover, the biological mechanisms underlying differential emotional reactions to social adversity remain largely unknown. To investigate this issue, we examined whether the endogenous opioid system, which is known to influence sensitivity to physical pain, is also implicated in differential risk for depression following socially painful targeted rejection versus non-targeted rejection life events. Adolescents (n=420) enrolled in a large longitudinal birth cohort study had their recent stress exposure and current mental health status assessed using self-report and interview-based methods. Participants were also genotyped 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z2014 Nov2025-04-04T08:57:14.22Z2019-03-27T01:35:47ZS-EPMC41657792508630710.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.07.009