Abstract
The life course perspective and cumulative inequality theory suggest that childhood adversity, occurring during a sensitive period of the life course, can have long-term consequences for adult mental health and well-being. Yet, the long-term influence of adversity on adult outcomes may depend on both the features of adverse childhood experiences (e.g., the number, type, and co-occurrence of adversities) as well as the outcome assessed. Using latent class analysis applied to several waves of prospective data from the Great Smoky Mountains Study (GSMS; N = 1,420), we identify subpopulations that are similar in their adversity experiences before age 18. We then predict adult internalizing and substance use disorder diagnoses by adversity experience. Results reveal five distinct classes of adversity, with unique risks for specific diagnoses in adulthood.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 23-38 |
Number of pages | 16 |
Journal | Society and Mental Health |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 1 |
Early online date | Oct 19 2023 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2024 |
Keywords
- adversities
- childhood mental health
- mental health
- substance use/abuse
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Psychiatry and Mental health