Work

Pathways from Early Childhood Adversity to Later Adult Drug Use and Psychological Distress

Year: 2016

Type: article

Abstract: Drawing on the life course perspective, this research addresses the direct and indirect pathways between childhood adversity and midlife psychological distress and drug use across a majority of the life span in an African American cohort (N = 1,242) followed from age 6 to 42 (1966 to 2002). Results from structural equation models highlight the impact of low childhood socioeconomic status (SES), poor maternal mental health, and the role of first-grade maladaptation in launching a trajectory of social maladaptation from age 6 to 42. Specifically, for men, we found a direct pathway from early low SES to drug use in mid adulthood and an indirect pathway to psychological distress through first-grade maladaptation and adolescent poor mental health. For females, early SES affected first-grade maladaptation and low school bonds, which then predicted later drug use.

Source: Journal of Health and Social Behavior

DOI: 10.1177/0022146516646808

Authors: Kate Fothergill, Margaret E. Ensminger, Elaine E. Doherty, Hee-Soon Juon, Kerry M. Green

Institutions: Johns Hopkins University, University of Missouri–St. Louis, Thomas Jefferson University, University of Maryland, College Park

Language: English

Topic: Child Abuse and Trauma

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green

Funders: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse