Poster #143 - Adolescent Interplay of Adversity and Risk: An Ising Network Analysis

• In Event: Poster Session II (posters 80 – 155)

Abstract

Background: Adolescents face interconnected risks affecting mental and behavioral health. Network approaches can identify which risks are most central and which bridge different problem domains. Methods: Using 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data (N = 20,103), we estimated an Ising network model of 26 binary variables among U.S. adolescents spanning five domains: adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), victimization, suicidal behaviors, substance use, and violence. Node and bridge centrality identified the most influential and interconnected variables. Results: The network was stable with substantial connectivity. The highest-centrality variables (node strength z-scores) were suicidal ideation (1.9), caregiver emotional abuse (1.8), and hopelessness (1.7). The strongest between-domain connectors (bridge strength z-scores) were hopelessness (2.2), physical fighting (2.0), and gun carrying (1.6). Conclusions: These findings offer direction for future inquiry and warrant research evaluating whether targeting these variables produces downstream effects.

Author

• Diego A. Diaz-Faes, Columbia University