Dimensions of Early Adversity, Life History-Related Cognitive Schemas, and Behavioral Outcomes in Adolescents

• In Event: Unpredictable Environmental Input and Socioemotional and Cognitive Development

Abstract

Previous research has demonstrated a robust relationship between early adversity and numerous adolescent outcomes such as aggression and risk-taking (e.g., Chang et al., 2019, Doom et al., 2016, Gibbons et al., 2012). Various models propose that experiences of early adversity can be organized along specific dimensions (e.g., deprivation, violence, unpredictability) that have distinct influences on development (e.g., Ellis et al., 2009; McLaughlin et al., 2014). Further, the effects of different dimensions of adversity on adolescent health and behavior may be mediated by cognitive schemas (e.g., Figueredo et al., 2021; Lumley & Harkness, 2007), such as the belief that other people cannot be trusted or that future outcomes cannot be predicted or controlled. The current study examined (a) how different dimensions of early adversity relate to specific behavioral outcomes in adolescents, and (b) the potential mediating role of life history-related cognitive schemas in these relationships.
Our sample consisted of 574 youth, ages 13-19, from Boys and Girls clubs and a local middle school in Salt Lake City. We measured four dimensions of early adversity (i.e., before age 13)—socioeconomic status, unpredictability, violence exposure, and parenting quality—using multiple methods including interviews, questionnaires, and school records. To create a life history-related cognitive schema measure, we combined the Unpredictability Schema (Cabeza de Baca et al., 2015) and the Child and Youth Resilience Measure (Liebenberg et al., 2013). Higher scores on the measure were indicative of higher social cohesion, future orientation, and belief that the world is a safe and predictable place. Finally, our outcome measures included a temporal discounting task (higher scores indicated tendency to choose smaller, more immediate rewards over larger, less immediate rewards), and behavior problems, which we obtained through school records (e.g., number of infractions).
All dimensions of early adversity were significantly associated with cognitive schema scores (see Table 1 for correlations). However, multiple regression revealed that low SES, violence exposure, and lower parenting quality all uniquely predicted cognitive schemas related to lower social cohesion, lower future orientation and decreased beliefs that the world is a predictable place. Furthermore, low SES uniquely predicted higher levels of temporal discounting (i.e., the tendency to choose more immediate, smaller rewards). This relationship was partially mediated by the cognitive schema measure (see Figure 1). Finally, higher levels of violence exposure uniquely predicted more behavior problems, but this relationship was not mediated by cognitive schemas. These findings highlight the importance of both delineating different forms of adversity and considering their co-occurrence when it comes to predicting adolescent behavior. Future work should aim to 1) further identify specific links between different types of adversity and adolescent behavioral outcomes and 2) further explore potential mediating mechanisms in these relationships.

Authors

• Susan A Brener, University of Utah
  Presenting Author

• Ethan S Young, Utrecht University

• Willem E Frankenhuis

• Bruce J Ellis, University of Utah