Profiles of Developmental Assets and Their Association With Adverse Childhood Experiences and Adolescent Adjustment

• In Event: Poster Session 12
  In Poster Session: PS 12 Topic - Health, Growth, Injury

Abstract

The negative effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on adult health are well documented (Hughes et al., 2017). Researchers have shifted their focus toward clarifying the short-term consequences of ACEs on youth development and identifying protective factors that promote resilience in the context of ACEs (Moore & Ramirez, 2016). The extensive research on developmental assets (Leffert et al., 1998) posits a variety of internal and external assets that promote positive youth development, particularly in the context of adversity. Drawing from that literature, researchers have proposed “counter-ACEs” (e.g., positive relationships; Crandall et al. 2020) or “positive childhood experiences” (e.g., belongingness at school; Bethell et al., 2019) that may interact with ACEs to influence developmental outcomes. However, more research is needed to evaluate if domains of developmental assets exist across subgroups of individuals, and how they relate to ACEs and adolescent adjustment. The goals of the present study were to (1) identify profiles of developmental assets and (2) test their association with ACEs and adolescent depressive symptoms and delinquent behavior.

Secondary data were drawn from the national, longitudinal Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N = 3,403, 52% male, 45% Black). Parent-reported child ACEs were collected at Year 9, and adolescent-reported assets, depressive symptoms, and delinquent behavior were assessed at Year 15. A composite ACE score was created by summing across 10 adversities similar to those identified by Felitti et al. (1998). Developmental assets were identified based on prior work (e.g., Bethell et al. 2019). Asset items were standardized and combined into composite scores in asset domains including family (shares and talks meaningfully with parent(s), family meals together), peer/school (feels safe and close to people at school), and perceived neighborhood safety (day and night). Using the BCH method, a latent profile analysis (LPA) was conducted to identify conceptually meaningful asset profiles. We then examined associations of demographic covariates and ACEs with profile membership, as well as overall and pairwise differences between profiles on adolescent depressive symptoms and delinquent behavior.

Results from LPA revealed a 3-profile solution as best fitting the data, with profiles marked by: (1) moderate family and neighborhood safety assets and high peer/school assets; (2) low family assets; and (3) low neighborhood safety and high peer/school assets (Figure 1). More ACEs were associated with higher depressive symptoms in profiles 1 and 2, but not profile 3. The intercept for depressive symptoms among youth in profile 1 (high peer/school assets), adjusting for demographic covariates and ACEs, were significantly higher compared to youth in profile 3 (low safety, high peer/school assets); the intercept for depressive symptoms for youth in profile 2 (low family assets) were higher compared to the youth in profile 3. Profiles did not differ in mean levels of delinquency, and ACEs were positively associated with delinquent behavior in profiles 1 and 2, but not profile 3.

Findings provide evidence of meaningful profiles of developmental assets that are differentially associated with adolescent adjustment. Additional analyses are underway to determine promotive versus protective nature of these assets.

Authors

• David W Sosnowski, Johns Hopkins University
  Presenting Author

• Wendy Kliewer, Virginia Commonwealth University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Marcia Winter, Virginia Commonwealth University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Chidiogo Anyigbo, Children’s National Hospital
  Non-Presenting Author