Cumulative socioeconomic adversity, developmental pathways, and mental health risks during the early life course

Citation

Wickrama, Kandauda A. S.; O’Neal, Catherine Walker; & Lee, Tae Kyoung (2016). Cumulative socioeconomic adversity, developmental pathways, and mental health risks during the early life course. Emerging Adulthood.

Abstract

The current study examines two developmental risk pathways (an academic/economic pathway and a delinquency/interpersonal pathway) linking cumulative socioeconomic adversity to subsequent depressive symptoms and the interplay between these pathways and depressive symptoms using path analysis with a sample of 14,563 respondents from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health over a 13-year period. Minority youth comprised 49% of this nationally representative sample, including 21% Blacks, 16% Hispanics, 6% Asians, 2% Native Americans, and 4% multiracial youth. Cumulative socioeconomic adversity appears to initiate an adverse life course process involving depressive symptoms, academic/economic difficulties, and delinquency/interpersonal incompetency. It appears that mediating life experiences partially explain the persistent influence of socioeconomic adversity and the continuity of depressive symptoms over the early life course. A deeper understanding of this dynamic process provides insight into the prevention of emotional problems in these early life stages.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1177%2F2167696815627250

Keyword(s)

Academic achievement depression life course romantic relationships transition to adulthood

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Emerging Adulthood

Author(s)

Wickrama, Kandauda A. S.
O’Neal, Catherine Walker
Lee, Tae Kyoung

Year Published

2016

Edition

February 4, 2016

DOI

10.1177/2167696815627250

Reference ID

6834