Dimensions of childhood adversity and psychological outcomes

Abstract

Narrative Review:
Adverse childhood experiences are associated with enduring deleterious health, well-being, and psychopathology outcomes. Traditional approaches to exploring childhood adversity, such as singular typology or tallying adversities in a cumulative approach, have limitations, including poor specificity in identifying underlying pathways to harmful outcomes. The recently proposed Dimensional Model of Adversity and Psychopathology theorises that environmental contexts influence developmental pathways from childhood adversities to psychopathology sequelae; specifically, environments hallmarked by threat and deprivation. Much of the literature supporting the Dimensional Model of Adversity and Psychopathology focuses on children, yet adolescence is often an emotionally turbulent developmental stage with increased vulnerability to psychopathology onset. Testing the utility of the Dimensional Model of Adversity and Psychopathology, a synthesis of findings from eleven identified English-language peer-reviewed studies revealed associations between dimensions of childhood adversity and pernicious psychopathology outcomes in adolescents and young adults. Most studies reported either divergent internalising outcomes, or stronger associations for internalising sequelae along the threat rather than the deprivation dimension. Four papers reported indirect effects of mediators and moderators on childhood adversity outcomes. Despite challenges in asserting conclusions due to sample heterogeneities, diverse methodologies, and measurement tools, this narrative review suggests that the Dimensional Model of Adversity and Psychopathology offers a nuanced approach, affording a greater understanding of underlying mechanisms impacted by childhood adversity. Statistical testing of threat and deprivation dimensions presented alternative models/ profile structures, suggesting that threat and deprivation dimensions may not be exhaustive.

Large Scale Research Project:
The Dimensional Model of Adversity and Psychopathology [DMAP] posits that specific subtypes of childhood adversities [CA], rather than merely the tally of types of exposures, differentially impacts development and predicts subsequent mental health outcomes. Studying diverse populations to identify pathways from distinct subtypes of adversities to associated psychopathology broadens the evidence base, strengthens the ecological validity of the theoretical underpinnings, enhances understanding of harmful mechanisms, and informs policy making and prevention strategies. Furthermore, identifying buffering factors unique to specific adversity subtypes helps shape targeted harm reduction interventions. There is a paucity of DMAP literature pertaining to adults, where much of the extant literature focuses on children and adolescents. The cumulative risk literature indicates many of the latent psychopathology wounds of chronic CA manifest in late adolescence and early adulthood. To address this knowledge gap, this study examines factors of CA akin to the DMAP, for differential associations with internalising and externalising psychopathology outcomes in emergent adults [aged 18-25 years] who grew up in Northern Ireland’s post- conflict society.
Data analysis was conducted on the Resilience After CA [ReACh] study, which employed a cross-sectional online survey with self-selecting university students who self-identified as having experienced CA [n = 155]. Further analyses determined the influences of social comparison and subjective perceptions of maternal parenting styles on relationships between CA and mental health.
Hierarchical linear regression and binary logistic regression models were conducted to further examine the relationship between factors of CA and mental health outcomes. Findings are discussed in line with current literature, implications, study limitations, and future research suggestions.

Date of Award	Jul 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Queen's University Belfast
Supervisor	Teresa Rushe (Supervisor) & Katrina McLaughlin (Supervisor)