Assessment of culture and environment in the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development Study: Rationale, description of measures, and early data

Abstract

Neurodevelopmental maturation takes place in a social environment in addition to a neurobiological one. Characterization of social environmental factors that influence this process is therefore an essential component in developing an accurate model of adolescent brain and neurocognitive development, as well as susceptibility to change with the use of marijuana and other drugs. The creation of the Culture and Environment (CE) measurement component of the ABCD protocol was guided by this understanding. Three areas were identified by the CE Work Group as central to this process: influences relating to CE Group membership, influences created by the proximal social environment, influences stemming from social interactions. Eleven measures assess these influences, and by time of publication, will have been administered to well over 7,000 9-10 year-old children and one of their parents. Our report presents baseline data on psychometric characteristics (mean, standard deviation, range, skewness, coefficient alpha) of all measures within the battery. Effectiveness of the battery in differentiating 9-10 year olds who were classified as at higher and lower risk for marijuana use in adolescence was also evaluated. Psychometric characteristics on all measures were good to excellent; higher vs. lower risk contrasts were significant in areas where risk differentiation would be anticipated.

Delineating and validating higher-order dimensions of psychopathology in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study

“…For validation, we examined key risk factors, functioning measures, and service use variables: history of developmental motor and speech delays, 38 conflict within the family, social peer functioning (number of friends), academic functioning (school connectedness, average grades), 44 cognitive functioning (crystalized and fluid intelligence composites from the National Institute of Health Toolbox), 39 utilization of physical and mental health services, and current use of medications. 38…”

Parental and social factors in relation to child psychopathology, behavior, and cognitive function

“…This study included 39 parental, socioeconomic, and social environmental measures, including10 measures of parent psychopathology, 6 maternal substance use measures, 5 developmental adversity measures, 7 social demographics, 5 proximal environmental measures, and 6 social interaction measures 8,10 .…”

Non-linear effects of socioeconomic status on brain development: associations between parental occupation, cortical thickness and language skills in childhood and adolescence

“…Of course, further investigations are required to distinguish between differential sensitivity and differential rates of maturation during adolescence, and to unpack the underlying biological mechanisms and social factors such as family stress, prenatal factors, cognitive deprivation or toxins. Future studies utilizing longitudinal MRI data from available datasets such as the ABCD (Casey et al 2018), tracking children over time with social and environmental measures (Zucker et al 2018), along with animal studies of the possible underlying biological pathways will help better understand the complex interplay of SES, brain and life outcomes (Hackman et al 2010).…”