From child maltreatment to adolescent cannabis abuse and dependence: A developmental cascade model

Abstract

A developmental cascade model tested associations among child maltreatment, internalizing and externalizing psychopathology, social competence, and cannabis abuse and dependence symptoms in a longitudinal cohort (N = 415). Nested structural equation models evaluated continuity and cross-domain influences among broad multi-informant constructs across four developmental periods: age 7 to 9, 10 to 12, 13 to 15, and 15 to 18. Results indicated significant paths from child maltreatment to early externalizing and internalizing problems and social competence, as well as to cannabis abuse and dependence (CAD) symptoms in adolescence. Youth CAD symptoms were primarily related directly to child maltreatment and externalizing problems. Childhood internalizing symptoms contributed to later childhood decreases in social competence, which predicted increases in late adolescent externalizing problems. Using a developmental psychopathology framework, results are discussed in relation to cascade and transactional effects and the interplay between problem behaviors during childhood and development of CAD symptoms during early and late adolescence.Alcohol and substance use disorders are being increasingly conceptualized as developmental phenomena Chassin, Hussong, & Beltran, 2009;Glantz & Leshner, 2000;Masten, Faden, Zucker, & Spear, 2009;Tarter, 2002;Windle et al., 2009;Zucker, 2006) with calls for more in-depth investigation into the developmental processes that contribute to these psychopathological outcomes. Moreover, as discussed below, child maltreatment has been frequently identified in the life histories of adolescents and adults in treatment for substance use disorders, as well as in epidemiological studies of risk factors for substance use and abuse. However, limited research has charted the unfolding developmental progression of maltreated children from the early years to demonstrate the emergence of substance use problems. To advance understanding in this area, the current investigation utilizes a developmental cascade conceptualization to model developmental processes that contribute to the emergence of adolescent marijuana abuse and dependence symptomatology in maltreated and nonmaltreated youth. Child MaltreatmentFor nearly 20 years, a transactional-ecological conceptualization of development in maltreated children has been promoted (Cicchetti & Lynch, 1993; Cicchetti & Valentino, 2006).Within this model the organizational structure of development is articulated, whereby NIH-PA Author ManuscriptNIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author Manuscript competencies and liabilities attained at successive stages of development are hierarchically integrated within and among developmental systems to influence subsequent development. Child maltreatment has been regarded as a severe, fundamental failure of the caregiving system to provide essential experience-expectant nutriments for optimal psychological development (Cicchetti & Lynch, 1995). As a consequence, across the course of early ontogenesis, maltreated children...

Childhood maltreatment and psychological adjustment: a systematic review

“…Furthermore, because they are more likely to suffer more than one type of impairment during early development, victims of child maltreatment are also more susceptible to behavioral problems and psychological disorders both during childhood and the remainder of their development (Kim & Cicchetti, 2010;Rogosch, Oshri, & Cicchetti, 2010). Proctor, Skriner, Roesch and Litrownik (2010) note that little is known about the predictors of behavioral adjustment in individuals exposed to maltreatment.…”

Maternal Depressive Symptoms During Childhood and Risky Adolescent Health Behaviors

“…23,24 Exposure to maternal depressive symptoms, and the associated 27 This notion of behavioral continuity is supported by research that found that high levels of externalizing behaviors, including aggression, at earlier ages predicts the later engagement in problem behaviors, including substance use. 27,28,30 It is a robust finding that debut age of drug use predicts later substance abuse and future engagement in additional health risk behaviors. 31,32 Additional consequences of early substance use may be reflected in increased suicide risk, 33 which itself represents a significant proportion of young adult and adolescent mortality.…”

Razvojno-psihopatološka perspektiva na komorbidni granični poremećaj osobnosti i poremećaje povezane s uporabom sredstava ovisnosti

“…Results of the survey on developmental cascade model that explored a path from child abuse to adolescent cannabis abuse and dependence indicated significant paths from child abuse to early externalizing and internalizing problems and social competence, as well as to cannabis abuse and dependence symptoms in adolescence (Rogosch, Oshri, Cicchetti, 2010).…”

“…Speaking in these terms, the development of borderline personality disorder and substance use disorders can be seen as a developmental cascade resulting from adverse early life experience or insecure / preoccupied attachment (Masten & Cicchetti, 2010). For instance, literature on cascade knowledge in the case of developing drug abuse and internalizing disorders, show that these disorders are often linked with early aversive experiences (Rogosch, Oshri & Cicchetti, 2010).…”