Relationship of Early Life Adversity to Moral Development and Psychopathology among Children and Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction Empirical evidence suggests early adverse life experiences are linked to delays in moral development. This study aims to assess the correlation between PI and delayed conscience formation in moral development. Methods The study included 125 semi-structured interviews with youth who experienced adverse childhood experiences and compared their conscience development with youth raised in relatively advantaged environments. Conducted in two phases, the first phase used a two-sample z-test to compare distress indicators of conscience impairment between groups. In the second phase, cases were analyzed using prototypical vignettes and conscience development quotient scores. The severity of psychopathological interference was assessed using behavioral ratings and DSM categorical diagnoses. Multiple linear regression examined the association between conscience development quotient and severity of psychopathological interference, including six covariates. A similar regression model was used to assess the association between psychopathological interference and clinical global assessment of functioning scores using the same covariates. Results Findings suggest severity of psychopathological interference, presence of other mental health conditions, onset of adverse life experiences to play a role in conscience development. Discussion The future implications suggest a humanistic approach to seek insights into moral development and present an alternative of global assessment of functioning that was discontinued because of its shortcomings, which conscience development quotient can bridge.