Adolescent Cumulative Adversity, Mental Health, and Young Adult Sexual Health

Objectives: Drawing from stress process and developmental perspectives, in this study, we conceptualize how adolescent cumulative adversity, defined by both early socioeconomic adversity and adolescent stressful life events, influences adolescent mental health, and later, young adult sexual health. Methods: We used longitudinal data from 12,424 participants across 4 waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) to predict stressful life event trajectories, mental health trajectories, and young adult sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the same analytical framework. Results: The findings largely supported the hypothesized model, as early socioeconomic adversity experienced by adolescents was found to directly influence STIs in young adulthood. However, this association was fully mediated by the interlinked trajectories of stressful life events, self-esteem, and depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Our results emphasize the importance of examining and understanding the comorbidity of developmental risk trajectories influenced by early socioeconomic context. Our results highlight the effect of early childhood/adolescent experiences on cascading adverse outcomes (stressful life events, mental health, and self-concept) on later sexual health outcomes.