Childhood adversity profiles and adult psychopathology in a representative Northern Ireland study.
Childhood adversities are key aetiological factors in the onset and persistence of psychopathology. The aims of this study were to identify childhood adversity profiles, and investigate the relationship between the adversity classes and psychopathology in Northern Ireland. The study utilized data from the Northern Ireland Study of Health and Stress, an epidemiological survey (N=1986), which used the CIDI to examine mental health disorders and associated risk factors. Latent Class Analysis revealed 3 distinct typologies; a low risk class (n=1709; 86%), a poly-adversity class (n=122; 6.1%), and an economic adversity class (n=155; 7.8%). Logistic Regression models revealed that individuals in the economic adversity class had a heightened risk of anxiety and substance disorders, with individuals in the poly-adversity class more likely to have a range of mental health problems and suicidality. The findings indicate the importance of considering the impact of co-occurring childhood adversities when planning treatment, prevention, and intervention programmes.
School of Psychology, Ulster University, Magee Campus, Northland Road, Derry, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. Electronic address: mclafferty-m1@email.ulster.ac.uk.
Margaret
M
McLafferty
School of Psychology, Ulster University, Coleraine Campus, Cromore Road, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
Cherie
C
Armour
School of Psychology, Ulster University, Magee Campus, Northland Road, Derry, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
Aine
A
McKenna
School of Psychology, Ulster University, Magee Campus, Northland Road, Derry, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
Siobhan
S
O'Neill
School of Psychology, Ulster University, Magee Campus, Northland Road, Derry, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
Sam
S
Murphy
School of Psychology, Ulster University, Magee Campus, Northland Road, Derry, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
Brendan
B
Bunting
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000069586:Adult Survivors of Child Adverse Events / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009660:Northern Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
Childhood adversity; Epidemiology; Northern Ireland; Psychopathology