Journal of Adolescent Health
Volume 46, Issue 4 , Pages 359-365, April 2010

The Causal Impact of Childhood-Limited Maltreatment and Adolescent Maltreatment on Early Adult Adjustment

  • Terence P. Thornberry, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress correspondence to: Terence P. Thornberry, Ph.D., Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Maryland, 2220 LeFrak Hall, College Park, MD 20742.
    • ,
  • Kimberly L. Henry, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
    • ,
  • Timothy O. Ireland, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Niagara University, Niagara University, New York
    • ,
  • Carolyn A. Smith, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • School of Social Welfare, University at Albany, State University of New York, New York

Received 1 May 2009; accepted 30 September 2009. published online 04 January 2010.

Abstract 

Purpose

We use full-matching propensity score models to test whether developmentally specific measures of maltreatment, in particular childhood-limited maltreatment versus adolescent maltreatment, are causally related to involvement in crime, substance use, health-risking sex behaviors, and internalizing problems during early adulthood.

Methods

Our design includes 907 participants (72% male) in the Rochester Youth Development Study, a community sample followed from age 14 to age 31 with 14 assessments, including complete maltreatment histories from Child Protective Services records.

Results

After balancing the data sets, childhood-limited maltreatment is significantly related to drug use, problem drug use, depressive symptoms, and suicidal thoughts. Maltreatment during adolescence has a significant effect on a broader range of outcomes: official arrest or incarceration, self-reported criminal offending, violent crime, alcohol use, problem alcohol use, drug use, problem drug use, risky sex behaviors, self-reported sexually transmitted disease diagnosis, and suicidal thoughts.

Conclusions

The causal effect of childhood-limited maltreatment is focused on internalizing problems, whereas adolescent maltreatment has a stronger and more pervasive effect on later adjustment. Increased vigilance by mandated reporters, especially for adolescent victims of maltreatment, along with provision of appropriate services, may prevent a wide range of subsequent adjustment problems.

Keywords: Child maltreatment, Adolescent maltreatment, Crime, Substance use, Health-risking sex behaviors, Suicidal thoughts

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 Disclaimer: Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the funding agencies.

PII: S1054-139X(09)00381-4

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.09.011

Journal of Adolescent Health
Volume 46, Issue 4 , Pages 359-365, April 2010

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