Objective: The aims of this study are to investigate the trajectory of positive attributes from childhood to early adulthood and to explore how those trajectories can be modified by two domains of childhood adversity - threat and deprivation.
Methods: A large prospective school-based community cohort of youths (n=2,511, 6-14 years of age, 45% female) was assessed and followed up for 3 years (80% retention) and 6 years (71% retention). Positive attributes were assessed by the Youth Strength Inventory (YSI). Childhood exposure to threat and deprivation were assessed by a composite measure using multiple indicators.
Results: Trajectories of YSI scores were non-linear and distinct for boys and girls. While boys presented a more stable trajectory; girls showed higher levels of positive attributes early in life that decrease over time around adolescence. Both exposure to threat and deprivation presented negative linear association with YSI over time. Furthermore, we found interactions between developmental stage and both adversity domains meaning that the effects of exposure to adversity were stronger at earlier developmental stages and almost non-significant closer to early adulthood.
Conclusion: Our findings provide new evidence on trajectories of positive attributes in youth and reveal and how experiences of adversity in early life impact not only mental disorder but also positive aspects of mental health.
Keywords: Socioemotional skills; adversity; deprivation; personality; positive mental health; threat.