Citation

Thornberry TP, Henry KL, Ireland TO, Smith CA. J. Adolesc. Health 2010; 46(4): 359-365.

Affiliation

Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.09.011

PMID

20307825

PMCID

PMC2871696

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.

Language: en