Profiles of Childhood Adversity, Strengths, and Wellbeing in Adulthood
- 27 April 2026
- journal article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Child Maltreatment
Abstract
This study explores patterns of strengths and childhood adversity and how these impact adult wellbeing. Data were from the Growing Up with Opioids study. Participants (n = 1,571, ages 18-60) were recruited through social media. Latent Profile Analysis revealed a seven-class solution: (1) Low Adversity with Very Low Regulatory Strengths, (2) Very Low Adversity with Low Regulatory Strengths, (3) Self-Reliant, (4) Self-Reliance Plus, (5) Regulatory Resilient, (6) Buffered and Connected, and (7) Insulated and Thriving. Among the three adversity and victimization classes (3-5), very high percentages of participants reported growing up in a home with someone who struggled with drugs and/or alcohol. The two classes with the highest strengths, regardless of childhood adversity, had the highest likelihood of positive adult wellbeing indicators. By identifying distinct profiles of adversity and strengths, this research supports a shift toward strengths-based public health strategies that not only mitigate risk but also promote adaptive capacities.Keywords
Funding Information
- University of New Hampshire
This publication has 69 references indexed in Scilit:
- Autonomy versus support: self-reliance and help-seeking for mental health problems in young peopleSocial Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 2022
- A systematic review and meta‐analysis investigating the impact of childhood adversities on the mental health of LGBT+ youthJCPP Advances, 2022
- Adverse Childhood Experiences and Their Relation to Parenting Stress and Parenting PracticesCommunity Mental Health Journal, 2018
- Violence, Crime, and Abuse Exposure in a National Sample of Children and YouthJAMA Pediatrics, 2013
- Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, and the Childhood Roots of Health DisparitiesJAMA, 2009
- Creating a Healthier Future Through Early Interventions for ChildrenJAMA, 2009
- Psychometric analysis and refinement of the connor–davidson resilience scale (CD‐RISC): Validation of a 10‐item measure of resilienceJournal of Traumatic Stress, 2007
- Substance use and multiple victimisation among adolescents in South AfricaAddictive Behaviors, 2006
- Development of a new resilience scale: The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC)Depression and Anxiety, 2003
- Personal control and coronary artery disease: How generalized expectancies about control may influence disease riskJournal of Psychosomatic Research, 1991