A cross‐sectional investigation into the role of intersectionality as a moderator of the relation between youth adversity and adolescent depression/anxiety symptoms in the community

Background: Adolescents exposed to adversity show higher levels of depression and anxiety, with the strongest links seen in socially/societally disadvantaged individuals (e.g., females, low socioeconomic status [SES]), as well as neurodivergent individuals. The intersection of these characteristics...

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Main Authors: Havers, L, Bhui, K, Shuai, R, Fonagy, P, Fazel, M, Morgan, C, Fancourt, D, McCrone, P, Smuk, M, Hosang, GM, Shakoor, S
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024
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author Havers, L
Bhui, K
Shuai, R
Fonagy, P
Fazel, M
Morgan, C
Fancourt, D
McCrone, P
Smuk, M
Hosang, GM
Shakoor, S
author_facet Havers, L
Bhui, K
Shuai, R
Fonagy, P
Fazel, M
Morgan, C
Fancourt, D
McCrone, P
Smuk, M
Hosang, GM
Shakoor, S
author_sort Havers, L
collection OXFORD
description Background: Adolescents exposed to adversity show higher levels of depression and anxiety, with the strongest links seen in socially/societally disadvantaged individuals (e.g., females, low socioeconomic status [SES]), as well as neurodivergent individuals. The intersection of these characteristics may be important for the differential distribution of adversity and mental health problems, though limited findings pertain to the extent to which intersectional effects moderate this association. Methods: Combined depression/anxiety symptoms were measured using the emotional problems subscale of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in 13–14‐year‐olds in Cornwall, United Kingdom in 2017‐2019. In a cross‐sectional design (N = 11,707), multiple group structural equation modeling was used to estimate the effects of youth adversity on depression/anxiety symptoms across eight intersectionality profiles (based on gender [female/male], SES [lower/higher], and traits of hyperactivity/inattention [high/low]). Moderation effects of these characteristics and their intersections were estimated. Results: Youth adversity was associated with higher levels of depression/anxiety (compared to an absence of youth adversity), across intersectional profiles. This effect was moderated by gender (stronger in males; β = 0.22 [0.11, 0.36]), and SES (stronger in higher SES; β = 0.26 [0.14,0.40]); with indications of moderation attributable to the intersection between gender and hyperactivity/inattention (β = 0.21 [−0.02,0.44]). Conclusions: Youth adversity is associated with heightened depression/anxiety across intersectional profiles in 13–14‐year‐olds. The stronger effects observed for males, and for higher SES, may be interpreted in terms of structural privilege. Preliminary findings suggest that vulnerability and resilience to the effects of youth adversity may partially depend on specific intersectional effects. Importantly, the current results invite further investigation in this emerging line of inquiry.
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spelling oxford-uuid:b513e452-c41b-4dbe-b1a5-cf17f57c40b62024-07-20T16:21:00ZA cross‐sectional investigation into the role of intersectionality as a moderator of the relation between youth adversity and adolescent depression/anxiety symptoms in the communityJournal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:b513e452-c41b-4dbe-b1a5-cf17f57c40b6EnglishJisc Publications RouterWiley2024Havers, LBhui, KShuai, RFonagy, PFazel, MMorgan, CFancourt, DMcCrone, PSmuk, MHosang, GMShakoor, SBackground: Adolescents exposed to adversity show higher levels of depression and anxiety, with the strongest links seen in socially/societally disadvantaged individuals (e.g., females, low socioeconomic status [SES]), as well as neurodivergent individuals. The intersection of these characteristics may be important for the differential distribution of adversity and mental health problems, though limited findings pertain to the extent to which intersectional effects moderate this association. Methods: Combined depression/anxiety symptoms were measured using the emotional problems subscale of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in 13–14‐year‐olds in Cornwall, United Kingdom in 2017‐2019. In a cross‐sectional design (N = 11,707), multiple group structural equation modeling was used to estimate the effects of youth adversity on depression/anxiety symptoms across eight intersectionality profiles (based on gender [female/male], SES [lower/higher], and traits of hyperactivity/inattention [high/low]). Moderation effects of these characteristics and their intersections were estimated. Results: Youth adversity was associated with higher levels of depression/anxiety (compared to an absence of youth adversity), across intersectional profiles. This effect was moderated by gender (stronger in males; β = 0.22 [0.11, 0.36]), and SES (stronger in higher SES; β = 0.26 [0.14,0.40]); with indications of moderation attributable to the intersection between gender and hyperactivity/inattention (β = 0.21 [−0.02,0.44]). Conclusions: Youth adversity is associated with heightened depression/anxiety across intersectional profiles in 13–14‐year‐olds. The stronger effects observed for males, and for higher SES, may be interpreted in terms of structural privilege. Preliminary findings suggest that vulnerability and resilience to the effects of youth adversity may partially depend on specific intersectional effects. Importantly, the current results invite further investigation in this emerging line of inquiry.
spellingShingle Havers, L
Bhui, K
Shuai, R
Fonagy, P
Fazel, M
Morgan, C
Fancourt, D
McCrone, P
Smuk, M
Hosang, GM
Shakoor, S
A cross‐sectional investigation into the role of intersectionality as a moderator of the relation between youth adversity and adolescent depression/anxiety symptoms in the community
title A cross‐sectional investigation into the role of intersectionality as a moderator of the relation between youth adversity and adolescent depression/anxiety symptoms in the community
title_full A cross‐sectional investigation into the role of intersectionality as a moderator of the relation between youth adversity and adolescent depression/anxiety symptoms in the community
title_fullStr A cross‐sectional investigation into the role of intersectionality as a moderator of the relation between youth adversity and adolescent depression/anxiety symptoms in the community
title_full_unstemmed A cross‐sectional investigation into the role of intersectionality as a moderator of the relation between youth adversity and adolescent depression/anxiety symptoms in the community
title_short A cross‐sectional investigation into the role of intersectionality as a moderator of the relation between youth adversity and adolescent depression/anxiety symptoms in the community
title_sort cross sectional investigation into the role of intersectionality as a moderator of the relation between youth adversity and adolescent depression anxiety symptoms in the community
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