The Impact of Positive and Adverse Experiences in Adolescence on Health and Wellbeing Outcomes in Early Adulthood

Lynn Kemp (), Emma Elcombe, Stacy Blythe, Rebekah Grace, Kathy Donohoe and Robert Sege
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Lynn Kemp: Centre for Transforming Early Education and Child Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Penrith Campus, Kingswood, NSW 2747, Australia
Emma Elcombe: Centre for Transforming Early Education and Child Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Penrith Campus, Kingswood, NSW 2747, Australia
Stacy Blythe: Centre for Transforming Early Education and Child Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Penrith Campus, Kingswood, NSW 2747, Australia
Rebekah Grace: Centre for Transforming Early Education and Child Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Penrith Campus, Kingswood, NSW 2747, Australia
Kathy Donohoe: Centre for Transforming Early Education and Child Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Penrith Campus, Kingswood, NSW 2747, Australia
Robert Sege: Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111, USA

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 9, 1-13

Abstract: This study evaluated the associations between positive and adverse experiences and environments in adolescence and health, education and employment outcomes in early adulthood. Data were extracted from the Longitudinal Studies of Australian Youth cohort that commenced in 2003. The items were conceptually mapped to Positive and Adverse Youth Experiences and environments (PYEs and AYEs) at 15, 16 and 17 years old and outcomes at 25 years old. The associations between PYEs, AYEs and general health, mental health, education and employment were examined, including testing whether PYEs mitigated the association between AYEs and outcomes. A higher number of AYEs was associated with poorer health, education, and employment outcomes. Conversely, a higher number of PYEs was correlated with positive outcomes. The participants with higher PYEs had significantly greater odds of better general and mental health outcomes, even after accounting for AYEs. This relationship was not observed for employment or education outcomes. Adolescence and the transition to adulthood are critical developmental stages. Reducing adverse experiences and environments and increasing positive ones during adolescence could enhance adult wellbeing.

Keywords: positive childhood experiences; adverse childhood experiences; adolescence; longitudinal studies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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