Integrating multi-system environmental factors to predict brain and behavior in adolescents

ObjectiveEnvironmental factors have long been shown to influence brain structure and adolescent psychopathology. However, almost no research has included environmental factors spanning micro-to-macro-systems, brain structure, and psychopathology in an integrated framework. Here, we assessed the ways and degree to which multi-system environmental factors during late childhood predict subcortical volume and psychopathology during early adolescence. MethodWe used the baseline and 2-year follow-up data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive DevelopmentSM Study (N = 2,766). A Bayesian latent profile analysis was applied to obtain distinct multi-system environmental profiles during late childhood. The profiles were used in a path analysis to predict their direct and indirect effects on subcortical volume and psychopathology during early adolescence. ResultsBayesian latent profile analysis revealed nine environmental profiles. Two distinct profiles predicted greater externalizing problems in adolescents: (i) adversity across, family, school, and neighborhood systems and (ii) family conflict and low school involvement. In contrast, a profile of family and neighborhood affluence predicted fewer externalizing difficulties. Further, family and neighborhood affluence predicted higher subcortical volume, which in turn, predicted fewer externalizing problems; whereas, family economic and neighborhood adversity predicted lower subcortical volume, which in turn, predicted greater externalizing difficulties. ConclusionWe captured direct and indirect influences of environmental factors across multiple systems on externalizing psychopathology. Specifying the equifinal pathways to externalizing psychopathology serves to provide an evidence base for establishing different types of interventions based on the needs and risk profiles of youth. Diversity and Inclusion StatementThe current study is part of the ongoing Adolescent Brain Cognitive DevelopmentSM Study (ABCD Study(R)) for which youth are recruited from elementary schools in the United States that are informed by gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and urbanicity. The ABCD Study(R) aims to recruit youth longitudinally by sampling the sociodemographic makeup of the US population. Two of the authors self-identifies as a member of one or more historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science. One of the authors identifies as a part of an underrepresented gender group in science. The authors also are representative of the communities for which data was collected and contributed to design, analysis, and/or interpretation of the work. Finally, every effort was made to cite the work of authors from underrepresented and minoritized groups in academic research.