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Pathways of childhood poly-adversity to behavioral and mental health difficulties among adolescents: Resilience and self-concept

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  • Lee, Chia-Kuei
  • Liao, Li-Ling

Abstract

Childhood adversity, especially poly-adversity, heightens the risk of behavioral and emotional difficulties in adolescents. Existing evidence, rooted in various theoretical perspectives, indicates that resilience and self-concept are linked to these difficulties arising from childhood adversity. However, the precise interplay between resilience and self-concept in influencing the association between childhood poly-adversity and adolescent behavioral and emotional difficulties remains unclear. This study aimed to identify the pathways linking childhood poly-adversity to adolescent behavioral and emotional difficulties through resilience (family and individual) and self-concept (content domain and clarity) among Taiwanese adolescents. A convenience sample of 675 adolescent–parent/guardian pairs was recruited from 24 public junior high schools in six counties/cities in southern Taiwan. An anonymous questionnaire was used to collect data on adolescents’ self-concept, childhood adversity, resilience, behavioral and emotional difficulties, sociodemographics, and parents/guardians’ resilience. Results showed that adolescents with childhood poly-adversity had lower scores on family and individual resilience, content domains of self-concept, and self-concept clarity than their counterparts, particularly adolescents with high poly-adversity. The indirect effects of childhood poly-adversity on adolescent behavioral and emotional difficulties were through resilience and self-concept. The sequential pathways via resilience and self-concept for low and high childhood poly-adversity were similar. Findings suggest that resilience and self-concept may be underlying mechanisms linking childhood adversity to adolescent behavioral and emotional difficulties. Strategies targeting strengthening resilience for both adolescents and their families, as well as fostering positive self-concept in adolescents, may have clinical implications.

Suggested Citation

  • Lee, Chia-Kuei & Liao, Li-Ling, 2025. "Pathways of childhood poly-adversity to behavioral and mental health difficulties among adolescents: Resilience and self-concept," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:169:y:2025:i:c:s0190740925000088
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108125
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sulimani-Aidan, Yafit & Sivan, Yael & Davidson-Arad, Bilha, 2017. "Comparison of hope and the child-parent relationship of at-risk adolescents at home and in residential care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 125-132.
    2. Wei Chen & Enhui Xie & Xue Tian & Guyin Zhang, 2020. "Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Resilience Scale (RS-14): Preliminary results," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(10), pages 1-18, October.
    3. Suárez-Soto, Elizabeth & Pereda, Noemí & Guilera, Georgina, 2019. "Poly-victimization, resilience, and suicidality among adolescents in child and youth-serving systems," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
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