Mentorship in adolescence and subsequent depression and adiposity among child maltreatment survivors in a United States nationally representative sample

Child maltreatment (CM), including abuse and neglect, is common, with nationally representative prevalences of 12%, 18%, and 34% for sexual abuse, physical abuse, and emotional abuse, respectively, and estimated prevalences of 16% and 18% for physical and emotional neglect (Merrick et al., 2018; Stoltenborgh et al., 2013). CM is associated with various adverse mental and physical health outcomes over the lifecourse, including in racially/ethnically diverse populations (Llabre et al., 2017; Boynton-Jarrett et al., 2012; Pierce et al., 2020; Danese et al., 2007; Suglia et al., 2014). Two outcomes widely associated with CM are depression/depressive symptoms and obesity (Alvarez et al., 2007; Greenfield and Marks, 2009; Holshausen et al., 2016; Vallati et al., 2020), which are both public health crises and associated with multiple types of CM (meta-analysis based ORs for any CM = 1.36, 95% CI:1.26–1.47 and 2.03 95% CI:1.37–3.01 for obesity and depression, respectively) (Li et al., 2016; Danese and Tan, 2014) in several studies, such as The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (“Add Health”) (Sokol et al., 2019; Sacks et al., 2017; Kim et al., 2022) Obesity is highly prevalent in the United States (2019 prevalence = 42.4%), and the prevalence has been steadily increasing from prior decades (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022b). Depression has experienced a particularly pronounced increase in recent years and during the COVID-19 pandemic (Lancet., 2021). Moreover, obesity and depression are important outcomes to target because adolescent/young adult obesity is strongly linked to subsequent chronic disease risk and adolescent/young adult depression is associated with adverse mental health later in adulthood (Weissman et al., 1999; Colman and Ataullahjan, 2010; Drozdz et al., 2021).

Given the impact of CM on health outcomes over the lifecourse, there has been increased interest identifying protective factors which may buffer against CM (Mason et al., 2022; Howell and Miller-Graff, 2014; Holmes et al., 2015). Adult mentors, particularly during the transition to adulthood, are a source of support that may improve psychosocial and physical health outcomes (Zimmerman et al., 2002; DuBois and Silverthorn, 2005; Hurd and Zimmerman, 2010; Scanlon et al., 2019; Lee and Jeong, 2014; Whitney et al., 2011). Youth may engage with mentors through formal mentoring programs (e.g., Big Brothers/Big Sisters) or via natural mentorship. Natural mentors are non-parental adults in social networks who provide support/guidance to youth and may include extended family members, teachers, and other caring adults (Zimmerman et al., 2005).

Both structured and natural mentoring have been associated with various positive physical and mental outcomes in youth/young adults (Zimmerman et al., 2002; DuBois and Silverthorn, 2005; Hurd and Zimmerman, 2010; Scanlon et al., 2019; Lee and Jeong, 2014; Whitney et al., 2011). In addition to an emotionally supportive role, mentors may shape youth outcomes through teaching of coping techniques (Chesmore et al., 2017). Mentorship, especially during adolescence, may be a valuable source of support for CM survivors, as mentors can provide support and fulfill roles not provided by parents (Chesmore et al., 2017; Collins et al., 2010). Hence, the impact of mentoring may be relatively stronger for CM survivors. There are studies among CM survivors and foster children, who frequently experience CM, showing that adult mentorship is associated with positive psychosocial outcomes such as graduation from high school and protection against substance use and depression (Chesmore et al., 2017; Collins et al., 2010; Weber Ku et al., 2021; Ahrens et al., 2008). However, there are fewer studies examining the impact of mentorship on physical health outcomes, and these studies have mixed findings (Weber Ku et al., 2021; Ahrens et al., 2008). Further, the limited studies that have examined health outcomes related to chronic disease risk, namely obesity, did not find that mentoring is associated with or modifies the impact of CM (Sokol et al., 2019; Ahrens et al., 2008).

Finally, mentoring relationships and dynamics are sensitive to individual and contextual factors (Darling et al., 2006). First, racial/ethnic minorities may be less likely to identify with having a mentor or role model in certain settings, such as school (Babey et al., 2015). Studies also note that same race mentors may yield better outcomes and race/ethnicity of mentors may impact satisfaction with mentoring relationships (Campbell and Campbell, 2007; Schippers, 2008). Mentor familial status may also be important, particularly within Hispanic/Latino and Black families. Due to cultural values such as familism, Black and Hispanic/Latino individuals may be more likely to utilize and/or feel more comfortable with mentors within their families (Campos et al., 2014; Calzada et al., 2013; Hurd et al., 2009; Haddad et al., 2011; Klaw et al., 2003). However, it is important to note that mentors who are part of family systems where CM is present may not necessarily be able to provide positive support. Finally, factors that influence mentoring may vary by gender/sex. For example, one study found that duration of girls' mentoring relationships lasted significantly longer than those of boys and girls considered long-term relationships more helpful (Rhodes et al., 2008). While a meta-analysis evaluating natural mentoring did not find an association with mentor or mentee gender/sex (Van Dam et al., 2018), a meta-analysis showed that formal mentoring programs with a higher percentage of male youth and those that utilized male mentors yielded larger effect sizes for various outcomes, including depressive symptoms (Raposa et al., 2019). Thus, the existing literature suggests that mentor and mentee characteristics may modify the impact of mentoring in survivors of CM.

The goal of this study was to, within a nationally representative sample of young adult CM survivors, examine whether natural mentorship (from mentors both inside and outside the family) during adolescence is associated with adiposity and depressive symptoms in adulthood. To understand the role of mentee characteristics in these associations, we initially stratified associations by sex, then further stratified by race/ethnicity (White, Hispanic/Latino, Black).

留言 (0)

沒有登入
gif