Multisystem Environmental Factors Elucidate Shared and Distinct Associations With Brain and Behavior in Adolescents

Environmental 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 multisystem environmental factors during late childhood are associated with subcortical volume and psychopathology during early adolescence.

We used baseline, 2-year follow-up, and 3-year follow-up data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development℠ Study (n = 2,766). A Bayesian latent profile analysis was applied to obtain distinct multisystem environmental profiles during late childhood. The profiles were used in a path analysis to derive their direct and indirect effects on subcortical volume and psychopathology during early adolescence.

Bayesian latent profile analysis revealed 9 environmental profiles. Two distinct profiles were directly associated with greater externalizing psychopathology in adolescents: (1) adversity across family, school, and neighborhood systems, and (2) family conflict and low school involvement. In contrast, a profile of family and neighborhood affluence was directly associated with lower externalizing psychopathology. Furthermore, family/neighborhood affluence was associated with higher subcortical volume, which in turn was associated with lower externalizing and internalizing psychopathology; conversely, a family economic and neighborhood adversity profile was associated with lower subcortical volume, which in turn was associated with higher externalizing and internalizing psychopathology.

We identified environmental and brain-related equifinal pathways associated with externalizing and internalizing psychopathology. This work highlights the importance of considering the role of multiple systems and factors in the conceptualization and treatment of adolescent psychopathology.

One or more of the authors of this paper self-identifies as a member of one or more historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science. One or more of the authors of this paper self-identifies as a member of one or more historically underrepresented sexual and/or gender groups in science. One or more of the authors of this paper received support from a program designed to increase minority representation in science. We actively worked to promote sex and gender balance in our author group. We actively worked to promote inclusion of historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science in our author group. While citing references scientifically relevant for this work, we also actively worked to promote sex and gender balance in our reference list. While citing references scientifically relevant for this work, we also actively worked to promote inclusion of historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science in our reference list. The author list of this paper includes contributors from the location and/or community where the research was conducted who participated in the data collection, design, analysis, and/or interpretation of the work.