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A Network Approach to Understanding Early-Life Adversity: Linking Threat, Deprivation, and Unpredictability to
Jianjun Huang1, Yuan Feng1, Wei Xu1
1Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
Journal of Interpersonal Violence
|March 24, 2026
Summary
Early-life adversity, including threat, deprivation, and unpredictability, significantly impacts adolescent mental health and cognitive development. Network analysis reveals distinct links between these adversity dimensions and depression and executive functions.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- The dimensional model of early-life adversity identifies threat and deprivation as core dimensions.
- Existing research may not fully address the co-occurrence of adversities or the role of unpredictability.
- Understanding these dimensions is crucial for adolescent developmental outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationships between threat, deprivation, and unpredictability in early-life adversity.
- To examine the differential associations of these dimensions with adolescent depression and executive function.
- To advance the dimensional model of early-life adversity using network analysis.
Main Methods:
- Employed network analysis on a sample of 2,212 adolescents (mean age 13.90 years).
- Assessed three dimensions of early-life adversity: threat, deprivation, and unpredictability.
- Examined associations with adolescent depression and executive function subcomponents.
Main Results:
- Threat, deprivation, and unpredictability were interconnected and showed differential impacts.
- Threat was strongly linked to depression; deprivation to inhibitory control; unpredictability to depression, cognitive flexibility, and working memory.
- Threat emerged as a central and bridging node in the adversity network.
Conclusions:
- Findings validate and extend the dimensional model of early-life adversity.
- Threat, deprivation, and unpredictability are distinct and significant forms of adversity.
- These dimensions have unique associations with adolescent affective and cognitive outcomes.
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