Abstract
PurposeEngaging in exploratory risky behaviors and experiencing poor mental health during early adolescence are important markers for poor health during adulthood. Prior research suggests protective effects from cognition, but less is known about the associations between early childhood cognition and early adolescent psychosocial well-being, as identified by self-esteem, mental health, and exploratory risky behaviors. This article investigates the extent that early adolescent psychosocial well-being at the age of 11 years is associated with patterns of cognitive skills measured across the first decade of a child's life. MethodsWe used data collected from the four follow-up sweeps of the UK Millennium Cohort Study and utilized latent profile analysis to identify three discernible cognitive profiles (n = 16,899). ResultsWe find cohort members in low-achieving profiles to be more likely to engage in exploratory risky behaviors—drinking, smoking, and antisocial conduct—and to have poor self-esteem and more problem behaviors, compared with their peers in high-achieving profiles. Socioeconomic and family psychosocial markers considerably attenuated these disadvantages. ConclusionsUnderstanding which adolescents have adverse psychosocial well-being has implications for the prevention of chronic diseases and for clinical care and policy.
Highlights
Engaging in exploratory risky behaviors and experiencing poor mental health during early adolescence are important markers for poor health during adulthood
Prior research suggests protective effects from cognition, but less is known about the associations between early childhood cognition and early adolescent psychosocial well-being, as identified by self-esteem, mental health, and exploratory risky behaviors
We find cohort members in low-achieving profiles to be more likely to engage in exploratory risky behaviorsddrinking, smoking, and antisocial conductdand to have poor self-esteem and more problem behaviors, compared with their peers in high-achieving profiles
Summary
Engaging in exploratory risky behaviors and experiencing poor mental health during early adolescence are important markers for poor health during adulthood. Prior research suggests protective effects from cognition, but less is known about the associations between early childhood cognition and early adolescent psychosocial well-being, as identified by self-esteem, mental health, and exploratory risky behaviors. Adolescence is an important period given the potential emergence of antisocial behavior, poor mental health, and experimentation with alcohol and smoking [1e3]. The social costs from the loss of productivity and an array of health care expenses due to these pernicious consequences [6] has led to an extensive body of research aimed at better understanding the social etiology of adolescent mental health and exploratory risky behaviors (hereafter referred to as psychosocial well-being) [7]. Much of the evidence has focused on cognitive skills in middle to late adolescence [10], finding strong cognitive performance, measured by higher grades, advanced
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
