Historical and generational forces in the Iridescent Life Course of bisexual women, men, and gender diverse older adults.

Purpose: Little is known about the life course of bisexual older adults. This study examines life events and experiences of bisexuals by generation: Pride Generation, born 1950-1964; Silenced Generation, born 1935-1949; and Invisible Generation, born 1934 or earlier, as well as by gender among women, men, and gender diverse older adults. Methods: Aging with Pride: National Health, Aging, and Sexuality/Gender Study is the first national longitudinal study of LGBTQ older adults in the US. We utilize the Iridescent Life Course to examine the life events and life course experiences of bisexual older adults (N = 216) using 2014 survey data. The Iridescent Life Course frames this study for comparing generational and gender differences in five key areas: identity development; work; kin and social relationships; bias-related experiences; and physical and mental health. Findings: The Invisible Generation, the oldest generation, compared to the two younger generations, reports significant risks related to social relationships, the lowest levels of openly disclosing, and fewer bias-related experiences. They also demonstrate important signs of resilience and better mental health. Bisexual men and gender diverse older adults report higher rates of bias-related experiences and fewer social resources than bisexual women. Conclusion: Based on the Iridescent Life Course, we document important differences in the heterogeneity and intersectionality in bisexual lives, particularly for those in late life and those gender diverse. It is essential to document the distinct nature of bisexuals' life course, as it provides both historical and contemporary insights into aging and the reframing of future research.

Does Educational Success Mitigate the Effect of Child Maltreatment on Later Offending Patterns?

Analyses examined offending patterns during adolescence and adulthood and their relation to child maltreatment subtypes and education factors measured during adolescence and adulthood. A total of 356 participants were followed from preschool to adulthood in a prospective longitudinal study. Child maltreatment subtypes include physical-emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect. Offending patterns were analyzed as latent classes of (a) chronic offending, (b) desistence, and (c) stable low-level or non-offending. Physical-emotional and sexual abuse were associated with a higher likelihood of chronic offending relative to stable low-level offending. Education variables, including high educational engagement and good academic performance, predicted a higher likelihood of low-level offending relative to desistence, but not desistence relative to chronic offending. Only educational attainment predicted desistence relative to chronic offending. There was no moderating effect of education variables on the association between child maltreatment subtypes and later offending patterns. Implications for research, practice, and policy are discussed.

Prospective Associations of Child Maltreatment Subtypes With Adult Educational Attainment: Tests of Mediating Mechanisms Through School-Related Outcomes.

This study tests a developmental cascades model in which childhood maltreatment is hypothesized to influence adult educational attainment by increasing attention problems and reducing successful school experiences during adolescence. Two path models tested direct and indirect associations of childhood maltreatment with adult educational attainment. Model 1 used three parent-reported subtypes of childhood maltreatment (physical/emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect). Model 2 added an agency-reported measure of childhood maltreatment. Both models detected indirect effects of childhood maltreatment subtypes on adult educational attainment through attention and school discipline problems, poor school engagement, and low extracurricular involvement. Model 2 also detected a direct effect of agency-reported childhood maltreatment on the adult outcome. Regardless of the type of maltreatment or data source used, school factors mediated the associations of childhood maltreatment on adult educational attainment. Promoting school engagement and reducing disciplinary referrals for maltreated youth could improve their educational attainment over the long term.

Accounting for HIV Health Disparities: Risk and Protective Factors Among Older Gay and Bisexual Men.

Objective: This study examines whether disparities exist in poor health and depressive symptomatology among older gay/bisexual men (50+) with (n = 371) and without (n = 973) HIV. If so, what risk/promoting factors account for those disparities? Method: These cross-sectional analyses used 2014 data from the Aging With Pride: National Health, Aging, and Sexuality/Gender Study. Results: Those with HIV reported poorer health and more depressive symptomatology accounted for by lower income, resilience and social support, and more lifetime victimization. Poorer health among those with HIV was associated with more chronic conditions. Higher depressive symptomatology was associated with diagnosed anxiety and drug addiction. Community engagement reduced disparities in poor health and depression. Implications: Older gay/bisexual men living with HIV infection are at greater risk for physical and mental health issues. Assessments should be conducted with attention to these risk factors. Interventions for improving social support, resilience, and community engagement are warranted.

The Evolution of Aging With Pride-National Health, Aging, and Sexuality/Gender Study: Illuminating the Iridescent Life Course of LGBTQ Adults Aged 80 Years and Older in the United States.

Aging with Pride: National Health, Aging, and Sexuality/Gender Study is the first federally funded study addressing aging among LGBTQ older adults throughout the United States. This article examines the evolution of this landmark study and explores the well-being of LGBTQ adults aged 80 years and older ( n = 200), the most underrepresented group in the field. Based on the Iridescent Life Course, we examined the diverse, intersectional nature of LGBTQ older adults' lives, finding high levels of education and poverty. Microaggressions were negatively associated with quality-of-life and positively associated with poor physical and mental health; the inverse relationship was found with mastery. When the oldest encountered risks, it resulted in greater vulnerability. This longitudinal study is assessing trajectories in aging over time using qualitative, quantitative, and biological data and testing evidence-based culturally responsive interventions for LGBTQ older adults. Research with LGBTQ oldest adults is much needed before their stories are lost to time.

Gender Differences in Intimate Partner Violence: A Predictive Analysis of IPV by Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Exposure During Early Childhood.

This study focused on gender differences in the prediction of adult intimate partner violence (IPV) by subtypes of child abuse and children's exposure to IPV. Latent classes of adult IPV consisted of a no violence (20.3%), a psychological violence only (46.2%), a psychological and sexual violence (9.2%), a multitype violence and intimidation (6.8%), and a psychological and physical violence with low intimidation class (17.5%). Physical-emotional child abuse and domestic violence exposure predicted a higher likelihood of multitype violence for males. Sexual abuse predicted a higher likelihood of this same class for females. Implications for future research and prevention are discussed.

Gendered Pathways From Child Abuse to Adult Crime Through Internalizing and Externalizing Behaviors in Childhood and Adolescence.

Gender differences in externalizing and internalizing pathways from child abuse to adult crime were examined across four waves of an extended longitudinal study ( N = 186 males and 170 females) using multiple-group structural equation modeling. Results show that child abuse was associated with both internalizing and externalizing behaviors in the elementary school years for both males and females. However, gender differences were found such that internalizing behaviors increased the risk of adult crime for females only, and externalizing behaviors increased the risk of adult crime for males only. Internalizing behaviors among males actually lessened the risk of adult crime, and externalizing behaviors were unrelated to adult crime among females. Findings confirm distinct pathways leading from child abuse to later crime for males and females, which is important for prevention and intervention strategies.

Collaborative Care for Perinatal Depression Among Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Women: Adverse Neonatal Birth Events and Treatment Response.

OBJECTIVE: The study examined the effectiveness of a perinatal collaborative care intervention in moderating the effects of adverse neonatal birth events on risks of postpartum depressive symptoms and impaired functioning among women of lower socioeconomic status with antenatal depression. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial with blinded outcome assessments was conducted in ten public health centers, comparing MOMCare (choice of brief interpersonal psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, or both) with intensive maternity support services (MSS-Plus). Participants had probable diagnoses of major depressive disorder or dysthymia during pregnancy. Generalized estimating equations estimated differences in depression and functioning measures between groups with and without adverse birth events within the treatment arms. A total of 160 women, 43% of whom experienced at least one adverse birth event, were included in the analyses. RESULTS: For women who received MOMCare, postpartum depression scores (measured with the Symptom Checklist-20) did not differ by whether or not they experienced an adverse birth event (mean±SD scores of .86±.51 for mothers with an adverse birth event and .83±.56 for mothers with no event; p=.78). For women who received MSS-Plus, having an adverse birth event was associated with persisting depression in the postpartum period (mean scores of 1.20±.0.61 for mothers with an adverse birth event and .93±.52 for mothers without adverse birth event; p=.04). Similar results were seen for depression response rates and functioning. CONCLUSIONS: MOMCare mitigated the risk of postpartum depressive symptoms and impaired functioning among women of low socioeconomic status who had antenatal depression and who experienced adverse birth events.

Effects of child abuse, adolescent violence, peer approval and pro-violence attitudes on intimate partner violence in adulthood.

BACKGROUND: Children's exposure to violence increases their risk for later victimisation and perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV). However, the relative influence of child abuse, adolescent violence, peer approval of violence and pro-violence attitudes on later IPV is not well established. AIMS: Analyses focus on the prediction of adult IPV from variables measured in childhood and adolescence to establish the unique influence of earlier victimisation and perpetration of violence, as well as other variables grounded in theory and empirical findings. METHODS: Data are from a longitudinal study that began in the 1970s with a sample of 457 preschool-aged children who were reassessed as adults. Outcomes of adult IPV victimisation and perpetration types were regressed on predictors of parent-reported child abuse, officially recorded child maltreatment, adolescent victimisation, violence perpetration, pro-violence attitudes and peer approval of violence during adolescence, controlling for childhood Socio Economic Status (SES), age in adolescence and gender. RESULTS: Dating violence victimisation and peer approval of dating violence in adolescence emerged as the unique predictors of IPV victimisation and perpetration in adulthood. Official child maltreatment predicted IPV perpetration. CONCLUSIONS: Results underscore the importance of prevention programmes and strategies to disrupt the cycle of violence at its early stages, as well as interventions during adolescence targeting peer influences. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Longitudinal Effects of Early Childhood Maltreatment on Co-Occurring Substance Misuse and Mental Health Problems in Adulthood: The Role of Adolescent Alcohol Use and Depression.

OBJECTIVE: This study tested a developmental model in which subtypes of childhood maltreatment were hypothesized to have direct and indirect effects on co-occurring depression, anxiety, and substance misuse in adulthood. Indirect effects involved adolescent alcohol use and depression, which were included as mediators in the tested models. METHOD: This prospective longitudinal study (N = 332; 52.4% male) followed the participants from childhood (18 months to 6 years of age) to adulthood (31-41 years old, M = 36.21). Maltreatment subtypes included parent-reported physical and emotional abuse and child-reported sexual abuse. Adult outcomes included measures of substance misuse and mental health (i.e., depression and anxiety). Latent class analysis and structural equation models were used to identify classes of substance misuse and mental health co-occurrence and to test mediating effects of adolescent alcohol use and depression. RESULTS: Three classes were identified: (a) low risk of substance misuse and low mental health symptoms, (b) moderate substance misuse risk and mild depression and anxiety, and (c) moderate substance misuse risk and moderate to high depression and anxiety. Structural models showed that effects of childhood sexual abuse were fully mediated by adolescent alcohol use and depression. Physical abuse increased adolescent depression but did not have direct or indirect effects on adult outcome classes. Emotional abuse had a direct effect on the adult classes. CONCLUSIONS: Children exposed to severe emotional abuse are at higher risk for comorbid substance misuse, depression, and anxiety into their mid-30s, after taking into account evidence of alcohol use and depression during adolescence. Sexual and physical abuse have more proximal effects on adolescent alcohol use and depression, which then influence the risk of adult problems.

Mediating and moderating effects of social support in the study of child abuse and adult physical and mental health.

A number of cross-sectional and a few longitudinal studies have shown a developmental relationship between child abuse and adult physical and mental health. Published findings also suggest that social support can lessen the risk of adverse outcomes for some abused children. However, few studies have investigated whether social support mediates or moderates the relationship between child abuse and adult physical and mental health. Structural equation modeling was used to examine data on these topics from a longitudinal study of more than 30 years. While a latent construct of physical and emotional child abuse did not predict adult health outcomes directly, child abuse did predict outcomes indirectly through social support. A test of variable moderation for child abuse and social support was nonsignificant. Results suggest that social support may help explain the association between child abuse and health outcomes at midlife. Implications of the findings for prevention and treatment are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record

Effects of Physical and Emotional Child Abuse and Its Chronicity on Crime Into Adulthood.

Analyses tested hypotheses that pertain to direct and indirect effects of parent-reported physical and emotional abuse on later self-reported criminal behavior in a sample of 356 adults of a longitudinal study of more than 30 years. Childhood antisocial behavior was included in analyses as a potential mediator. Physical abuse only predicted adult crime indirectly through childhood antisocial behavior, whereas emotional abuse predicted adult outcome both directly and indirectly. Chronicity of physical abuse was indirectly related to later crime in a subsample test for those who had been physically abused (n=318), whereas chronicity of emotional abuse was neither directly nor indirectly related to adult crime in a test of those who had been emotionally abused (n=225). Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

Longitudinal examination of peer and partner influences on gender-specific pathways from child abuse to adult crime.

Research provides increasing evidence of the association of child abuse with adult antisocial behavior. However, less is known about the developmental pathways that underlie this association. Building on the life course model of antisocial behavior, the present study examined possible developmental pathways linking various forms of child abuse (physical, emotional, sexual) to adult antisocial behavior. These pathways include child and adolescent antisocial behavior, as well as adulthood measures of partner risk taking, warmth, and antisocial peer influences. Data are from the Lehigh Longitudinal Study, a prospective longitudinal study examining long-term developmental outcomes subsequent to child maltreatment. Participant families in the Lehigh Longitudinal Study were followed from preschool age into adulthood. Analyses of gender differences addressed the consistency of path coefficients across genders. Results for 297 adult participants followed from early childhood showed that, for both genders, physical and emotional child abuse predicted adult crime indirectly through child and adolescent antisocial behavior, as well as adult partner and antisocial peer influences. However, for females, having an antisocial partner predicted an affiliation with antisocial peers, and that in turn predicted adult crime. For males, having an antisocial partner was associated with less partner warmth, which in turn predicted an affiliation with antisocial peers, itself a proximal predictor of adult crime. Sexual abuse also predicted adolescent antisocial behavior, but only for males, supporting what some have called "a delayed-onset pathway" for females, whereby the exposure to early risks produce much later developmental outcomes.

Does Child Maltreatment Predict Adult Crime? Reexamining the Question in a Prospective Study of Gender Differences, Education, and Marital Status.

Bivariate analyses of adult crime and child maltreatment showed that individuals who had been maltreated as children, according to child welfare reports, subsequently committed more crime than others who had not been maltreated. Analyses of crimes by category-property, person, and society-provided further evidence of a link between child maltreatment and crime at the bivariate level. Tests of gender differences showed that crime generally is more prevalent among males, although females with a history of maltreatment were more likely than those in a no-maltreatment (comparison) group to report having had some prior involvement in crime. Surprisingly, multivariate analyses controlling for childhood socioeconomic status, gender, minority racial status, marital status, and education level showed that, with one exception (crimes against society), the significant association between child maltreatment and crime observed in bivariate tests was not maintained. Implications for future research are discussed.