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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Daniel Nettle
This is the authors' accepted manuscript of an article that has been published in its final definitive form by Cambridge University Press , 2017.
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A wealth of evidence documents associations between various aspects of the rearing environment and later development. Two evolutionary-inspired models advance explanations for why and how such early experiences shape later functioning: (1) the external-prediction model which highlights the role of the early environment (e.g. parenting) in regulating children’s development and (2) the internal-prediction model which emphasizes internal state (i.e., health) as the critical regulator. Thus, by using the current project draws from both models by investigating whether the effect of the early environment on later adolescent functioning is subject to an indirect effect by internal-health variables. Results showed a significant indirect effect of internal health on the relation between the early environment and adolescent behavior. Specifically, early-environmental adversity during the first five years of life predicted lower quality health during childhood which then led to problematic adolescent functioning and earlier age of menarche for girls. Additionally, for girls, early adversity predicted lower quality health which forecasted earlier age of menarche leading to increased adolescent risk taking. The discussion highlights the importance of integrating both internal and external models to further understand the developmental processes that effect adolescent behavior.
Author(s): Hartman S, Li Z, Nettle D, Belsky J
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Development and Psychopathology
Year: 2017
Volume: 29
Issue: 5
Pages: 1839-1849
Print publication date: 01/12/2017
Online publication date: 22/11/2017
Acceptance date: 03/02/2017
Date deposited: 06/02/2017
ISSN (print): 0954-5794
ISSN (electronic): 1469-2198
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
URL: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579417001432
DOI: 10.1017/S0954579417001432
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