Cumulative risk and youth problem behaviors : the role of IQ, cognitive problem-solving ability, and self-esteem

This study examined the relationships among cumulative environmental risk exposure, youth personal attributes (IQ, cognitive problem-solving ability, and self-esteem) and indicators of youth maladjustment in a nationally representative sample of adolescent youth. Cross-sectional analyses revealed a significant positive, linear association between cumulative risk and both externalizing and internalizing problem behavior. The concurrent association between cumulative risk and internalizing problem behavior was significantly stronger for female and Caucasian youth. A protective effect of self-esteem on both externalizing and internalizing problem behaviors was demonstrated as well as a weak protective effect of cognitive problem-solving ability on externalizing problem behaviors. Longitudinal findings indicated that cumulative risk was a significant predictor of change over time in internalizing problem behavior. Cognitive problem-solving ability and self-esteem demonstrated compensatory roles in the risk-maladjustment relationship, suggesting that the protective quality of these assets is immediate rather than long-term.