How Childhood Harshness Affects Adolescent Mental Health: The Role of Basic Psychological Needs

Abstract

Accumulating evidence suggests that childhood adversity can have long-lasting effects on adolescent mental health. However, less is known about the specific impact of childhood harshness on mental well-being. This study builds on Life History Theory and Basic Psychological Need Theory to explore the relationship between childhood harshness and adolescent mental health. Study 1, utilizing cross-sectional data from 1491 adolescents (age: M = 13.74, SD = 0.73), found that childhood harshness negatively predicted mental health, with basic psychological need satisfaction serving as a significant mediator. Study 2 further examined the temporal effects in a new sample of 918 adolescents (age: M = 12.62, SD = 0.61) using a three-wave longitudinal design, providing stronger support for the temporal ordering of these associations. These results underscore both the immediate and long-term effects of childhood harshness on mental health and suggest that interventions targeting basic psychological need satisfaction may help mitigate these negative impacts.