TY - JOUR
T1 - A framework for understanding Adverse Adolescent Experiences (AAEs)
AU - Pollmann, Ayla
AU - Bates, Kathryn
AU - Fuhrmann, Delia
PY - 2025/2/20
Y1 - 2025/2/20
N2 - Adolescence (ages 10-24) is characterised by cognitive, behavioural and social development. Childhood environments are typically centred on home and care settings, while adolescents increasingly engage with peer and community environments. These changing environments confer risks of experiencing specific adversities at different ages. Despite the unique characteristics of adversities in adolescence and potential associations with lifespan outcomes, few frameworks exist to systematise adversities in adolescents. This perspective piece reviews current research and proposes an approach specific to this developmental period: the Adverse Adolescent Experiences (AAEs) framework. Building on existing models (e.g., the Adverse Childhood Experiences framework), the AAEs focus on potentially traumatising experiences during adolescence. The framework uses Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory to conceptualise adversities at intrapersonal, interpersonal, community, and societal levels. This approach aims to enhance our understanding of adolescent adversity, facilitate the study of its impacts, and guide prevention and intervention efforts.
AB - Adolescence (ages 10-24) is characterised by cognitive, behavioural and social development. Childhood environments are typically centred on home and care settings, while adolescents increasingly engage with peer and community environments. These changing environments confer risks of experiencing specific adversities at different ages. Despite the unique characteristics of adversities in adolescence and potential associations with lifespan outcomes, few frameworks exist to systematise adversities in adolescents. This perspective piece reviews current research and proposes an approach specific to this developmental period: the Adverse Adolescent Experiences (AAEs) framework. Building on existing models (e.g., the Adverse Childhood Experiences framework), the AAEs focus on potentially traumatising experiences during adolescence. The framework uses Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory to conceptualise adversities at intrapersonal, interpersonal, community, and societal levels. This approach aims to enhance our understanding of adolescent adversity, facilitate the study of its impacts, and guide prevention and intervention efforts.
M3 - Review article
SN - 2397-3374
JO - Nature Human Behaviour
JF - Nature Human Behaviour
ER -