Family cumulative risk, life satisfaction, and anxiety and depression in adolescents: A developmental cascades model

Abstract Introduction Family cumulative risk (FCR) is predominantly regarded as an antecedent for adolescent mental health, as the prevailing perspective continues to emphasize the influential role of parents, despite recognizing the child's influence. To identify the interplay between family adversity (FCR, process‐related FCR, and sociodemographic‐related FCR), life satisfaction (LS), and anxiety and depression (AD), this study examined the cascade effects among these constructs. Method Participants ( N = 707; 52.9% male; grades 10 and 11) from four high schools in Wuhan, China, were recruited to participate, and they completed the measures in October 2018, April 2019, and November 2019. Family sociodemographic risk (e.g., single parenthood) and family process risk (e.g., low family cohesion) were simulated in the models for FCR, sociodemographic‐related FCR, and process‐related FCR. Results The random intercept cross‐lagged panel models (RI‐CLPMs) revealed a lagged effect from LS to FCR; lagged effects from LS and AD to process‐related FCR at the within‐person level; and significant associations between LS, AD, and family adversity at the between‐person level. Conclusions The lagged effects provide evidence for the influential child perspective and suggest that FCR and family process risk are sensitive to adolescent well‐being and psychopathological symptoms. School mental health prevention and intervention programs that take a complete mental health approach to enhance children's well‐being and alleviate symptoms would help prevent increases in family risk.