Protective factors against mental health difficulties in adolescents exposed to adversity, a genetically sensitive approach.

Childhood adversity is associated with negative mental health consequences in adolescence and across the life course. However, some young people appear to be more resilient to adverse experiences, demonstrating wellbeing outcomes which are similar to their peers who have not experienced adversity. The presence of protective factors is one explanation for these variances which has been emphasised as an area requiring further exploration (e.g. McLaughlin 2016).
My PhD project seeks to further understanding of the role of protective factors against mental health problems in adolescents who have experienced childhood adversity, and to examine whether protective factors have a causal effect on wellbeing outcomes by using methods which account for genetic confounding - polygenic scores & twin differences designs. I also seek to further examine the influence of inequality on the experience of adversity, measured by socioeconomic position, and whether the role of protective factors for adolescent mental health in the context of adversity is socially patterned.