In the Health Experiences and Adolescent Relationship Trajectories (HEART) Lab, we focus on understanding the social, contextual, structural, and cultural factors that influence adolescent and young adult development, health, and well-being. We use primarily secondary data analysis from large, national, longitudinal datasets, such as the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development Study (ABCD), the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) and the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCW) to better understand long-term development. In this research we apply innovative statistical approaches, such as time-varying effect modeling (TVEM) and latent class analysis (LCA).
Read below to learn more about our current projects!
Normative Development of Health Behaviors
Adolescence is a key time for development of certain health risks, such as risky sexual behavior and alcohol use. However, while researchers have traditionally examined these behaviors using a health-risk lens, they also may be a part of normative development and potentially associated with positive consequences for adolescents and young adults. Thus, we study these health behaviors in a way that incorporates both health risk and normative developmental perspectives. This includes a) understanding how the prevalence and predictors of health behaviors changes across the lifespan and b) what perceived consequences and physical, mental, and social health outcomes do individuals experience from these behaviors at different ages.
Sample papers:
Vasilenko, S.A. (2022). Sexual behavior and health from adolescence to young adulthood: A review of 25 years of research from Add Health. Journal of Adolescent Health, 71(6), S24-S31. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2022.08.014
Vasilenko, S. A., Walters, T. L.**, Clark, A. N.**, & Lefkowitz, E. S. (2022). Positive, Negative, or Mixed Feelings? A Person‑Centered Approach to Consequences of First Penile‑Vaginal Intercourse in College Students. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 51(8), 3993-4006 doi:10.1007/s10508-022-02379-4
Vasilenko, S. A., Evans-Polce, R. J.*, & Lanza, S. T. (2017). Age trends in rates of substance use disorders across ages 18–90: Differences by gender and race/ethnicity. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 180, 260-264. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.08.027.
Vasilenko, S. A. (2017). Age-varying associations between non-marital sexual behavior and depressive symptoms across adolescence and young adulthood. Developmental Psychology. 53, 366-378. doi: 10.1037/dev0000229
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Health
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events in childhood that can have a profound impact on individuals’ later health. However, most research that examines ACEs uses a sum score which treats all adversities as having an equivalent impact. In addition, the originally proposed 10 ACEs focused on middle-class, largely white, participants and may not fully represent the experiences of lower-income or racial/ethnic minority participants. Thus, in this work we are using LCA to uncover profiles of original and expanded ACEs and examine how they are associated with health outcomes like sexual behavior, substance use, and mental health. In addition, we want to better understand the mechanisms that lead to these associations, as well as protective factors that may serve as a buffer against the impact of ACEs.
Click here to learn about our NICHD-funded grant.
Sample papers:
Zhang, X.**, Wang, X., Liu, Q.**, & Vasilenko, S.A. (2023). Unpacking the impact of early adverse childhood experiences on early onset of sexual intercourse among an urban birth cohort of early adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health. 73, 6, 1110-1116. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.07.010
Wang, X., Jiang, L**., Barry, L**., Zhang, X.**, Vasilenko, S. A., & Heath, R.D. (2023). A scoping review on adverse childhood experiences studies using latent class analysis: Strengths and challenges. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1177/15248380231192922
Digital Media Use in Adolescence
Our most recent research is focused on understanding how digital media use impacts adolescent and young adult health and well-being. In particular, we are interested in how digital media is associated with gendered socialization about sexual behavior and romantic relationships, and how this socialization impacts relationships, mental health, and well-being. In addition, we have in-progress or under review projects related to patterns of media use and mental health, media use and self-regulation, and digital intimate partner violence.
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