Consistent with prior research using both the NCS-A and the adult sample of the National Comorbidity Survey (NCS-R), childhood maltreatment and interpersonal violence are strongly associated with multiple psychiatric and behavioral outcomes.10,11,44,46 Combined with results from previous studies on diverse health outcomes, our findings here confirm that these forms of physical and sexual violence exhibit multifinality in that they are associated with elevated risk for multiple adverse outcomes, including health behaviors, not only diagnosed disorders.44,46,48 Health behaviors such as adolescent drug use may be modifiable risk factors that can be targeted to prevent future adverse health outcomes.55 Efforts to prevent the particularly devastating forms of trauma such as physical, sexual, and domestic violence should be at the forefront. Researchers should continue to explore risk factors for the perpetration of this violence in order to inform policy and social welfare initiatives with an evidence-based primary prevention approach.
