Abstract :
A developmental cascade model tested associations among child maltreatment, internalizing and externalizing psychopathology, social competence, and
cannabis abuse and dependence symptoms in a longitudinal cohort (N ¼ 415). Nested structural equation models evaluated continuity and cross-domain
influences among broad multi-informant constructs across four developmental periods: age 7 to 9, 10 to 12, 13 to 15, and 15 to 18. Results indicated significant
paths from child maltreatment to early externalizing and internalizing problems and social competence, as well as to cannabis abuse and dependence (CAD)
symptoms in adolescence. Youth CAD symptoms were primarily related directly to child maltreatment and externalizing problems. Childhood internalizing
symptoms contributed to later childhood decreases in social competence, which predicted increases in late adolescent externalizing problems. Using a
developmental psychopathology framework, results are discussed in relation to cascade and transactional effects and the interplay between problem behaviors
during childhood and development of CAD symptoms during early and late adolescence
