The impact of early adversity experiences on adolescents’ prosocial risk-taking behavior: a chain mediation effect analysis

Grounded in ecological systems theory and life history theory, this study investigated the relationship between early adversity experiences and adolescents’ prosocial risk-taking behavior as well as its underlying psychological mechanisms. A questionnaire survey was administered to 1,726 junior and senior high school students. The results showed significant pairwise correlations among early adversity experiences, subjective socioeconomic status, empathy, and prosocial risk-taking behavior. Subjective socioeconomic status and empathy each mediated the relationship between early adversity experiences and prosocial risk-taking behavior, and the two formed a significant chain mediation pathway, jointly transmitting the negative impact of early adversity experiences. The findings indicate that early adversity experiences significantly inhibit adolescents’ prosocial risk-taking behavior by reducing their perceived subjective socioeconomic status and weakening their empathy.