Background and Hypothesis: The social defeat hypothesis posits that exclusion and discrimination experienced by socially marginalized populations predict psychotic experiences (PEs), particularly when perceived as defeatist. However, its emphasis on individual-level factors may obscure the role of structural and systemic influences. This is significant for the US context, given US histories of pronounced structural racism and economic inequality. This study extends the social defeat hypothesis by examining established indicators of social defeat, along with US-specific factors that capture structural influences on individuals’ perceptions of discrimination and exclusion as defeatist. Design: Data from the National Survey of Poly-victimization and Mental Health (N = 1 584) were analyzed to investigate cross-sectional associations between individual-level and structural indicators of marginalization and social defeat and self-reported PEs among young adults. Study Results: BIPOC participants had 60% higher odds of reporting PEs in the past year (OR = 1.60; 95% CI, 1.27–2.03; P = .003). Furthermore, participants with at least 1 experience of police violence in the past year have 52% higher odds of reporting PEs (OR = 1.52; 95% CI, 1.16–2.00; P = .003). Several additional indicators were associated with increased odds of PE, including race (non-White compared to White), high-frequency substance use, everyday discrimination, exposure to childhood abuse or bullying. Conclusions: Findings align with European social defeat literature, confirming the relevance of the hypothesis in the US context. However, prominence of structural factors (racism, police violence) suggests that the social defeat hypothesis should incorporate systemic influences, emphasizing the need for interventions addressing societal contributors to psychosis risk.

The commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) of children is a distinct form of sexual trauma, resulting in immediate mental health issues. Few studies explore associations between family-level factors in adolescence and health outcomes in adulthood among this population. Utilizing a nationally representative dataset, we explored differences and associations between mental health outcomes and domains of the Family Health Development framework among respondents who self-reported CSE (N = 502; mean age = 15.03, SD = 1.34; 67% male; 50% white). We conducted ordinary least squares and binary logistic regressions using a hierarchical approach to analyze the CES-D depression scale, anxious personality scale, and self-reported diagnoses of depression and anxiety/panic disorder. At Wave IV, when participants were aged 24–32, 20% of participants reported ever having a diagnosis of depression, and 12% reported ever having an anxiety/panic disorder diagnosis. Family receipt of public assistance during adolescence significantly predicted depression and anxiety symptoms in adulthood, highlighting associations between family structure and mental health. Gender and race significantly predicted anxiety symptoms and having a diagnosis of depression and anxiety/panic disorder. Findings underscore the need for targeted training and comprehensive health screenings for providers to better understand and address the long-term mental health needs of CSE-impacted groups.