Psychological and biological resilience modulates the effects of stress on epigenetic aging

AbstractOur society is experiencing more stress than ever before, leading to both negative psychiatric and physical outcomes. Chronic stress is linked to negative long-term health consequences, raising the possibility that stress is related to accelerated aging. In this study, we examine whether resilience factors affect stress-associated biological age acceleration. Recently developed “epigenetic clocks” such as GrimAge have shown utility in predicting biological age and mortality. Here, we assessed the impact of cumulative stress, stress physiology, and resilience on accelerated aging in a community sample (N = 444). Cumulative stress was associated with accelerated GrimAge (P = 0.0388) and stress-related physiologic measures of adrenal sensitivity (Cortisol/ACTH ratio) and insulin resistance (HOMA). After controlling for demographic and behavioral factors, HOMA correlated with accelerated GrimAge (P = 0.0186). Remarkably, psychological resilience factors of emotion regulation and self-control moderated these relationships. Emotion regulation moderated the association between stress and aging (P = 8.82e−4) such that with worse emotion regulation, there was greater stress-related age acceleration, while stronger emotion regulation prevented any significant effect of stress on GrimAge. Self-control moderated the relationship between stress and insulin resistance (P = 0.00732), with high self-control blunting this relationship. In the final model, in those with poor emotion regulation, cumulative stress continued to predict additional GrimAge Acceleration even while accounting for demographic, physiologic, and behavioral covariates. These results demonstrate that cumulative stress is associated with epigenetic aging in a healthy population, and these associations are modified by biobehavioral resilience factors.

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Mixed Results on the Efficacy of the CharacterMe Smartphone App to Improve Self-Control, Patience, and Emotional Regulation Competencies in Adolescents

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.586713 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Sarah A. Schnitker ◽

Jennifer Shubert ◽

Juliette L. Ratchford ◽

Matt Lumpkin ◽

Benjamin J. Houltberg

Keyword(s):

Emotion Regulation ◽

Behavioral Intervention ◽

Emotional Regulation ◽

Self Control ◽

Smartphone App ◽

Psychological Interventions ◽

User Engagement ◽

Social Emotional ◽

Changes Over Time ◽

The Impact

Unprecedented levels of access to adolescents' time and attention provide opportunities to convert traditional character and socioemotional competencies interventions into behavioral intervention technologies. However, these new tools must be evaluated rather than assuming previously validated activities will be efficacious when converted to a mobile platform. Thus, we sought to design and provide initial data on the effectiveness of the CharacterMe smartphone app to build self-control and patience, which are built on underlying social-emotional regulation competencies, in a sample of 618 adolescents (Mage = 16.07, Female = 56.6%). We also sought to examine whether framing the app activities as having a transcendent (spiritual connection or moral/prosocial) rather than instrumental purpose would increase engagement and change in self-control, patience, and emotion regulation. Finally, we tested the impact of framing activities as building strengths vs. fixing weaknesses. Results highlight the difficulty of translating psychological interventions to behavioral intervention technologies. Overall, the CharacterMe smartphone app was unsuccessful in increasing self-control, patience, or emotion regulation in adolescents, with analyses showing no significant mean changes over time. Framing conditions and user engagement were largely not significant predictors of change in self-control, patience, and emotion regulation.

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It is Not (Always) the Mismatch That Beats You—On the Relationship Between Interaction of Early and Recent Life Stress and Emotion Regulation, an fMRI Study

Brain Topography ◽

10.1007/s10548-021-00880-y ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Andrzej Sokołowski ◽

Monika Folkierska-Żukowska ◽

Katarzyna Jednoróg ◽

Marek Wypych ◽

Wojciech Ł. Dragan

Keyword(s):

Emotion Regulation ◽

Life Stress ◽

Brain Activation ◽

Anterior Cingulate ◽

Stress Index ◽

Precentral Gyrus ◽

Frontal Pole ◽

Cumulative Stress ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

AbstractStress may impact the ability to effectively regulate emotions. To study the impact of stressful experiences in early and recent life on emotion regulation, we examined the relationship between early life stress, recent stress, and brain activation during cognitive reappraisal. We investigated two regulation goals: the decrease and increase of emotional response to both negative and positive stimuli. Furthermore, two models of stress consequences were examined: the cumulative and match/mismatch models. A total of 83 participants (Mage = 21.66) took part in the study. There was an interaction between cumulative stress and stimuli valence in the cuneus, superior lateral occipital cortex, superior parietal lobule, supramarginal gyrus extending to superior temporal gyrus, and precentral gyrus extending to supplementary motor area. Interaction between mismatched stress index and stimuli valence was found in the left hippocampus, left insula extending to the orbitofrontal cortex and amygdala, and in a cluster including the anterior cingulate cortex, superior frontal gyrus, and frontal pole. Furthermore, there were differences between the effects of cumulative and mismatched stress indices on brain activation during reappraisal of positive but not negative stimuli. Results indicate that cumulative stress and match/mismatch approaches are both useful for explaining brain activation during reappraisal. This finding is important for our understanding of the multifaceted impact of stress on emotion regulation.

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Fatty Liver Is Associated with Low N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide in a Healthy Population

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10071402 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 1402

Author(s):

Hyo-In Choi ◽

Mi Yeon Lee ◽

Byeong Kil Oh ◽

Seung Jae Lee ◽

Jeong Gyu Kang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Insulin Resistance ◽

Fatty Liver ◽

Regression Model ◽

Natriuretic Peptide ◽

Healthy Population ◽

Large Set ◽

Model Assessment ◽

Multivariable Regression Model ◽

Multivariable Regression ◽

The Impact

Fatty liver (FL), insulin resistance (IR) and obesity often coexist, but data on the independent impacts of these factors on N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels are scarce. We examined the impact of FL, IR and obesity on NT-proBNP levels using a large set of cross-sectional data. The associations of FL, IR and obesity with NT-proBNP were analyzed in 39,923 healthy adult participants. IR was estimated using a homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index. A multivariable regression model was conducted to identify associations between NT-proBNP and FL on abdominal ultrasound. FL, IR and obesity showed independent inverse associations with NT-proBNP after multiple adjustments for baseline characteristics. In a multivariable regression model adjusting for IR and obesity, FL was independently associated with lower levels of NT-proBNP (estimates, Exp(β) 0.864, 0.849–0.880). The combination of FL and IR was a powerful dual indicator, lowering NT-proBNP levels approximately 25% in the generally healthy study population. In conclusion, FL was independently associated with lower NT-proBNP levels. FL and a high HOMA-IR index are a powerful indicator combination for lower NT-proBNP levels. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanism underlying the association between FL and NT-proBNP.

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Testing Life Course Models Whereby Juvenile and Adult Adversity Combine to Influence Speed of Biological Aging

Journal of Health and Social Behavior ◽

10.1177/0022146519859896 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 60 (3) ◽

pp. 291-308 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ronald L. Simons ◽

Man-Kit Lei ◽

Steven R. H. Beach ◽

Leslie Gordon Simons ◽

Ashley B. Barr ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Accelerated Aging ◽

Hierarchical Regression ◽

Biological Aging ◽

Early Adversity ◽

Social Change Model ◽

Cumulative Stress ◽

Test Models ◽

Social Adversity ◽

New Gene ◽

The Impact

The present study extends prior research on the links between social adversity and aging by employing more comprehensive measures of adversity and a new gene expression index of aging. Hierarchical regression and 20 years of data from a sample of 381 black Americans were used to test models regarding the impact of social adversity on speed of aging. Consistent with the early life sensitivity model, early adversity continued to predict accelerated aging after controlling for adult adversity. Contrary to the pathway model, adult adversity was not related to aging following controls for early adversity. The cumulative stress model received partial support as high adversity during adulthood amplified the effect of early adversity on aging. Finally, consonant with the social change model, low adversity during adulthood buffered the effect of early adversity on aging. These findings held after controlling for health behaviors such as smoking, diet, and exercise.

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Eating Disorders, Emotion Regulation, and Mentalization : Addressing the gap between Theory and Practice

Journal of Psychology and Neuroscience ◽

10.47485/2693-2490.1039 ◽

2021 ◽

Keyword(s):

Eating Disorders ◽

Emotion Regulation ◽

Eating Behaviors ◽

Treatment Effectiveness ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Diagnostic Category ◽

Two Dimensions ◽

Theory And Practice ◽

Self Control ◽

The Impact

Clarifying terminology in psychological science is crucial to develop suitable practices and improve treatment effectiveness. Objectives: To provide theoretical framework which integrates the scientific literature regarding the transdiagnostic dimensions in the eating disorders (ED) spectrum: self-agency, mentalization, self-control and self-regulation. In addition to introducing a newly developed eating and control style axis, (ECOSA), it focuses on better conceptualizing the complex interaction between eating style, control conditions, and the impact of the “emotional brain” versus the “thinking brain.” Methods: Electronic searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO, were performed on April–May 2020 using the keywords Self agency or mentalization or reflective functioning or self-regulation or emotion regulation or self-control or self-agency and eating disorders. Results: There are numerous scientific literatures related to eating disorders. However, only two were related to all the dimensions discussed in this manuscript. Most reviews have focused on a single diagnostic category or two dimensions. Only, one study reported the results of mentalization-based treatment (MBT). ECOSA provides an example of a tool that may be used to promote self-agency in the management of eating disorders. Conclusion: To enhance perception of ownership over an effector (self-agency), clinicians need an instrument that assists in exploring the agent’s inner intentions. ECOSA may be used by all those who seek further clarity regarding the association between pathological eating behaviors, self-regulation and under- or over-c

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Relationship of Risk Factors for Metabolic-Associated Diseases with Biological Age

Ukraïnsʹkij žurnal medicini bìologìï ta sportu ◽

10.26693/jmbs06.05.184 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (5) ◽

pp. 184-192

Author(s):

O. V. Kolesnikova ◽

◽

O. E. Zaprovalna ◽

A. V. Potapenko

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Insulin Resistance ◽

Life Expectancy ◽

Premature Aging ◽

Biological Age ◽

World Health ◽

Aged Patients ◽

Associated Diseases ◽

Pathological Conditions ◽

The Impact

Assessment of the rate of aging is of great importance in modern medicine, since people of middle age may have a discrepancy between the calendar and biological age. Biological age is a measure of biological capabilities, which determines not only the past, but also the measures of the forthcoming life expectancy, as well as the risk of certain age-dependent diseases. Metabolic disorders, including hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia induce interrelated processes in the vascular wall as well as increase oxidative stress, apoptosis, and vascular permeability therefore contributing to the development of premature aging. The purpose of the study was to establish the relationship between risk factors for metabolic-associated diseases and biological age. Materials and methods. The study involved 119 patients who were divided into 2 groups: 1 group (n = 67) – patients with moderate risk of cardiovascular disease in combination with metabolic-associated diseases (insulin resistance, obesity, hyperuricemia), group 2 (n = 52) – comparison group. Each group was divided into subgroups, depending on age categories: up to 45 years, from 45 years to 60 years (middle-aged patients according to the World Health Organization recommendations), from 60 to 75 years, over 75 years. Results and discussion. Premature aging is diagnosed on the basis of determining the biological age as an indicator of conformity (inconsistency) of the morphofunctional status of the individual to some statistical average development value of this age and sex group. Determination of risk factors for metabolic-associated diseases will effectively counteract the occurrence of pathological conditions and increase life expectancy in these patients. The article presents its own data on the association of risk factors for metabolic-associated diseases, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, body mass index, elevated insulin levels and high levels of proatherogenic lipids, stress level with increasing biological age, both in the study and in the control groups, thus accelerating the rate of aging. Conclusion. Preventive strategies aimed at preventing the impact of risk factors for metabolic-associated diseases will effectively counteract the occurrence of pathological conditions, prevent cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accident), thereby increasing life expectancy in these patients

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Self-Control and Emotion Regulation Mediate the Impact of Karate Training on Satisfaction With Life

Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience ◽

10.3389/fnbeh.2021.802564 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

Author(s):

Wiktor Potoczny ◽

Radoslawa Herzog-Krzywoszanska ◽

Lukasz Krzywoszanski

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Emotion Regulation ◽

Satisfaction With Life ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Control ◽

Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽

General Level ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

The Impact

Physical activity is an important determinant of a healthy lifestyle. Regular participation in sports-related activities contributes to the maintenance of good psychophysiological and social health. Long-term physical activity has a positive impact on subjective well-being and can reduce stress. Karate is a specific physical activity which focuses on self-regulation and self-development; therefore, it may reduce impulsivity and improve self-control. Good self-control is also related to satisfaction with life and well-being. The presented study aimed to examine the possible intermediate impact of self-control and emotion regulation on the relationship between karate training and satisfaction with life. Fifty-eight karate practitioners and fifty-nine control subjects participated in the research. The Satisfaction With Life Scale and the Brief Self-Control Scale were applied in order to assess life satisfaction and the general level of self-control. The Emotion Regulation Questionnaire was used to assess suppression and reappraisal, both of which are distinct aspects of emotion regulation. The direct and indirect relationships between karate training and satisfaction with life were investigated using a linear regression model that included self-control, suppression and reappraisal as mediating variables. No direct effects of karate training on satisfaction with life were found, whereas karate training was indirectly associated with satisfaction with life via the indirect path that leads through self-control and reappraisal. This indicates that self-control and reappraisal fully mediate the impact of karate training on subjective well-being. Karate training can therefore play an important role in shaping volitional and personality characteristics, both of which contribute to increasing the well-being of trainees.

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